Influence of Composition Factors and Strength and Durability Characteristics of Concretes on Radon Emission

摘要

This paper presents the research program which consisted in the determination of concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K radionuclides in concretes prepared with some cement types with additions. The results achieved in the determination of concentrations of the main radioactive elements ( 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K) and of the radioactivity index are presented for various additions used in cements, blended cements and concretes prepared therewith. The contribution of tested additions was assessed by adding them in the manufacturing process of different cement types. Thus, tests were performed on no-addition cements and cements with additions of slag, fly-ash, limestone, slag + limestone, puzzolana + limestone, fly-ash + slag. The research program consisted in the determination of certain strength and durability characteristics (compressive strength, porosity, water and air permeability, etc.) of concretes prepared with cements with various additions and admixtures, in order to cross-reference results achieved with the radon exhalation rates and respectively the values acquired for the indoor radon concentration. During the research program, the strength characteristics, the air and water permeability were determined on concretes having various compositions, in order to enable cross-reference with radon exhalation rates.