Metal waste recycling has become a global requirement owing to its environmental benefits and powerful economic activity. Metal nail waste (MNW) is a byproduct of metal nail manufacture. MNW has an equal size, contains a high ratio of iron, and has a high specific gravity comparable to normal aggregate. We present MNW recycling as a partial replacement for fine aggregates and electric arc furnace steel slag (EAFSS) as coarse aggregates to produce sustainable heavyweight concrete (HWC). Our main research aim was to study the radiation shielding and mechanical properties of sustainable HWC by partially replacing MNW with 10, 20, 30, and 40% sand. EAFSS is a coarse aggregate for 60% of the total volume. Fresh and hardened properties of HWC are presented. Furthermore, we analysed the internal structure of HWC mixes using a scanning electron microscope. Our results showed the positive effects of MNW on the unit weight of concrete. The density of HWC mixes ranges between 2650 and 3170 kg/m³. In addition, MNW contributes to increasing the compressive strength of concrete mixes with their use of up to 30%. Therefore, the MNW ratios improved the failure behaviour of HWC mixes. The improved linear attenuation coefficient of HWC mixes was due to using MNW ratios and higher densities than the reference mix.

Corrosion inhibitors’ effects on concrete microstructure, transport characteristics, and rebar corrosion are determined. The impact of admixing corrosion inhibitor in Portland cement based concrete on transport characteristics is investigated experimentally in this article. An organic corrosion inhibitor AMA, chemical substance inhibitors MFP and a nitrite-based inhibitor CNI were tested as corrosion inhibitors. The concrete was treated with 3.5% sodium chloride. Three forms of corrosion inhibitors are shown to decrease transport coefficients. SEM experiments and EDAX image analysis are used to analyse and explain the acquired transport characteristics. Time to chloride-induced corrosion beginning and subsequent rates of steel corrosion in concrete are discussed in this paper. The Cembureau technique is used to determine the permeability of concrete to nitrogen as durability criteria. The resultant concrete’s gas permeability and chloride migration were assessed using standard methods. The MFP has been significantly changed transport property; nitrite-based inhibitor causes a greater increase than the amino-based inhibitor.