An experimental investigation on the effects of barite/hematite on the radiation shielding properties of serpentine concretes

• Published in: Progress in nuclear energy (New series) Vol. 120; p. 103220
• Main Authors: Masoud, M.A., Kansouh, W.A., Shahien, M.G., Sakr, K., Rashad, Alaa M., Zayed, A.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Aggregates; Attenuation coefficients; Barite; Concrete; Fast neutrons; Gamma rays; Hematite; Mechanical properties; Neutrons; Physical properties; Radiation shielding; Serpentine; Serpentine concrete; Shielding properties; Stilbene; Hematite; Shielding properties; Barite; Serpentine concrete; Gamma-rays; Fast neutrons
• ISSN: 0149-1970; 1878-4224
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2019.103220

To modify some properties of serpentine-based concretes, serpentine aggregate (S) was partially replaced with either hematite aggregate (H) or barite aggregate (B) at levels of 25% and 50%, by volume. To evaluate the impact of these aggregates, selected physical properties of the prepared serpentine-barite (AB25, 50) and serpentine-hematite (AH25, 50) concretes were measured and compared to those of the control serpentine concrete (A). In addition, the fast neutrons and gamma-rays shielding properties of these concretes in comparison with those of the control (A) were experimentally measured using a239Pu-Be source and stilbene detector. These shielding properties were determined by measuring the neutron and gamma-ray attenuation coefficients (ΣR(En) and μ(Eγ), respectively), as well as parameters of relaxation length (λ) and half value length (HVL) at different energies. It was found that incorporation of B and H had a negative impact on the physical properties of the serpentine-based concretes except for density. On the other hand, this incorporation improved the attenuation properties of serpentine-based concretes. This improvement was more effective in the case of using B rather than H in the equivalent ratios. Finally, 50% B was the best ratio in enhancing the shielding of fast neutrons and gamma-rays. •Barite (B) and hematite (H) were mixed with serpentine concrete (A) in two ratios.•B and H negatively affected the physical properties of A except the density.•B and H improved the attenuation of A against fast neutrons and gamma-rays.•Attenuation coefficients (ΣR(En) and μ(Eγ)) and parameters (λ and HVL) were measured.•50% B was the best ratio in enhancing the shielding of fast neutrons and gamma-rays.