Transparent Concrete: A Brief Review

Abstract

World is actively engaged in the creation of unique materials and technologies since the dawn of human civilization. Humans are different from other animals in that we want to live easier, more sophisticated lives. Concrete is nothing short of a miracle for human evolution in this era of constant advancement. One of those cutting-edge varieties of concrete is transparent concrete, which not only dispels the stereotype of concrete as a lifeless, colorless substance but also contributes to energy conservation, one of the main issues facing the modern world. Concrete that transmits light, sometimes referred to as translucent concrete. Due to incorporated light optical elements, the material has light-transmissive qualities. The concrete block allows light to pass through it from one end to the other. Therefore, in order to get maximal light penetration, fibers must travel through the entire object. Natural light in buildings is obstructed by the construction of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. The use of artificial light has significantly increased as a result of this issue. Because of transparent concrete, less artificial light must be used in construction. As a result, transparent concrete, a novel type of concrete, is introduced. Fiber-reinforced concrete that has optical fibers inserted for aesthetic purposes is known as transparent concrete (TC). The research is not limited to decorative purposes alone; the impact of fiber application on the strength aspect is also covered. When fibers are stacked in different layers, transparent concrete load-carrying capability rises. Moreover, diverse patterns can be made to give the concrete a decorative appearance. This concrete can be utilized for interior hallways, lobby areas, and ceilings. It can be used to glow at night thanks to external lighting sources, and during the day it can glow thanks to natural light transmission.

Introduction

Conclusion

1) Light transmission equality provided by TSCC helps save energy and lower electricity costs without sacrificing its mechanical qualities. 2) SCC is a combination that is ideal for making translucent concrete in general and HPTC in particular because it satisfies all the requirements for providing good fresh properties and doesn\'t damage the POF that is incorporated into the HPTC. 3) The volumetric ratio of POF inclusion has a significant impact on the light transmittance of TSCC, irrespective of the POF diameter. Yet the volumetric ratio of POF inclusion to POF diameter determines the compressive strength of TSCC. 4) Whether the distance is from the specimen to the light source or from the specimen to the LDR, the light transmittance significantly decreases with increasing distance. It is defined as the rate at which light transmittance declines, and it has been showed that this rate is irregular.

References

[1] Tahwia, Ahmed M., et al. \"Light transmittance performance of sustainable translucent self-compacting concrete.\" Journal of Building Engineering 38 (2021): 102178. [2] Tahwia, Ahmed M., et al. \"Mechanical and light transmittance properties of high-performance translucent concrete.\" Case Studies in Construction Materials 17 (2022): e01260. [3] Navabi, Danial, et al. \"The high-performance light transmitting concrete and experimental analysis of using polymethylmethacrylate optical fibers in it.\" Journal of Building Engineering 38 (2021): 102076. [4] Said, Shwan H. \"State-of-the-art developments in light transmitting concrete.\" Materials Today: Proceedings 33 (2020): 1967-1973. [5] Shen, Juan, and Zhi Zhou. \"Performance and energy savings of resin translucent concrete products.\" Journal of Energy Engineering 146.3 (2020): 04020007. [6] Shen, Juan, and Zhi Zhou. \"Light transmitting performance and energy-saving of plastic optical fibre transparent concrete products.\" Indoor and Built Environment 30.5 (2021): 635-649. [7] Vasudevan, Karthikgheyan, Hazril Sherney Basher, and Mohd Hafizal Mohd Isa. \"Thermal and daylighting performance of transparent concrete in Penang, Malaysia.\" Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Environment (MySE) 10 (2023): 61-82.

Copyright

Copyright © 2024 Ashwini H D , Sukrit Chauhan. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.