Applied Radiation and Isotopes 94 (2014) 8–13

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Applied Radiation and Isotopes

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/apradiso

Prompt gamma ray evaluation for chlorine analysis in blended

cement concrete
A.A. Naqvi a,n, M. Maslehuddin b, Zameer Kalakada c, O.S.B. Al-Amoudi c
a
Department of Physics, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
b
Center for Engineering Research, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
c
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

H I G H L I G H T S

 New data on chlorine measurements in BFS cement concrete is presented.

 Single chlorine gamma ray was evaluated for chlorine analysis in blended cement concrete.
 6.11 MeV gamma-rays were found to be optimum one for chlorine analysis in the blended concretes.

art ic l e i nf o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Single prompt gamma ray energy has been evaluated to measure chlorine concentration in fly ash (FA),
Received 16 January 2014 Super-Pozz (SPZ) and blast furnace slag (BFS) cement concrete specimens using a portable neutron
Received in revised form generator-based Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation (PGNAA) setup. The gamma ray yield data from
9 June 2014
chloride concentration measurement in FA, SPZ and BFS cement concretes for 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV
Accepted 13 June 2014
Available online 8 July 2014
chlorine gamma rays were analyzed to identify a gamma ray with common slope (gamma ray yield/Cl conc.
wt%) for the FA, BFS and SPZ cement concretes. The gamma ray yield data for FA and SPZ cement concretes
Keywords: with varying chloride concentration were measured previously using a portable neutron generator-based
Single prompt gamma ray evaluation for PGNAA setup. In the current study, new data have been measured for chlorine detection in the BFS cement
chlorine analysis
concrete using a portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup for 2.86–3.10, 5.72, and 6.11 MeV chlorine
Portable neutron generator
gamma rays. The minimum detection limit of chlorine in BFS cement concrete (MDC) was found to be
Blended cement concrete samples
Monte carlo simulation 0.03470.010, 0.03270.010, 0.03370.010 for 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV gamma ray, respectively.
The new BFS cement concrete data, along with the previous measurements for FA and SPZ cement
concretes, have been utilized to identify a gamma ray with a common slope to analyze the Cl concentration
in all of these blended cement concretes. It has been observed that the 6.11 MeV chlorine gamma ray has a
common slope of 52957265 gamma rays/wt % Cl concentration for the portable neutron generator-based
PGNAA setup. The minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of chlorine in blended cement concrete was
measured to be 0.03370.010 wt % for the portable neutron generator-based PGNAA. Thus, the 6.11 MeV
chlorine gamma ray can be used for chlorine analysis of blended cement concretes.
& 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Corrosion of reinforcing steel is mainly caused by the diffusion
of chloride ions to the steel surface. These ions either diffuse from
the service environment or are present in the mixture ingredients
(Maslehuddin et al., 1996; ACI Committee 222, 1989; Al-Amoudi et
al., 2001). One preventive measure against reinforcement corro-
sion is making the concrete dense and impermeable. Pozzolanic
n
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: aanaqvi@kfupm.edu.sa (A.A. Naqvi).
materials, such as blast furnace slag (BFS), fly ash (FA), silica fume
(SF), Super-Pozz (SPZ) and others, are added to concrete as a
partial replacement for Portland cement, to make it dense and
impermeable, thereby slowing the diffusion of the chloride ions to
the steel surface (Al-Amoudi, 2002; PCI Committee, 1994). The
Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation (PGNAA) technique is a non-
destructive method that can be utilized to determine the chloride
concentration in bulk concrete samples (Saleh and Livingston,
2000; Paul and Lindstrom, 2000; Gardner et al., 2000; Naqvi et al.,
2012a, 2012b; Chichester and Simpson Lemchak).
BFS is in itself cement. However, approximately 20 to 40%
cement is added to it to enhance its cementing properties. BFS is

