The effect of carbon powder addition on the properties of hematite radiation shielding concrete

Carbon powder was added to shielding concrete made of Hematite aggregates to investigate its effects on shielding properties. The powder was added in different percentages, and the mechanical and radiation attenuation properties of the prepared concretes were determined. It was found that, the addition of carbon powder by 6% (by wt.) of the concrete could increase the strength on concrete by about 15%. The shielding effectiveness decreased for both gamma and neutrons with the increasing carbon powder percentage. But the loss in shielding effectiveness for both gamma rays and neutrons were within measurements error range for carbon powder addition of 6%. Simulation for the experimental measurements was carried out using Monte Carlo MCNP code, to understand the effect of carbon powder on the shielding effectiveness against neutrons. The results of the simulation were in good agreement with the experimental results. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.