Experimental investigations on mechanical and radiation shielding properties of hybrid lead–steel fiber reinforced concrete

This paper summarizes the results from the investigations carried out on fiber reinforced concrete with steel fibers, lead fibers and a combination of the two (hybrid fibers). The intent of this research was to investigate the effect of the two types of fibers on mechanical and radiation shielding properties of concrete. Compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural toughness were among the mechanical properties investigated and radiation shielding to gamma rays was investigated by comparing the attenuation provided by different types of concrete against each other and against blank readings without attenuation. The results clearly showed that the hybrid fibers showed a significant enhancement in both mechanical and radiation shielding properties.