Translucent concrete. Transparent concrete. Composition, properties, application, DIY making What is transparent concrete made of

In the field of modern construction, the most various materials... And one of the most demanded is concrete. Today it has many varieties with distinctive advantages and characteristics. Among them are unique transparent concrete, which is able to transmit light and literally transform the interior of the room.

Origin story

Due to their excellent performance, concrete structures are widely used in a wide variety of construction areas. However, traditional concrete has a rather unsightly appearance, so you should not expect high decorativeness from it.

In this regard, manufacturers of building materials began to look for new revolutionary solutions and invent beautiful raw materials with a designer appearance. Light-conducting (transparent) concrete is in no way inferior in quality and strength to ordinary mixtures, but at the same time it looks especially beautiful and attractive.

In a short period of time, the innovative material has become in great demand and has found a response in the hearts of many designers and architects. Currently, it has practically no competitors capable of boasting similar strength, reliability and beauty.

The creator of the new technology "Litracon", which allows the material to transmit light, was the architect from Hungary, Aron Loskonshi.

A skilled craftsman faced the task of making the wall structures light-transmitting, and at the same time not harm their strength. When looking for optimal solutions, the architect decided to change the internal structure of the concrete by adding light-conducting optical fiber to the composition.

As a result, Aron managed to invent very original concrete blocks, which in all respects are suitable for the construction of buildings for various purposes.

Benefits and Features

The composition of light-transmitting concrete contains only safe components that undergo preliminary environmental impact assessment and do not contain harmful impurities. This means that the use of the material does not harm the environment and the health of residents.

Of the shortcomings, the only thing that stands out is the fact that litracon is almost impossible to get in the formwork at the construction site. Therefore, in most cases, it is bought in special construction hypermarkets, and manufactured at industrial enterprises with the appropriate equipment.

For the manufacture of fiber, it is necessary to apply the method of layering fiberglass and fine-grained concrete mixture. As soon as the mortar finally sets and gains the required strength, the block surface is processed again. This is required to obtain excellent light transmission characteristics.

The first application of light-conducting concrete looks a little strange. The designers tried to make a fancy cube-shaped lamp based on the material, the weight of which was about 10 kilograms. Soon, the scope of application of litracon began to expand, and it began to actively capture the building materials market.

Today, a variety of decorative ideas are carried out from transparent concrete and they embody any design solutions in the construction of premises and interior design. The fantasies of creative people can be limited only by the rather high cost of the material.

Concerning self-made, the difficulties in performing such a task are associated with the need to include about 4 percent of the total mass of fiber in the structure. Moreover, all of its threads must be placed in one specific direction, which complicates production.

Technology overview

The production of light-conducting concrete is carried out using a complex patented technology, which is constantly being modernized and gaining a lot of changes. However, it is still impossible to create from a transparent concrete composition monolithic structures, since there are no ideal strength parameters.

Features of the technology are as follows:

It should be noted that vibration casting technology is characterized by particular simplicity, therefore, if desired, you can make transparent concrete with your own hands.

Components and equipment for production

In order to make light-transmitting concrete using vibration casting technology, it is important to take care of some working tools and equipment. Among them:

1. Container for mixing the solution.
2. Formwork form.
3. Vibrating table.

The choice of components should be guided by the classic composition for fine-grained concrete. It includes:

1. Portland cement.
2. Fine-grained sand without impurities and lumps.
3. Additional plasticizers to provide a better flowable slurry.
4. Water without all kinds of chemical impurities.

And also it is necessary to find fiber with a suitable length, which is determined taking into account the thickness of the block. Optimum diameter is equal to 0.5-2.5 millimeters. The glass fiber content should not exceed 5 percent.

Composition and preparation

To successfully create litracon, you need to mix the above components in a ratio of 1: 3 or 1: 2.5. The volume of liquid in the composition should not exceed 50% of the total amount of cement.

A novice builder can be guided by such a calculation, from which one cubic meter light-guiding concrete:

1. Portland cement - 500 kilograms.
2. Clean sand - 1500 kilograms.
3. Water - 250 liters.

Before adding impurities in the form of plasticizers to the consistency, it is important to carefully read step by step guidewhich is provided on the package. Initially, free-flowing components are stirred until a homogeneous mass is formed. Then the liquid is added and the solution is thoroughly mixed for another five minutes. If a plasticizer is added, the mixing time can be increased.

Performance properties and applications

Luminous concrete is a full-fledged composite material that is obtained as a result of the use of vibration casting or pressing technology. As a result, it receives a number of technical characteristics, including the following:

1. Compressive strength - up to 35 MPa.
2. Flexural strength - more than 2 MPa.
3. Water resistance - not less than W4.
4. Frost resistance - not less than 75 cycles.
5. Moisture absorption - no more than six percent.

As you know, when creating a light-permeable material, it is not customary to use a large filler. As a result, the fiber acts as a reinforcing additive.

As for the areas of application of such an innovative building material, they are quite extensive. And although light is transmitted through the wall structures made of transparent concrete, and a person inside the room can see the contours, it is still impossible to examine in more detail the details of objects behind the wall.

However, due to the high strength characteristics of composite light-transmitting blocks, all kinds of internal partitions and components are built load-bearing walls... At the same time, the high cost of the material makes it in demand only for decorative finishing work.

