Seminar report on Transperent concrete

1. PRESENTED BY:GAURAV MEENA
ROLL NO:19EEACE014
COLLEGE ID:19CE14
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

2. CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Materials used
3. Manufacturing
4. Properties
5. Working principle
6. Application
7. Material performance
8. Examples
9. Advantages
10. Disadvantages
11. Conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION
 Translucent concrete or LiTraCon (light transmitting concrete) can be produced as prefabricated building
blocks, the trick is done with embedding parallel fibers of glass or plastic in a proprietary concrete mixture.
 There are two materials are used to as Concrete & Optical fibers to make transparent concrete.
 The main purpose of using this type of structures is to use sunlight as a light source in order to reduce power
consumption.

4. MATERIALS USED IN
TRANSLUCENT
CONCRETE
 Cement:- As the optical fiber is only responsible for
transmission of light, there is no special cement required. So,
ordinary Portland cement of 53 Grade is used for transparent
concrete.
 Fine aggregate:- The size of fine aggregate used in this
concrete should pass through 2.36mm sieve. The sand should be free
from any impurities such as vegetation, large stones etc.
 Coarse aggregate:- Coarse aggregate of size less
then 10mm is used to prepare this type of concrete
 Water:- Water to be used for transparent concrete should
be of drinking water quality, free from any impurities.
 Optical fiber:- Optical fibers in the range of 4 to 5%
by volume is used for transparent concrete. Thickness of the
optical fibers can be varied between 2 µm and 2 mm to suit the
particular requirements of light transmission.

5. How is it made?
 The concrete mixture of grade M20 is made from cement, fine
aggregates, coarse aggregates,& water.
 Placement of Optical Fiber:- Optical fiber is then stretched in
machine and with help of that machine the optical fibers are
inserted in fresh concrete just after placing fresh concrete in
mould. Optical fiber are inserted in such a way that their some of
the endings part is outside the concrete
 Cutting:- Edges of fiber from the surface of concrete block are
removed by cutting machine.
 Finishing:- The surface obtain after cutting of edge of fiber optics
is quit rough, for smoothing of surface finishing is done.

6. What are its properties?
 Carries the same amount of light through a
brick no matter how thick it is
 The light carried maintains its original color
 96% traditional aggregate and cement, 4%
glass fibers
 Can be manufactured in any color upon
request
 Normally sold in bricks

7. PRINCIPLE
 Transparent concrete works based on “Nano optics”.
 Fibers are placed directly on top of each other.
 Fibers acts like slits & carry light throughout.
 Shapes may be L type or Cubic type.

8. How does it
works?
 The fibers run parallel to each other,
transmitting light between two surface of
the concrete element in which they are
embedded.
 Because the fiber optic cables are
transparent, they are able to carry light
through the concrete.
 Optical fibers transmit light so well that
there is virtually no loss of light conducted
through the fibers. It’s even possible to see
color through the concrete.
Fig: Fibers in bundles are clad by a material that has a
lower index of refraction than the core to ensure total
internal reflection, even when fibers are in contact with
one another. This shows a single fiber with its cladding.

9. APPLICATION
 In furniture for the decorative and
aesthetic purpose.
 Speed bumps in parking lots and
highways can use translucent concrete
blocks with a light source beneath or
reflecting from other vehicles/sources
help in navigation very effectively.
 Sidewalks with translucent concrete
fitted with a singe light source beneath
would add a lot to the scenic beauty as
well as safety and also encourage
walking or foot travel during night
times.

10. APPLICATION
 Translucent concrete walls on restaurants,
clubs and other social establishments
help see how many people are actually
inside it.
 Ceilings of large corporate buildings with
translucent concrete would help reduce a
great deal of lighting costs during day
time
 Besides the traditional applications of a
wall, the light transmitting concrete can
also be used as wall covering illuminated
from the back. Also in some cases roof
can be designed in creative way by using
translucent concrete as shown in Fig

11. MATERIAL PERFORMANCE
 Concrete retains its strength
 Fire protection
 Highest UV resistance
 Energy saving can be done by
utilization of transparent concrete
in building
 It has very good architectural
properties for giving good
aesthetical view to the building.

13. EXAMPLES

14. EXAMPLES

15. ADVANTAGES
 The main advantages of these product is that on large scale objects the
texture is still visible while the texture of finer translucent concrete
becomes indistinct at distance.
 It has very good architectural properties for giving good aesthetical
view to the building.
 When a solid wall is imbued with the ability to transmit light, it means
that a home can use fewer lights in their house during daylight hours.
 Where light is not able to come properly at that place transparent
concrete can be used.
 Energy saving can be done by utilization of transparent concrete in
building.

16. DISADVANTAGES
 The main disadvantage is these concrete is very costly because of
the optical fibers.
 Casting of transparent concrete block is difficult for the labor so
special skilled person is required.
 If the fibers optics become dirty, cleaning process is very difficult.
 Deterioration of this concrete is not known yet.
 If a building would want this product, it is not easy as just replacing
a window.
 Elements for structural application have not yet been produced.

17. CONCLUSION
 It can be developed by adding optical fiber or large diameter glass fiber in the
concrete mixture.
 It has good light guiding property and the tip ratio of optical fiber volume to
concrete is proportionate to transmission of light.
 It doesn’t loose the strength parameter when compared to regular concrete
and also it has very vital property from the aesthetic point of view.
 The new kind of building material can integrate the concept of green energy
saving.
 It is proved to provide both aesthetic appearance and structural stability.
 If the price of the product reduced, it is sure that future construction industry
will be in the hands of litracon.