Sample Technical Seminar

A
Technical Seminar Report
On
TRANSLUCENT CONCRETE
Technical Seminar Report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
award of the degree of B.tech in Civil Engineering under Aurora’s Technological and
Research institute
By
GADE SAMYUKTHA
19845A0104
Under the Guidance of
P.VENU MADHAV
(Head Of Department, Civil Engineering)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Aurora’s Technological and Research Institute

(Accredited by NAAC, Affiliated to JNTU, Hyderabad)
Paravathapur, Hyderabad, 500098
2021-2022
(Accredited by NAAC, Affiliated to JNTU, Hyderabad)
Paravathapur, Hyderabad, 500098
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Seminar entitled “TRANSLUCENT CONCRETE”
presented by GADE SAMYUKTHA bearing Registration No.:19845A0104 of Civil
Engineering has been completed successfully. This is in partial fulfillment of the
requirements of bachelor’s degree in civil engineering “AURORA’S
TECHNOLOGICAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Uppal Hyderabad. I wish her/
him success in all future endeavors.
Date:
Internal Guide Head of the Department

Mr. P. VENU MADHAV Mr. P. VENU MADHAV
Head of Civil Department
Technical seminar coordinator Director

MR.H.RAJANISH KUMAR MR.J.SRIKANTH
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, praise and thanks goes to my god for the blessing that has been
bestowed upon me in all my endeavors.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my parents and my brothers and sisters
for their unconditional love, moral support and encouragement for timely completion
of my technical seminar report.
I would like to express our gratitude to Mr. J. Srikanth, Director, Aurora’s

Technological and Research institute for providing us congenial atmosphere and
encouragement.
I extend our sincere thanks to Head of Civil Engineering Department Mr. P. Venu
Madhav, for his support and unyielding support over the year.
I profoundly thank Mr. P.VenuMadhav, Head of the Department, Civil Engineering,

who has been excellent guide and great source of inspiration to our work.
It gives me great pleasure to express my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to

my project coordinator Mr. H. Rajanish, Assistant professor, for his valuable
support and encouraging mentality throughout the project. I am highly obliged to him
for providing me the opportunity to carry out the ideas and work during my technical
seminar report. and helping me to gain successful completion of the technical seminar
report.
I also express our thanks to all lecturers and office staff, Aurora’s Technological
and research Institute, Uppal, for their help whenever it required.
I also express my thanks to all my classmates and my friends giving me moral

support and encouragement during the course of our work.
Gade Samyuktha
Regd. No.:19845A0104
ABSTRACT
Transparent concrete is the new type of concrete introduced in modern era which
carries special property of light transmitting due to presence of glass rods & is also
known as translucent concrete or light transmitting concrete. It is lighter than
conventional concrete having special features such as low density and thermal
conductivity with main advantage of reduction in dead weight, faster building rate
in construction, lower haulage & handling cost. Light is transmitted from one surface
of the brick wall to the other due to glass rods along the overall width of the wall
which allows light to pass through. An optical glass fibre (or optical fibre) is a
flexible, transparent fibre made of glass (silica)or plastic, slightly thicker than a
human hair & can function as waveguide, or “light pipe” to transmit light between the
two ends. Main aim of the study is to design translucent concrete blocks with the use
of glass rods with sand & cement then analyse their various physical & engineering
properties with respect to conventional concrete blocks by adding glass rods of 1%, 2
%, 3 % 4 % 5% at 1.5 cms spacing respectively. From the study, it can be concluded
that there is 5% to 10% increase in initial compressive strength for 7 days & also10%
to 15% increase in initial compressive strength for 28 days to a glass rod mix of up to
3% Whereas the initial &final characteristic compressive strength gradually decreases
with an increase in glass rods in the concrete mix.
.KEY WORDS: Transparent concrete, Workability, Compressive strength, Tensile

strength, Flexural strength
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Abstract
List of figures
1. Introduction 1
1.2 Basic Purpose of Translucent Concrete 2
1.3 Necessity of Using Fibre Optic Sensors in Concrete 4
2.Literature Review 5
3.Methodology 7
3.1 Materials 7
3.1.1 Optical fibre 7
3.1.2 Principle or Operation 9
3.1.3 Material Specification 9
3.1.4 Properties of Material 10
3.2 Results of Experimental Investigations 14
3.2.1 Compressive strength results 14
3.2.2 Flexure Strength Results 17
3.3 Properties of Translucent Concrete 21
3.3.3 General Property of translucent Concrete 21
4. Application 22
4.1.1 Walls 23
4.1.2 Pavements 23
4.1.3 Creative Design 24