In the tiled version, light-transmitting concrete is used for finishing:

1. Wall structures.
2. Paul.
3. Stairs.
4. Interior elements.
5. Furniture.

In addition, such concrete is often used as the main material for the construction of buildings. And although the cost of such buildings is excessively high, they are increasingly appearing in European countries.

Cost and stamps

Currently, the Russian market offers transparent concrete from two main companies - Litracon and Lucem. But it is important to understand that both brands do not manufacture the material, but are distributors of leading European manufacturing companies. As a result, the cost of products is growing due to the need for delivery to the Russian space.

In any case, the sale offers a wide variety of decorative plates with any size, shape and color. If you wish, you can buy a canvas in which the fibers are laid out in the form of a logo or product, and the blocks are equipped lED backlight... Of course, in this case, the price of the material will increase significantly.

As for the prices for popular panel models, the Litracon Classic prefabricated structure with dimensions of 1200 x 400 mm and a thickness of 25 millimeters will cost the buyer 90 thousand rubles. With an increase in thickness to 200 mm, you will have to pay about 320 thousand rubles.

The cost of Litracube Lamp blocks with dimensions of 221 x 175 x 175 mm and a thickness of 25 millimeters is 54,500 rubles per unit.

DIY creation

As you know, industrial transparent concrete, the production technology of which was described above, is quite expensive, so not everyone can afford to buy such a material. Fortunately, with some effort, you can create a litracon yourself. To do this, you need to perform several actions:

1. Prepare formwork with a suitable rectangular shape.
2. Run the first layer of mortar and compact it slightly.
3. Lay out the fiber and press into the solution.
4. Wait until the consistency has hardened.

The form is filled in several stages, repeating the layers until the formwork is completely filled. It should be noted that when making concrete with your own hands, the frequency of fiber layers will be several times less than that of factory counterparts. In this case, the decorativeness of the material will remain identical.

If mobile mixtures are used during work, this will allow achieving the effect of uneven distribution. Although this approach will slightly degrade light transmission, it will give a unique surface pattern.

Regardless of the composition of the solution, the next layer is laid only after the previous one has set.

The final stage

It is necessary to remove the formwork no earlier than two days after the final fixation of the last layer of the fill. The block must then be left for five days at 20-degree temperature and 95 percent relative humidity.

During this period of time, the material should gain about 80 percent of its maximum strength, so further processing will not degrade its quality in any way. After removing the block from the formwork, it must be carefully sanded. This need is due to the fact that during production the ends of the fiber beams are tightened with concrete milk, this prevents the free passage of the light source. To grind the working side of the blocks, which is perpendicular to the direction of fiber placement, you need to use diamond discs.

Without a doubt, translucent concrete is a real work of building art. This material has many unique properties and characteristics, including excellent strength, durability and decorative appeal. It can be used to equip wall partitions, giving buildings unique properties and adding sunlight.

If you do not have the financial ability to buy material in a store, you can try to create it yourself. The main thing is to follow the step by step guide and calculate the proportions correctly.

Light-transmitting building materials are the result of innovative and expensive building technologies. Fiberglass with a percentage of no more than 5% is used as a light-conducting filler, which allows maintaining the basic properties of concrete: tensile and compressive strength, water resistance, frost resistance. At the same time, the design potential of the material is enormous: being not completely transparent, the blocks transmit light and shade and change the pattern when the lighting changes.

In the absence of a coarse filler, fiberglass acts as an analogue of fiber and withstands internal and external loads and deformations. The only drawback is the high prices (from 90,000 rubles per 1 m2), the technology of transparent light-conducting concrete is still being mastered by Russian manufacturers and is considered expensive.

Material composition and properties

The raw material is cement, sand with a fineness modulus of 2-3, fiber-optic fiber with a filament diameter of 0.5 to 2.5 mm, modifying additives to improve the formability of low-mobile solutions. There is no coarse filler, the percentage of light transmitting is within 4–5%. The optical characteristics of fiberglass and the environmental friendliness of raw materials in the finished product are certified; it is completely safe for humans, even with the introduction of plastic resins. In fact, transparent concrete has the same properties as regular concrete:

• strength: in compression within 20–35 MPa, in bending tensile - not less than 2;
• density - 2300 kg / cm3;
• thermal conductivity - 2.1 W / (m ∙ K);
• frost resistance up to 75 cycles;
• water permeability grade: W4 – W8;
• water absorption: no more than 6%;
• sound insulation - 46 dB.

The material does not burn, is not afraid of UV rays, there is a risk of alkaline-silicate reactions of fiberglass with cement under the influence of atmospheric precipitation, but due to the thin cross-section of the threads, it is minimal. During the day, concrete lets in natural light, at night - artificial. In theory, the thickness of the boards is not limited, in practice it does not exceed 20 cm due to the current possibilities of laying fiberglass. The production of transparent concrete is constantly improving, but it is still an exclusive and expensive technology.

Scope of application

The manufacturer produces blocks and slabs of white, black and gray, with specially treated surfaces (polished or matt). This concrete is used for decorative purposes, because of the high cost, full-fledged wall construction is possible only during the construction of unique objects. It is optimal for interior decoration: partitions, claddings with luminaires under the tiles, stairs, inserts. Furniture and interior items made of transparent composite have an original look: benches, countertops, lamps, sinks.

