Investigation of radiation shielding properties of lead mi̇ne waste

The main object of this study is to examine the effect of radiation absorption of concrete produced from lead mine waste products which are not economically valuable. From mine waste products, the concrete samples were prepared by replaced barite and limestone aggregates in 25%, 50% and 75% ratios to C16, C25 and C35. Fresh concrete properties, concrete compressive strength and radiation absorption tests were conducted on concrete samples. It was observed from the experiments that the planned slump was achieved conducted on samples of fresh concrete in state in the mixture. It was also observed that mine waste which are loose and compact in unit weight are higher compared to the limestone aggregate concrete, while in all types of concrete loose and compact unit weight was found to be largest in concrete of 100B type. 3, 7 and 28 days compressive strength tests were performed on C16, C25 and C35 on concrete samples. In all concrete classes and species the targeted in the 28-day compressive strength of resistance were obtained. It was observed that in all concrete classes and types the replace of the barite, mine waste and limestone aggregates increase in compressive strength. On the plates prepared in 20x20x5 cm dimensions, radiation permeability test was conducted on the samples using Cs-137 radioactive source. It was observed from the experiments that the best radiation absorption was obtained in the samples prepared 100B containing concrete. It was observed that the radiation absorption coefficient was decreased with decrease in amount of barite in the samples prepared from the mixture of barite aggregates and limestone. It was also observed that the radiation absorption coefficient was increased with the increase of aggregates in concrete contain mine waste. As a result, the increase of amount of lead mine waste contain aggregate within the concrete mix has a positive effect on compressive strength depending on the rate of increase. In the evaluation of radiation-absorbing properties, although the lead waste aggregates do not have as high radiation absorption coefficient as the barite aggregates, they show higher radiation absorption coefficients as compared to limestone aggregates. Keywords: Heavy concrete, Industrial waste, Lead mine waste, Radiation shielding,