This study experimentally and by Monte-Carlo simulation evaluates the gamma-ray and neutron shielding ability of 51 concrete composites incorporating various hematite (Fe2O3) concentrations as aggregate replacement and boron carbide (B4C) as an additive. The total neutron macroscopic cross-section (Σn) for an Am-Be source and the linear gamma attenuation coefficient (μγ) for 137Cs and 60Co gamma sources (661.66, 1173, and 1332 keV) were measured and compressive strength (CS) was also determined for all concrete shield samples. The results show that hematite significantly increases the photon and neutron attenuation ability due to its high thermal neutron's cross-section and higher atomic density compared to conventional aggregate. By increasing the hematite concentration to 70%, the performance of the concrete shield reaches saturation. Furthermore, Gamma attenuation efficiency predictably …