The blocks are connected with a cement or lime-based mortar or compositions of epoxy resins and quartz chips. Such masonry meets building and fire safety standards and is suitable for the construction of load-bearing walls. In addition to mortar for fasteners, they buy anchor bolts or frame structures, the panels can be floor-mounted. The only limitation of the application is the high price of transparent concrete; for private construction, it is advisable to try to make it yourself.

Production technology

The process is a layer-by-layer application of fiberglass threads and a fine-grained concrete mixture. After gaining strength, transparent concrete is processed: grinding and polishing. This is necessary to obtain optimal light transmission characteristics and enhance the decorative effect. Optical properties do not depend on the thickness of the plates, but on the uniformity of the distribution of threads and their percentage. Blocks with a fine-mesh structure look more airy and convey the edges of the object, with an increase in the density of the fibers, the transmission effect is stronger.

Much depends on the mobility of the mixtures: displacement leads to a decrease in throughput, but creates a unique pattern. It is important to understand: the technology for the production of transparent concrete with light transmittance does not allow it to be obtained directly on the construction site. The process of creating a separate panel is laborious and will take a long time (as well as their delivery from abroad), this should be taken into account when planning the timing of the work. If necessary (to obtain plates of the required thickness), the material is cut perpendicular to the laid threads.

Self-production

It is quite possible to create it with your own hands, the main thing is to achieve the maximum homogeneity of the solution and the immobility of the fiberglass. Recommended proportions are:

• 1 part cement;
• 2,3–3 sand without clay impurities and dust;
• 0.5 parts of pure water.

The volume of the light-conducting filler does not exceed 5% of the total mass of the solution, the diameter of the threads is 0.5–2.5 mm, and the length corresponds to the thickness of the concrete product. To reduce the mobility of the mixture, it is recommended to introduce modifying additives. Do-it-yourself kneading is not suitable, it is best to prepare the solution in forced mixers and in small portions. Water is introduced after the sand is combined with cement (ready-made mixtures are welcome), after the introduction of all components, the concrete is stirred for at least 5–8 minutes.

A sliding type of formwork is used. Transparent concrete stacked in stages: 0.5-1 cm of solution and slightly depressed fibers or bundles. Important: each subsequent layer is laid only after the previous one has set. After filling, the formwork is left motionless for 48–72 hours and only then removed. The minimum set of strength is 5–7 days, before that the product is kept at 20 ° C and humidity 95%. After hardening, all edges of the fibers are covered with cement; to achieve transmissive properties, the surface needs finishing - grinding of the side faces with diamond discs.

The cost

In addition to the "transparent concrete" brand, these products are known to the consumer as litracon or luce (according to the European brands of the same name). The prices are indicated taking into account the conversion to the euro exchange rate; when planning a purchase, you should remember about additional delivery costs. It is possible to manufacture panels with individual parameters, up to the arrangement of fiberglass in the form of logos and pictures. In this case, the cost will be negotiable, just as when creating custom-made colored blocks with LED lighting systems, curved shapes or interior items.

stroitel-list.ru

Transparent concrete - do-it-yourself production technology

For over 50 years, concrete has been the most popular building material. Due to its high strength, density and resistance to temperature extremes, concrete bases last the longest. But, this material has rather meager aesthetic indicators, which significantly narrows the scope of its application in construction. To solve this problem, transparent concrete (or as it is also called light-transmitting or "Litracon") was developed. This is an innovative material that is just beginning to conquer the market. Let's take a closer look at what is included in this material, what properties it has and where it is used.

What is transparent concrete

This modification was designed by the Hungarian architect Aron Losonczi, who experimented with building materials. From his light hand Light-conducting concrete was born 15 years ago, which consists of:

• cement;
• fine-grained sand;
• fiber-optic fibers (filament diameter 0.5-2.5 mm), which act as a light-transmitting filler;
• specialized additives that improve the formability of a slow-moving solution.

Coarse-grained fillers are not used in the manufacture of translucent concrete.

Fiber optic glass strands must be certified. The documents indicate that the material is environmentally friendly.

It should be said right away that the cost of high-quality transparent concrete is very high, if you have the opportunity, it is better to order material from Europe. Nevertheless, domestic manufacturers have already begun to master the production technology of this unique composition. True, the price did not decrease much from this.

The cost of transparent concrete

Today, two companies Litracon and Lucem are selling this unique material on the Russian market. However, it should be borne in mind that these companies are not manufacturers. These are the intermediaries of the official European companies that produce the luminous concrete. Accordingly, the cost does not include delivery costs.

However, you can order decorative slabs in any size, shape or color. You can even buy canvases in which fiberglass fibers will be laid out in the form of a logo or product, as well as blocks equipped with LED lighting. Of course, the cost in this case will be several times higher.