4.1.4 Desks 24
4.1.5 A lightning Fixture and Conversational place 25
4.1.6 Other application 25
4.2 Advantages and disadvantages 26
5. Case Study 27
6. Conclusion 30
7.References 31
List of Figures and Tables
1. Fig.1.1. LiTraCon
2. Fig. 3.1.1 Optical fibre
3. Table 3.2.1 Material Specification
4. Table 3.2.2.1 Properties of Cement
5. Table 3.2.2.2 properties of Fine Aggregate
6. Table 3.2.2.3 Properties of Coarse Aggregate
7. Fig 3.1.2 Placement of Optical Fibre
8. Fig 3.1.3 Finishing
9. Fig 3.2.1.1 relation b/w Compressive strength And time(1.5mm Dia)
10. Fig 3.2.1.2 relation b/w Compressive strength And time(2mm Dia)
11. Fig 3.2.1.3 relation b/w Compressive strength And time(3mm Dia)
12. Fig 3.2.2.1 relation b/w Flexural strength And %POF(7days)
13. Fig 3.2.2.2 relation b/w Flexural strength And %POF(90days)
14. Fig 3.2.2.3.1 Mould for Smart Concrete Block
15. Table 3.2.3 Mechanical Performance of Smart concrete block
16. Fig 3.2.4 Mechanical Performance of Smart concrete block
17. Fig 3.3.2.1 Cylindrical concrete specimens for impermeability
18. Fig 3.3.2.1 Setup of test
19. Table 3.3.2.2 properties of Translucent Concrete
20. Fig 4.1 Translucent roof
21. Fig 4.2 translucent wall.
22. Fig 5.1 Al Aziz Mosque, Abu Dhabi
23. Fig 5.2 Expo Pavilian, Italy
24. Fig 5.3Stuttgart City Library
CHAPTER: 1
INTRODUCTION
Today we are living in a world where energy expenditure and environmental
problems have escalated to global scale. In today’s developed world our built environment
takes energy; energy to make the materials that go into the buildings, energy to construct
them (Embodied energy) and energy to heat, cool & light them (Operating energy).
Countries with great population have buildings to be ratio higher than that of small
population. Those buildings are isolated biosphere only based on manmade lights to
maintain people's optical activities. For example, India consumes 20% of total electrical
energy for lighting the buildings. At present, green structures are greatly focusing on
saving energy with indoor thermal systems. However, in area of illumination field, there is
little research offering relevant solution. Research on intrinsic characteristic material
which transmit the light from one surface to another surface is used as construction
material which transmit the light from one surface to another surface is used as
construction material, known as optical fibers. Due to its outstanding light guiding and
sensing advantages, such as anti- electromagnetic Interference capability, small
dimensions, distributed measurement and anticorrosion characteristics, optical fibers have
been widely adopted in the communication and sensing fields. It is considered to be one
of the best sensor materials available and has been used widely since the 1990s.
Hungarian architect, Aron Losonczi, first introduced the idea of light transmitting concrete
in 2001 and then successfully produced the first transparent concrete block in 2003,
named LiTraCon as shown in Fig.1.1 However, his transparent concrete did not have
smart sensingproperties.
Department of Civil Engineering Page 1

Fig.1.1. LiTraCon
Basic Purpose of Translucent Concrete:
In this seminar, a smart transparent concrete - novel construction material

manufactured with Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) and Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) by
drilling through the cement and mortar in order to utilize the light guiding ability of
POF and the sensing properties of FBG respectively is studied. The main purpose is
to use sunlight as a light source in order to reduce the power consumption of
illumination. Meanwhile, the steady sensing offered by FBG allows detection of
potential internal deformation of the concrete. Additionally, experiments to study the
mechanical performance of the concrete infused with POF are studied.
The electric energy is derived primarily from thermal power plants that are not clean
sources and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. An innovation like translucent
concrete (TC) captures and delivers daylight into buildings, which could reduce our
dependence on indoor lighting and save electricity. Such technology can be
constructed as a part of a building envelope (i.e., wall and roof), because it satisfies
requirements that are usually set apart.
 envelope behaving as a structural subsystem,

 construction procedure is simple and scalable, and
 Movable and mechanized parts are avoided. 
Compared with a traditional electric lighting system, illuminating the

indoors with daylight also creates a more appealing and healthy environment
for building occupants.

