An experimental study of the shielding characteristics of the dwelling house building materials against gamma radiations in the Central Region of Syria

The shielding properties of the concrete and blocks used for the construction of dwelling houses in the Central Region of Syria (CRS) were measured and studied. The concrete used for the ceiling construction was found to have optimum shielding properties with 0.182 cm−1 (or equivalently 0.0859 cm2 g−1) for the linear (mass) attenuation coefficient [L(M)AC]. In addition gamma radiation is attenuated by 73.221% on average, while the blocks used for the walls have smaller LACs (0.082 cm−1 for the bare blocks, and 0.118 cm−1 for the coated ones). Although the LACs for the blocks are smaller than those for the concrete their shielding properties are good to protect from the gamma radiations coming from radioactive or nuclear accidents (78.630% attenuation), even Chernobyl – like disasters, because of their big width (10–12 cm). The LACs were measured by an ionization chamber and simple theoretical calculations have been made to predict the concrete LACs. The calculations showed an average LAC for the six samples equal to 0.1664 cm−1 with 8.47% error with respect to the experimental values.The average LAC for the concrete used for ceiling construction in the CRS was found to be comparable or even better than the average of some international values for the reactor shielding concretes, which are about 0.163 cm−1.

► We measure shielding properties of dwelling houses in the central region of Syria.
► The concrete used for ceiling construction is good for shielding from gamma radiations.
► Fairly high linear attenuation coefficients are obtained (from 0.173 to 0.198 cm−1).
► Blocks used for house walls are not effective against gamma radiations.
► Blocks efficiency can be improved by filling their holes with a cement paste.