Experimental Investigation of gamma-ray shielding capability of clay used as building materials in Thi Qar Province

Abstract

Clay is one of the oldest building materials known to man uses in construction. This material has many important potentials and features, and the methods of using this material in construction in the past and present varied greatly, responding to environmental determinants; Such as the climate, the quality of the soil, and the available materials on the one hand. The aim of the present study is to test the ability of this material to attenuate gamma-ray radiation. Gamma ray attenuation coefficients such as linear and mass attenuation half value layer, tenth value layer, and mean free path for deferent thickness slabs of clay was measured using 3”×3” NaI(Tl) gamma spectroscopy system at energy 662 KeV, 1173 KeV, and 1332 KeV. The measured values of the attenuation parameters showed good agreement with the theoretical calculations. The elemental compositions of the clay slabs analyzed by using an EDXRF spectrometer. The obtained results appear that the clay is a suitable alternative for radiation protection and achieve a safe level of radiation exposure for photons that have moderate energy.