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"MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HEAVY WEIGHT HIGH STRENGTH
FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE "

‫الخواص الميكانيكية للخرسانة ثقيلة الوزن عالية المقاومة المسلحة بااللياف‬

A thesis
Submitted to Faculty of Engineering - Zagazig University
In Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements of the Master Degree of Engineering Science
In
Materials Engineering

Reham mahmoud fathy Al azab

By B.Sc. Civil Engineering (2017)
 Prof. Dr. Mohamed Hassan Seleem Morsy
Prof. of Properties and Strength of Materials
Faculty of Engineering- Zagazig University

Prof. Dr. Sherif Hussein Al-Tarsawy

Associate Prof. in Civil Engineering Department
Institute of Engineering and Technology
(10TH of Ramadan)

Supervisors
Prof.Dr. Rasha Ahmed Mohamed EL-Saadany
Prof.of the National Center For Radiation
Research and Technology
Atomic Energy Commission
 OUTLINE

Introduction

Previous
Researchers

Objective of Work
Introduction

• Recently, heavy weight concrete is widely used in industry due to the application of
nuclear technology and the issue of protection from nuclear radiations with harmful
environmental effects such as gamma rays.

 The key to achieving heavy weight concrete production (HWCs) is choosing the right
aggregate. As a result of affecting on the performance and density of concrete in its fresh
and hardened state, aggregate is one of the most important components of concrete.

 Concrete with a unite weight of about 2900 and 6000 kg/m3 is known as HWC,
While the unit weight of normal concrete (NC) is about 2200 to 2450 kg/m3 .

 Recently, many investigations have been conducted on the effect of heavy weight
aggregates such as hematite, magnetite, limonite ,lead-zinc, colemanite ,barite,
and goethite on the attenuation and reduction of radioactive radiations.
 Heavyweight concrete and high strength concrete can be used for shielding purposes if its
meets the requirements for strength and radiation shielding properties. Moreover, the effect
of additives on the attenuation properties of heavyweight concrete has been evaluted in
some investigations.

 High strength concrete can be obtained by incorporating various mineral additives such as fly
ash, silica fume, rice husk ash, nano materials, reactive powders, etc., which results in
enhanced mechanical strength, reduced concrete porosity, denser microstructure. Theses
additives provided additional strength and performance used in concrete mixtures.

 After reviewing the results, the researchers concluded that the properties of HWC should be
reinforced with micro steel fibers, including the importance of other factors previously
mentioned. This is due to the positive performance obtained from the use of fibers in HWC
with all the properties evaluated with such inclusion .
 Previous Researches

o The effect of aggregate type on the mechanical properties of HWC.

 Compressive Strength and unit weight tests of HWC that contains different types of aggregates with and without additives.

Michail Papachristoforoua et.al studied the effect of electric arc furnace (EAF) slag aggregates on the mechanical properties
of concrete mixtures experimentally. EAF slag and crushed limestone were used as aggregates while steel fibers of different
geometry were also incorporated into the concrete mixtures. Unit weight, compressive strength were measured and
compared to the corresponding values of conventional concrete. The use of EAF slag aggregates results in the production of
higher density concrete compared to conventional concrete with limestone aggregates with enhanced mechanical and
adequate workability. Additionally, the inclusion of fibers slightly increases compressive strength and unit weight.

Fig. 6. Increase on mechanical properties when 65% of

the limestone aggregates is replaced by EAF slag (blue)
and when 30mm instead of 25mm fibers are used in
the EAF-based concrete (red).
Farhad Aslani et.al evaluated different concrete mixes,which are considered as high-strength, heavyweight and highly workable
in nature. Such mixes use magnetite as the primary aggregate. In this study, nine highly workable high-strength HWC mixes
have been developed and fresh and hardened properties are discussed. The overall result indicates that the developed mixes
satisfied the required high-strength, heavyweight and highly workable criteria as well as compressive strength would increase
by increasing the heavyweight aggregate content.

FIGURE 5 Compressive strength test results

Taban shams et.al maked a concrete shield for gamma rays using barite and hematite gradation in separate, mixed and multi-
layered forms. Nuclear and mechanical properties of these concrete shields were measured. The results showed that
increasing the barite and hematite aggregates, either in separated or mixed form, increases the 28-day compressive strength.

