PREDICTING THE RELIABILITY PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE WALL BLOCKS BASED ON BARITE AND MAGNETITE

Abstract

Modern construction of specialized facilities in Ukraine, including medical centers, nuclear power plants, and industrial complexes, requires materials with enhanced shielding properties against ionizing radiation. The use of heavy aggregates, specifically barium sulfate and iron oxide, significantly increases the density of wall blocks; however, predicting their reliability during long-term operation in various climatic zones remains a critical issue.

The purpose of the article is to substantiate a system of indicators and methods for predicting the reliability of composite wall blocks based on barite and magnetite, taking into account the regional specifics of Ukraine.

The study employed an analysis of regulatory requirements (DSTU), statistical modeling (Weibull distribution, Monte Carlo simulation), as well as accelerated aging methods and non-destructive testing.

As a result of the research, the main durability criteria were identified: compressive strength (≥10 MPa), frost resistance (≥25 cycles), water absorption (≤10%), density retention (≥95%), and radiation protection (≥90%). It was established that the barite-to-magnetite ratio in the range of 60:40 – 80:20 influences the initial strength (18–32 MPa), density (2800–3500 kg/m³), and the predicted strength retention after 50 years (82–93%). Degradation risks were assessed for various climatic zones (western, central, eastern, southern, and northern), including freeze-thaw cycles (30–80 per year), humidity (55–80%), and sulfate and chloride attacks. Economic analysis shows that the cost of composites is 1.5–2.5 times higher than that of ordinary concrete; however, accurate forecasting allows for the optimization of maintenance costs and extends the service life by 15–25% in aggressive environments.

The conclusions state that the integration of probabilistic models, non-destructive monitoring, and digital twin technologies reduces the uncertainty of long-term forecasts from ±20–25% to ±10–15%, which increases the economic viability of using these materials in strategic infrastructure projects in Ukraine. Further research should be aimed at creating sectoral databases of performance characteristics and adapting European testing protocols to national standards.