Translucent Concrete is a combination of fibres optics and concrete. It can be

produced as prefabricated building blocks and panels. Due to the small size of the
fibres, they blend into concrete becoming a component of the material like small
pieces of aggregate. Because of their parallel position of fiber, the light information
on the brighter side of a wall appears unchanged on the darker side. The sharp display
of shadows will fall on the opposing side of the wall. Moreover, the colour of the
light also remains the same. Thousands of optical fibres form a matrix and run
parallel to each other between the two main surfaces of each block. These fibres
mingle in the concrete because of their insignificant size, and they become a
structural component as a kind of modest aggregate. Therefore, the surface of the
blocks remains homogeneous concrete.
Translucent concrete is used in fine architecture as a facade material and for

cladding of interior walls. Light-transmitting concrete has also been applied to
various design products. 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
so it is energy saving.
With the economic growth and science and technology development, many
large scale civil engineering structures such as tall buildings, underground buildings
and landmark buildings and so on are built around the world. Those buildings are
based on artificial lightings. Most of the large buildings are built close to each other,
like sky scrapers. When many buildings are stacked close to each other, there is not
much natural sunlight passing through and the importance of natural sunlight is well
known. Translucent concrete comes in as a blessing solution for easier day lighting.
By arranging many optical fibres into concrete it transmit light so effectively that
there is virtually no loss of light conducted through the fibres.
The optical fibres have proper light guiding property and sensing advantages,
such as small dimensions, distributed measurement and anti- corrosion
characteristics, optical fibres have been widely adopted in the communication and
sensing fields.

Necessity of Using Fibre Optic Sensors in Concrete:
The use of fibre-optic sensors in concrete was first suggested by Mendez.

Since then, several research groups in the USA and Europe have reported on a variety
of fiber-optic sensors embedded in or attached to reinforced concrete structures.
Many of these studies mainly emphasized on the measurement of strain vibration and
temperature due to laboratory conditions. Optic fibres have been widely used in the
field of data transmission due to their excellent anti-electromagnet sensing, little
dimension and anti-corrosion qualities since 1970s POF are instruments to transmit
light in the visible wave length based on specific structures in which the index
reflecting is greater than reflect coating index so that the light can be transmitted to
the full reflection, since in optical fibres core and cavity size are larger than in silicon
dioxide, they are capable of absorbing light at an angle greater than 60 degrees and
provide a better light transmitting system, so optic fibres can show the advantages of
flexibility and plasticity in extremely unfavorable weather conditions. Transmitting
light through the fibres as electromagnetic wave and some specific physical
parameters (such as temperature, pressure, stress, strain, electric field, and magnetic
field, etc.) will affect the performance of the waves.

CHAPTER: 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
The concrete specimen are produced by reinforcing optical fibers with various
percentages and is compared with normal conventional concrete, the material
used for this concrete are cement(53 grade), sand(2.36 mm sieve passing),
optical fiber cables 200 micron diameter with fine cement concrete mix ratio
for this concrete is 1:2 and water cement ratio is 0.45. The result of this
experimental investigation shows that the compressive strength of light
transmitting concrete was ranging between 20 - 23N/with optical fiber
specimens which indicates that it satisfies the compressive strength
requirements for M20 grade concrete and also we can conclude that the
transparency of light is possible in concrete without affecting its compressive
strength.
Investigations have been done to develop the building with increase in
aesthetic value by modern construction techniques and also consumption of
energy by eco-friendly way. The main purpose is to use sunlight as a light
Source to reduce the alternate power consumption by using optical fibers to
sense the stresses of structures and also as an architectural purpose for good
aesthetical view of the building. They conclude that the fibers will not lose the
strength parameter when compared to regular conventional concrete which
can integrate the concept of green energy saving with the usage self-sensing
properties of functional material.
The light guiding performance of concrete materials is completely determined
by the internal POFs area ratio and the surface roughness in certain sections.
POF based transparent concrete could be regarded as an art which could be
used in museums and specific exhibitions rather than just a construction
material.
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 & also it has
very good architectural properties for giving good aesthetical view to the
building. Energy saving can be done by utilization of transparent concrete in
building which is totally environment friendly because of its light transmitting

characteristics & therefore energy consumption can be reduced. The major

disadvantage is translucent concrete is very costly because of the optical fibers
Used for construction & casting of transparent concrete block is difficult &
special skilled person is required
The physio-chemical properties of coir pith in relation to particle size suitable
for potting medium. Coir pith, light to dark brown in color, consists primarily
of particles in the size range 0.2–4 mm. The physio-chemical properties of
coir pith was investigated after grading it based on particle size (100μm to
2000μm) for the use as potting medium. The porosity, density and
absorptivity decreased as the particle size increased. Ph. of raw coir pith was
found to be acidic in nature but as the particle size increased, the pH also
became alkaline. The electrical conductivity was observed to be high in lower
grades of coir pith (4.41 MS / cm) which gradually decreased as the size
increased (3.32 MS / cm). The salt analysis made on coir pith did not show
any significant change according to particle size.

