Radiation effect on aggregates for concretes

Data on reactor radiation effects were analyzed for properties of main classes of magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and ores, used as aggregates for concretes. Specimens were irradiated in channels of BR-5, BR-10 and BOR-60 up to neutron fluence 1019-1021 neutr/cm2 (E010 keV) and remperatures of 30 to 450 deg C. The degree of radiation induced changes is found to increase with fluence for silicate materials in particular (volume increases up to 22%). Temperature growth results in the changes decrease it is conditioned by radiation defect annealing. Carbonate rocks and ores, fine-grained especially are revealed to have higher radiation resistance