LAUSR

Abstract Nowadays, heavyweight concrete (HWC) is considered as one of the best materials for shielding against nuclear radiations due to its high density and good structural properties. On the other hand, cement content, aggregates and water to cement (w/c) ratio are the effective factors on the concrete behavior. Thus, in this investigation, the influences of cement content (c = 350, 400 kg/m3), maximum aggregate size (MAS = 12.5, 19, 25 mm) and w/c ratio (w/c = 0.45, 0.65) on the shielding characteristics of heavyweight magnetite concrete against gamma-ray radiation were investigated. The protecting parameters which were assessed in this study are linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mean free path (mfp), tenth value layer (TVL) and half value layer (HVL). The radiation sources of Cs137 and Co60 with photon energies of 0.662, 1.173 and 1.333 MeV were used. The results indicated that with the increase of MAS and decrease of cement content and w/c ratio, the passing flux will be reduced and shielding characteristics of heavyweight magnetite concrete will be improved.