Determination of transmission factors of concretes with different water/cement ratio, curing condition, and dosage of cement and air entraining agent

This study focuses on determination of transmission factors of main parameters affecting the properties of both normal- and heavy-weight concrete in order to increase knowledge and understanding of radiation attenuation in concrete at a later age. Water/cement (W/C) ratio, curing condition, cement quantity and air entraining agent (AEA) were selected as the main parameters. Eight energy values have been selected within the energy interval of 30.85–383.85 keV to be used in the radiation source. The Taguchi Method was used as the method of optimization. It was determined in the study that the most important parameter affecting the attenuation of the radiation of the concrete is the W/C ratio and the concretes produced with the lowest level of W/C ratio absorb more radiation. However, it was also determined that there was a combined effect between the W/C ratio and the cement dosage.

► We determined transmission factors of parameters affecting properties of concrete.
► The most important parameter is W/C ratio for attenuation of radiation of concrete.
► Taguchi Method provides an appropriate methodology for parameter reduction.