Estimation of the cement content of hardened concrete by a nuclear method

A nuclear technique using a Ac227-Be neutron source and a BF3 counter for estimating the cement content of hardened concrete is described. The general principles that are basic to the method are briefly discussed. The inaccuracies involved in the estimation by using this technique and the corrections necessary to improve the degree of accuracy are analysed in detail. Laboratory tests indicate that the technique yields results with a good degree of accuracy. (A.K.)