Tang et al. investigated [78] the strength development and temperature development of concrete using Class F natural
pozzolan sourced from Vietnam. Based on the results of the work, mechanical strengths of the natural pozzolan concrete at
different ages were generally lower than those of control concrete. The 7 days compressive strengths of concrete with 20%
Class F natural pozzolan decreased by at least 12.3% at the age of 28 days in comparison with control concrete. The
mechanical strengths of some mixes were 30.1% lower than the control concrete.

P.KAVIMUHIL discussesd heavy density (HDC) concrete performance by partially replacing the fine and coarse aggregate in
concrete with magnetite in its fine and coarser form. Three series of mixes, namely HDC-I, HDC-II and HDC-III, were
developed for the research. HDC-I series contained 10% magnetite powder (MP) and 10% quartz powder (QP) as fine
aggregates, whereas the HDC-II series had 15% magnetite power MP and 5% QP. The replacement level of magnetite
aggregate as coarse aggregate was maintained constant by 30%, 40% and 50% for both the series. HDC-III series mix was
made by replacing coarse aggregate with a significant content of 50%, 60% and 70% of magnetite aggregate by weight. Only
20% of magnetite powder was used for replacing the fine aggregate in HDC-III. Silica fume and nano-silica were also used in a
constant replacement proportion in cement by 10% and 1%. Various tests related to the mechanical and durability
characteristics of the concrete were performed. Compared with conventional concrete mix, the results revealed that increasing
the proportion of magnetite aggregate leads to a considerable increase in unit weight and other mechanical properties. Also, it
was observed that quartz powder and magnetite did not fetch any significant benefit in the mechanical properties.
A.T.M. Farag et.al were carried out in order to produce a heavy weight concrete containing silica fume with different
percentages, for studying the effect silica fume on both mechanical and nuclear properties of concrete containing silica fume
was investigated. The investigated concrete mixtures composed of local Barite ore (as coarse aggregate) and Serpentine ore
(as fine aggregate) mixed with ordinary Portland cement and tap water. Superplasticizer was added as chemical admixture to
enhance the workability of fresh concrete. Cement was replacing with Silica fume by weight as a percentage of cement ranged
(0%, 5%, 10% and 15%), Slump and unit weight of fresh concrete were measured. The results showed that the strength
development rates of silica fume concretes are higher than the development rate of the control concrete, particularly at
ages greater than 28 days after casting. Also, it can be observed that the compressive strength of SFHWC is higher
than that of ordinary concrete. In addition, it is clear that partial replacement of Portland cement with silica fume
improves the strength at all ages and the silica fume contributes to the strength from as early as the age of 3 days.

Figure 2. Compressive strength

development silica fume HWC
Farshad Ameri et.al studied density, gamma-rays shielding, microstructure characteristics and some other mechanical
properties of the HWC. High performance-HWC was developed by replacing the copper slag aggregate with normal aggregate
at (20, 40 and 60) % as well as by adding 1% volume fraction of the steel fiber. Based on the results, the replacement with
copper slag aggregate by 60% improved the gamma-rays shielding and other characteristics that were mentioned. The
compressive strength of CS concrete increased by 5–12% relative to that of the control concrete. Incorporating steel fiber in the
mixes does not have a significant influence on the compressive strength, but it increases the splitting tensile and flexural
strengths by about 25% and 20% by average, respectively, over those of the corresponding unreinforced mix through bridging
action. In addition, increasing the w/b ratio reduces the strength properties.

Fig. 9. Compressive strength of concrete

mixes at different curing ages.
Ahmed S. Ouda development of high-performance heavy density concrete using different aggregates for gamma-ray shielding.
In the abovementioned test involving the 400 kg cement/1 m3 and 0.42 w/c ratio, the compressive strength of the concrete was
increased (13%), thereby reaching 68 MPa at the same maximum rate of hematite (50%), in which the density was increased by
16.6% (15). The previously mentioned high-performance HDC with high cement content of 450 kg/m3 and low w/c ratio
of 0.35 has been selected with different aggregate types and pozzolanic materials. HDC with coarse barite and magnetite
reached 60 MPa compressive strength. Serpentine and goethite did not satisfy the high performance requirements used in the
concrete mixtures, and their compressive strengths were below 35 and 50 MPa, respectively.

