Effects of high temperatures on the splitting tensile strength and gamma ray shielding performance of radiation shielding concrete

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2022-08, Vol.343, p.127953, Article 127953
• Main Authors: Luo, Lincheng, Chen, Zhenfu, Tao, Qiuwang, Xie, Liping, Jin, Dan, Li, Zhujing, Deng, Du
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Barite; Gamma ray shielding; High temperature; Magnetite; Radiation shielding concrete; Splitting tensile strength
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127953

•The effects of high temperatures on the physical, mechanical and shielding properties of RSC were investigated.•High temperatures resulted in the deterioration of the mechanical and gamma shielding properties of RSC.•Barite concrete was less thermally stable under high temperatures.•Magnetite concrete was more suitable for concrete under high-temperature environment. The residual properties of radiation shielding concrete subjected to high temperatures require reassessment, considering that it may be exposed to high temperatures during service life. In this study, the effects of high temperatures on apparent characteristic, mass loss, splitting tensile strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity and gamma ray shielding performance of the more widely used barite concrete and magnetite concrete were investigated. The results showed that the relative velocity and damage index had a good correlation with the relative splitting tensile strength of radiation shielding concrete exposed to high temperatures, which could accurately reflect the failure of radiation shielding concrete subjected to high temperatures. Meanwhile, barite concrete appeared severe spalling phenomenon at 450 ℃, and magnetite concrete had better thermal stability, which had favorable physical, mechanical and shielding properties, thus it was more suitable for concrete under high temperature.