Effect of particle size and composition of granitic sands on the radiological behaviour of mortars

Although primarily deemed to be an ornamental stone, granite may also ground into fines for use in cement mortars, where it exhibits high strength and durability. Both the 40K present stone natural decay series of its uranium, thorium actinium components exhibit activity concentrations. An understanding is therefore needed correlation among different particle sizes aggregate assess their contribution a mortar's concentration index (ACI). This study analyses variation ACI with size three types based on chemical, mineralogical radiological characterisation five fractions. The concentrations uranium were highest finest A was observed between MgO Fe2O3 normally mica group phyllosilicates. In two granites, mortars prepared smallest particles had values >1.