Optimizing the shielding properties of strength-enhanced concrete containing marble

The purpose of this study is to develop a low cost, locally produced concrete mixture with optimum marble content. The resulting mixture would have enhanced strength properties compared to the non-marble reference concrete, and improved radiation shielding properties. To accomplish these goals five concrete mixtures were prepared, containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % marble waste powder as a cement replacement on the basis of weight. These samples were subjected to a compressive strength test. The shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients (mu(m)), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Z(eff)) and exposure build-up factors (EBF) were measured, and results were compared with those obtained using the WinXcom program and MCNPX code in the photon energy range of 0.015 - 3 MeV. Moreover, the macroscopic fast neutron removal cross-section (neutron attenuation coefficient) was calculated and the results presented. The results show that the sample containing 10 % marble has the highest compressive strength and potentially good gamma ray and neutron radiation shielding properties.