Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Published on: December 14, 2017
Radiometric analysis of construction materials using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry
M U Khandaker1, P J Jojo, H A Kassim
1Department of Physics, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. mu_khandaker@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Concentrations of primordial radionuclides in common construction materials collected from the south-west coastal region of India were determined using a high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer. Average specific activities (Bq kg(-1)) for (238)U((226)Ra) in cement, brick, soil and stone samples were obtained as 54 ± 13, 21 ± 4, 50 ± 12 and 46 ± 8, respectively. Respective values of (232)Th were obtained as 65 ± 10, 21 ± 3, 58 ± 10 and 57 ± 12. Concentrations of (40)K radionuclide in cement, brick, soil and stone samples were found to be 440 ± 91, 290 ± 20, 380 ± 61 and 432 ± 64, respectively. To evaluate the radiological hazards, radium equivalent activity, various hazard indices, absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose have been calculated, and compared with the literature values. Obtained data could be used as reference information to assess any radiological contamination due to construction materials in future.
Related Concept Videos
Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating
Gas Chromatography: Types of Detectors-II
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
Photoluminescence: Applications

