Lightweight concrete with bottom ash - Radiological aspects

This work presents the results of research carried out at the Research Institute of the College of Judea and Samaria and at the Soreq Nuclear Research Center. Furnace bottom ash from Israel's thermal power stations is a prospective, material as an aggregate in lightweight concretes. Use of furnace bottom ash wastes can offer a solution to persistent ecological problems related to the disposal of the ash, as well as solving economical problems of building materials production. Lightweight concrete based on furnace bottom ash is a promising material for construction (walls, ceilings) in civil engineering. However, by using furnace bottom ash as an aggregate, it is necessary to take into consideration the fact that products of coal combustion contain certain quantities of radionuclides. The current study was carried out to evaluate the radioactivity of lightweight concrete, based on furnace bottom ash from Israel's power stations, to study ways of reducing the radioactivity, and to examine the compliance of the product with legal requirements.