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Experimental Study on Light Transmitting Concrete

Technical Report · December 2017

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.22833.28008

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Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete Using Optical Fiber NIT, Rourkela

Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete

Using Optical Fiber

Amlan Kumar Sahoo, Sachin Sahu, Aman Kumar Singhal, Kuramana Stephen,
Tamo Talom, Subham Saroj Tripathy, Sidhant Das

(Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela)

ABSTRACT: The present study aims at producing the concrete specimens by reinforcing
optical fibers and comparing it with the conventional concrete. The concrete specimens were
subjected to different tests such as compressive strength test, light transmission test, etc. The
compressive strength results obtained for the translucent concrete specimens was almost same
as that of the conventional concrete specimen. The results of the transmission test were
satisfactory as the POF retain its efficiency. Thus, it is evident that the transparency of the
concrete structures can be introduced with the insertion of optical fibers without compromising
the strength, which is a step forward to the aspiration of achieving some new feet in modern
architecture.

Keywords: Light transmitting concrete, Optical fibers, Compressive strength, Transmissibility,

Lux meter

I. INTRODUCTION

Conventional concrete consists of cement, water, and aggregates (fine or coarse) and
possesses a greyish colour and high density that prevents the passage of light through it. The
imagination, of permitting light through the concrete for a better interaction between the
construction and its environment and diminishing the energy expenses in modern infrastructures,
has led the way to the invention of a special type of concrete called as Translucent Concrete.

LiTraCon, commonly known as Light Transmitting Concrete, developed in 2001 by

Hungarian architect AronLosonczi at the Technical University of Budapest was first of its kind.
The Italian Pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010 recognized as the first significant application
of translucent concrete in a building.

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Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete Using Optical Fiber NIT, Rourkela

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

Earlier studies on the topic have already compared the compressive strength and light
transmissibility of the translucent concrete with that of conventional concrete. Keeping the mix
design and other factors same the compressive strengths of the two types of the concrete have
observed. For the transmissibility test, some have cast glass fiber reinforced concrete to compare
the results with the translucent concrete. Apart from these, self-sensing property, mechanical
property, light guiding property, permeability and all have been explored.

III. OBJECTIVE

To cast translucent concrete, to compare their strength characteristics with the conventional
concrete and to examine their efficiency in transmitting light to develop a construction material
which is not only energy efficient but also aesthetically pleasing.

IV. PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Optical fiber works on the principle of Total Internal Reflection. The strands of the fiber act as a
hollow cylindrical waveguide that permits transmission of light along its axis.
Constituents of Optical Fibers –
• Core – It is the thin glass cylinder in the innermost layer of the fiber through which the light
travels.
• Cladding – It is the outer layer surrounding the core. It has relatively lower refractive index
than the core. Thus, light passing through the core, can’t come out of it and get reflected at the
interface.
• Coating – It is the plastic covering which protects the fibers from damage and moisture.

V. MIX PROPORTIONS

This section discusses the different material used in producing light transmitting concrete with its
specifications. The specimen dimension was 70.6 x 70.6 x 70.6 mm cube. For effective
comparison, six conventional and six translucent concrete were cast. Out of which, three from
both were to be tested for 7-day compressive strength and rest three from both were kept for the
28-day compressive strength test.

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Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete Using Optical Fiber NIT, Rourkela

Table-1: Material Specification

Sl.
Materials Specifications Quantity (in kg/m3)
No.
1. Cement : Sand : Water - 1 : 2.5 : 0.45
Ordinary Portland
2. 43 grade 495
Cement
3. Silica Fume High density 55
PMMA
4. Plastic Optical fibers (Poly Methyl Methacrylate), 4%
Core diameter – 2mm
2mm sieve passing
5. Sand 1375
(oven-dried)
6. Water Tap water 247.5
7. Superplasticizer Glenium 11 7

VI. MOULD AND SPECIMEN FABRICATION

5.1. A customised mould was fabricated to insert the POF during casting of concrete with ease.
The mould was made up of four plywood pieces with a plywood base plate. Out of the four, two
opposite faces of plywood were drilled at a uniform spacing of 1cm to hold the optical fibers in
Figure-1: Mould specifications

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Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete Using Optical Fiber NIT, Rourkela

place. One drilled plywood piece was nailed with an undrilled piece to produce an L-joint, which
further fixed with a base piece. Another L-joint is fastened with the former to shape the desired
mould. Thus, the mould was able to prevent leakage of the slurry during casting and rupture of
concrete during stripping. The two drilled plywood faces were placed opposite to each other to
lay the optical fibers in a single direction. The interior surfaces were provided with releasing
sheets which discourages bonding between mortar and plywood surface and hence, ensures the
stripping without failure of concrete.

5.2. The optical fibers were cut into pieces of sufficient length (certain portion emerging out of
the mould) and placed individually through the holes in the two plywood sides facing opposite to
each other. Weight batching was adopted for measuring the proportions of materials(as per the
mix design). As the mix to be prepared was in a small amount, hand mixing was practiced
thoroughly to blend the elements.

5.2.1. Placing of concrete –

For conventional concrete,

steel mould was cleaned thoroughly and oiled. Then, the mix was placed inside the moulds in 3
layers. Tamping was done in three layers to pack the concrete and drive away entrapped air
efficiently. After the completion of placing, the cube was agitated on Table Vibrator for two
minutes.
For translucent concrete,
plywood mould was polished with sandpaper and provided with releasing sheets. The prepared
mix and the layer of fibers were placed subsequently. Gentle rodding was done during the
placing followed by jerks. Then, the cube was agitated on Table Vibrator for two minutes.