If we talk about the price of "typical" panels from transparent material, then:

• A prefabricated panel Litracon Classic with a size of 1200 X 400 mm and a thickness of 25 mm will cost no less than 90,000 rubles. If the thickness is increased to 200 mm, then it will cost 320,000 rubles.
• The Litracube Lamp block measuring 221 X 175 X 175 mm and 25 mm thick will cost a little less. You can pay for it from 54,000 rubles.
• A slab of lightweight concrete from the Lucem company (1250 X 650 mm) with a thickness of 15-50 mm will cost at least 90,000 rubles.
• The luminous Lucem tabletop with a size of 1200 X 600 mm will cost 89,500 rubles.

Shipping costs are added to all prices.

Many believe that due to its transparent structure, such concrete has very low strength and other characteristics. Let's consider them in more detail.

Properties of transparent concrete

Despite its transparency, this material has the same properties as conventional concrete. Moreover, according to some indicators, it even surpasses its "gray brother". This is due to the fact that it contains fiberglass, which is an excellent reinforcing material.

The luminous material has the following characteristics:

• strength: for compression in the range of 20-35 MPa, for bending 30 Ptb, and for tension not less than 2;
• density - 2300 kg / cm3;
• thermal conductivity - 2.1 W / (m ∙ K);
• frost resistance up to F75;
• water resistance - W4-W8;
• sound insulation properties - 46 dB;
• water absorption within 6%.

In this case, the material that freely transmits the light beam is not affected by UV radiation. However, there is a risk of minor alkali silicate reactions occurring in the event of heavy rainfall. Therefore, it is better to choose products with a thinner cross-section of threads, then the damage will be minimal.

The thickness of transparent concrete slabs usually does not exceed 20 cm. However, this indicator in no way affects the light transmittance of the material. Even if the wall is 2 m thick, light will still pass through it freely.

During the day, the slabs let in natural light, and at night - artificial light, which makes it possible to achieve very unusual design solutions both in the interior of the apartment and during construction country house.

Scope of application of transparent concrete

Since the blocks are available in any size and color, polished or matte, their scope is not limited. Products of this type can be used in construction. They are optimal for interior decoration of premises, as well as for construction:

• partitions;
• stairs;
• inserts and much more.

The luminous panel can be used along with standard concrete products. However, the cost of a transparent building material is so high that it is used only in the construction of buildings of special architectural significance.

If we talk about ordinary citizens, then they often use this unusual composite for manufacturing:

• benches;
• countertops;
• shells;
• decorative fountains;
• illuminated niches in the walls.

If you spend money on small panels, you can make a cube out of them and place a lamp inside it. This way you get a very unusual lamp.

Also, you can make a bar counter from transparent concrete, which will separate the kitchen and bedroom in a studio apartment.

Of course, no one wants to buy panels for an ordinary night light worth 90,000 rubles. In this case, you can try to make a transparent composite on your own.

How to make clear concrete

First of all, it should be said that specialized equipment is required to produce such a composite. Since the components of the composition are stacked in layers, processing is required after each subsequent layer. However, there are artisanal methods that allow you to prepare a material that resembles transparent concrete with your own hands.

This will require:

• 1 share of PC;
• 2.5-3 shares of sand (it should not contain loam and dust);
• light-conducting filler - (no more than 5% of the total mass of the batch);
• modifying additives.
• 0.5 parts of running water.

The solution is mixed in a forced mixer (it is better to prepare concrete in small portions). Sand and cement must be displaced first. After that, water is added to the mixture, and the solution is stirred for at least 6 minutes. In the next stages, the sliding formwork is prepared, and the following operations are performed:

1. A layer of concrete with a height of about 0.5-1 cm is laid into the formwork.
2. A layer of fibers is laid on it (they need to be pressed a little into the solution).
3. After that, you need to wait until the layer "grabs".
4. The procedure is repeated until the formwork is completely filled.

After that, you need to wait about 72 hours and remove the formwork. For a week, the workpiece must be stored at a temperature of +20 degrees and an air humidity of at least 95%. After 7 days, the concrete will gain maximum strength, then the surfaces can be sanded. For finishing, it is best to use diamond discs.

The finished blocks are mounted using standard masonry mixes. For gluing products, you can use epoxy resin with quartz filler.

In custody

Transparent concrete is very expensive, so nobody uses it to build houses. However, if used for decorative purposes, it can achieve a stunning effect.

zamesbetona.ru

Translucent concrete: how it was created and where it is used

Modern building material - transparent concrete, opens up new possibilities for the construction and decoration of buildings

Anyone on the planet knows what concrete looks like: gray rough walls are familiar to everyone. Popularity concrete mortar very high, because, despite its external unattractiveness, this building material is very durable and quite economical.

But science does not stand still, and today we will talk about a new material that has received the international name LiTraCon (litracon) or translucent concrete. Let's analyze what it consists of the new kind concrete, what is it used for, and is it possible to make glass concrete with your own hands.

Litracon technology allows you to create various drawings in blocks, including the image of trademarks

When, by whom and why?

Concrete pouring of any form of formwork creates a very strong structure with a very long service life. The initial plasticity of the material and the maximum strength after hardening make it very popular in the construction market all over the world.

But among the many advantages of concrete, it has several disadvantages. The main one is the external unattractiveness of the resulting surface. Due to the grayness, concrete surfaces require an obligatory decorative finishing.

Who came up with transparent concrete and when?