Fig. 3. Compressive strength of

concrete made with barite,
magnetite, goethite and serpentine
coarse aggregates, cured in tap
water at 7, 28 and 90 days.
The experimental study of Ismail and AL-Hashmi regarding waste iron aggregates indicated that the replacement of sand by
using this type of aggregate can efficiently improve the compressive and flexural strength .

Results for iron ore [71] and metallic aggregates [72] have also been published. The concrete with iron ore exhibited a fracture
toughness that was lower than that of the normal concrete, whereas the metallic aggregate concrete exhibited a higher fracture
toughness than that of normal concrete. An increasing number of recent works are being conducted to examine the ability of
utilising alternative and/or environmentally friendly materials with diverse origins to produce radiation shielding concrete. The
concretes’ radiation shielding and mechanical properties were compared with ordinary or commonly used HWC.

Esen and Yilmazer [70] studied some of the mechanical and physical properties of concrete made from
BaSO4 at various ratios. Ultrasound pulse velocity, unit weight and elasticity modulus proportionally increased
with increasing contents of concrete with barite aggregate. Compressive and tensile strengths decreased
with increased barite content because the mechanical strength of barite is low. Experimental results were
obtained for another mechanical property of HWC, which is the fracture energy absorbed under the tensile loads.

Ecological concerns motivated steel scale and steel chip waste disposals to replace natural sand from 25% to
100% of the sand weight in producing shielding concrete X-rays. Compared with ordinary concrete, the concrete
denser and compressive strength exhibited better results than those obtained from normal concrete with steel
chips only .
 ‫الخالصة‬
1. Incorporating steel fibers in the mixes does not have influence on the compressive strength but it
increases the tensile and flexural strength by about 25% and 20% by average. But, in another study
the addition of fibers slightly increases compressive strength and unit weight.

2. Increasing the W/C ratio reduces the strength property.

3. Increasing the strength rates of silica fume concretes are higher than the development rate of the control concrete
at 28 days.

4. Compressive strength would increase by increasing the heavyweight aggregates content.

5. The electric arc furnace slag (EAF) was used in the production of HDC compared to normal concrete
with limestone aggregates with enhanced mechanical and workabilty.

6. The partial replacement of portland cement with SF improves the strength at all ages.
 Previous Researches

o The effect of aggregate type on the mechanical properties of HWC and shielding ability.

 Tensile strength and unit weight tests of HWC that contains different types of aggregates with and without additives.

The steel fibres improve many engineering properties of the mortar and the concrete significantly, especially their impact
toughness and strength, fatigue strength, flexural strength, ability to resist spalling and cracking and the tensile strength.
The impacts of steel-fibre addition range from a negligible impact on the compressive strength to a significant improvement
up to 25% in some cases .

Ordinary concrete suffers from numerous microcracks, and the frequent propagation of the microcracks under the applied
stress is responsible for the low tensile strength at the material. FRC specimens are superior over the plain concretes, in
which the material does not break immediately after the first crack initiates, as shown in Fig. 4 .
This phenomenon has the impact of increasing the ‘work of fracture’, which is commonly referred to as the deformation
toughness, which represents the area under the curve of load deflection. The steel fibres’ benefits become very clear after the
concrete cracked because the tensile stress can be redistributed in this case to the fibres, as shown in Fig. 5 .

Albeit, fibre usage in concrete is a conventional approach but is a reliable method for preventing the
large crack widths, increasing the capacity of tensile strain and mitigating the compressive strength
reduction after exposure to high temperatures [50].
The SFRC performance is influenced by many factors, such as the material and the geometry properties of the
fibre [41], [52], [53], the fiber distribution and contents [54], [55] and the concrete matrix performance [56].

High-performance fibre-reinforced cementitious composite (HPFRCC) represents one of the most modern developments in the
concrete technology. It exhibits a very good mechanical performance, and an exceptional durability. HPFRCC is regarded, due
to these specifications, as an innovative promising material in the future and can remedy the lack of performance of many types
of concrete. HPFRCC has been applied in the recent few years in high-rise constructions, blast resistant structures,
infrastructure rehabilitations, precast members and other special facilities [57], [58].

