Calculation of Activity Concentration Index for an Internal Space in a Concrete Structure
The Activity Concentration Index (ACI), defined in Directive 2013/59/Euratom, serves as a criterion for the radiological significance of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) concentrated in building materials, considering related exposures due to the external gamma radiation field but n...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2075 |
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| author | Stamatia Gavela Georgios Papadakos Nikolaos Nikoloutsopoulos |
| author_facet | Stamatia Gavela Georgios Papadakos Nikolaos Nikoloutsopoulos |
| author_sort | Stamatia Gavela |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Activity Concentration Index (ACI), defined in Directive 2013/59/Euratom, serves as a criterion for the radiological significance of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) concentrated in building materials, considering related exposures due to the external gamma radiation field but not due to radon concentration levels. This study proposes a simple way of applying the ACI to interior spaces when concrete is the dominant construction material. Three calculation methods were examined, using four spaces within existing buildings, namely Method A, using the building elements’ mass proportions as a weighting factor; Method B, using only the geometrical characteristics of the internal space; and Method C, combining the mass proportions and inverse square distances. This methodology proposes a way of calculating the ACI based on data provided by existing studies about NORM concentrations in building materials and, thus, no sampling and subsequent NORM concentration measurements were required. The spatial data could be easily determined using either building plans or in situ measurements, using a handheld laser distance meter. The advantages and disadvantages of all three methods were analyzed, along with a comparison to in situ gamma radiation field measurements, performed with a portable Geiger–Müller detector. All the methods showed proportionality to the measured values. Method C was found to be the most suitable, especially for existing buildings, and Method A is recommended for early-stage design assessments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a63a0fd0e8064e14a051ef037e77d2f8 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-a63a0fd0e8064e14a051ef037e77d2f82025-06-25T13:36:01ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-06-011512207510.3390/buildings15122075Calculation of Activity Concentration Index for an Internal Space in a Concrete StructureStamatia Gavela0Georgios Papadakos1Nikolaos Nikoloutsopoulos2Department of Civil Engineering, University of West Attica, Petrou Ralli & Thivon 250, GR-122 44 Athens, GreeceRadiation Protection Expert, GR-151 21 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of West Attica, Petrou Ralli & Thivon 250, GR-122 44 Athens, GreeceThe Activity Concentration Index (ACI), defined in Directive 2013/59/Euratom, serves as a criterion for the radiological significance of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) concentrated in building materials, considering related exposures due to the external gamma radiation field but not due to radon concentration levels. This study proposes a simple way of applying the ACI to interior spaces when concrete is the dominant construction material. Three calculation methods were examined, using four spaces within existing buildings, namely Method A, using the building elements’ mass proportions as a weighting factor; Method B, using only the geometrical characteristics of the internal space; and Method C, combining the mass proportions and inverse square distances. This methodology proposes a way of calculating the ACI based on data provided by existing studies about NORM concentrations in building materials and, thus, no sampling and subsequent NORM concentration measurements were required. The spatial data could be easily determined using either building plans or in situ measurements, using a handheld laser distance meter. The advantages and disadvantages of all three methods were analyzed, along with a comparison to in situ gamma radiation field measurements, performed with a portable Geiger–Müller detector. All the methods showed proportionality to the measured values. Method C was found to be the most suitable, especially for existing buildings, and Method A is recommended for early-stage design assessments.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2075Activity Concentration IndexNaturally Occurring Radioactive Materialconcreteionizing radiationgamma radiation field |
| spellingShingle | Stamatia Gavela Georgios Papadakos Nikolaos Nikoloutsopoulos Calculation of Activity Concentration Index for an Internal Space in a Concrete Structure Buildings Activity Concentration Index Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material concrete ionizing radiation gamma radiation field |
| title | Calculation of Activity Concentration Index for an Internal Space in a Concrete Structure |
| title_full | Calculation of Activity Concentration Index for an Internal Space in a Concrete Structure |
| title_fullStr | Calculation of Activity Concentration Index for an Internal Space in a Concrete Structure |
| title_full_unstemmed | Calculation of Activity Concentration Index for an Internal Space in a Concrete Structure |
| title_short | Calculation of Activity Concentration Index for an Internal Space in a Concrete Structure |
| title_sort | calculation of activity concentration index for an internal space in a concrete structure |
| topic | Activity Concentration Index Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material concrete ionizing radiation gamma radiation field |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2075 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stamatiagavela calculationofactivityconcentrationindexforaninternalspaceinaconcretestructure AT georgiospapadakos calculationofactivityconcentrationindexforaninternalspaceinaconcretestructure AT nikolaosnikoloutsopoulos calculationofactivityconcentrationindexforaninternalspaceinaconcretestructure |