In 2001, the Hungarian architect Aron Loskonshi took a look at the problem of concrete surfaces from the inside. He decided that the external unattractiveness of concrete could be corrected not with external decorative materials, but by changing its internal structure. As a result of a cycle of experiments, a new, technologically advanced building material was born - transparent concrete.

Hungarian architect Aron Loskonshi with his invention - transparent concrete

Transparent concrete, which has a very attractive appearance, did not immediately gain popularity. It was first used as a material for the construction of parts of buildings and structures in Europe, in Germany in 2005.

Transparent concrete blocks came to Russia in 2012. And in our country, its use is rather limited. There are no domestic analogues of this material, and its import from abroad is quite expensive. The price of a 10 kg block is about 600 euros excluding shipping and customs duties.

For what?

The transparency of the litracon is rather relative. In terms of light transmission, it is difficult to compare with glass. However, using blocks to build walls or partitions can significantly reduce the amount of electricity consumed by allowing natural light to enter the room.

At the same time, you will not be inside the glass cube, the translucent blocks retain a certain intimacy: through the litracon wall you can only distinguish a silhouette or guess the color - provided that there is independent lighting.

On a note! The thickness of a block or panel of transparent concrete does not in any way affect its light transmittance. The main condition for manifestation this effect - the presence of a light source.

The difference in the light transmittance of litracon concrete and ordinary glass

Transparent concrete

In essence, clear concrete is fiberglass blocks that are poured with concrete. In addition to visual appeal, the author of the invention was looking for a way to provide light access to a concrete building, while not violating the main strength characteristics.

Definition and composition

Conventional concrete blocks are a mixture of cement, sand and gravel. The transparency of the material is achieved by adding optical fiber to the composition.

This eliminates the need to use coarse aggregate and additional internal reinforcement. Therefore, transparent concrete blocks do not differ in strength from ordinary concrete, while receiving additional aesthetic appeal.

The mass fraction of optical fiber in transparent concrete blocks is no more than 5%. The diameter of the glass fibers used can vary, but range from 2 microns to 2 mm. The main volume is filled with cement and fine-grained refined sand.

On a note! In comparison with conventional concrete composition, this material has a much lower weight, but at the same time it becomes much stronger.

Fiberglass creates a reflective matrix that allows the concrete to transmit light

Performance characteristics

So, we found out that the fiber optic in concrete gives the blocks the ability to transmit light. And what about the other characteristics of concrete that are so attractive to builders?

Fiberglass is at the same time a reinforcing element of reinforcement, due to which transparent blocks acquire higher indicators of the following properties:

• resistance to the damaging effects of moisture;
• bending and compressive strength of the material;
• resistance to temperature changes.

At the same time, indicators on the level of environmental friendliness, fire safety, sound and heat insulation are preserved. Also transparent concrete is not exposed to ultraviolet rays.

It will not fade or change the pattern. The modern construction market offers for purchase blocks of translucent concrete in black, gray and white.

Application area

At the moment, litracon has gained immense popularity among interior designers and building designers, both in the field of low-rise construction and in the field of industrial development. The transparent concrete blocks fit perfectly into the structure of modern and high-tech buildings.

They produce blocks and panels of translucent concrete, which are used with great success:

• as the main material of load-bearing walls;

The walls of the office building are lined with transparent concrete blocks

• for interior and exterior cladding of building surfaces, including floors;

Interior finishing with transparent concrete slabs

• for the formation of zonal fences and the device of interior partitions;

Translucent front wall of the administrative counter of the reception area

MAF (small architectural forms) is made of transparent concrete: benches, fountains, shades for street lamps.

Elements of MAF from transparent concrete

Like any stone with an interesting structure, transparent concrete has found its application as a finishing material for stair steps, countertops and in the manufacture of sanitary furniture. In the photo below, examples of the successful use of the material of the Litracon brand:

Manufacturing process

Transparent concrete production technology is not a complicated process. The high cost of the material is due not to labor costs for production, but to the cost of fiber, which is part of the blocks and panels. A layer of concrete without a coarse-grained component is poured into the formwork, then glass fiber is pressed into the solution and the layer dries.

Then the process is repeated. The filling of the next layer always occurs after the previous one has grabbed. Thus, transparent concrete is obtained: the technology of its production is not a science-intensive or labor-intensive process. It is quite possible to carry out work on the manufacture of glass concrete on your own.

We make litracon on our own

Due to the high cost of branded material, many are trying to make transparent concrete with their own hands. Technologically, this process is very simple, but there are also some nuances here. The trick is to keep the exact proportions of all components, as well as the fillers.

In addition, it is very important to respect the stacking vector of the fiberglass strands.

To make block or panel glass concrete with your own hands, you need to prepare the following materials:

The concrete solution is prepared in the traditional proportion of one to three. Water is added as needed, based on the mass fraction of cement, but the amount of water in the solution should not exceed 50% of the total volume.

Important! Mixing should be done carefully, for which it is necessary to use special equipment (concrete mixer), the state of which must be absolutely clean.

The instructions for filling blocks are as follows:

1. A box is assembled from a floating, upwardly movable formwork;
2. The first thin layer of concrete mortar is poured inside the formwork;
3. Fiberglass is placed in the solution and recessed;
4. The fill is left in a state of rest until the concrete sets.

