TRANSLUCENT CONCRETE (LITRACON)

• Translucent concrete or light-transmitting concrete is a

concrete-based building material with light-transmissive
properties because of embedded light optical elements
usually optical fibers. Light is conducted through the
stone from one end to the other therefore, the fibers
have to go through the whole object.
• It is made of cement, sand, water, and optical fiber
(2micro meters to 2 mm in size), which means that
optical fibers are used in place of coarse aggregates.

• The concrete has light-transmitting properties due to the

presence of optical fibers.
• Fibres act as aggregates and carry light through them,
flexible transparent fibres are made of glass or plastic.
• These concrete works on “nano-optics”, the fibers are
placed directly on top of each other.
 Material used in translucent concrete:
• Cement: Since optical fiber is responsible for the
transmission of light, no special cement is required,
therefore ordinary Portland cement is used for
transparent concrete.
• Sand: It is constructed using only fine materials; the size
of the sand must pass through the sieve of 1.18 mm, the
sand must be free from several impurities such as
vegetation, large stones, etc.
• Water: The water used should be of drinking quality and
free from any impurities.
• Optical fiber: Optical fibers in the amount of 4 to 5% are
used for transparent concrete. The thickness of optical
fiber varies between 2 microns and 2 mm to outfit the
exclusive necessities of light transmission.

Example: Italian Pavilion, Expo Shanghai 2010

• This image is the exterior of the Italian Pavilion,
created for the Expo Shanghai in 2010. It was the
first building ever created using light from the
Italcementi Group.
• More than 3,700 panels of concrete were used in
the project, and they cover 1,887 square meters
(20,311 square feet). Exterior view Shadow cast on interiors

• As the exterior lighting changes throughout the day, the building takes on different tones and shapes for a
dramatic effect.
Advantages of light transmitting concrete:
• The texture is visible, while the fine translucent
concrete floor is slanted at some distance.
• When the concrete wall is allowed with the ability to
transmit light, it means that homeowners can use
less light in their homes throughout the day.
• It has excellent architectural qualities to give a
stunning aesthetic view to the building.
• Where the light is not uniformly, transparent
concrete can be used.
• Energy-saving can be achieved by using transparent
concrete in the building.
• It is environmentally friendly due to its light-
transmitting characteristics to reduce energy
consumption. Manufacturing of Transparent Concrete
• The manufacturing of transparent concrete is also same as
normal concrete. It is manufactured by the use of an
optical fibre in the fine concrete. It should be placed in
such a way that both the end of fibre opens out from
concrete because optical fibre can transfer light only when
both ends are open. we have to prepare the special mould
for casting and placing optical fibre in concrete.
• It’s included step by step during casting by placing
thousands of fibre optic pieces in the straight line. Optical
fibre must be well spread out in most of the concrete
surface area. The compressive strength of transparent
concrete is almost the same as normal concrete and it also
offers lightweight to structure.
Application of translucent concrete:
• These blocks are suitable for the floors,
pavements, and load-bearing walls.
• Splitting walls based on facades, internal wall
cladding, and thin panels.
• A partition wall can be utilized where daylight
doesn’t reach properly.
• In furnishings for the decorative and aesthetic
function.
• This Concrete used Light fixtures.
• It provides light pavement at night.
• It increases the visibility in dark metro stations
• In case of power failure, the light escapes
from the indoor fire.
• Highlighting at night on roadways.
Youtube link for examples of Translucent concrete :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ziNiMptZpQ