Development of high performance and high strength heavy concrete for radiation shielding structures

Heavy concrete currently used for construction contains special materials that are expensive and difficult to work with. This study replaced natural aggregate (stones) in concrete with round steel balls, which are inexpensive and easily obtainable. The diameters of the steel balls were 0.5 and 1 cm, and their density was 7.8 kg/m³. Dense packing mixture methods were used to produce heavy concrete with densities of 3500 and 5000 kg/m³. The various properties of this concrete were tested according to the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The results indicated that the construction slump of the concrete could reach 260–280 mm and its slump flow could reach 610–710 mm. More important, its compressive strength could reach 8848 MPa. These results will significantly alter traditional construction methods that use heavy concrete and enhance innovative ideas for structural design.