Then the process is repeated. required amount times, before reaching full height. After the last layer of the fill has set, the formwork is removed. This usually happens 48 to 72 hours after the last layer was filled.

Important! After removing the formwork, the block is allowed to lie down in conditions of room temperature and average humidity for 3 to 5 days.

The finished block is sanded and polished to a mirror finish from the side of the working surface, which is perpendicular to the direction of laying the fiberglass threads. You can learn more about the process of self-production of translucent concrete blocks by watching the video in this article.

Installation of panels and blocks

Translucent concrete blocks or panels can be used to decorate facades and to form interior surfaces. The blocks are laid out on a cement-lime binder mortar, or using adhesives based on epoxy resins and quartz flour. The strength of the walls obtained is not inferior to concrete masonry, and meets all the requirements for the load-bearing elements of the building structure.

The transparent concrete panels are fixed to the frame or anchoring. Their design is similar to the technology of ventilated facades. The panels can also be stacked as flooring... The strength of the material does not depend on the thickness of the tiles.

The photo clearly shows that the panels of transparent concrete blocks are mounted on metal carcass walls

Conclusion

Modern transparent concrete has very interesting external characteristics, while retaining all the valuable performance properties of ordinary concrete. This combination makes it very attractive for the construction of concrete buildings with unusual structural elements. If the price of the material seems very high, you can make light-permeable concrete blocks with your own hands.

beton-house.com

What is transparent concrete?

The cornerstone modern architecture you can safely call concrete, because no serious project can do without it. However, the aesthetic component of structures made from it most often lost and could be partially compensated due to the scale, intricacy and complexity of the forms. This was until 2001, when a young Hungarian architect invented transparent concrete, the fine-grained structure of which included glass fiber-optic strands. Now the idea of \u200b\u200bit can change significantly - Lucem (one of the names of the innovation) acquires signs of airy decorativeness.

1. Application
2. Is it possible to do it yourself
3. Acquisition

Characteristics and properties

The light-conducting structure is a solid and durable substance penetrated by many thin glass fibers. Due to the technological complexity of the execution, the price of transparent concrete is quite high - about € 4000 per m2 with a thickness of 200 mm, therefore it is produced exclusively to order in the form of rectangular slabs, the dimensions of which are negotiated with the customer.

Despite some external extravagance and seeming weightlessness, Litracon retains the structural characteristics of ordinary concrete: strength, water resistance, noise and heat insulation.

Moreover, thanks to the reinforcing action of fiberglass, certain indicators are significantly improved:

• frost resistance - F 50;
• moisture absorption - up to 6%;
• compressive strength - M250 and bending strength - Ptb30.

At the same time, the light-conducting properties of lucim do not depend on its thickness. The raw materials used in the production of light-conducting concrete are certified and, before entering the plant, undergo an environmental examination, this allows us to produce guaranteed clean and safe products.

The technological complexity of obtaining transparent concrete does not allow obtaining it, like usual, by pouring it into the formwork right at the installation site. It is produced at specialized industrial enterprises with the appropriate equipment.

The technology for the production of concrete with glass fiber-optic threads involves the layer-by-layer application of a fine-grained mortar and fiberglass. After setting and gaining the necessary strength, the surface of each block is additionally processed to give the specified mass parameters and achieve the desired light-conducting characteristics.

Application

The first piece of light-conducting concrete was a fancy cube-shaped lamp made for demonstration purposes. Weighed this item home interior more than 10 kg. Since it caused an unprecedented excitement, it can still be purchased at innovation exhibitions for 570 €.

Basically, transparent or light-conducting concrete is used in the latest architectural compositions for decorative purposes, for the embodiment of bold design solutions in urban design, for the creation of original interior elements. The fantasy of designers and artists is so far limited only by the high cost, if a way is found to get around this obstacle, the world will expect many amazing innovations.

How to make it yourself

The difficulty of independent production is to include 4% of the total mass of fiber in the structure, while the threads must be oriented in a strictly defined way.

In order to get a litrocon with your own hands, you should stock up on all the necessary materials:

• dry fine-grained mixture for concrete;
• clean water;
• fiberglass (diameter 0.25 ÷ 3 mm) of the same length, corresponding to the thickness of the future slab.

First of all, you need to make a structure that resembles a box, but in fact is a sliding formwork. As the concrete sets, it should smoothly move up. Place a rectangular box of specified dimensions on a flat horizontal surface. A small amount of ready-made concrete should be poured onto the bottom, fixing its amount, and distributed in a thin layer.

On the formed pillow across the mold, gently, evenly lay the fibers and slightly drown them. After the composition has set, pour in the next portion of the liquid concrete mortar and place the fiberglass on its surface again. Repeat the procedure until the final filling of the form.

After the last layer has hardened, the formwork is removed and the side surfaces of the slab are sanded and polished, in relation to which the fibers are perpendicular. If everything is done correctly, then the prototype of the product is ready. The work will take time, perseverance and perseverance, but the result is worth it. Based on the experience gained, subsequent products may be of higher quality.