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.06.011
0969-8043/& 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 A.A. Naqvi et al. / Applied Radiation and Isotopes 94 (2014) 8–13 9

known to significantly reduce the risk of damage caused by the
alkali–silica reaction, provides good resistance to chloride ingress,
reduces the risk of reinforcement corrosion and provides good
resistance to attacks by sulfate and other chemicals. Furthermore,
the process of manufacturing Portland cement is costly, and it is a
major contributor of greenhouse gases, responsible for approxi-
mately 5% of all global carbon dioxide emissions. Minimization of
the use of Portland cement in concrete without the loss of concrete
strength is highly desirable. As shown in Table 1 (Naqvi et al.,
2012a, 2012b), BFS cement is characterized by reduced iron oxide,
silica and lime contents and enhanced alumina and MgO contents
compared to Type I or Type II Portland cement. It contains SiO2
(27.70 wt%), Al2O3 (12.80 wt%), Fe2O3 (1.20 wt%), CaO (44.0 wt%)
and MgO (8.80 wt%).
While blended cements are utilized to minimize reinforcement
corrosion, a non-destructive technique is required for monitoring
the chloride concentration in concrete and thus decreasing the
chances of reinforcement corrosion. The PGNAA technique is a
non-destructive technique that can be used to analyze chloride
concentration in bulk cement concrete samples (Saleh and
Livingston, 2000; Paul and Lindstrom, 2000; Gardner et al.,
2000; Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b; Chichester and Simpson
Lemchak). In the PGNAA technique, the sensitivity of chlorine
detection is affected by the interference between gamma rays
from chlorine and calcium (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b). Concrete
containing different calcium concentrations is expected to lead to
different chlorine detection sensitivities. As shown in Table 1,
replacement of Portland cement with FA, SF, SPZ or BFS to increase
the corrosion resistance also changes the calcium concentration in
concrete. This in turn may affect the chloride detection sensitivity
in blended cement concrete, thereby resulting in different values
for the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of chloride.
Therefore, it is of interest to compare the MDC of chloride in
blended cement concretes utilizing the PGNAA technique.
Furthermore, it will be worthwhile to analyze various types of
blended cement concretes utilizing a single energy gamma ray
with a common slope. This requires a search for a single gamma
ray with a common slope (gamma ray yield/Cl conc. wt%) for all
cement concrete types to be analyzed using the specific PGNAA
setup. In this study, a single energy gamma ray was sought for the
analysis of FA, BFS and SPZ cement concrete specimens using a
portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup developed by the
authors. Previously, the chloride concentration in FA and SPZ
blended cement concretes was measured using a DD portable
neutron generator-based PGNAA setup (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b).
In the present study, the chloride concentration has been mea-
sured in BFS cement concrete utilizing the portable neutron
generator-based PGNAA setup (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b). From
the measured chloride concentration data from FA, BFS and SPZ
cement concrete specimens, a single energy gamma ray with a
common slope for all concrete types has been determined. The
two parts of the study are described in the following sections.
2. Prompt gamma ray analysis of BFS cement concrete
specimens
The chlorine concentration in BFS cement concrete specimens
containing 0.8–3.5 wt% chloride was measured utilizing a portable
neutron generator based-PGNAA setup that has been described in
detail elsewhere (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b). For continuity, it will
also be described in detail here. The PGNAA setup mainly consists of
a portable neutron generator, a cylindrical 25 cm  8 cm (diameter
x height) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) moderator, a cylindrical
25 cm  14 cm (diameter x height) chlorine-contaminated BFS
cement concrete specimen and a cylindrical 5 cm  5 cm (diameter
 height) BGO gamma ray detector. The concrete specimen was
placed on one side of the neutron generator target-plane location,
with the axis of symmetry aligned at a right angle to the neutron
generator axis. The HDPE moderator was placed between the
specimen and the neutron generator with its axis of symmetry
aligned with the axis of the concrete specimen. The BGO detector
views the concrete specimen at an angle of 451 with respect to its
axis of symmetry, as shown in Fig. 1. To prevent undesired gamma
rays and neutrons from reaching the detector, lead, tungsten, and
paraffin, neutron shielding is inserted between the neutron gen-
erator, the moderator and the BGO detector, as shown in Fig. 1. The
paraffin neutron shielding is made of a mixture of paraffin and
lithium carbonate mixed in equal weight proportions. The cylind-
rical BFS cement concrete specimens were prepared by mixing
20 wt% BFS as a replacement of cement. The BFS cement concrete
Fig. 1. Schematic of the MP320 portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup
used to measure the prompt gamma-ray yield.