CHAPTER: 3
METHODOLOGY
Materials:
There are two basic materials used for making transparent concrete, one is from
construction field and another from sensing field. First, concrete is one of the most
important civil engineering materials with the advantages of rich raw materials, low
cost and simple production process and second the optical fibre has good light
guiding property which can be arrange to transmit the light and the sun light transmit
according to predesign road without light-heat, light-electrical or photochemical
process, and photo elastic effect which can be used to study the stress distribution of
structures. Combining the advantages of the concrete and optical fibre, developing a
novel functional material called transparent concrete has an important value in the
application of construction and sensing.
Optical Fibre: An optical fibre is a flexible, transparent fibre made of silica or

plastic, slightly thicker than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide or light pipe, to
transmit light between the two ends of the fibre. The field of applied science and
engineering concerned with the design and application of optical fibres is known as
fibre optics. Optical fibres are widely used in fibre-optic communications, which
permits transmission over longer distances and at higher bandwidths .Fibres are used
for illumination, and are wrapped in bundles so that they may be used to carry
images, thus allowing viewing in confined spaces. Specially designed fibres are used
for a variety of other applications, including sensors and fibre lasers. Optical fibres
typically include a transparent core surrounded by a transparent cladding material
with a lower index of refraction as shown in Fig. 2.1.1. Light is kept in the core by
total internal reflection. This causes the fibre to act as a waveguide. Fibres that
support many propagation paths or transverse modes are called multi-mode fibres
(MMF), while those that only support a single mode are called single-mode fibres

(SMF). Multi-mode fibres generally have a wider core diameter, and are used for
short-distance communication links and for applications where high power must be
transmitted.
Optical fibre is a transparent and flexible material made of silica. This optical fibre
helps to transmit light in the cube from one end to other end. The percentage of
optical fibre used for the study is 2% by volume.
Fig. 2.1.1 Optical fibre
Optical fibres work as a cylindrical waveguide that transmits light along its axis, by
the process of internal reflection. Optical fibre has good light guiding property which
can be arrange to transmit the light and the sun light transmit according to predesign
road without light-heat, light-electrical or photochemical process, and photo elastic
effect which can be used to study the stress distribution of structures. Combining the
advantages of the concrete and optical fibre, developing a novel functional material
called transparent concrete has an important value in the application of construction
and sensing.
Principle of Operation: Transparent concrete or translucent concrete is work Based

on “Nano-Optics”. Optical fibres passes as much light when tiny slits are placed
directly on top of each other as when they are staggered. Principal can carry because

optical fibres in the concrete act like the slits and carry the light across throughout the
concrete.
The fibre will change the interior appearance of buildings by illuminating them and
better appearance. The main purpose of using optical fibre is that it can transmit light.
Plastic Optical Fibre (POF) can with stand harsh environment and has a higher
ductility and good flexibility property. POF transmits light in the form of
electromagnetic waves whose properties like amplitude, phase, polarized state and
frequency are directly influenced / affected by physical parameters like pressure,
strain, stress, electric field, temperature and magnetic field. Optical fibre is a three
layered cable, buffer coating, cladding and core are the inner layers of the fibre and
the light transmissions carried out through the core of the fibers.
Material Specification: the basic materials used for manufacture of transparent

concrete are cement, aggregate and optical fibre. Table 2.2.1 shows the important
specifications of this material.
Table2.2.1: Material Specification
S. No. Material Specification
1. Cement 53 Grade
2. Coarse Aggregate Less than 10mm
3. Fine Aggregate Passing through 2.36mm

sieve
4. Concrete M20 Grade
5. Optical Fibre 2%-4%

Properties of Materials:
 Cement:
Ordinary Portland cement was used for casting all the specimens. The
important features required in translucent concrete are shown in Table 2.2.2.1
Table 2.2.2.1: Properties of Cement
S.No Properties of cement Value obtained
1. Fineness of cement as 3%
retained on 90µ sieve
2. Grade of Cement 53
3. Specific Gravity 3.15
4. Initial Setting of Time 30min
 Fine Aggregate:
Clean and dry river sand available locally is used. Sand passing through IS
4.75mm Sieve is used for casting all the specimens. The values of specific
gravity and fineness modulus are shown in Table 2.2.2.2.
Table 2.2.2.2: Properties of Fine Aggregate
S.No Properties Value obtained
1. Specific Gravity 2.53
2. Fineness Modulus 2.64

 Coarse Aggregate:
Coarse aggregate passing through 10mm sieve is used for casting all
specimens. Table 2.2.2.3 indicates the important values of properties of coarse
aggregate.
Table2.2.2.3: Properties of Coarse Aggregate
S.No Properties Value obtained
1 Size of aggregates 10mm
2 Fineness Modulus 5.01
3 Specific Gravity 2.35
 Water:
Ordinary potable water of normally pH 7 is used for mixing and curing the
concrete specimen.
Summary:
There are two basic materials used for making transparent concrete,
one is from construction field and another from sensing field. First, concrete is
one of the most important civil engineering materials with the advantages of
rich raw materials, low cost and simple production process and second the
optical fibre has good light guiding property which can be arrange to transmit
the light and the sun light transmit according to predesign road without light-
heat, light-electrical or photochemical process, and photo elastic effect which
can be used to study the stress distribution of structures. Combining the
advantages of the concrete and optical fibre, developing a novel functional
material called transparent concrete has an important value in the application
of construction and sensing.

