Estimation of Radiation Properties of High-Performance Concrete for Use in Nuclear Installations

The objective of the study is to investigate the suitability of some concrete components for producing high-performance heavy-density concrete that could afford radiation shielding during service in Egyptian nuclear power plants. The author surveyed the Egyptian deserts for ensuring the existence and defining the locations of the special types of natural ores for the coarse aggregates that are known to be used for radiation-shielding concrete. The study introduces industrial air-cooled slag as an innovative substitute for such types of natural concrete aggregates. In addition, new chemical additives are presented for enhancing the attenuation properties of concrete against the affecting radiation in a nuclear power plant. (C) 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.