Experimental investigation of γ-ray attenuation in Jordanian building materials using HPGe-spectrometer

The capabilities of some building materials used in Jordan to attenuate gamma radiation were tested. Measurements of the attenuation coefficients of limestone, bricks and concrete have been carried out using a HPGe-spectrometer. Narrow beam technique was used, with a multiple gamma radiation source of different energy lines. Results indicate that variations in the attenuation coefficient for all limestone samples, at the same energy line, are within the experimental uncertainties. On the basis of the results achieved, an empirical formula mu(m) =AE(-0.44) was proposed to calculate attenuation at various incident energies. Limestone of average thickness 7 cm was found to stop 75% of a gamma beam of energy 662 keV Meanwhile a brick of effective thickness 7 cm was found to stop 60% of the same beam. The total attenuation coefficient of concrete calculated at 1333 keV was 11.2 m(-1), which is less than that of limestone and bricks. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.