Radiation Physics and Chemistry, cilt.209, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
This article studies the radiation shielding performance of three different concrete-added samples. First, the mass attenuation coefficient values of three distinct concrete materials were computed using the MATLAB code at energies ranging from 0.015 to 15 MeV, and the findings obtained were verified by theoretical WinXcom results. Half-Value Layer (HVL), Tenth-Value Layer (TVL), Mean Free Path (MFP), Effective Atomic Number (Zeff), Exposure Build-Up Factor (EBF), Energy Absorption Build-Up Factor (EABF) are the variables computed to assess available concrete samples in terms of radiation attenuation characteristics. The results demonstrated that the concrete sample with CAC possesses better gamma-radiation shielding characteristics. Concrete samples’ removal cross-sections (∑R) were obtained to analyze their ability to stop fast neutrons. Iron, aluminum, and lead-added concretes are better in terms of their density than the other types of concretes. Given the relationship between the density of the material and neutron shielding propensities, iron, aluminum, and lead-added materials are expected to better serve for shielding purposes. SRIM Monte Carlo code, as it is standard, was utilized to compute the mass stopping power (MSP) and projection range (PR) values. The concrete sample with CAC has shown better shielding properties compared to the others in the sample of the concretes having the lowest HVL, TVL, and MFP and highest ∑R. For proton and alpha particles, the concrete sample with CAC sample shows the best radiation shielding and protection properties. The concretes selected for the study are useful for shielding purposes compared to many other materials used in industry. In addition, radiation shielding concrete is cheaper than other shielding materials. It is easier to mold into different geometric shapes and is suitable for shielding from protons or alpha particles. Among the different concretes investigated in this study, it can be used for structures such as radiation oncology and nuclear medicine clinics in hospitals. Additionally, it can act as a biological shield for nuclear power plants, particle accelerators, and radionuclide laboratories, as well as other sources of radiation.