Reusing of Both Agricultural and Industrial Wastes as Replacement Materials for Construction Industy: Radiation Shielding Analysis

Abstract

Reusing and recycling wastes to produce new materials are seen as costeffective, sustainable solution for the economic and environmental problems especially in the agricultural and construction sectors in the worldwide. In the paper, four groups of waste samples including both agricultural and industrial wastes (tincal waste, Bayburt stone waste, tea waste, eggshell waste, marble dust waste and peanut shell waste) were produced by mixing in different ratios. The radiation protection parameters were found by Phy-X/PSD code and radiation shielding abilities of the samples were examined. Mass attenuation coefficient data were also compared by Xcom. In addition, spectroscopic results were provided based on XRD and SEM-EDS spectroscopic techniques. It is obtained that the shielding performances of the samples including tincal waste and Bayburt stone waste with the highest amount of marble dust waste and eggshell waste are the highest, respectively. The lowest protection property is obtained for the sample with Bayburt stone waste with marble dust waste and peanut shell waste consisting of lower Ca and higher C contents. It is observed that there is a direct relation between the amount of Ca and the radiation shielding capability of the samples. It is also determined that neutron shielding potential is the highest for tincal waste with marble dust and tea waste. It can be concluded that the newly prepared samples consisting of wastes in order to support reusing and recycling have good protective properties and use of the samples as replacement materials instead of cement or aggregate can be recommended.