In this study, samples of commercial Portland cement mixed with 30% weight of crushed waste silicate glass were prepared in the shape of well-dried cylinders. Then, their physical and mechanical properties were investigated for two types of samples: samples without exposure and samples with exposure to gamma-ray and neutron irradiation. A notable deterioration of the physical properties of the irradiated samples relative to the non-irradiated ones was recorded. All the spectroscopic analyses were performed for the samples with exposure and without exposure to gamma-ray and neutron irradiation. The XRD emerging peaks of irradiated samples were studied to estimate the presence and stabilities of major peaks indicating the presence of the main compositions of cement with the amorphous nature of glass. FT-IR transmittance spectra were identified and the bonds were located close to those of identical glasses. Moreover, SEM images and EDX analysis were conducted on the two types of composite samples (without exposure and with exposure to gamma and neutron irradiation) to specify the change in the physical appearance and the chemical composition after irradiation. The attenuation parameters were computed theoretically with the assistance of Phy-X/PSD software to evaluate the gamma-ray and neutron shielding properties by defining the composition and the density of the samples. The irradiation was found to have a negative impact on the shielding ability of the prepared samples where there was an over-reduction in the parameters calculated with the probability that the damage may increase with longer exposure to the radiation.

Cement, the most widely used binding agent in concrete, is responsible for approximately 5% of global CO ₂ emissions, and cement-based materials are further limited by pronounced brittleness, porosity, and reduced tensile strength and fracture resistance. Over the past decade, this has driven interest in nanoparticle-modified cement, since nanomaterials refine the microstructure, densify the cement paste, and improve the mechanical and transport properties of cementitious composites; however, the high cost of many engineered nanomaterials has created demand for alternative, low-cost, and environmentally friendly substitutes. Eggshell, a calcium carbonate-rich biological waste generated in large volumes worldwide, has emerged as one such candidate: eggshell powder improves the mechanical performance of stabilized soils and bricks, and its incorporation as a partial cement or aggregate replacement in concrete and mortar affects compressive, flexural, and tensile strength depending on the replacement ratio and processing method. This review examines the physical and chemical properties of eggshell powder and the factors governing its contribution to the strength of construction materials. It evaluates recent work on nano-scale eggshell (nano-eggshell) as a further refinement of this approach, including its rheological and mechanical performance in cement mortar. The review further considers the use of eggshell-based composites in radiation shielding, where the same calcium carbonate content relevant to cementitious performance also contributes to gamma-ray attenuation. Through a critical comparative analysis of divergent findings across the literature and integration of the most recent studies (2024–2026), this review identifies the mechanistic basis - a competition between nucleation and dilution effects—that explains the apparently contradictory optimal replacement ratios reported in previous work. Collectively, the evidence indicates that eggshell powder and its nano-scale derivatives represent a viable, safe, and economical additive for sustainable construction and radiation-shielding applications.