5.2.2. Curing of concrete –

Before strpping the mould, the sample is allowed to harden for 48 hours under the wet covering f
jute sack. Later the mould is removed, and immersion was done. The sample is kept for curing in
a water tank until the test date.

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Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete Using Optical Fiber NIT, Rourkela

VII. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM

6.1. Compressive Strength Test:

Both the conventional and translucent concrete samples, cast with same mix design, were
subjected to compressive strength test at 7-day and 28-day. The periods being reckoned from the
completion of vibration. The final compressive strength of both concrete shall be the average of
three individual cubes for each period respectively.

Procedure: -

 The bearing surfaces of loading machine were wiped and cleaned.

 The cube was then placed in the machine such that axis of cube was carefully aligned with
the axis of the loading device.
 The load was then increased continuously until the specimen fails and the load corresponding
to the point of failure was recorded.
 The appearance of cracks on the surface and any other feature was noted. Specimen failed
due to the crushing of concrete on the application of longitudinal force.

6.2. Light Transmissibility Test:

Lux meter was used for this test. A lux meter is a device which measures the intensity of light
falling on its’ sensor. This reading is different from the measurements of the actual light energy
produced by a light source. It works by using a photocell to capture light, which is then
converted to an electric current and finally it gives the lux value. It is used in photography and
video filming, measuring the brightness of a room.

Procedure: -

 A tube-arrangement was made of cardboard to converge light coming from the source to the
sensor of the lux meter to get an accurate result of the transmissibility.
Table-2: Transmissibility test setup specification
Sl. No. Part (Cross-section) Dimension (internal)
1 Wide (rectangular) 7.5cm x 7.5cm
2 Converging (circular) Dia 5cm

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Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete Using Optical Fiber NIT, Rourkela

 A 100-watt bulb was lit and placed at the wide end of the arrangement, while the sensor of
the lux meter was placed at the converging end. The illuminance was measured.
 Then, a translucent concrete sample was placed inside the tube in between the bulb and the
sensor. The new illuminance value was noted and compared with the former to calculate the
percentage transmissibility of the sample.
 The Same procedure was repeated for three samples to get an average transmissibility.
VIII. RESULT

7.1. Compressive Strength Test:

The compressive strength test results at 7 day and 28 day are as shown in the table.
Table-3: Compressive strength result

Compressive Strength Average Compressive Strength

Curing
(in MPa) (in MPa)
Period
Sl. No. Conventional Translucent Conventional Translucent
(in days)
Concrete Concrete Concrete Concrete
1 28 24
2 7 day 23 21 25 22
3 24 22
4 42 38
5 28 day 39 35 40 36
6 39 36
Graph-1: 28 Day Compressive Strength Result
28 Day Compressive Strength
45 42
38 39 39
35 36
Strength (in MPa)

30
Conventional Concrete
15 Translucent Concrete

0
Sample - 1 Sample - 2 Sample - 3
Concrete Samples
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Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete Using Optical Fiber NIT, Rourkela

(Fig-2: Crack pattern after (Fig-3: Transmissibility test arrangement)

Compressive strength test)

7.2. Light Transmissibility Test:

Transmissibility of the bulb kept at a certain distance was found to be 5030 lux. Then, the
transmissibility values were obtained by placing translucent concrete samples.

% Transmissibility =

Table-4: Transmissibility test result

Average
Sl. No. Transmissibility (in lux) % Transmissibility
Transmissibility (in %)
1 191 3.8
2 216 4.3 4.06
3 206 4.1

The average transmissibility for the casted translucent concrete samples is found to be 4%.

IX. SCOPE

The product found to be a manifold blessing and promises a bright future in mega constructions.
But, there also lies some limitations which hinder it from show-casing its full potential. provided
the certain limitations are overcome.

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 Experimental Study of Light Transmitting Concrete Using Optical Fiber NIT, Rourkela

8.1. Advantages –

 When used on a large scale, the porous texture is visible - while it becomes indistinct at a
distance.
 A solid wall infused with the optical fiber uses fewer lights to illuminate the interior parts of
a building during the daytime.
 It has excellent architectural properties which give good aesthetical view to the building.
 It can be used to enlight dark corners of a building.
 Reduction of energy consumption can be achieved by utilization of translucent concrete in
buildings.
 Light transmitting property promotes the use of renewable solar energy. Thus, it is
environment-friendly.

8.2. Limitations –

 The optical fibers are very costly. Either any other efficient alternative or production of
optical fibers at cheaper rate are the solutions in this regard.
 The complicated casting procedure discourages its’ extensive use. The pre-fabrication
technique can be adopted with skilled labours.
X. CONCLUSION

With the advancement of technology, our infrastructures should be modified. For sustainable
development, we have to emphasize the use of renewable energy sources to meet the growing
demand for energy. All the above concerns can be solved by Translucent Concrete, a novel
architectural material. It has the potential to usher all the above concerns if it can be used on a
large scale, and which would be realized if the existing shaping technique gets advanced.

XI. REFERENCES

 litracon.huhttp://illumin.usc.edu/245/translucent-concrete-an-emerging-material/

 http://litracon.hu/en

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translucent_concrete

 http://www.luccon.com/en/

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