Enhancing the performance and radiation shielding of sustainable ultra-high performance concrete with agricultural and industrial by-products
Source abstract
Abstract
This study introduces a novel sustainable ultra-high-performance concrete that combines agricultural and industrial by-products to provide exceptional gamma-ray shielding along with superior mechanical and durability performance. An innovative quaternary binder system, including cement, sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), marble powder (MP), and barley straw ash (BSA), was blended with three heavyweight industrial aggregates (steel slag, ferrosilicon, and serpentine) as substitutes for fine aggregate. Different mixtures were systematically formulated with two primary variables: fine aggregate type and level of cement replacement with BSA (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%). A comprehensive experimental evaluation of physical properties, mechanical characteristics, durability performance, and microstructural analysis via SEM, along with statistical correlations, was conducted. The experimental gamma-ray shielding performance was rigorously evaluated at 662 keV ( 137 Cs) and 1332 keV ( 60 Co) using linear and mass attenuation coefficients, mean free path, half-value layer (HVL), and tenth-value layer (TVL). Four different data-driven methods were employed to predict the shielding parameters and identify the optimal mixture. Results indicated that the steel slag-based mixture with 20% BSA replacement (80C-20BSA-SS) achieved superior performance: density of 3010 Kg/m³ , compressive strength of 173.6 MPa, and remarkably low HVL values of 3.50 cm for ¹ ³⁷Cs and 3.99 cm for ⁶⁰Co, representing a 25% reduction in required shielding thickness compared to conventional sand-based UHPC. Microstructural analysis showed significant densification of the ITZ, driven by the combined pozzolanic activity of BSA and SBA as well as the microfilling effect of MP. This research confirms that the combined use of industrial and agricultural by-products provides an eco-friendly, high-performance concrete with competitive radiation-shielding capabilities.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Radiation Shielding Materials Analysis · Innovative concrete reinforcement materials · Graphite, nuclear technology, radiation studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
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