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Characterization of physical–mechanical and radiological properties of diabase rock for civil engineering practices in Kosovo

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Abstract

This study presents the characteristics of diabase rocks and rock aggregates measured during the preliminary exploratory survey. Diabases are characterized as “high hardness”, very compact rock having low porosity and water absorption, and rock aggregates show high resistance to fragmentation (LA15) making this material suitable for construction. The radiological hazard due to its use as building materials is investigated by measuring the activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th, respectively 88 ± 8, <1.8 and <2.4 Bq kg−1. The calculated activity concentration index shows low radiological risk to humans due to their use as building materials in dwellings.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the staff of the N.SH.T. Test & Ing. Laboratory in Prizren (Kosovo) which assisted in the physical–mechanical tests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering - University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina”, Bregu i Diellit, 10000, Pristina, Kosovo

    Ferat Shala

  2. Center for GeoTechnologies, University of Siena, Via Vetri Vecchi, 34, San Giovanni Valdarno, 52027, Arezzo, Italy

    Elona Xhixha

  3. Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Blv. Zogu I, Tiranë, Albania

    Gerti Xhixha

  4. Trepça–Enterprise Under PAK Administration, Mitrovica Industrial Park, Mitrovica, Kosovo

    Selim Frangu, Bislim Muça & Musa Shabani

  5. Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Professional Studies, University “Aleksandër Moisiu” Durrës, Str. Currila 1, Durres, Albania

    Merita Kaçeli Xhixha

  6. Kosovo Agency for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (KARPNS) - Office of the Prime Minister, Ish-Gërmia, 10000, Pristina, Kosovo

    Fadil Hasani

Authors
  1. Ferat Shala
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  2. Elona Xhixha
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  3. Gerti Xhixha
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  4. Selim Frangu
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  5. Bislim Muça
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  6. Merita Kaçeli Xhixha
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  7. Musa Shabani
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  8. Fadil Hasani
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Correspondence to Gerti Xhixha.

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Shala, F., Xhixha, E., Xhixha, G. et al. Characterization of physical–mechanical and radiological properties of diabase rock for civil engineering practices in Kosovo. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 310, 919–925 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4880-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-016-4880-8

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