2. Content
Introduction
History
How is it Made?
What are its Properties?
Why does it Work?
Is it Expensive?
Is it Worth it?
Applications
Advantages and Disadvantages
3. Introduction
Transparent concrete or light-transmitting concrete or
translucent concrete is a smart construction material
that allows pass light through it from one side to
another side.
Due to some amount of coarse aggregate content of
concrete is replace with light-transmitting material or
optical fibers. In this concrete, the high amount of fine
aggregate is used or fine material is used.
Transparent concrete is used to provide a better
aesthetic view of a building or other architectural
purposes.
4. History
The Transparent Concrete Concept Is First Found In
1935 by Canadian patent. But due to the
development of optical fiber and other materials,
this concept is not more popular.
But after some time this concept also comes and
in 2001 the idea of transparent concrete is found
by Hungarian architect aron losonczi. In 2004, he
started the german company, named LiTraCon, and
started producing LiTraCon commercially.
5. How is it Made?
Mostly the same as regular concrete
Glass fibers are spread throughout the aggregate and
cement mix.
Small layers of the concrete are poured on top of each
other and infused with the fibers and are then connected
Process is tedious and costly
Big reason why this product costs so much.
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
Weighs about the same as conventional concrete
96% traditional aggregate and cement, 4% glass fibers
Can be manufactured in any color upon request
Normally sold in bricks
7. Why does it Work?
Based on Nano-Optics
Light passes as much light when tiny slits are placed
directly on top of each other as when they are staggered
Principal can carry because glass fibers in the concrete
act like the slits and carry the light across
8. Is it Expensive?
Currently more expensive
Due to:
• tedious manufacturing process
• only made in a small factory in Hungary run by inventor Aron Losonsczi
Possible production tradeoff to United States
or Japan
Maybe less expensive in future
9. Is it Worth it?
Depends on the buyer and the project
Adds an interesting property to a strong material
Could take fiber optics in a new direction
Definitely looks cool nonetheless
10. Application:-
For decorative elevation.
Illuminate wall.
Get creative with a design.
Use in a pavement or load-bearing walls.
Increase visibility in a dark subway station.
Light fixture.
Use as transparent and decorative floors.
Light sidewalk at night.
In furniture for aesthetic view.
11. Advantages
It has very good architectural properties for giving
the good aesthetical view to the building.
Where light is not able to come properly at that
place transparent concrete can be used. The
main advantage of these products is that on large
scale objects the
texture is still visible – while the texture of finer
translucent concrete becomes indistinct at distance.
Energy saving can be done by the utilization of
transparent concrete in building.
12. Disadvantages
Casting of transparent concrete block is difficult for
the labor so a special skilled person is required.
The main disadvantage is this concrete is very
costly because of the optical fibers.
13. Future of Transparent Concrete
Many experts have predicted that translucent
concrete can bring about a positive change in the
overall market and become an economical and
eco-friendly alternative to traditional concrete.
As a result, manufacturers are now working hard to
develop translucent concrete at a lower cost, so it
can become an affordable alternative for both
commercial and residential projects.