Title: Evaluation of photon energy shielding and mechanical properties of concrete mixtures based on Tunisian barite: simulation and experimental findings

Authors: Khaled Saidani; Kaouther Bergaoui; Lassaad Ajam; Nafaa Reguigui; Brahim El Azzaoui; Ouadie Kabach

Addresses: Laboratory of Civil Engineering, National School of Engineers of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002, Tunis, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Environmental, Urban Planning and Building Technologies, University of Carthage, 2035, Tunis, Tunisia ' National Center of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies (CNSTN), Technopole Sidi Thabet, BP 72 CP 2020, Tunisia ' Laboratory of Civil Engineering, National School of Engineers of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, 1002, Tunis, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Environmental, Urban Planning and Building Technologies, University of Carthage, 2035, Tunis, Tunisia ' National Center of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies, Technopole Sidi Thabet, BP 72 CP 2020, Tunisia; International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100, Austria ' Materials Physics and Subatomics Laboratory, Physics Department, University Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco; National Center for Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques, Rabat, Morocco ' Materials Physics and Subatomics Laboratory, Physics Department, University Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco

Abstract: This study investigates the potential of barite (BaSO₄) as a partial or total replacement for sand in concrete, aimed at enhancing its shielding properties against gamma radiation. Concrete samples with barite contents ranging from 0% to 25% were prepared and exposed to gamma rays from two sources: ⁶⁰Co (1.173 MeV and 1.332 MeV) and ¹³⁷Cs (0.662 MeV). Both experimental measurements and simulations using the MCNP Monte Carlo code were employed to estimate dose rates upstream and downstream the samples, enabling the evaluation of concrete's attenuation properties. The results indicate that the linear attenuation coefficient increased with barite content and varied depending on the gamma-ray energy. A barite-enhanced concrete mixture exhibited an 8% improvement in shielding efficiency, while all mixtures achieved a minimum compressive strength of 25 MPa. An empirical formula was developed to predict the shielding effectiveness of barite concrete, which was compared to existing literature.

Keywords: compressive strength; concrete shielding; barite; gamma-ray attenuation; MCNP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPEC.2026.150623

International Journal of Power and Energy Conversion, 2026 Vol.17 No.1, pp.33 - 50

Received: 06 Jul 2024
Accepted: 06 Aug 2024
Published online: 18 Dec 2025 *

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