A
REPORT
ON
“STUDY OF TRANSPARENT CONCRETE ”
Under guidance of Department of Civil engineering SKIT ,Jaipur.
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Award of
Completion of In House Internship Training for 2nd year for Bachelor of Technology Degree
Of
Rajasthan Technical University, KOTA
SESSION: 2019-2020
SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:
[Link] SHARMA SHRUTI CHAUHAN
BATCH: B (B3)
Civil Department (18ESKCE105)
SWAMI KESHVANAND INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
MANAGEMENT & GRAMOTHAN, RAMNAGARIA, JAIPUR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I was helped & encouraged by people in very friendly manner.I would like to
thank to the Director of SKIT Dr. S.L. SURANA and the H.O.D of the civil
department Dr. L.N DUTT and all the teachers who provided me with the valuable
information about the PROJECT REPORT & helped us whenever required.
I would like to give special thanks to Mr. NIKHIL SHARMA for helping me with
his wise suggestions, innovative ideas and whole-hearted help.
Lastly I owe a considerable debt to all the teachers, who spared their precious time
in responding to my queries & thus greatly helping me in enhancing my knowledge
to the fullest. I am grateful that my college SKIT provide me this experience of
seminar projects.
SHRUTI CHAUHAN
CE-II YEAR
18ESKCE105
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Cover Page.
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………..…….. .2
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………...3
1. INTRODUCTION OF TRANSPARENT CONCRETE (TC)
………………………………………………………………….….....4
2. INGREDIENT OF TC………………………………………………..........5
3. OPTICAL FIBRE...........................................................................................5
4. Manufacturing of TC……………………………….……….…………....10
5. Test of TC and comparison with traditional concrete …….….………......11
6. Application……………………………………………………...………..11
7. Advantages ……………………………………………………...…..........13
8. Disadvantages…………………………………………………………....13
9. Conclusion………………………………………………………………..13
10. References………………………………………………………………..14
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[Link] OF TRANSPARENT CONCRETE
Translucent concrete (Transparent concrete) is new technique different from
normal concrete. Translucent concrete allow more light and less weight compared
to normal concrete. The use of sunlight source of light instead of using electrical
energy is main purpose of translucent concrete, so as to reduce the load on non-
renewable sources and result it into the energy saving. Optical fibers is a sensing or
transmission element, so decrease the use of artificial light, the normal concrete is
replaced by translucent concrete, which has natural lighting and art design.
Table 1. Properties of Transparent Concrete Blocks By Litracon Company
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[Link] OF TRANSPARENT CONCRETE
2.1Cement
Cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens as the cement dries and also
reacts with carbon dioxide in the air dependently, and can bind other materials
together. Portland cement is the most common type of cement in general use
around the world, used as a basic ingredient of concrete, [Link] OPC was
classified into three grades namely, 33 grade, 43 grade and 53 grade depending
upon the strength of the cement at 28 days when tested as per IS 4031-1988.
2.2Fine aggregate:
Fine aggregate is the inert or chemically inactive material, most of which passes
through a 4.75 mm IS sieve and contains not more than 5 per cent coarser material.
The fine aggregates serve the purpose of filling all the open spaces in between the
coarse particles. Thus, it reduces the porosity of the final mass and considerably
increases its strength. Usually, natural river sand is used as a fine aggregate.
2.3Coarse aggregate:
Crush granite aggregate available from local sources has been used. The coarse
aggregate with maximum size of 10mm having the specific gravity value of 2.6
and fineness modulus of 5.60 were used as a coarse aggregate.
2.4Optical Fibers Elements:
Core - The thin glass center of the fiber where the light travels is called core.
Cladding - The outer optical material surrounding the core that reflects the light
back into the core. To confine the reflection in the core, the refractive index of the
core must be greater than that of the cladding.
Buffer Coating – This is the Plastic coating that protects the fiber from damage
and moisture.
Fig 2.4.1 Elements of a optical fibre
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2.5 Water: Water should be free from acids, oils, alkalies vegetables or other organic impurities.
Soft waters also produce weaker concrete. Water has two functions in a concrete mix. Firstly, it
reacts chemically with the cement to form the cement paste in which the inert aggregates are held
in suspension until the cement paste has hardened. Secondly, it serves as a lubricant in the
mixture of fine aggregates and cement
3. OPTICAL FIBERS
Optical fiber is a wave guide, made of transparent dielectric (glass or plastics) in cylindrical form
through which light is transmitted by total internal reflection. It guides light waves to travel over
long distances without much loss of energy. Optical fiber consists of an inner cylinder made of
glass or plastic called core of very high refractive index. The core is surrounded by a cylindrical
shell of glass or plastic of lower refractive index called cladding. The cladding is covered by a
jacket which protects the fiber from moisture and abrasion.
3.1. Types of Optical Fibers
Based on the refractive index profile and the number of modes, optical fibers are divided into
three types. They are:
Step index single mode fiber
Step index multimode fiber
Graded index multimode fiber
A step index single mode fiber may have very small core diameter (i.e. 5- 10µm). Due to its
small core diameter, only a single mode of light ray transmission is possible. About 80% of the
fibers that are manufactured in the world today are of this type.
Fig 3.1 Step index single mode fiber
A step index multimode fiber has a core diameter of 50 to 200µm and an external diameter of
cladding 125 to 300µm. Since the core material is of uniform refractive index and the cladding
material of lesser refractive index than that of core, there is a sudden increase in the value of
refractive index from cladding to core. Since the core has larger diameter, propagation of many
modes within the fiber is allowed.