In addition, the HPFRCC’s outstanding mechanical properties and ultradense microstructure make HPFRCC a very adequate
and preferred material for construction of both the civilian and the military purpose structures as the fortifications, the defence
shelters and other structures for protective uses. Moreover, these properties make HWFRCC a potentially good choice for
saving or storing dangerous materials, such as the nuclear or the radioactive waste. In-depth insights into the properties of the
HWFRCC for radiation shielding produced with a spectrum of different weights of the heavy materials give many benefits to the
potential alternative capabilities and applications. The extensive usage of heavy minerals would facilitate the HWFRCC
employment in various nuclear applications. Barite and ferrous materials and other minerals are favoured choices to develop the
HWFRCC [59], [60].
A.T.M. Farag et.al was carried out in order to produce a heavy weight concrete containing silica fume with different percentages, for studying
the effect silica fume on both mechanical and nuclear properties of concrete containing silica fume was investigated. The investigated concrete
mixtures composed of local Barite ore (as coarse aggregate) and Serpentine ore (as fine aggregate) mixed with ordinary Portland cement and
tap water. Superplasticizer was added as chemical admixture to enhance the workability of fresh concrete. Cement was replacing with Silica
fume by weight as a percentage of cement ranged (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%), Slump and unit weight of fresh concrete were measured.
Compressive strength, indirect tensile strength, elastic modulus, and ultrasound pulse velocity tests were carried out on hardened concrete at
various ages after casting. The resulted showed that the tensile strength increases as the amount of the silica fume increases for all testing
ages. The strength of SFHWC is obviously greater than that of ordinary concrete. According to the results of bulk density, compressive strength,
and tensile strength of silica fume HWC is more effective than the ordinary concrete. The best percentage of silica fume which can be replaced
by cement was found to be 15%.
 This study makes attempt to develop and evaluate different concrete mixes, which are considered as high-strength,
heavyweight and highly workable in nature. Such mixes use magnetite as the primary aggregate. The 28 days tensile
strength of the concrete mixes was averaged over three samples, these results are displayed in Figure 7. It is important to
mention that there is no particular requirement for tensile strength of the HSHWC mix design. Key findings from these
results revealed that the maximum average tensile strength was observed for M3-100 mix with strength of 8.24 MPa, while
the lowest strength observed was 6.31 MPa for M1-100 mix.
 Conclusion
1. The resulted showed that the tensile strength increases as the amount of the silica fume increases for all testing ages.

2. The best percentage of silica fume which can be replaced by cement was found to be 15%.

3. The strength of SFHWC(silica fume HDC) is obviously greater than that of ordinary concrete. According to the results of bulk density,
compressive strength, and tensile strength of silica fume HWC is more effective than the ordinary concrete.

4. fibre usage in concrete is a conventional approach but is a reliable method for preventing the
large crack widths, increasing the capacity of tensile strain .

5. HPFRCC has been applied in the recent few years in high-rise constructions,
blast resistant structures, infrastructure rehabilitations, precast members and
other special facilities.
 Previous Researches

o The effect of aggregate type on the mechanical properties of HWC and shielding ability.

 Flexural strength and unit weight tests of HWC that contains different types of aggregates with and without additives.

Improving the toughness and the flexural behavior is the most prominent advantage of steel fiber-reinforced
concrete (SFRC) as compared with the plain concrete [51].

In another related study, radiation attenuation was examined using gamma-rays with various energy levels (244, 344, 779, 964,
1112 and 1408 keV) and a variety of mechanical tests, as well as a density test was conducted for HWC produced with EAFSA
and different shapes of steel fibers. The researchers achieved in their paper after completing the examination tests a positive
impression in the use of steel fibers in various sizes and shapes. The flexural behavior has been greatly improved. Use of
hooked-end fibers in mixtures LF30 and SF30 had no significant effect on flexural and splitting tensile strength
The experimental study of Ismail and AL-Hashmi regarding waste iron aggregates indicated that the replacement
of sand by using this type of aggregate can efficiently improve the compressive and flexural strength. The flexural
strengths of waste-iron concrete mixes at all curing periods tend to increase above the reference concrete mixes
with an increasing ratio of waste-iron aggregate. The highest flexural strength was that of the concrete
specimens containing 20% waste-iron aggregate at 28 days of curing, which is 27.86% higher than the
reference mix at the same curing period. The results show that the concrete mixes made with waste iron
had higher compressive strengths and flexural strengths than the plain concrete mixes.
 The steel fibres improve many engineering properties of the mortar and the concrete significantly, especially their
impact toughness and strength, fatigue strength, flexural strength, ability to resist spalling and cracking and
the tensile strength. The impacts of steel-fibre addition range from a negligible impact on the compressive
strength to a significant improvement up to 25% in some cases .