Table 1
Chemical composition (wt%) of Portland and Blended Cements and coarse and fine aggregates Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b.

Compound Type V cement Type I cement Fly ash Blast furnace slag Silica fume Superpozz Fine aggregate Coarse aggregate

SiO2 22.00 20.52 52.30 27.70 92.50 53.50 90.70 4.29

Al2O3 4.08 5.64 25.20 12.80 0.40 34.3 1.40 0.20
Fe2O3 4.24 3.80 4.6 1.20 0.40 3.6 0.48 0.23
CaO 64.07 64.35 10.0 44.0 0.50 4.4 – –
CaCO3 – – – – – – 5.62 93.20
MgO 2.21 2.11 2.20 8.80 0.90 1.0 0.26 0.44
SO3 1.96 2.1 0.60 3.10 0.50 – 0.2 0.4
K2O 0.31 0.36 0.10 0.10 0.40 – 0.43 0.09
Na2O 0.21 0.19 0.10 0.40 0.10 – 0.17 0.03
10 A.A. Naqvi et al. / Applied Radiation and Isotopes 94 (2014) 8–13
specimens were prepared with 0.8, 2.0, and 3.5 wt% chlorine
contamination following a procedure that has been described
elsewhere (Naqvi et al., 2012a). The chlorine-contaminated BFS
cement concrete specimens were then irradiated in the newly
designed portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup.
A pulsed neutron beam of 2.5 MeV was produced via a D(d,n)
reaction utilizing a MP320 portable neutron generator. The neu-
tron generator was operated with a 70 keV deuteron beam with a
pulse width of 5 ms and a frequency of 250 Hz. The pulsed neutron
beam improves the signal-to-background ratio in PGNAA studies.
The typical beam current of the generator was 70 μA. The thermal
neutron spectra were acquired in a PC-based data acquisition
system utilizing multichannel buffer modules. The prompt gamma
ray data from chloride-contaminated BFS cement concrete speci-
mens were acquired for 120 min. For background subtraction, the
prompt gamma ray data were also acquired from a BFS cement
concrete specimen without chloride contamination.
Fig. 2 shows interference of full energy (F) and single escape
(S) peaks of prompt gamma rays from the BGO detector material and
BFS cement concrete specimens containing 0.8, 2.0, and 3.5 wt%
chlorine above 2.66 MeV gamma ray energy. These findings are
consistent with previously reported observations (Naqvi et al.,
2012a, 2012b). The full energy peaks (F) of the prompt gamma rays
are marked in Fig. 2. The large peak on the right end of the spectrum
is the gamma ray sum peak from activation of the BGO detector, as
was observed in previous measurements (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b).
For our large-size BGO detector, the sum peak is observed at
7.33 MeV. Several prompt gamma rays are emitted by chlorine due
to the capture of thermal neutrons (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b). The
chlorine prompt gamma rays with energies in excess of 2.66 MeV
were considered in this study. Due to the poor energy resolution of
the BGO detector, chlorine prompt gamma rays with energies of
2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV from BFS cement concrete could be
resolved. Fig. 2 shows well-resolved full energy peaks of the concrete
constituents in addition to interference between prompt gamma rays
from chlorine and prompt gamma rays from the BFS cement concrete
constituents and the BGO detector material, as was observed
previously (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b).
Fig. 2 shows full energy peaks of the concrete constituents at Si
(F) 3.54, Si (F) 4.94 and Ca (F) 4.42 MeV (Naqvi et al., 2012a,
2012b). Additionally, Fig. 2 also shows interference between
prompt gamma rays from chlorine with prompt gamma rays from
the BFS cement concrete constituents and the BGO detector
Fig. 2. Enlarged experimental pulse height spectra of prompt gamma-rays of
chloride-contaminated BFS cement concrete containing 0.8, 2.0 and 3.5 wt%
chlorine taken with the BGO detector (The background spectrum taken with
uncontaminated BFS cement concrete is also superimposed for comparison
purposes).
material (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b). The 6.62–6.63 MeV Cl
(F) peak interferes with the 6.42 MeV Ca(F) peak as well as with
the 6.71 and 6.72 MeV Ge(F) peaks. The 6.62–6.63 MeV gamma