Buy in Moscow

Overseas, transparent concrete is very expensive, to which were added the costs associated with transportation and customs. However, domestic engineering thought does not stand still, and now in our country they have learned to produce such a structural material, the cost of which, as they say, is much lower than abroad. In Moscow, you can buy Luce both imported and domestically produced. At the same time, the quality of the optical characteristics of concrete is beyond doubt, but the prices, alas, are not transparent. You can find them out only if the order for the products is completed and the manager is convinced of the seriousness of the client's intentions.

Light-transmitting building materials are the result of innovative and expensive building technologies. Fiberglass with a percentage of no more than 5% is used as a light-conducting filler, which allows maintaining the basic properties of concrete: tensile and compressive strength, water resistance, frost resistance. At the same time, the design potential of the material is enormous: being not completely transparent, the blocks transmit light and shade and change the pattern when the lighting changes.

In the absence of a coarse filler, fiberglass acts as an analogue of fiber and withstands internal and external loads and deformations. The only drawback is the high prices (from 90,000 rubles per 1 m2), the technology of transparent light-conducting concrete is still being mastered by Russian manufacturers and is considered expensive.

The raw material is cement, sand with a fineness modulus of 2-3, fiber-optic fiber with a filament diameter of 0.5 to 2.5 mm, modifying additives to improve the formability of low-mobile solutions. There is no coarse filler, the percentage of light transmitting is within 4–5%. The optical characteristics of fiberglass and the environmental friendliness of raw materials in the finished product are certified; it is completely safe for humans, even with the introduction of plastic resins. In fact, transparent concrete has the same properties as regular concrete:

• strength: in compression within 20–35 MPa, in bending tensile - not less than 2;
• density - 2300 kg / cm3;
• thermal conductivity - 2.1 W / (m ∙ K);
• frost resistance up to 75 cycles;
• water permeability grade: W4 – W8;
• water absorption: no more than 6%;
• sound insulation - 46 dB.

The material does not burn, is not afraid of UV rays, there is a risk of alkaline-silicate reactions of fiberglass with cement under the influence of atmospheric precipitation, but due to the thin cross-section of the threads, it is minimal. During the day, concrete lets in natural light, at night - artificial. In theory, the thickness of the boards is not limited, in practice it does not exceed 20 cm due to the current possibilities of laying fiberglass. The production of transparent concrete is constantly improving, but it is still an exclusive and expensive technology.

Scope of application

The manufacturer produces blocks and slabs in white, black and gray, with specially treated surfaces (polished or matte). This concrete is used for decorative purposes, due to the high cost, full-fledged wall construction is possible only during the construction of unique objects. It is optimal for interior decoration: partitions, cladding with lighting fixtures under the tiles, stairs, inserts. Furniture and interior items made of transparent composite have an original look: benches, countertops, lamps, sinks.

The blocks are connected with a cement or lime-based mortar or compositions of epoxy resins and quartz chips. Such masonry meets building and fire safety standards and is suitable for the construction of load-bearing walls. In addition to mortar for fasteners, they buy anchor bolts or frame structures, the panels can be floor-mounted. The only limitation of the application is the high price of transparent concrete; for private construction, it is advisable to try to make it yourself.

Production technology

The process is a layer-by-layer application of fiberglass threads and a fine-grained concrete mixture. After gaining strength, transparent concrete is processed: grinding and polishing. This is necessary to obtain optimal light transmission characteristics and enhance the decorative effect. Optical properties do not depend on the thickness of the plates, but on the uniformity of the distribution of threads and their percentage. Blocks with a fine-mesh structure look more airy and convey the edges of the object, with an increase in the density of the fibers, the transmission effect is stronger.

Much depends on the mobility of the mixtures: displacement leads to a decrease in throughput, but creates a unique pattern. It is important to understand: the technology for the production of transparent concrete with light transmittance does not allow it to be obtained directly on the construction site. The process of creating a separate panel is laborious and will take a long time (as well as their delivery from abroad), this should be taken into account when planning the timing of the work. If necessary (to obtain plates of the required thickness), the material is cut perpendicular to the laid threads.

Self-production

It is quite possible to create it with your own hands, the main thing is to achieve the maximum homogeneity of the solution and the immobility of the fiberglass. Recommended proportions are:

• 1 part cement;
• 2,3–3 sand without clay impurities and dust;
• 0.5 parts of pure water.

The volume of the light-conducting filler does not exceed 5% of the total mass of the solution, the diameter of the threads is 0.5–2.5 mm, and the length corresponds to the thickness of the concrete product. To reduce the mobility of the mixture, it is recommended to introduce modifying additives. Do-it-yourself kneading is not suitable, it is best to prepare the solution in forced mixers and in small portions. Water is introduced after the sand is combined with cement (ready-made mixtures are welcome), after the introduction of all components, the concrete is stirred for at least 5–8 minutes.

A sliding type of formwork is used. Transparent concrete is laid in stages: 0.5–1 cm of mortar and slightly depressed fibers or bundles. Important: each subsequent layer is laid only after the previous one has set. After filling, the formwork is left motionless for 48–72 hours and only then is it removed. The minimum set of strength is 5–7 days, before that the product is kept at 20 ° C and humidity 95%. After hardening, all edges of the fibers are covered with cement; to achieve transmissive properties, the surface needs finishing - grinding of the side faces with diamond discs.

