1
Study on Light Transmitting Concrete
1
Patil Gaurao Suresh, 2Patil Swapnal Vinayak
gaurav.ptl@gmail.com, swapnalpatil123@rediffmail.com
Student, JSPM’s Imperial College of Engineering, Pune, India
Assistant Professor, JSPM’s Imperial College of Engineering, Pune, India
1
2
safe
only based on man-made lights to maintain people’s
have
optical activities. It is considered to be one of the best
obtained the worldwide attention. It is much of
sensor materials available and has been used widely
importance for developing a new kind of building
since the 1990s. Hungarian architect, Aron Losonczi,
material, which can integrate green energy saving
first introduced the idea of light transmitting concrete
with self-sensing properties of functional material.
in 2001 and then successfully produced the first
In this paper, based on the excellent properties of
transparent concrete block in 2003, named LiTraCon
light guiding and elasto-optic effect of optical
. However his transparent concrete did not have smart
fiber, a novel smart transparent concrete is
sensing properties. In this paper, a smart transparent
researched by arranging the optical fibers into the
concrete
concrete. To evaluate the effectiveness of the
manufactured with POF by drilling through the
smart transparent concrete, the light guiding
cement and mortar in order to utilize the light guiding
based on white light test, long-term durability
ability of POF. The main purpose was to use sunlight
based on freezing and thawing test and chloride
as a light source in order to reduce the power
ion penetration test, and self-sensing property
consumption
based on stress elasto-optic effect test are made
experiments to study the mechanical performance of
respectively. The experiments results show that
the concrete infused with POF were carried out.
the
good
LiTraCon rooms will be brightened and proximal
self-sensing
objects situated on the brighter side of a LiTraCon
Abstract--Building
evaluation
for
smart
transparency,
energy
saving
engineering
transparent
structures
concrete
mechanical
and
and
has
-
novel
of
construction
illumination.
material
was
Additionally,
wall will be revealed as silhouettes on the other side.
properties.
Though the optical fibers compose only 4% of the
Index Terms - Energy Saving, Fiber Bragg Grating,
Green Construction Material, Plastic Optical Fiber,
Smart Transparent Concrete, Structural Health
Monitoring.
concrete, some light is transmitted because of their
parallel arrangement in a matrix between to the two
outer surfaces of each block. Load-bearing structures
I.
INTRODUCTION
Due to economic development and space utilization
can also be built from these blocks, since glass fibers
requirements, high-rise buildings and skyscrapers are
have no negative effect on the strength of the
mostly built downtown in metropolitan areas around
concrete. The blocks come in various sizes and with
the
great
an option of embedded heat-isolation. Since not
populations. Those buildings are isolated biosphere
everyone appreciates the look of exposed concrete,
world,
especially
countries
with
2
LitraCon is creating light-transmitting building
become a structural component as a kind of modest
blocks in other textures and colors as well. With over
aggregate. So, the surface of can be built with these
seven billion cubic meters produced each year,
blocks and the blocks can be produced in various
concrete is one of the world’s most ubiquitous
sizes and with embedded heat-isolation.
building materials. Concrete use has stood the test of
Litracon is a combination of optical Fiber s and fine
time and is a multibillion dollar industry that
concrete. It can be produced as prefabricated building
provides millions of jobs throughout the world.
blocks and panels. Due to the small size of the Fiber
Despite its versatility and popularity, the aesthetic
s, they blend into concrete becoming a component of
reputation of concrete leaves must to be desired.
the material like small pieces of aggregate. In this
Common descriptive phrases such as “CONCRETE
manner, the result is not only two materials - glass in
JUNGLE” do little to increase the desirability of
concrete - mixed, but a third, new material, which is
concretes aesthetic attributes.
homogeneous in its inner structure and on its main
This concept of LiTraCon was invented by Mr. Aron
surfaces
Losonczi. He was a Hungarian Architect. He saw the
The glass Fiber s leads light by points between the
piece of artwork that was made up of large glass
two sides of the blocks. Because of their parallel
pieces and ordinary concrete which gives the artwork
position, the light-information on the brighter side of
translation properties. Seeing this, he got an idea of
such a wall appears unchanged on the darker side.
combining two materials to create transmitting
The most interesting form of this phenomenon is
concrete. Instead of using large glass pieces, he uses
probably the sharp display of shadows on the
thousands of glass fibers mixed with fine concrete.
opposing side of the wall. Moreover, the color of the
