NEW MODEL FOR MINES AND TRANSPORTATION TUNNELS EXTERNAL DOSE CALCULATION USING MONTE CARLO SIMULATION

Area of Science:

• Radiation physics
• Computational modeling
• Nuclear engineering

Background:

• External dose assessment is crucial for radiation safety in underground environments like mines and tunnels.
• Existing models may lack the flexibility to accurately represent diverse tunnel geometries and material compositions.
• Monte Carlo methods offer a robust framework for simulating complex radiation transport phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel Monte Carlo-based methodology for calculating external radiation doses in tunnels and mines.
• To create a flexible computational model capable of handling various cylindrical tunnel configurations (finite thickness, with/without exits).
• To validate the model's accuracy against experimental data.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a photon transport model for exposure dose calculations.
• Development of a new software tool using the Delphi programming language based on the Monte Carlo solution.
• Simulation of radiation transport within cylindrical tunnel structures of varying dimensions and material properties.

Main Results:

• The developed Monte Carlo simulation showed good agreement with experimental data, with variations ranging from 7.3% to 19.9%.
• The study investigated the influence of position, building material density, and composition on specific external dose rates within the tunnel.
• The new model demonstrated flexibility in calculating real-world external doses for diverse cylindrical tunnel structures.

Conclusions:

• The novel Monte Carlo simulation methodology provides an accurate and flexible tool for external dose assessment in tunnels and mines.
• The software developed enables detailed analysis of dose variations influenced by tunnel geometry and materials.
• This approach enhances radiation safety protocols by offering a more precise method for predicting occupational exposure in underground facilities.