Cost evaluation of radiation-cured concrete-polymer materials for pipe manufacture

A conceptual design and preliminary cost evaluation was made for the production of radiation-cured plastic impregnated concrete pipes with internal diameters of 30 and 130 cm respectively and a length of 200 cm. The calculation of the Co-60 source strength was based on linear absorption of radiation from an infinite rod source using data for mass stopping power and build-up factors as for shielding calculations. The evaluation was only based upon obtainable increase in strength properties, whereas improvement of corrosion resistance was not especially considered. Production costs for plastic impregnated concrete pipes with strength properties of the same order as those of stee-reinforced pipes or pipes otherwise "refined" were about 50% higher than for these pipes.