Improving the toughness and the flexural behavior is the most prominent advantage of steel fiber-
reinforced concrete (SFRC) as compared with the plain concrete.

This paper summarizes the results from the investigations carried out on fiber reinforced concrete with steel
fibers, lead fibers and a combination of the two (hybrid fibers). The intent of this research was to investigate the
effect of the two types of fibers on mechanical and radiation shielding properties of concrete. Compressive
strength, split tensile strength and flexural toughness were among the mechanical properties investigated and
radiation shielding to gamma rays was investigated by comparing the attenuation provided by different types of
concrete against each other and against blank readings without attenuation. The results clearly showed that
the hybrid fibers showed a significant enhancement in both mechanical and radiation shielding
properties. Steel fibers increase all of the mechanical properties of the concrete studied in this work but
do not enhance the radiation shielding properties compared to plain concrete.
 CONCLUSION
1.Improving the toughness and the flexural behavior is the most prominent advantage of steel
fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) as compared with the plain concrete.

2. The results show that the concrete mixes made with waste iron had higher compressive strengths and
flexural strengths than the plain concrete mixes.

3. The results clearly showed that the hybrid fibers showed a significant enhancement in both mechanical
and radiation shielding properties. Steel fibers increase all of the mechanical properties of the concrete
studied in this work but do not enhance the radiation shielding properties compared to plain concrete.

4. The impacts of steel-fibre addition range from a negligible impact on the compressive strength to a
significant improvement up to 25% in some cases.
 Previous Researches

o The effect of aggregate type on the mechanical properties of HWC and shielding ability.

 Radiation shielding and unit weight tests of HWC that contains different types of aggregates with and without additives.

Süleyman Özen et al. studied the properties of Heavyweight Concrete for Structural and Radiation shielding purpose.
Multiple types of heavyweight aggregates, such as iron ore, have been used for steel mill scales, two kinds of barite and
steel slags. An additional HWC mixture has also been produced using magnetite as a natural mineral heavyweight
aggregate. The best performance was achieved with iron ore. The experimental results showed that the attenuation
coefficient ranged from 0.224 to 0.265 cm−1, while the unit weight of heavyweight concrete increased from 3012 to 3820
kg/m3. As shown in one figure, the diagram shows the relationship between the unit weight and the linear attenuation
coefficient of concrete tested.

Fig. 1 Relation between the

unit weight and the linear
attenuation coefficient of
concrete tested.
Totsawat Daungwilailuk et al . analyzed the performance of concrete containing local minerals, barite and cut steel bars in
protecting against gamma-ray and fast-neutron radiation. Three types of materials were used as fine aggregates: natural
sand, crushed limestone and crushed barite (fine barite). Using barite as fine and coarse aggregates in concrete
increases the radiation shielding capability, as well as the strength and density of specimens. Using cut steel bars as an
additive material significantly increases the attenuation coefficients of gamma-rays and neutrons.

Kadir Gunoglu et al. studied the linear attenuation coefficients of concretes containing different rates of basalt-magnetite
aggregates were measured for gamma energies of 511, 662, 835, 1173, 1275 and 1332 keV emitted from 22Na, 137Cs,
54Mn and 60Co radioactive sources respectively, using the gamma spectroscopy system containing NaI(Tl) detector. In
addition, using the experimentally obtained linear attenuation coefficients, Half Value Layer (HVL), Tenth Value Layer
(TVL), Mean free path (MFP) and radiation protection efficiency (RPE) values were also determined. it can be concluded
that the using basalt-magnetite as aggregate in concrete is an important material to develop concrete in terms of radiation
shielding.