rays from chlorine interfere with the 6.42 and 6.71–6.72 MeV
gamma rays from Ge in the BGO detector material (Naqvi et al.,
2012a, 2012b). The Cl(F) 6.11 MeV gamma ray, which interferes
with the unlabeled Ca(S) 6.42 MeV gamma ray, is quite prominent
in Fig. 2. Similarly, the Cl(F) 5.72 MeV gamma ray interferes with
the Cl(S) 6.11 MeV gamma ray. An unresolved broad chlorine
prompt gamma ray peak has been observed due to the interfer-
ence of Cl(F) 2.86 and Cl(F) 3.10 MeV (Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b).
Finally, the chlorine gamma ray yield from each of the chloride-
contaminated BFS cement concrete specimens was obtained after
subtraction of the normalized prompt gamma ray spectra of pure
BFS cement concrete specimen, described elsewhere in detail
(Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b). Figs. 3 and 4 show the subtracted
spectra of chlorine prompt gamma rays over 2.44–4.49 MeV and
4.58–6.63 MeV, respectively, from BFS cement concrete specimens
containing 0.8, 2.0, and 3.5 wt% chlorine. Three prominent chlor-
ine full energy gamma ray peaks corresponding to 2.86–3.10, 5.72
and 6.11 MeV energies are clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The
counts under each peak were integrated from the spectra of three
BFS cement concrete specimens containing different chlorine
concentrations. Fig. 5 shows the normalized experimental yield
of 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV chlorine gamma rays as a function
of chlorine concentration in the BFS cement concrete. Due to
strong interference of the Ge peak from the BGO detector and the
calcium peak of concrete with the 6.62–6.63 MeV chlorine gamma
Fig. 3. Enlarged prompt gamma-ray experimental pulse height difference spec-
trum after background subtraction from the three BFS cement concrete specimens,
showing full energy prompt gamma-ray peaks at 2.86–3.10 MeV.
Fig. 4. Enlarged prompt gamma-ray experimental pulse height difference spec-
trum after background subtraction from the three BFS cement concrete specimens,
showing full energy prompt gamma-rays peaks at 5.72 and 6.11 MeV.
 A.A. Naqvi et al. / Applied Radiation and Isotopes 94 (2014) 8–13
ray peak, this chlorine peak could not be included in the chlorine
analysis. Within the experimental uncertainties, the results are in
excellent agreement with the normalized calculated yield of the
prompt gamma rays from chlorine in BFS cement concrete (shown
with a solid line) obtained through Monte Carlo simulations
following a previously described procedure (Naqvi et al., 2012a,
2012b) using the code MCNP4B2 (Briesmeister, 1997). For compar-
ison purposes, Figs. 6 and 7 show the normalized experimental
yield of 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV chlorine gamma rays as a
function of chlorine concentration in the FA cement concrete
specimen (Chichester and Simpson Lemchak) and the SPZ cement
concrete specimen (Briesmeister, 1997) reported previously.
The minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of chlorine in the
BFS cement concrete was calculated using the procedure described in
Refs. Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b. Table 2 shows the MDC of chlorine in
the BFS cement concrete specimens determined by the portable
neutron generator-based PGNAA setup for the 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and
Fig. 5. integrated yields of 2.86–3.1, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV prompt gamma-rays as a
function of chlorine concentration for the three BFS cement concrete specimens.
Solid line represents the calculated yield obtained through Monte Carlo
simulations.
Fig. 6. Integrated yields of 2.86–3.1, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV prompt gamma-rays as a
function of chlorine concentration in the FA cement concrete specimens
(Chichester and Simpson Lemchak). Solid line represents the calculated yield
obtained through Monte Carlo simulations.
11
6.11 MeV chlorine prompt gamma rays. Also included in Table 2 are
the MDCs of chlorine prompt gamma rays in plain, FA (Naqvi et al.,
