Structure shielding against fallout gamma rays from nuclear detonations

Building Protection Against External Ionizing Fallout Radiation

“…7 Later (over the first week) the radiation "hardens" again -becoming more penetrating -and buildings become less effective at providing protection. While fallout particles emit a variety of different radiation energies, cobolt-60 (Co-60) and cesium-137 (Cs-137) emit radiation with roughly the same penetrating power as radiation emitted from 1 h and 1 d old fallout particles, respectively [9]. As a consequence, these radionuclides were often used in experimental studies of building protection.…”

“…11 This recommendation is based on single, relatively low yield (~10 KT) nuclear detonation. For multiple, larger detonation scenarios, larger protection factors (PF = 20 to 40) have been used, e.g., [9]. Attenuation Dose is lower when radiation is lost (scattered) while traveling in a direct path from the source to the detector (red dot).…”

“…These building types and corresponding protection factor estimates are primarily based on foundational work performed during the early cold war. This work was performed to support the US National Fallout Shelter System which provided the US civilian population some protection against the effects of a large, thermonuclear attack [9].…”

Review of dynamical models for external dose calculations based on Monte Carlo simulations in urbanised areas

“…Later, mostly theoretical studies of shielding were performed; the results and recommendations for dose reduction factors have been reviewed by different authors (Burson and Profio, 1977;Spencer et al, 1980). In the first half of the 1980s the point kernel build-up factor method has been widely used for shielding calculation (Hedemann-Jensen, 1984, 1985.…”

Kerma conversion factors for modern glass buildings in radioactively contaminated areas

“…As the geometry of building structures is too complex for simple methods such as the point kernel model (Spencer et al 1980), Monte Carlo calculations are needed to calculate the kerma as shown in a comparison performed by Jensen & Thykier-Nielsen (1989). The shielding properties and the resulting kerma rate can vary greatly for different types of buildings depending on the size of the building and its construction characteristics, on the energy spectrum of the radionuclides, on the distribution of the contaminants on the different surfaces and on the type of environment (e.g.…”