The cost

In addition to the "transparent concrete" brand, these products are known to the consumer as litracon or luce (according to the European brands of the same name). The prices are indicated taking into account the conversion to the euro exchange rate; when planning a purchase, you should remember about additional delivery costs. It is possible to manufacture panels with individual parameters, up to the arrangement of fiberglass in the form of logos and pictures. In this case, the cost will be negotiable, just as when creating custom-made colored blocks with LED lighting systems, curved shapes or interior items.

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Almost any large-scale construction process involves the use of concrete mixes. The solution acts as the basis in the formation of the foundation, walls are built from it, ceilings are performed and other tasks are implemented. At the same time, the external unsightly concrete does not bother anyone - it is skillfully masked facing materials, therefore, this nuance does not cause any special problems. Nevertheless, the Hungarian engineer Aron Loshontsi decided to add another quality to the list of characteristics of the gray material - light transmission. This is how transparent Illumicon concrete appeared, which has many differences from traditional mixtures. This applies not only to appearance, but also to the original structure due to the manufacturing technology.

Concrete composition

The basis is still an ordinary mortar prepared from a fine-grained cement mass. The technology itself has revolutionized the concept of concrete only due to the unusual combination of the usual basic mixture and fiber-optic fiber. These are the threads that are used in telecommunication networks. It is due to the combination of these components that transparent concrete is formed. The composition of the base mortar also provides for the use of cement and water in accordance with the technical requirements. As for the fibers, their parameters are selected according to special criteria.

As a rule, technologists do not recommend preparing masses in which the proportion of the content of optical elements exceeds 5%. This affects the strength and durability of the material. On the other hand, the very quality that determines the transparency depends on the percentage of glass fiber content. Most often, transparent concrete is produced using fibers, the thickness of which does not exceed 2 millimeters.

Manufacturing technology

Like the traditional method of creating concrete, in this case, work begins with the arrangement of the formwork. Next, a solution is poured into it. It is important to note here that the mix for concrete itself involves the inclusion of components with different characteristics... There are fine-grained solutions, and in some cases it is appropriate to add crushed stone. It is the first option, without the inclusion of coarse fillers, that makes it possible to obtain high-quality transparent concrete. The technology in terms of the use of fiber optic threads provides for some kind of reinforcement. A key material characteristic, the ability to provide visibility, also depends on the placement of the fibers. Another fundamental difference from the classical method of making concrete is the need to refine the already hardened mortar. Firstly, the formwork is released, after which the monolith can be cut into individual blocks with the desired shape. Secondly, the formed litracon is carefully polished.

Characteristics of transparent concrete

Since the basis of the material is a completely familiar fine-grained solution, its technical properties are in many respects similar to ordinary fine-grained concretes - for example, the M250 brand. However, the presence of about 5% of a foreign element in the form of fiberglass still causes a number of differences. As for the density, it varies from 2100 to 2400 kg / m 3. This indicator is superior to foam and aerated concrete counterparts, but with heavy compositions in terms of density, litracon cannot compete. But transparent concrete shows good water resistance and frost resistance. Since the average compressive strength does not allow the use of a light-conducting material as a basic basis for the construction of large construction projects, it is advisable to initially calculate the load on the material. If, nevertheless, there is a task of making critical structures from litracon, then it is better to consider options for introducing additional plasticizers and additives that increase strength.

Applications

Nevertheless, litracon is not intended for use as a building material, on which high power loads can be imposed. Moreover, pouring a foundation from a fiberglass solution does not make sense, since the light transmission capacity in this case will not be expressed in any way. The main direction of its use is the device of architectural compositions with decorative properties. Both in the creation of outdoor design objects, and in the decoration of interiors, transparent concrete is successfully used. Its use is primarily due to aesthetic considerations, although the technical and physical qualities of the material are not discarded. One way or another, the basic set of components for a litracon makes it similar to a conventional one that can cope with the loads in small architectural structures.

Pros and cons of clear concrete

The main advantage of this material lies in the combination of seemingly incomparable performance. This is a decorative effect and strength potential, corresponding in its performance to lightweight concrete. As for the disadvantages, the average strength indicators are not even taken into account by specialists. The high price is much more significant. It is the inclusion of fiber-optic filaments in transparent concrete that increases the cost of making the solution.

How to make it yourself?

The highest quality performances of such concretes are produced in the factory and are already sold in the form of design objects ready for use. But if you wish, you can make a litracon yourself. The main challenge will be the correct placement of the fiberglass strands. If the production of transparent concrete at specialized plants involves the operation of automated machines that form layers of fiberglass, then at home this work will have to be done manually. A formwork structure is also formed, and then rows of light-transmitting threads are created layer by layer. In parallel, sequential filling of layers with portions of the solution is performed. At the same time, it is important to observe the concentration of fibers in the total mass so that the concrete retains a sufficient margin of safety.

Conclusion

Quite often, an improvement in the characteristics of a familiar building material leads to a change in the directions of its use. Despite the similarity to classic mortars, transparent concrete is used primarily as a decorative object. To obtain a reliable power base, it is quite advisable to use conventional formulations, the aesthetic appeal of which does not matter in the course of operation. Litracon, on the contrary, is not of particular interest from the point of view of carrying capacity, but it is best revealed in the form of an original design element.