Experimental investigation on static/dynamic response and γ/n shielding of different sustainable concrete mixtures

Abstract

Concrete has an influential role in the construction industry as it is a prominent building element that affects the present infrastructure and the construction industry's economy. There is a considerable consumption of raw materials needed for concrete production since crushed stone production was increased in the last decades. Thus alternatives for aggregates are highly recommended solutions for such problems. Steel slag and mill scale are considered sustainable contenders for natural resources of structural materials.Nuclear bombs accompanied with radiations and dynamic loads are considered one of the major disasters that threaten human lives and structures. Therefore, this research investigates the effect of utilizing by-product materials as coarse and fine aggregates to manufacture sustainable concrete, probably with novel static and dynamic performance and radiation attenuation capability. This issue could be done by substituting crushed stone aggregates by steel slag and silica sand by mill scale in concrete production. Fresh and hardened properties of concrete were experimentally explored. Workability, compressive, tensile and flexural strength, impact resistance, and linear attenuation capability were the major evaluated characteristics in this research work. The achievements of this study showed that a superior static and dynamic performance by up to 81.67% and 178.39% compared to normal concrete, respectively, could be achieved by utilizing steel slag and mill scale in concrete fabrication besides its considerable environmental benefits and economic affordability. Also, the radiation attenuation capability was enhanced by up to 84.1% with prepared sustainable concrete mixtures, which makes it a good candidate for radiation shielding. Thus, producing novel structures such as radiation shielding facilities probably with superior dynamic performance.