Investigating the linear attenuation coefficient and compression strength parameters of heavy concrete with barite aggregates containing bismuth powder and microsilica powder against gamma rays

Abstract

In the production of heavy concrete, instead of typical aggregates, heavy aggregates or steel spalls, cast iron or lead is used; The use of such concrete is to prevent the emission of radiation such as X and gamma; Basically, this kind of concrete is used in structures related to nuclear facilities, and hospitals; Heavy concrete, is a concrete that has a substantially higher specific gravity than concrete with typical aggregates; Heavy concrete is usually produced using heavy weight aggregates and is especially used as a protective shield against radiation; The specific gravity of heavy concrete is about 1.5 to 2.5 times the typical concrete weight. The aim of this paper is to investigate the linear attenuation coefficient and compressive strength parameters of cube samples made from heavy concrete, with typical aggregate, barite aggregate, bismuth powder, microsilica powder, and concrete super-lubricant additive compounds; and compare the results of these samples with built control sample result. The results show that the linear attenuation coefficient parameter of built concrete samples, relates to cesium 137 gamma rays, directly correlates with the percentage of compounds used in the manufacture of samples, ie, the percentage of typical aggregate, barite aggregate, bismuth metal and microsilica powder, but this is not the case with the compressive strength parameter of concrete.

Keywords

• heavy concrete
• linear attenuation coefficient
• compressive strength
• gamma ray
• barite aggregate