Manufacturing Process, Test Results and Properties
Translucent concrete is produced out of fine-grain concrete and

translucent fabric which is layer cast in pre-fabricated mould. Because of
relatively small amount of fabric, solidity and consistency of transparent
concrete are the same as the high-strength concrete. Almost free energy loss
light penetration through optic fibres makes it possible to see light, shadows
and even colours through concrete even by very thick walls. It can be
produced as prefabricated building blocks and panels. Due to the small size of
the fibres, they blend into concrete becoming a component of the material like
small pieces of aggregate. In this manner, the result is not mixed material like
glass in concrete but a new material, which is homogeneous in its inner
structure as well as on its main surfaces. The optical fibres lead light by points
between the two sides of the blocks. Because of their parallel position, the
light-information on the brighter side of such a wall appears unchanged on the
darker side. The most interesting form of this phenomenon is probably the
sharp display of shadows on the opposing side of the wall. Moreover, the
colour of the light also remains the same.
Basic Procedure: The manufacturing process of transparent concrete is
almost same as regular concrete. Only optical fibres are spread throughout the
aggregate and cement mix. Small layers of the concrete are poured on top of
each other and infused with the fibres and are then connected. Thousands of
strands of optical fibres are cast into concrete to transmit light, either natural
or artificial. Light-transmitting concrete is produced by adding 4% to 5%
optical fibres by volume into the concrete mixture. The concrete mixture is
made from fine materials only it does not contain coarse aggregate. Thickness
of the optical fibres can be varied between 2 µ and 2 mm to suit the particular

requirements of light transmission. Automatic production processes use

woven fibres fabric instead of single filaments. Fabric and concrete are
alternately inserted into moulds at intervals of approximately 2 mm to 5 mm.
Smaller or thinner layers allow an increased amount of light to pass through
the concrete. Following casting, the material is cut into panels or blocks of the
specified thickness and the surface is then typically polished, resulting in
finishes ranging from semi-gloss to high-gloss.
 Cement Mixing:-Very fine aggregate is mixed with Portland cement of
variable compressive strength concrete. Sand: cement: water ratio is 1:2:0.44.
The concrete mix is then placed in mould of required size.
Mix Ratio of Concrete - 1.0: 1.5:3.0
Mix Ratio of Mortar - 1.0:3.0.
 Placement of Optical Fibre:-Optical fibre is then stretched in machine and
with help of that machine the optical fibres are inserted in fresh concrete just
after placing fresh concrete in mould as shown in Fig. 2.1.2. Optical fibres are
inserted in such a way that their some of the endings part is outside the
concrete.
Fig 2.1.2 Placement of Optical Fibre
 Cutting:-Edges of fibre from the surface of concrete block are by cutting

machine.

 Finishing:-The surface obtain after cutting of edge of fibre optics is quit

rough, for smoothing of surface finishing is done. After all the above
processes the finished concrete looks like as shown in Fig. 2.1.3
Fig 2.1.3 Finishing
Results of Experimental Investigations

Compressive Strength Results:
The results of POF 1.5mm diameter for various volume fraction is shown in
Fig. 3.2.1.1. The obtained results indicated that the compressive strength at 7
days age decreases as fibre content increases, Where the decrease was about
(24.5 , 29.5and 33.4%) for ( 2, 3,4%) fibre volume fraction content
respectively as compared with reference sample without POF. While at 28 and
90 days age the compressive strength improved due to the hydration of cement
development of interfacial transition zone between the matrix and the POF. So
that the results show the compressive strength decreased by about (23.2
,16.3and 14.2% ) for (2, 3and 4%) fibre volume fraction content respectively
as compared with reference sample without POF and the same trend is
observed at 90 days age this mains that the inclusion of POF in the matrix did
not affect the compressive strength significantly.
The compressive strength of POF 2.0 mm diameter in Fig. 3.2.1.2 shows a
decrease when fibre content increased for all ages, and the decrease in
compressive strength at 7 days age is (15.4, 25.5and 29.5%) for(2,3and4%)

fibre volume fraction content respectively as compared with reference sample without
POF. and (2.8, 9.8 and 26.0%) ) at 90 days for (2, 3and 4%) fibre volume fraction content
respectively as compared with reference sample without POF. In the same context, the
results show that the POF 2.0 mm diameter samples have the highest compressive strength
at different fibre concentration and diameters. From the compressive strength results of
POF
3.0 mm as shown in Fig.3.2.1.3 the difference between the compressive strength at 7 days
age and the compressive strength at the 90 days age decreased from (30.6, 31.7and
35.3%) to (21.9, 24.3and 28.0%) for 2, 3and 4% fibre volume fraction content
respectively as compared with reference sample without POF. And it can be seen that the
POF 3.0 mm diameter also decreases with POF content, but in the case of 4% POF content
we can see an increase in compressive strength due to the uneven distribution of POF in
concrete and indicates that the irregular distribution weakened the structure of the
concrete.
Fig.2.2.1.1: Relation between Compressive Strength and time (1.5mm

diameter)

