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stcentury
Published in Paulo J.S. Cruz, Structures and Architecture: Bridging the Gap and Crossing Borders, 2019
G. Rodríguez de Sensale, V. De Lima, J. Borgno, A. Luisi
The first translucent concrete (TC) samples were produced by Price in 1999-2000, using polymers and ground glass to transmit light, performing compressive strength and flexural strength tests on small samples (Hart 2005). In 2001, Áron Losonczi, made a mix of randomly arranged concrete and fiber optics that resulted in a new concrete that let in light; this was the first TC that was marketed under the brand name “LiTraCon” (Light Translucent Concrete).In 2004, another variant appeared, similar to LiTraCon, called “Luccon”, produced in Germany by Heidelberg Cement AG, it used another manufacturing method, reducing the amount of optical fibers, which are thicker and randomly or chained (tissue), resulting in light lines. In theyear 2005, in Italy, Italcementi presents the so-called “I-light”, composed by the combination of 96% concrete, 4% fiber optic and resins; it was developed by the Italian architect Giampaolo Imbrighi, in charge of designing the Italian Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo 2010.In Mexico in 2005 it appears, although in 2009 it was patented, another version of TC called “Ilum” being a polymeric concrete based on a mixture of additives, polymers, fine and coarse aggregates.Finally in2007 in Germany, another TC with fiber optics emerged, similar to the first two, to which LED lights were incorporated, it was called “LUCEM”, and it was patented internationally in 2010. Table 5 summarizes values corresponding to their main properties.
Evaluation of mechanical properties and light transmission of light-transmitting concrete
Published in Alka Mahajan, B.A. Modi, Parul Patel, Technology Drivers: Engine for Growth, 2018
Eesh Kumar Taneja, Tejas M. Joshi, Urmil Dave
LiTracon (2001) was the first company to make light-transmitting concrete. The patent protected by LiTracon (2001) products presents the phenomenon of light-transmitting concrete in the form of widely applicable new building materials. Luccon (2004) is the main company focused on strength. Luccon design is a precast concrete product. In a special process, fiber optic cables are inserted in a fine-grain concrete. It provides furniture, shop interiors, kitchens, partition walls, sanitary equipment, stairs among other things. A further company, Lucem (2003), provides concrete with architectural properties as well as strength. Diffuse natural light and sunlight provide the full spectrum of colors shining through the LUCEM (2003) panels. Central Building Research Institute, India (1947) provides the standard values of illumination. Table 1 shows the illumination requirements of different spaces in building.
Advanced materials science
Published in Paul Marsden, Digital Quality Management in Construction, 2019
Litracon, produced in Hungary and developed by Hungarian architect Áron Losonczi, uses tiny optical fibres mixed into conventional concrete that create a translucent effect.12 Liquid granite uses between 30 and 70 per cent recycled industrial base product, that is poured in the same way as regular concrete.13 It has very high fire resistance and can be placed in hard-to-reach areas, to repair floors and walls.
Light transmission performance of translucent concrete building envelope
Published in Cogent Engineering, 2020
TCP is a new building material; it came into being at the beginning of this century for building decoration. In 2001, Hungarian architect Aron Losonzi invented LiTraCon™, the first commercially available form of translucent concrete (Litrocon Ltd 2012). It is a combination of OFs and fine concrete, combined in such a way that its appearance is perceived as homogeneous. LiTraCon™ is manufactured in blocks and panels for decoration. Litracon pXL® is a slightly different product, offered by the same company, that uses Polymethyl methacrylate in place of glass OFs. In Shanghai 2010 EXPO, Italy took the opportunity to build its pavilion out of translucent concrete (TC) using about 4,000 i.light® blocks, each 100 cm × 50 cm × 5.0 cm (Bates, 2010; Hipstomp, 2010). The blocks were heavier than glass panel as the façade in buildings. In the standard products of the same manufacturer, there are also 120 cm × 60 cm panels with 1.5 cm or 3.0 cm thickness (Lucem Lichtbeton, 2018). These thinner products are suitable for building façades and are generally laminated with light-emitting diode plates for commercial advertising. Another product features plastic fibers arranged in a regular grid, namely Pixel Panels, developed by Bill Price of the University of Houston (Klemenc, 2011). These panels transmit light from one face of a wall to the other, but in a pattern, where light that shines through the panel resembles thousands of tiny stars in a night sky. University of Detroit-Mercy also developed a process to produce translucent panels made out of Portland cement, sand and reinforced with a small amount of chopped fiberglass [6]. The primary focus of the TC technology has previously been on its aesthetic appeal and its application in artistic design. Few people study on its light transmitting, mechanical and self-sensing properties and long-term durability of the material (Ahuja et al., 2015; He et al., 2011; Mead & Mosalam, 2017; Mosalam & Nuria, 2018). However, a comprehensive experimental study of TCP is not yet developed to address the issue of daylight harvesting property.