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Fig 3.2 Step index multimode fiber
In a graded index multimode fiber, the refractive index of the core is maximum at the axis of the
fiber and it gradually decreases towards the cladding. Since there is a gradual decrease in the
refractive index of the core the modal dispersion can be minimized.
Fig 3.3 Graded index multimode fibre
3.2. Total Internal Reflection In A Fiber
The principle behind the transmission of light waves in an optical fiber is total internal reflection.
The total internal reflection in the walls of the fiber can occur only by the following two
conditions:
i. The glass around the centre of the fiber (core) should have higher refractive index (n1) than that
of the material (cladding) surrounding the fiber (n2).
ii. The light should incident at an angle (between the path of the ray and normal to the fiber wall)
greater than the critical angle, θc.
Fig 3.4 Total internal reflection
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[Link] OF TRANSPARENT CONCRETE
Preparation of mould: In the process of making light transmitting concrete, the first step
involved is preparation of mould. The mould required for the prototype can be made with
different materials which can be of either tin or wood. In the mould preparation, it is important to
fix the basic dimensions of mould. The standard minimum size of the cube according to IS 456-
2000 is 15cmx15cmx15cm for concrete. In the mould, markings are made exactly according to
the size of the cube so that the perforated plates can be used. Plates made of sheets which are
used in electrical switch boards is used which will be helpful in making perforations and give a
smooth texture to the mould, holes are drilled in to the plates as shown in Fig. 4.1 The diameter
of the holes and number of holes mainly depends on percentage of fiber used.
Fig. 4.1 Preparation of mould
4.1Procedure of making translucent panel:
Step 1-Preparation of the Mould:
A mould of rectangular cross section of size 150mm*150mm*150mm is made with wood
or steel. Make the required size of rectangular mould from wood or tin. Place the clay or mud in
the sides where the optical fibers are exposed to the mould for the easy demoulding after the
concreting.
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Fig. 4.2 Preparation of panel.
Step 2- Optical Fiber:
The optical fibers are cut carefully to the required size of mould. The commonly available
diameters of optical fibers are .25 mm, .5 mm, .75 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm.
Fig.4.3 Optical Fibers
Step 3- Fixing the Fibers:
Fibers are placed either in organic distribution or in layered distribution. Holes are driven on the
wooden or steel plates through which optical fibers are allowed to pass through.
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Fig. 4.4 Fixing of fibers.
Step 4- Concreting:
The thoroughly mixed concrete is poured carefully and slowly without causing much
disturbances to the previously laid optical fibers. The concrete is filled in smaller or thinner
layers and is agitated with the help of vibrating tables to avoid the void formation.
Mix proportion:
In present work Indian standard method (IS 10262-2009) is used for mix design, mix proportion
are as table 4.1.
Table 4.1 Mix proportion used for testing
Step 5- Removing the Mould:
After 24 hrs, remove the mould and pull off the mud. The casted mould was kept undisturbed on
the leveled platform. Then it was de-moulded carefully after 24 hours from casting. Immediately
after de-moulding, the cube specimens were marked by their respective identification
mark/numbers (ID).
Step 6- Cutting and polishing:
Cut the extra-long fibers same as thickness of panel. Polish the panel surface by using polishing
paper or using sand paper as shown in figure 4.5
Fig 4.5 Trimming and polishing of the surface
[Link] OF TRANSPARENT CONCRETE
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5.1 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
By definition, the compressive strength of a material is that value of uniaxial compressive stress
reached when the material fails completely. The compressive strength is usually obtained
experimentally by means of a compressive test. The compressive strength of the concrete is
determined by cast the cubes of size 150mm x150mm x 150mm.
Compressive strength = load / area
5.2 COMPRESIVE STRENGTH
The compressive strength for concrete cubes with and without Optical fibers has been calculated
for3, 7and 28 days. From the test results, it is observed that compressive strength for 3, 7 and 28
day with Optical fibers is 8.82 N/mm2,11.45 N/mm2 and 21.10N/mm2 respectively. That for
Conventional concrete is 9.56 N/2, 13.02 N/mm2 and 23.24 N/mm2 respectively.
[Link]
A. Illuminate Your 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 fibers 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.
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Fig 6.1 Translucent Wall for Architectural View
B. Pavement Shine at Sunset
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.
C. 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.
D. Artsy Reception 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.
E. 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.
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 thin panels.
· Partitions wall and it can be used where the sunlight does not reach properly.
· In furniture for the decorative and aesthetic purpose.
· Light fixtures.
· Light sidewalks at night.
· Increasing visibility in dark subway stations
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·· Lighting indoor fire escapes in the event of a power failure.
Illuminating speed bumps on roadways at night.
[Link]
· 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.
· 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.
· It has very good architectural properties for giving good aesthetical view to the building.
· 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.
· Totally environment friendly because of its light transmitting characteristics, so energy
consumption can be reduced.
8. DISADVANTAGES
· The main disadvantage is these concrete is very costly because of the optical fibers.
· Casting of transparent concrete block is difficult for the labour so special skilled person is
required.
9. CONCLUSION
A novel architectural material called transparent concrete can be developed by adding optical
fiber or large diameter glass fiber in the concrete mixture. The transparent concrete has good
light guiding property and the ratio of optical fiber volume to concrete is proportional to
transmission. The transparent concrete does not loose the strength parameter when compared to
regular concrete and also it has very vital property for the aesthetical point of view. It can be
used for the best architectural appearance of the building. It can also be used in areas, where the
natural light cannot reach with appropriate intensity. This new kind of building material can
integrate the concept of green energy saving with the usage self sensing properties of functional
materials.
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[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
research paper on transparent concrete.
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