Fig .2.2.1.2: Relation between Compressive Strength and time (2

mmdiameter)
Fig .2.2.1.3: Relation between Compressive Strength and time (3 mm

diameter)

Flexure Strength Results:The flexure strength of POF 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 mm diameter
for various volume fractions is shown in Fig.3.2.2.1 for 7 days age and is compared
with reference samples without POF. It's noticed that flexure strength is slightly
decreased with fibre volume fraction content for all the POF diameters, and that the
1.5 mm diameter of POF has the highest value at 7days age. It’s noticed that the
failure occurred in interfacial transition zone between the POF and cement paste and
occurred partly through the cement past and through the interfacial transition zone.
This behavior is due to the smoothness of the optical fibre surface which leads to this
type of surface of fraction. We can also see the percentage of the flexural strength
reduction between (15.00 to 47.30%) for various diameters and fibre volume fractions
content. But, the test results improved with age of samples at 28 as seen in Fig.
3.2.2.2. This indicates that the2.0mm POF diameter have the highest value reached
about (8.11, 7.7 and7.11MPa) for (2, 3 and 4%) fibre volume fraction content
respectively for 90days age.
Fig.2.2.2.1: Relation between Flexural strength and % POF (7 days)
Fig.2.2.2.2: Relation between Flexural strength and % POF (90 days)

Transmitting Performance of the Smart Transparent Block:The transmitting

performance of the smart transparent block was tested similar to that used for the
epoxy resin-based block. In considering the distribution of the light transmitting
features of the transparent concrete block, it is observed that the light transmitting
ratio becomes higher with a higher column proportion of POF and is stable at certain
proportions of POF in concrete. Fig 2.2.4.1 shows the mould used for casting smart
concrete block.
Fig. No. 2.2.4.1 the mould for a smart concrete
Mechanical Performance of the Smart Transparent Block: To investigate any

influence of the POF on the strength of the transparent concrete block, a compression
test was carried out for each specimen, as illustrated in Fig.3.2.5 The test data is
shown in Table.3.2.5. It can be observed that the volume proportion affects the
compression strength of the concrete block for less than 10% when the proportion
ratio of the POF is less than 5 percent.
Proportion 0.00% 3.14% 3.80% 4.52%
190.5 190 219 180.5

Test
220 228 194 182
Data
195 185 174 184
Average 201.8 201 195.7 182.2
Table2.2.6: Mechanical performance of the smart concrete block

Fig. 2.2.5 Mechanical performance of the smart concrete block
Properties of Translucent Concrete

Following are the important properties of translucent concrete thatmakes it
advantageous over ordinary concrete.
Durability Property of Smart Transparent Concrete:

Civil engineering structures always suffer from external environmental effects,
such as fatigue, corrosion and wind load and so on, in long-term service. Mechanical
property and anti-corrosion property of building material at adverse environments are two
key facts for the durability of in-service structures, which directly impact the safety of
structures.
Impermeability Property of Smart Transparent Concrete:

For the smart transparent concrete, the interfacial bonding of the POFs and concrete
is a crucial factor in determining ultimate impermeability properties. The chloride
diffusion coefficient method (or electric flux method) is used to test the impermeability
property of smart transparent concrete, which can rapidly evaluate the permeability of
concrete by measuring the electric energy through concrete. In this paper, the smart
transparent concretes with 0%, 3% and 6% POF volume ratio are chosen for the test. The
electric energy is recorded by the electric flux detector NJW-RCP-6A made in China,

and cylindrical concrete specimens with 100mm diameter and 50mm height are fabricated
from the prefabricated smart transparent concretes by core- drilling method, shown as
Fig.3.3.2.1 Moreover, in order to evaluate the effect of interface bonding on the
impermeability property, each model of specimen has been divided two types. One is that
the border of POF and concrete is covered by epoxy resin, the other one is not covered by
epoxy resin, as shown in Fig.3.3.2.1. Fig. 3.3.2.2 shows the test configuration. The
process of permeability test based on the electric flux method can be described in Fig.
3.3.2.3.
Fig. 2.3.2.1 cylindrical concrete specimens for impermeability
Fig. 2.3.2.2 Setup of test

