A research on the radiation shielding effects of clay, silica fume and cement samples

•The strength and radiation shielding properties of clay and some soils were examined.•All tests were performed on compacted soil in optimum water content.•Clay–white cement mixtures have the highest unconfined compression strength.•Clay–white cement mixtures have the highest linear attenuation coefficient.•Clay–white cement mixture can be used as building materials in radioactivity places.

Nowadays, as the application areas of nuclear technology increases, protection from radiation has become even more important. Especially, the importance of radiation-shielding is important for the environment and employees which are in close proximity. Clays can be used as additives for shielding the radioactive materials. In this study, the shielding properties of micronize clay–white cement, clay–silica fume, gypsum, gypsum–silica fume, cement, white cement, cement–silica fume, white cement–gypsum, white cement–silica fume, red mud–silica fume, silica fume and red mud at different energy levels were examined. Additionally, compaction and unconfined compression tests were carried out on the samples. The results of clays and other samples were compared with each other. As a result, it was found that clays, especially clay–white cement mixture were superior than other samples in radioactive shielding.