2012b) and SPZ (Naqvi et al., 2012a) cement concretes obtained
utilizing the portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup. The
MDCs of chlorine prompt gamma rays in BFS cement concrete
specimens for the portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup
were measured as 0.03470.010, 0.03270.010, 0.03370.010 wt% for
2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV gamma rays, respectively. Within
experimental uncertainties, the MDCs of chlorine in the BFS cement
concrete measured for 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV gamma rays are
in accord. The MDC values measured in the present study are also in
accord with the MDC value for 6.11 MeV chlorine prompt gamma
rays measured in FA and SPZ cement concretes measured using the
portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup (Naqvi et al., 2012a,
2012b). The maximum permissible chloride concentration in Port-
land cement concrete according to the American Concrete Institute
Committee 318 is 0.03 wt% (ACI Committee 222, 1989). Within
statistical uncertainty, the lower bound of the MDC of chlorine
measured in the present study meets the maximum permissible
limit of 0.03 wt% chloride set by ACI Committee 318 (ACI Committee
222, 1989). Based on the data presented in this study, it can be
concluded that the portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup
can be used successfully for the non-destructive determination of
chlorine in FA, BFS and SPZ cement concretes. An application has
been filed with US Patent Office to register the portable neutron
generator-based PGNAA setup for the detection of chlorine in plain
and blended concrete structures in the field.
Fig. 7. Integrated yields of 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV prompt gamma-ray peaks
as a function of chlorine concentration in the SPZ cement concrete specimens
(Briesmeister, 1997). Solid line represents the calculated yield obtained through
Monte Carlo simulations.
Table 2
MDC of chlorine in blended cement concrete using the portable neutron generator
based PGNAA setup Naqvi et al., 2012a, 2012b.
MDC of Chlorine in Blended Cement Concrete(wt%)
Gamma-ray BFS Cement FA cement concrete SPZ cement
energy concrete (Present Naqvi et al., 2012b concrete Naqvi et
(MeV) study) al., 2012a
2.86–3.10 0.034 70.010 0.0337 0.010 0.032 7 0.012
5.72 0.032 70.010 0.0317 0.010 0.0377 0.012
6.11 0.03370.010 0.032 7 0.010 0.0357 0.012
12 A.A. Naqvi et al. / Applied Radiation and Isotopes 94 (2014) 8–13
3. Single prompt gamma ray evaluation for chlorine analysis
of FA, BFS and SPZ cement concrete specimens
The measured gamma ray yield vs chlorine concentration data
for FA, BFS and SPZ cement concrete specimens were sorted
separately for each of the 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV chlorine
gamma rays. Then, each gamma ray yield for the FA, BFS and SPZ
cement concretes was plotted against the chlorine concentration
(wt%). Figs. 8–10 show the combined yield plot of the FA, BFS and
SPZ cement concrete specimens as a function of chlorine concen-
tration for all three gamma rays.
The slopes of each of the gamma ray lines for the FA, SPZ and BFS
cement concrete specimens are listed in Table 3. Also listed in
Table 3 are the correlation coefficients (R2) calculated for the three
gamma ray lines. The error in peak counts in the difference spectra
was calculated from the square root of the sum of squares of total
counts and background counts in the subtracted spectra. The errors
in slope and correlation coefficient in the integrated yield vs
chlorine concentration were calculated using a standard least
square fit.
Fig. 8 shows the 2.86–3.10 MeV gamma ray yield vs Cl concen-
tration (wt%) for the FA, SPZ and BFS cement concrete specimens.
The slope is 34167500 gamma rays/Cl wt%. There is a large scatter
in the data indicated by a relatively poor value of the correlation
coefficient (0.83). Fig. 9 shows the 5.72 MeV gamma ray yield vs Cl
concentration (wt%) for the FA, SPZ and BFS cement concrete
