10/11/2018 High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete Applications in Construction

Applications of High Density Radiation Shielding

Concrete in Construction
High density radiation shielding concrete is produced by blending heavy weight aggregate,
cement, water, and special additives. Applications of radiation shielding concrete is
discussed.

Aggregates for high density concrete for radiation shielding are iron shot and steel punching
which are utilized to produce substantially high dense concrete. Other types of heavy weight
aggregates that are used to produce medium to low density concrete are barite, magnetite,
limonite, goethite, and ilmenite.

There are number of additives that added to high density radiation shielding concrete to
enhance the shielding property of the concrete. Examples of additives are boron frits,
borocalcite, and colemanite.

The high-density radiation shielding concrete have different but specific applications which
will be discussed in the following sections.

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Fig.1: High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete Blocks

Table of Contents 

Applications of High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete

Following are the applications of radiation shielding high density concrete which are
discussed:

In nuclear industry
Other Application

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10/11/2018 High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete Applications in Construction

Application of High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete in Nuclear

Industry
The major utilization of high density radiation shielding concrete is in the nuclear industry.
Different radiations are released in power production plants and facilities in which nuclear
material is processed again, and in this situation the role of this type of concrete is came to
play and it offers biological protection against all types of detrimental radiations.

Figure-2 and Figure-3 shows nuclear generator power plant and nuclear reprocessing facility
respectively in which biological shielding is needed.

Fig.2: Nuclear Power Generation Plant

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Fig.3: Tokai Reprocessing Facility in Tokai, Japan

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10/11/2018 High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete Applications in Construction

Radiation may be released in several buildings other than nuclear facilities for instance for
instance industrial research, universities, and it has numerous utilizations in medical sector
for instance linear accelerator which is applied in oncology departments of hospitals.

It is worth mentioning that, the effectiveness of the biological protection provided by high
density radiation shielding concrete is not only proportional to the concrete density per unit
thickness but also it is affected by concrete chemistry in terms of elemental analysis.

Table-1 provides elemental compositions of two different concrete mixtures. It can be noted
from the table that; elemental compositions of each mix design are substantially different.
Hence it is extremely crucial to avoid changes by concrete provider in the type of
cementitious material without the designer consultation.

Table-1: Element Compositions of Two Typical Concrete Mixtures

Standard density concrete Magnetite concrete containing

Type of concrete containing 50% OPC+ 50% 50% OPC + 50% pulverized fuel
GGBS ash
3
Typical density 2420 Kg/m 4000 Kg/m3
Mixture proportions
by weight
Cement 1 1
Fine aggregate 2 3
Coarse aggregate 3.3 6.9
Water 0.47 0.49

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Elemental
compositions by
percent of weight
Iron 0.9 54.48
Calcium 24.5 5.3
Silicon 14.5 2.8
Aluminum 1.4 0.9
Sulphur 0.1 0.1
Carbon 5.7 0.1
Oxygen 49.9 33
Hydrogen 0.8 0.5
Other minor
2.2 2.5
constituents

Added to that, various radiations for instance neutrons, gamma, and beta rays possess
different intensity which might complicate the concrete protection provision.

It is possible that, the natural way of radiation creates substantial amount of neutron. In
this situation, a highly-specialized strategy may be needed to provide effective protection.

Therefore, neutrons must be caught to avoid their influences within concrete because it
might produce heat in concrete and lead to structural issues and consequently create
problems for the biological shield.

To tackle problems related to the nuclear radiation issues, recommendations of nuclear

physicist should be considered in this regard. It should be said that, in the construction of
nuclear facilities, technologist engineers can considerably help both designers and nuclear
physicist to solve practical problems related to biological shielding.

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10/11/2018 High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete Applications in Construction

Other Applications of High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete

Except in the nuclear industry, high density radiation shielding concrete used by offshore oil
industry as a layer to cover pipelines under the sea and usually magnetite concrete is
applied as shown in Figure-4 and Figure-5.

The high-density concrete is employed as a counterweight for instance large amount of high
density concrete is placed at the legs of North Sea gravity structure in the United Kingdom
for structural stabilization.

Figure-6 shows the legs of North Sea platform in which considerable quantity of high dense
concrete were employed.

It may be used as a stabilizer in foundation of bridges where large mass is needed but the
area is limited and required mass cannot be achieved by using other types of concrete.
Finally, it is applied noticeably in the structures under water.

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Fig.4: Mattresses Constructed from Concrete Used to Protect Pipelines Underwater

Fig.5: High Density Concrete Covered Pipelines Underwater

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10/11/2018 High Density Radiation Shielding Concrete Applications in Construction

Fig.6: High density Concrete Used in Legs of North Sear Platform for Structural
Stabilization

Read More: Heavyweight Aggregates for Production of Heavyweight Concrete

Madeh Izat Hamakareem

Madeh is a Structural Engineer who works as Assistant Lecturer in Koya University. He is the author, editor and

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partner at theconstructor.org.

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