Suha Ismail Ahmed et al. did a review on RADIATION SHIELDING STRUCTURES. They found through previous research that the
shortage in the information and the development of heavy-weight concrete to be more applicable as a radiation shielding material. Heavy-
weight aggregates and additives are two important key factors, because of their high density and their high atomic number in addition to
their role in developing the strength and the linear attenuation coefficient of the concrete. Using heavyweight or natural/ artificial aggregates
can decrease the thickness of the wall (cost-effectiveness). There are still gaps in improving the HWC by using natural or artificial
heavyweight aggregate through improving the HWC mix design by the absolute volume approach (use more than one type of aggregate or
even fiber). The literature reported some scarcity of research on the reduction of water/cement ratio to achieve high-density concrete, as
well as the combination of using nano-particle, crack control, and elevating Z (atomic number) value to improve the resistance of the
harmful radiation.
Beatrice Pomaro et al. investigated, both experimentally and numerically, the radiation shielding properties of two types of
heavyweight concretes, one containing barite and one made with Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) slag as coarse aggregates.
Three mixtures were investigated, with the aim to assess the influence of aggregate type on the radiation attenuation
properties of each concrete: ordinary concrete (REF), concrete made with barite (BAR) and concrete made with EAF slag
(EAF). Three specimens per each mix are subsequently irradiated with both a high-activity (8.97 TBq) and a low-activity
(280 kBq) 60Co gamma-ray source to measure their linear attenuation coefficients. Gamma-ray shielding characteristics are
also numerically analyzed via a Monte Carlo code assessing radiation transport calculations. Experimental and numerical
results indicate that EAF concrete has comparable shielding properties to baritic one, and it allows a certain decrease in
thickness of the radiation shield, if compared to an ordinary concrete, however it has superior mechanical properties than
the other studied mixtures. Ordinary concrete wall 10–20% thicker than 100% EAFSA concrete to obtain the same shielding
capacity.
H.Süleyman Gökçe et.al Studied the effects of micro-additives types on the high energy radiation performance and
hardened properties of HWC are elaborated as follows. The effect of using a group of additives with different percentages
of replacement by cement weight has been studied. The materials were used are silica fume, viscosity modifier and fly
ash, barite used as the main aggregate. Consistent HWC was produced with special specifications. Samples manufactured
for this type of HWC have been tested to resist the isolation of gamma-rays from two radioactive sources (60Co and 137Cs).
Through the results, the researchers urged the necessity of reinforcing the HWC, taking into consideration the optimal
dosage ratio of the admixtures. Authors recommend reducing w/b and mineral admixture content as much as possible in
the design of HWC to maintain its gamma-ray shielding capability.

H.Süleyman Gökçe et.al investigated another study for him about the high-flow heavyweight concrete
was produced with two types of mineral mixtures (fly ash and silica fume). Thirty-five HWC mixtures were
produced at a high slump level of 150 mm to test the effectiveness of the mineral mixtures for bleeding
properties and HWC shielding capability. The outcome of the results made it necessary to continue research
by discovering new novelties using mineral mixtures. Mineral additives have improved the specifications of
the HWC produced and improved its susceptibility to radiation insulation. Authors recommend reducing
mineral admixture content as much as possible in design of HWC to maintain its high density.
The benefits of using fiber and the latest research findings on the development of HWC through the use of fiber will be
discussed in this paragraph. In a critical study, several researchers studied the possibility of developing HWC, taking into
consideration some important factors such as the aggregate type, the W/C ratio, treatment methods and the effect of micro
steel fibers. The practical program included an examination of mechanical properties and radiation insulation properties of
both X-rays and gamma-rays, including density examination. The researchers came out after reviewing the results of the
investigation that it is necessary to enhance the properties of HWC by using micro steel fibers, including the importance of
other factors previously mentioned. It is due to the positive performance obtained with all the properties evaluated with such
inclusion.

In another related study, radiation attenuation was examined using gamma-rays with various energy levels (244, 344, 779,
964, 1112 and 1408 keV) and a variety of mechanical tests, as well as a density test was conducted for HWC produced with
EAFSA and different shapes of steel fibers. The researchers achieved in their paper after completing the examination tests a
positive impression in the use of steel fibers in various sizes and shapes. For the extent of improving the susceptibility to
radiation isolation, the results were satisfactory. Still, the researchers came out with the opinion that the effect of the EAFSA
replacement with crushed limestone was greater than the effect of steel fiber
HWC was produced using three types of aggregates (limestone, barite and siderite). Its specifications have been enhanced
using 3 kg/m3 polypropylene fiber for all mixtures. The practical program tests the ability of the resulting concrete to resist high
temperatures and to isolate gamma-rays. The results show that the use of barite aggregates with polypropylene fiber increased
the ability of HWC produced to isolate gamma-rays by 3.2% as compared to the reference mixture, making it better than other
types of HWC produced with limestone or siderite aggregates and polypropylene fiber .

