Abstract
Nuclear technology benefits humans, but it also produces nuclear radiation that harms human health and the environment. Based on the modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing model for achieving a densely compacted cementitious matrix, a new magnetite ultra-high-performance concrete (MUHPC) was designed using magnetite fine aggregate as a substitute for river sands with 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% replacement ratios. The comprehensive properties of the developed MUHPC were tested and evaluated. These properties were fluidity, static and dynamic compressive strengths, high-temperature performance, antiradiation behaviors, hydration products, and micropore structures. Experimental results indicate that the developed MUHPC has high work performance and static and dynamic mechanical properties. The gamma ray shielding performance of MUHPC substantially improves with increased magnetite fine aggregate. Corresponding with 100% magnetite fine aggregate substitution, the linear attenuation coefficient of MUHPC is enhanced by 56.8% compared with that of ordinary concrete. Magnetite addition does not change the type of cement hydration products but improves the micropore structures of MUHPC and effectively reduces its total porosity and average pore diameter, thereby contributing to its mechanical and radiation shielding properties. The compressive strength and linear attenuation coefficient of the MUHPC can reach 150 MPa and 0.2 cm−1, respectively. In addition, the MUHPC also exhibits superior mechanical and radiation shielding performance at elevated temperatures (<400 °C). Finally, high strength and antiradiation performance support the use of MUHPC in radiation protection materials in the future.
Highlights
According to BS EN1015-3 [50], the fluidity of fresh magnetite Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) (MUHPC) was tested using a mold of a truncated cone (Fangyuan Construction Instrument Factory, Hebei, China) with a top diameter of 70 mm, bottom diameter of 100 mm, and height of 60 mm
The mold was placed on a jump table (Fangyuan Construction Instrument Factory, Hebei, China) in advance and the fresh MUHPC was placed in the mold in two layers
Compared with that of ordinary concrete, the radiation resistance of MUHPC improved by 19.4%, 29.4%, 31.4%, 48.8%, and 56.8%, corresponding with 0% to 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% magnetite replacement ratios
Summary
Nuclear shielding technology is eliciting public attention. Gamma and neutron rays are the most destructive radiation types released by nuclear explosion or radioactive waste [5,6,7]. The danger of these radiation types primarily originates from their high penetration and ionization energy, which can destroy normal human cells and lead to gene mutation. Long-term exposure to nuclear radiation causes immune decline, cancer, and even immediate death, among other problems, in humans [8,9,10,11,12]
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