Evaluation of electric arc furnace slag high strength shielding concrete on exposure to gamma 662 KeV

Production of electricity from nuclear fission – or fusion in nuclear power plants is becoming an attractive solution to face the scarcity in different natural energy resources. This paper presents the first outcome from an NRC funded project investigating the production of concrete with an improved 662 KeV gamma radiation linear attenuation coefficient, using alternatives as Electric Arc Furnace Slag (EAFS), to traditional aggregates as crushed stone (Dolomite), and those known for their heaviness as barite and hematite. An insight research program is conducted using blended cements along with these variety of aggregates to produce different concrete mixes. The mechanical and physical properties of these concretes are thoroughly assessed. In addition, gamma attenuation coefficient (μ) of concrete of all mixes is measured. The results confirm significant improvement in most of the investigated properties by increasing (EAFS) percentage. Full replacement of coarse and fine aggregates by EAFS lead to highest values in all properties, as the compressive strength improved by 43 % and 40 %, for 7 and 28 days tests control values - respectively. Moreover, enhancement in linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) reached 22 %.