The HWC was produced with a binder phase containing nano-ferrite and silica fume as mineral additives. The primary
aggregate used by the researchers in the study is the barite aggregate. Hooked steel fiber was used with a length of 20 mm in
different volume fractions (0.5, 1 and 1.5) of the total concrete volume. The practical program involved several stages of HWC
development. The first stage was carried out to enhance concrete quality with a mineral additive using silica fumes. The
second stage of the improvement of concrete requirements is the application of steel fibers with different volumes, as
described above. The final stage of development was the introduction of nano-ferrite as additive. The HWC samples were
assessed in terms of density, mechanical properties, microstructure evaluation and gamma-ray shielding tests. The effect of
the addition of steel fibers has produced positive results in the improvement of the radiation insulation properties of concrete.
It also yielded excellent results in the development of the tensile properties of concrete and improved microstructure. The best
percentage of steel fiber utilization achieved is 1.5% of the total concrete volume .

Two types of polypropylene macro and microfibers with a high-quality plasticizer group were used in the production of
HWC with current specifications (New Generation Shielding Concrete). The resulting concrete was evaluated through a set of
mechanical, durability, internal structure evaluation and gamma-ray shielding tests. The results of the tests indicate the use of
modern plasticizers with fine polypropylene fibers in the production of HWC contributed to the increase of radiation insulation
with enhanced mechanical specifications and high durability.
Heavyweight self-compacting concrete with refined specifications has been developed by
researchers, include using two types of fibres. The first type is hooked steel fibre with a length of
60 mm and a volumetric replacement ratio (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00%) by the total concrete
volume. The second is polypropylene fibre with a length of 65 mm and a volumetric replacement
ratio (0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25%) by the total concrete volume. Barite aggregate used at two (75%
and 100%) contents. The study aimed to produce Heavyweight self-compacting concrete. Several
tests related to workability, mechanical and physical properties were carried out. The large volume
fraction of the fibres influenced the workability and other mechanical specifications. It was stated
that the proportion of steel fibres should not exceed 0.50% of the volume fraction. The combination
of two types of fibres affects the density of the concrete. Therefore, the steel fibres were preferred
over polypropylene fibres. As a result, the researchers concluded that an optimum ratio of steel
fibres should be chosen in order not to affect the concrete's properties negatively. As regards the
incorporation of the two types of fibre into the production of self-compacting concrete, the
combination resulted in an improvement of the specifications, with due consideration that the
optimum addition ratio is not exceeded .
 ‫الفجوة البحثية‬
The use of fiber in HWC showed significant enhancement in both radiations shielding and
mechanical properties. Meanwhile, there are still gaps regarding how to increase HWC
density by using high-density fiber and increase the fiber fraction without effect on the
properties of the HWCs produced. All the gaps addressed in the study focus on the ability
to increase the properties and atomic number of HWC produced considering the cost
efficiency aspect.

As Shown in results the outcomes the different methods of using the fiber have shown a
remarkable improvement in the characteristics of HWC. However, the use of several types
of fiber in a one mixture may not be desirable for this type of concrete because it affects
the density of the concrete produced. Steel fiber is the best fiber used in this field.
However, the volume fraction of its use, forms and its specifications must also be taken
into account.
 CONCLUSION
1.Using barite as fine and coarse aggregates in concrete increases the radiation shielding capability, as
well as the strength and density of specimens. Using cut steel bars as an additive material significantly
increases the attenuation coefficients of gamma-rays and neutrons.

2. Authors recommend reducing mineral admixture content as much as possible in design of HWC to maintain its high
density.

3. It was also recommended to increase the density of HWC by using high-density fiber. It enhances the ability of HWC to attenuate
harmful high energy radiation.

4. the steel fibres were preferred over polypropylene fibres.

4. The best percentage of steel fiber utilization achieved is 1.5% of the total concrete volume .
‫اظهرت استخدام االلياف في الخرسانة ثقيلة الوزن تحسنا كبيرا‬
‫في كل من الحماية من االشعاع والخصائص المكيانيكية‪ .‬وفي‬
‫الوقت نفسة التزال هناك فجوات فيما يتعلق بكيفية زيادة كثافة‬
‫الخرسانة ثقيلة الوزن باستخدام االلياف عالية الكثافة وزيادة‬
‫جزء االلياف دون التاثير علي خصائص الخرسانة‪.‬‬