A comprehensive study on factors influencing radiation shielding concrete characteristics

Radiation shielding concrete (RSC) is a construction material against radiation exposure due to its effective shielding ability, adequate mechanical along with durability characteristics, cost-effectiveness, and abundant versatility. The radiation exposure is detrimental to both living anatomy and structural integrity, hence, the structural radiation shielding through RSC is essential. Being a heterogeneous material, several factors associated with different RSC constituents, like aggregate, binder, additive, and matrix composite, can influence its properties, thus limiting the usefulness of the most sensitive RSC structure, as even minor radiation penetration can have severe consequences for public health and safety. Hence, an attempt has been made to create a comprehensive database on the alternative materials in RSC formation. Literature for review was selected based on a rigorous keyword search through various databases such as ‘SCOPUS’, ‘Google Scholar’, ‘Science Direct’, etc. This manuscript highlights the RSC’s progress and development across the world and discusses the various RSC characteristics through different factors associated with the RSC constituents, influencing the radiation shielding ability of both hydrated RSC (HRSC) and geopolymerised RSC (GRSC) against gamma-rays and neutron particles. Through a map study of these factors and characteristics, the identified primary factors governing the realization of RSC, along with its property development, are high-density aggregate, fiber addition, and nanoparticle addition. The most preferred material constituents for RSC production, along with their optimal dosages, are identified. The maximum attainable RSC attenuation capacity against Gamma-ray and Neutrons using the mentioned most preferred material constituents is 0.30–––0.40 cm⁻¹ and 0.10–––0.20 cm⁻¹, respectively. A comparison is made between the materials utilized in a few prime reactors in India and the preferred constituent materials through this review work. In the event of meager accomplishments in research work concerning factors associated with RSC components, the current review can be treated as a platform for researchers in this field.