The fibers form a matrix and run parallel to each
light also remains the same.
as
other between the two surfaces of each block. The
mixture can achieve translucent effect with only 4%
of its volume consisting glass fibers. Because of
small size of glass fibers, they blend into the concrete
and become a part of its structural integrity and are
not visible on the surface. The resulting product looks
and behaves like pure concrete but shadows and
objects show through similar that of Japanese sliding
screens made of rice paper.
II.
PRINCIPLE
Thousands of optical glass fibers form a matrix and
run parallel to each other between the two main
surfaces of each block. The fibers mingle in the
concrete because of their insignificant size and they
Figure.1 Transparent wall
well.
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This new product, then, is a combination of optical
light guiding and sensing advantages, such as anti-
fibers and fine concrete and can be produced as
electromagnetic
building blocks or panels. The fibers blend into the
dimensions, distributed measurement and anti-
concrete and become part of the material like small
corrosion characteristics, optical Fiber s have been
pieces of aggregate. You not only get two materials,
widely adopted in the communication and sensing
glass in concrete, but a third new material, which is
fields. It is considered to be one of the best sensor
homogeneous in its inner structure and on its main
materials available and has been used widely since
surfaces, too.
the 1990s. Hungarian architect, Aron Losonczi, first
interference
capability,
small
introduced the idea of light transmitting concrete in
III.
LITERATURE REVIEW
2001 and then successfully produced the first
Research and Development of Plastic Optical Fiber
transparent concrete block in 2003, named LiTraCon.
Based Smart Transparent Concrete
Zhi Zhou1,2, GeOu, Ying Hang, Genda Chen,
Jinping Ou, School of Civil Engineering, Harbin
Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P.R. China
Center
for
Infrastructure
Engineering
IV.
MATERIALS
A. Optical Fibers
Studies,
Missouri Univ. of Science and Tech., Rolla, MO
65401-0710, USA School of Civil and Hydraulic
Engineering, Dalian University of Technology,
Dalian, 116024, P.R. China
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), it is a
promising technology for field applications in civil
infrastructure.
Due to economic development and
space utilization requirements, high rise buildings
and skyscrapers are mostly built downtown in
metropolitan areas around the world, especially those
countries with great populations. Those buildings are
Figure 2. Total Internal Reflection
isolated biosphere only based on man-made lights to
maintain people’s optical activities. For example,
When light traveling in an optically dense medium
China consumes 25% of global architectural energy
hits a boundary at a steep angle (larger than the
and 13% of that energy is used to power lighting. At
critical angle for the boundary), the light is
present, green structures focus greatly on saving
completely reflected. This is called total internal
energy with indoor thermal systems. However, in the
reflection. This effect is used in optical fibers to
area of illumination fields, there is very little research
confine light in the core. Light travels through the
offering relevant solutions. Research on the intrinsic
fiber core, bouncing back and forth off the boundary
characteristics of the optical identity in construction
between the core and cladding. Because the light
materials is still at its infancy. Due to its outstanding
must strike the boundary with an angle greater than
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the critical angle, only light that enters the fiber
this acceptance cone is a function of the refractive
within a certain range of angles can travel down the
index difference between the fiber's core and
fiber without leaking out. This range of angles is
cladding.
called the acceptance cone of the fiber. The size of
B. Translucent Stone
A minimum amount of fine arising from binders and
sand must be achieved to avoid segregation. Another
deficiency in aggregate is poor gradation. The use of
filters is suggested as means of overcoming this
problem. At present, a trial and approach is used to
fix the type and amount filter. Alternative, particle
packing model should be used to reduce the number
of experimental trials. The overall idea is to
overcome local deficiencies in aggregate shape and to
arrive at required packing characteristic irrespective
of aggregate. In the view of an increase awareness of
Figure 3. Translucent Stone
the same, use of manufactured sand and other
alternative fine aggregate has become essential. In
This naturally occurring stone is highly scissile, so
fact, river sand is simply not available in future years.
this material can be worked into thinnest layers.
V.
These layers are so thin that when backlit, the light
can pass through the stone and thereby generates

