Experimental and theoretical investigation for shielding efficiency of self-compacted concrete containing lead smelting waste for gamma ray

Lead smelter waste is considered as one of the most hazardous waste that pollute the environment by releasing hazardous effluents, a lot of particle matter, and other different solid wastes. In this research lead smelter waste is used as a concrete additive and fine aggregate constituent in self-compacted concrete casting to be used as a gamma ray shield. Three types of traditionally used coarse aggregate (basalt, crushed dolomite, and gravel) were used in casting normal and high strength self-compacted concrete. The fresh and hardened concrete properties were investigated. The cast samples were tested for 137Cs and 60Co gamma rays with energies 0.662 and 1.25 Mev. The mass attenuation coefficients (µ/ρ) and linear attenuation (µ) were measured and calculated using WinXCom program for gamma rays. The experimental measurements and the used theoretical calculation method were highly compatible. The usage of lead smelter waste in concrete casting improved the concrete gamma rays shielding.