Doubts over capillary pressure theory in context with drying and autogenous shrinkage of alkali-activated materials

•Amino alcohol surfactants reduced the surface tension of AAS pore solutions.•Surfactants had a minor effect on autogenous shrinkage.•Drying shrinkage was reduced mainly thanks to hydration retardation caused by surfactants.•Decrease in surface tension does not necessarily lead to decrease in shrinkage.•Adsorption of surfactants on slag particles were observed.