HALDIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
History
Principle
Materials and Manufacturing process
Properties
Application and Examples
Advntages and Disadvantages
Conclusion
References
INTRODUCTION
• Light transmitting concrete also known as translucent concrete, is a
concrete based building material having light transmissive property.
• This property is mainly due to uniform distribution of optical fibers
throughout the body. This is also known as to be transparent
concrete.
• It is available as prefabricated building blocks and panels.
HISTORY
• Hungarian architect Aron Losonzi gave the idea of transparent
concrete in 2001 and produced the first block of transparent concrete
in 2003, named LiTraCon.
• In 2004,he started a German company LiTraCon and started
producing LiTraCon commercially.
PRINCIPLE
• It works on “Nano-Optics”.Optical fibers placed on top of each other
carry light through it by means of a phenomenon known as “Total
Internal Reflection” from its one end to the other.
• Optical fibers are flexible,transparent fiber made of glass or
plastic.They carry light without any appreciable loss.
MATERIALS AND
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
• Ordinary Portland Cement

• Sand(passing 1.18mm sieve)

• Water(drinking water quality)

• Optical Fibers(thickness 2micrometer-2milimeter)

Process of manufacture
• Almost similar as regular concrete.
• Small layers of the concrete poured into a mould and fibers are
infused in it.
• Newer,semi automatic processes use woven fiber fabric instead of
single filaments.
• In another method,holes are made in the side walls of the mould and
optical fibres are made to run from one end to another.Concrete is
poured into it.
PROPERTIES
• Compressive strength is 25-220N/mm^2.

• Flexural strength is 7.7N/mm^2.

APPLICATION AND EXAMPLES
• Suitable for:-
Floors,Ceiling,Pavements,Load-bearing walls,Partition wall
For decorative and aesthetic purposes
Increasing visibility in dark subway stations
Illuminating speed bumps on road ways at night.
• EXAMPLES:-
THE EUROPE GATE
CELLA SPETICHORA,PECS,HUNGARY

NEW HEADQUARTERS OF BANK OF GEORGIA

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES
• Energy saving can be done by its use in buildings.
• It has good architectural properties for giving good aesthetical view to
the building.
• Concrete retains its strength and is frost and de-icing salt resistant.
• High uv resistance and fire resistant.
DISADVANTAGES
• Very high cost about $1000/m^2.
• Labourers with proper technical skills are needed to use it.
CONCLUSION
• Light transmitting concrete is an emerging trend in concrete
technology.
• High initial cost but routine maintenance is not required and also
advantageous in the long run.So, it’s worth the cost.
• It’s a green building material reducing the lightening cost during
daytime.
• Cost is expected to decrease in future.
REFERENCES
• www.quora.com
• www.slideshare.com
• www.Wikipedia.com
• www.asce.org