General Properties of Translucent Concrete:
Following Table 3.4 shows different properties of transparent concreteblocks.
Table 2.4 Properties of Translucent Concrete.
Properties of Translucent concrete Translucent Concrete

Specimen
Form Prefabricated
Ingredients 96% Concrete, 4%Fibre
Density 2100-2400Kg/m2
Block Size 600x300mm
Thickness 25-500mm
Colour White, Grey or black
Fibre Distribution Organic
Finished Polished
Compressive strength 50N/mm2
Bending Tensile Strength 7N/mm2

CHAPTER: 4
Applications:
The main advantage of transparent concrete is that it can transmit light.There, it can
be used to make green buildings. Since it can transmit light from natural as well as
artificial sources, the building can have fewer lights to meet its demand for lighting. Thus
saving huge energy cost. Transparent concrete uses sunlight as source of light instead of
electrical energy and reduces power consumption. This concrete can also be used cold
countries to transmit heat with sunlight.
Translucent concrete is not currently widely produced. There are only a select few
companies, and the process is somewhat low-tech and slow. It canonly be produced as
pre-cast or prefabricated blocks and panels; it cannot be poured on site like traditional
concrete. The blocks come in a range of sizes, the maximum for glass fibre being 1200 x
400 mm (47.2 x 15.7 inches), and the thickness can range from 25-500mm (1-20 inches).
This allows translucent concrete to be used for a variety of purposes, from a thin veneer to
a structuralsystem. According to one German company, it can be used “for ventilated
facade systems as well as for interior cladding”. So far translucent concrete has been used
to make light installations, signs, and fixed-in-place furniture such as benches, desks, and
counters. In its early days, it was used mostly in art installations and material
demonstrations such as the Liquid Stone exhibit at the National Building Museum, and a
sidewalk in Stockholm that looked
“like an ordinary sidewalk by day but illuminated at night by lights under it”. It is
presently used mostly in interiors as decoration, but is making its foray into exterior
structural walls

Walls: Transparent 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 fibres 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. Also in some cases roof can be designed in creative way by using
translucent concreteas shown in Fig. 4.1
Fig.4.1: Translucent Roof
Pavement:
This concrete can be used as flooring a passable surface illuminated from below.
During the day it looks like typical concrete pavement but at sunset the paving blocks
begin to shine and in different colors

Creative Design:
The building units are versatile and can be used in many areas of design. Two
successful designs using the light transmitting concrete were a jewel and a concrete bench.
You can also create a logo with colorful figures, inscriptions, and pictures and can used
for beautification purpose. Fig 4.3 shows one of the creative designs of translucent
concrete.
. Fig. 4.2: Translucent Wall
Desk:
If you really want to create a look that stands out, you should opt for
this artsy and vogue reception desk where light up in the front and the sides.

A Lighting Fixture and Conversational Piece:

The transparent concrete cube is, without a doubt, a great conversation piece. The
new cube line consists of four identical pieces of concrete and, due to its special geometry;
the pieces form a stable structure without fixing them together
Other Application:
It can be also applicable at:
Transparent concrete blocks suitable for floors, pavements and load-bearing walls
.Facades, interior wall cladding and dividing walls based on thinpanels
Partitions wall and it can be used where the sunlight does not reachproperly.
In furniture for the decorative and aesthetic purpose.
 Light fixtures.
 Light sidewalks at night.
 Increasing visibility in dark subway stations.
 Lighting indoor fire escapes in the event of a power failure.
 Illuminating speed: By day, the concrete facade of APG Architectureand
Planning group latest project, the Al Aziz Mosque in Abu Dhabi, features
protruding elements of Arabic script spelling out the 99 names of gods from
Quran.. By night though, the 515 square meter facade is transformed, as the
concrete script lights up in the darkness. The effect is made possible thanks to the
translucent concrete paneling system provided by German-based manufacturer
LUCEM.

CHAPTER: 5
CASE STUDY
1. Al Aziz Mosque: By day, the concrete facade of APG Architectureand Planning
group latest project, the Al Aziz Mosque in Abu Dhabi, features protruding
elements of Arabic script spelling out the 99 names of gods from Quran.
By night though, the 515 square meter facade is transformed, as the concrete script lights
up in the darkness. The effect is made possible thanks to the translucent concrete
paneling system provided by German-based manufacturer LUCEM.
Fig5.1 Al Aziz mosque in Abu Dhabi

2. Expo Pavilion, Italy:

Transparent cement used to build the Italy Pavilion at the international exhibition
in 2010, which was opened in Shanghai on May 1. The project was presented in Milan, at
the Triangle Museum, on 22 March. The new material has been developed by Italcementi
Group, parent company of the Spanish FYM, to respond to the needs included in the
project of the building to represent Italy in China International exhibition for the six
months that lasts.
Fig 5.2 Expo Pavilian, Italy

