The attenuation coefficient of barite concrete subjected to gamma-ray radiation

Abstract

Barite is a non-metallic mineral, which composed of Barium Sulfate (BaSO4), has specific gravity about 4.5. It can be used for high density concrete as a shielding against gamma-ray. This paper presents the use of barite as concrete aggregates to block gamma-ray radiation. Two concrete grades fc’25 and fc’35 were prepared. The effect of barite to the attenuation coefficient of samples was studied by replacing coarse aggregate with barite and replacing both coarse and fine aggregates with barite. The results show that the protection ability of the concrete using barite aggregates subjected to gamma-ray is better than those of concrete using barite as coarse aggregate and the normal one. The attenuation coefficient of concrete fc’25 with barite as aggregates and concrete with barite as coarse aggregate is 0.294 cm-1 and 0.230 cm-1, respectively; The attenuation coefficient of concrete fc’35 with barite as aggregates and concrete with barite as coarse aggregate is 0.304 cm-1 and 0.271 cm-1, respectively; While the attenuation coefficient of normal concrete fc’ 25 and fc’35 is 0.205 cm-1 and 0.225 cm-1, respectively. The average density of normal concrete fc’ 25 and fc’35 was 2252 kg/m3 and 2323 kg/m3, 3004 kg/m3 and 3064 kg/m3 for concrete with barite as coarse aggregate, and 3461 kN/m3 and 3464 kg/m3 for concrete using barite for its aggregates.