Experimental investigation of sustainable gamma radiation shielding concrete

The construction industry is increasingly adopting sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental impact from excessive consumption of natural aggregates. This study investigated the incorporation of copper slag (CS) and recycled ceramic tiles (RCT) as partial aggregate replacements in concrete at levels ranging from 50 % to 90 %, with a focus on both the structural integrity and gamma radiation shielding performance. Results indicated improvements in slump, density, and compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths. The optimal mixture, with 60 % replacement, exhibited a maximum density increase increases of 45.9 % and an 18.18 % enhancement in attenuation coefficient (μ). A strong correlation (R² = 0.9743) between density and μ confirms the effectiveness of these materials, making CS and RCT viable sustainable aggregate alternatives for radiation shielding concrete.