3. Stuttgart City Library:
The site for the Stuttgart City Library was chosen in Mailänder Platz, an area that
is perceived to be a future city centre growing out of the location of the library. With this
in mind, the architects chose to physically express the importance of this cultural centre by
giving the building a grand physical presence. The building takes the form of cube with an
edge length of 45 meters.
Fig 5.3 Stuttgart City Library

CONCLUSION
 It is concluded that, on usage of 4% of optical fibres the compressive strength

increased. The compressive strength of concrete cube depends on diameter of the
holes in the mould and the diameter of the optical fibre and it is directly proportion
to its compressive strength.
 The compressive strength of Light Transmitting Concrete was found to be ranging
between 20 – 23 N/mm2 with optical fibre specimen and with glass rods specimen
the compressive strength was found to be ranging between 24-26 N/mm2, which
indicates that the concrete satisfies the compressive strength requirement for M20 grade
concrete
 The study concludes that the transparency of light is possible in concrete without
affecting its compressive strength, as the optical fibres and glass rods act as fibre
reinforcement thereby enhancing the strength and also enhances appearance.

REFERENCE
1. Soumyajit Paul, Avik Dutta"Translucent Concrete", International Journal of

Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 3, Issue 10, 2013, pp.
2. Aashish Ahuja, Khalid Mosalam, Tarek Zohdi"Computational Modeling of
Translucent Concrete Panels", American Society of Civil Engineers, 2014.
3. R. Pradheepa,S. Krishnamoorthi"An Experimental Study on Translucent
Concrete", International Journal for Scientific Research & Development, Vol.
3, Issue 03, 2015, pp. 174-177.
4. Saber Rahimi "Investigating the Use of Fibre Optic Sensors in Ferro concrete
Structures", Technical Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2013, pp.
2796-2798.
5. Bhavin Kashiyani, Varsha Raina, Jayeshkumar Pitroda, Bhavnaben Shah"A
Study on Transparent Concrete: A Novel Architectural Material to Explore
Construction Sector", International Journal of Engineering and Innovative
Technology (IJEIT), Volume 2, Issue 8, 2013, pp. 83-87.

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A

Technical Seminar Report

Under the Guidance of

(Head Of Department, Civil Engineering)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Aurora’s Technological and Research Institute

Internal Guide Head of the Department

Technical seminar coordinator Director

I would like to express our gratitude to Mr. J. Srikanth, Director, Aurora’s

I profoundly thank Mr. P.VenuMadhav, Head of the Department, Civil Engineering,

It gives me great pleasure to express my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to

I also express my thanks to all my classmates and my friends giving me moral

.KEY WORDS: Transparent concrete, Workability, Compressive strength, Tensile

1.2 Basic Purpose of Translucent Concrete 2

1.3 Necessity of Using Fibre Optic Sensors in Concrete 4

3.1.1 Optical fibre 7

3.1.2 Principle or Operation 9

3.1.3 Material Specification 9

3.1.4 Properties of Material 10

3.2 Results of Experimental Investigations 14

3.2.1 Compressive strength results 14

3.2.2 Flexure Strength Results 17

3.3 Properties of Translucent Concrete 21

3.3.3 General Property of translucent Concrete 21

4.1.3 Creative Design 24

4.1.5 A lightning Fixture and Conversational place 25

4.1.6 Other application 25

4.2 Advantages and disadvantages 26

Department of Civil Engineering Page 1

Basic Purpose of Translucent Concrete:

In this seminar, a smart transparent concrete - novel construction material

 envelope behaving as a structural subsystem,

Compared with a traditional electric lighting system, illuminating the

Department of Civil Engineering Page 2

Translucent Concrete is a combination of fibres optics and concrete. It can be

Translucent concrete is used in fine architecture as a facade material and for

Department of Civil Engineering Page 3

Necessity of Using Fibre Optic Sensors in Concrete:

The use of fibre-optic sensors in concrete was first suggested by Mendez.

Department of Civil Engineering Page 4

Department of Civil Engineering Page 5

characteristics & therefore energy consumption can be reduced. The major

Department of Civil Engineering Page 6

Optical Fibre: An optical fibre is a flexible, transparent fibre made of silica or

Department of Civil Engineering Page 7

Fig. 2.1.1 Optical fibre

Principle of Operation: Transparent concrete or translucent concrete is work Based

Department of Civil Engineering Page 8

Material Specification: the basic materials used for manufacture of transparent

Table2.2.1: Material Specification

S. No. Material Specification

2. Coarse Aggregate Less than 10mm

3. Fine Aggregate Passing through 2.36mm

4. Concrete M20 Grade

5. Optical Fibre 2%-4%

Department of Civil Engineering Page 9

Table 2.2.2.1: Properties of Cement

S.No Properties of cement Value obtained

3. Specific Gravity 3.15