specimens. The slope is 38397192 gamma rays/Cl wt%. There is
lesser scatter in the data compared to the 2.86–3.10 MeV gamma
Fig. 8. Integrated yields of 2.86–3.10 prompt gamma-rays as a function of chlorine
concentration in FA, SPZ and BFS cement concrete specimens. Solid line represents
the calculated yield obtained through Monte Carlo simulations.
Fig. 9. Integrated yields of 5.72 MeV prompt gamma-rays as a function of chlorine
concentration in the FA, SPZ and BFS cement concrete specimens. Solid line
represents the calculated yield obtained through Monte Carlo simulations.
Fig. 10. Integrated yields of 6.11 MeV prompt gamma-rays as a function of chlorine
concentration in FA, SPZ and BFS cement concrete specimens. Solid line represents
the calculated yield obtained through Monte Carlo simulations.
Table 3
Slope (gamma-ray yield/Cl concentration in wt% ) of gamma rays for combined FA,
BFS and SPZ cement concretes specimen.
Gamma-ray Slope of gamma ray yield ( gamma ray Correlation
energy (MeV) yield /Cl concentration (wt%)) coefficient R2
2.86–3.10 34167 975 0.83
5.72 3839 7 192 0.99
6.11 5294 7 171 0.99
ray yield data, and the value of the correlation coefficient increased
to 0.99. Finally, Fig. 10 shows the 6.11 MeV gamma ray yield vs Cl
concentration (wt%) for the FA, SPZ and BFS cement concrete
specimens. The slope is 52947171 gamma rays/Cl wt%. There is
also less scatter in the data, indicated by the large value of the
correlation coefficient (0.99).
Out of these three gamma rays, only the 5.72 and 6.11 MeV
gamma rays have good correlation and can be used to detect chlorine
in blended concrete. Because the 6.11 MeV gamma ray has a larger
slope of 52947171 gamma rays/Cl wt% compared to the 5.72 MeV
gamma ray, which has a slope of 38397192 gamma rays/Cl wt%., the
6.11 MeV gamma ray is a better choice for detecting chloride in
blended concrete. Due to its 38% larger slope than that of the
5.72 MeV gamma ray, the 6.11 MeV gamma ray provides better
chlorine detection sensitivity in blended cement concretes.
4. Conclusions
The optimum energy of a prompt gamma ray that can be
utilized to determine the chloride concentration in fly ash, blast
furnace slag and Super-Pozz cement concretes utilizing a portable
neutron generator-based PGNAA setup has been evaluated. The
chlorine concentration in BFS cement concrete was measured
using 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV chlorine prompt gamma rays.
The minimum detected concentrations (MDCs) of chlorine in BFS
cement concrete were found to be 0.034 7 0.010, 0.0327 0.010,
0.03370.010 for 2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV gamma rays,
respectively.
The slopes of gamma ray yield vs chlorine concentration curves
for the three blended cement concrete specimens were compared
for each of the three (2.86–3.10, 5.72 and 6.11 MeV) chlorine
gamma rays. The gamma ray with the maximum value of common
slope (gamma ray yield/Cl conc. wt%) for all the three concrete
specimens was identified. It was determined that 6.11 MeV chlor-
ine gamma ray has the best sensitivity for the detection of chlorine
 A.A. Naqvi et al. / Applied Radiation and Isotopes 94 (2014) 8–13
in blended cement concrete because the value of the slope of
gamma ray yield vs chlorine concentration is 38% more than that
of the 5.72 MeV gamma ray. Thus, the 6.11 MeV gamma ray can be
used for the chlorine analysis of FA, SPZ and BFS concrete speci-
mens with the portable neutron generator-based PGNAA setup.
The results of this study show that the portable neutron generator
can be utilized for evaluating the chloride contamination in
concrete in the field using 6.11 MeV chlorine prompt gamma rays.
Acknowledgments
The study is part of project ♯ RG1008 funded by the King Fahd
University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
The support provided by the Department of Physics, Center for
Engineering Research and Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering at KFUPM is also acknowledged.
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