CHARACTERISTICS
Permits the passage of light through the set
impressive visual effects. The always unique mineral
concrete, permitting colors, shapes and
structure, the different colors and different light
outlines to be seen through it
transmissions generates an always unique materiality,

which will convince in various applications, like in
interior design, in exhibition design as well as in
varies from 150 MPa up to 250 MPa

furniture and display design.
C. Cement
Having a resistance to compression that
Having maximum water absorption of
0.35%.

Having a maximum oxygen index of 25%.

Having a thermal conductivity of 0.21 W/m
Selection of the type of cement will depend on
°C.
overall requirement for the concrete such as strength

Having an elastic limit greater than 60 MPa.
and durability.

Having a Young's Modulus from 2750 MPa
to 3450 MPa
D. Fine Aggregate
All normal concreting sands are suitable for
litracon. Both crushed and rounded sand can be used.

From its characteristics and composition,
can be a conductor of electricity, dispensing
with interior.
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
optical
structural and under conditions of service
characteristics, can be used for purposes that
equal to and even different from those of a
are both architectural and aesthetic, and also
traditional concrete.
From
VI.
its
mechanical
and
APPLICATIONS
A. Illuminate Your Walls
Galaxy Translucent Concrete can be used as building
material for interior and exterior walls. If sunshine
illuminates the wall structure then eastern or western
placement is recommended; the rays of the rising or
setting sun will hit the optical glass fibers in a lower
angle and the intensity of the light will be bigger.
Besides the traditional applications of a wall, the light
transmitting concrete can also be used as wall
covering illuminated from the back.
Figure 5. Creative Column
C. Translucent Concrete Stairs
With Impact Lighting Inc’s Linear LED fixtures our
Galaxy Translucent Concrete product can be used in
horizontal and vertical applications such as feature
stairs, walls, flooring, tables and counter tops.
Figure 4. Wall Illuminated By Litracon
B. Creative with Design
The building units are versatile and can be used in
many areas of design. You can also create a logo with
colorful figures, inscriptions and pictures
A. Figure 6. Translucent Concrete Stairs
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VII.

Mixing the cement with water according to the
proportions

can be used as aggregates, for example, gravels,
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
sands, etc.

formulation of this concrete is diglycidyl ether of
Mixing the polymer matrices with the respective
bisphenol A (DGEBA) which is dehydrated in
catalyst or hardener; and

vacuo at 80° C. for 8 hours prior to use. The
Mixing the previous two mixtures with the other
epoxide equivalent of the resin was determined by
components in the proportions described.

Formulation for obtaining a translucent concrete
mixture, comprising a mixture of epoxy and
potentiometric methods.

triamine(DETA) and Portland cement.

sieves prior to use.

produced, starting from a monomer which, thanks
mixture according to claim 1, wherein the content
to the fact that it has two aryl groups at its ends and
of the components is: epoxy matrix from 0% to
these in turn contain carbon-carbon double bonds,
90%, and the polycarbonate matrix from 0% to
can be polymerized by a vinyl polymerization by
60%, fiberglass from 0% to 10%, colloidal silica sol
means of free radicals. In this way, all the chains
from 0.5% to 5%, silica from 0.5% to 10%,
will join up one with another in order to form a
diethylene triamine (DETA) from 10% to 50%;
from 0% to 15%.

cross-linked material.

wetting of lengths greater than 0.02 mm, with the
was of the binder type, in order to give it the
function of improving the resistance of the concrete
necessary rigidity, and it can be any polymeric
preferably being used, one an epoxy and the other a
polycarbonate, each accompanied by its respective
catalyst, so that, when reacted chemically, the
concrete is formed on setting.

The formulation also uses Portland type cement,
preferably white, for the formulation of the
inventive concrete.

The aggregates used in the manufacture and
formulation were fiberglass, silica, colloidal silica
sol and optical fibers. Optionally, rocky elements
Glass fibers were used without any kind of wetting,
Mat. of cut thread, ground fibers deprived of
The matrix used in the formulation of this concrete
matrix or binder, with two polymeric matrices
A polycarbonate was chosen totally different from
the polycarbonate of bisphenol A, which is
Formulation for obtaining a translucent concrete
optical fibers from 0% to 3% and Portland cement
The setting agent used is diethylene triamine
(DETA), which has to be dehydrated on molecular
polycarbonate matrices, plus fiberglass, optical
fibers, colloidal silica sol, silica and diethylene
The epoxy matrix or binder used for the
to compression, bending, tension and torsion.

The optical fibers used in the formulation of this
concrete are basically fine glass or plastic threads
that guide the light. The communication system
arises from the union between the light sources that
are sufficiently pure for not being altered. The types
of fibers used are monomode and virgin fibers, in
other words, those in the pure state and without any
coatings, the aim of which is so that the light can
pass through the concrete and can in turn be used as
electrical conductors.
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VIII.
CONCLUSION
A smart transparent concrete is aesthetically pleasing. POFbased transparent concrete could be regarded as an art which
[5]K.S.C. Kuang, M. Maalej, S.T. Quek. Hybrid optical fiber
sensor system based on fiber Bragg gratings and plastic
optical fibers for health monitoring of engineering structures.
could be used in museums and specific exhibitions rather
Proc. of SPIE, 6174(61742P) ：1-12, 2006.
than just a construction material. Although ease of
[6]C.
construction is to be compromised, the material is bound to
Montalvo.Multi-sensor system using plastic optical fibers for
be accepted universally due to its advantages. With the
intrinsically safe level measurements.Sensors and Actuators,
concept of green technology catching up, electrical supply,
116:22-32, 2004.
being supplemented by natural sources, it becomes
absolutely necessary to utilize the natural resource. Although
„Litracon‟ has yet to be made available for commercial use,
it has already been suggested that buildings made with the
material could save electricity that would otherwise be
required for daytime lighting. When light transmitting
properties were examined, the test results have revealed that
the produced concrete can be cut into different shapes
without losing its transparent property and it can be used as
architectural concrete on roofs of special buildings.
IX.
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A.B.
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S.
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and
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