translucent concrete. transparent concrete. Composition, properties, application, do-it-yourself production What transparent concrete is made of

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

Origin story

Due to the excellent performance, concrete mix 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 began to be in great demand and found a response in the hearts of many designers and architects. Currently, it has practically no competitors that can boast of similar strength, reliability and beauty.

Creator new technology"Litracon", which allows the material to transmit light, was the Hungarian architect Aron Loskonshi.

The skilled craftsman was faced with the task of making the wall structures light-transmitting, and at the same time not harming their strength in any way. When searching optimal solutions the architect decided to change the internal structure of the concrete by adding a 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.

Advantages and Features

The composition of light-transmitting concrete contains only safe components that previously undergo an environmental 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, only the fact that the litracon is almost impossible to obtain in the formwork at the construction site stands out. 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 use the method of layering fiberglass and fine-grained concrete mixture. As soon as the solution finally sets and gains the desired strength, the surface of the block 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 bizarre lamp in the form of a cube based on the material, the weight of which was about 10 kilograms. Soon, the scope of litracon began to expand, and he began to actively capture the building materials market.

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

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

Technology overview

The production of light-conducting concrete is carried out according to a complex patented technology, which is constantly being modernized and acquires a lot of changes. However, transparent concrete composition still cannot be created monolithic structures, because there are no ideal strength parameters.

The features of the technology are as follows:

It should be noted that the technology of vibrocasting 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 vibrocasting technology, it is important to take care of some working tools and equipment. Among them:

1. Container for mixing 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 that provide better fluidity of the slow-moving solution.
4. Water without all kinds of chemical impurities.

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

Composition and preparation

To successfully create a 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 is created cubic meter light-conducting 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 the step by step guide which is provided on the packaging. Initially, loose 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 may be increased.

Performance properties and applications

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

1. Compressive strength - up to 35 MPa.
2. Bending 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 translucent material, it is not customary to use a large filler. As a result, the optical fiber plays the role of a reinforcing additive.

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

However, due to the high strength characteristics, all kinds of internal partitions and components are constructed from composite light-transmitting blocks. 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. Polov.
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 brands

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 produce material, but are distributors of leading European manufacturing companies. As a result, the cost of products is growing due to the need to deliver to the Russian space.

In any case, a wide variety of decorative plates with any sizes, shapes and colors are offered for sale. If desired, 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 at a price of 90 thousand rubles. With an increase in thickness to 200 millimeters, 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 material. Fortunately, with some effort, a litracon can be created independently. To do this, you need to perform several actions:

1. Prepare formwork with suitable size rectangular shape.
2. Run the first layer of mortar and lightly compact it.
3. Lay out the optical fiber and press into the solution.
4. Wait until the consistency hardens.

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 become several times less than that of factory counterparts. At the same time, the decorative effect of the material will remain identical.

If mobile mixtures are used during operation, this will achieve the effect of uneven distribution. Although this approach will slightly reduce light transmission, it will give a unique surface pattern.

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

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 then needs to 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 bundles are tightened with concrete milk, which prevents the free passage of the light source. To grind the working side of the blocks, which is perpendicular to the direction of laying the fiber, you need to apply diamond discs.

Without a doubt, translucent concrete is a real work of construction art. This material has many unique properties and characteristics, including excellent strength, durability and decorative appeal. With it, you can equip wall partitions, giving buildings unique properties and adding sunlight.

If there is no financial opportunity 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 correctly calculate the proportions.

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

In the absence of coarse-grained filler, fiberglass acts as an analogue of fiber and withstands internal and external loads and deformations. The only drawback is 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.

Composition and properties of the material

The raw materials are cement, sand with a size modulus of 2–3, fiber optic fiber with a thread diameter of 0.5 to 2.5 mm, modifying additives to improve the formability of low-mobility solutions. There is no coarse-grained filler; the percentage of light-transmitting filler lies in the range of 4-5%. The optical characteristics of fiberglass and the environmental friendliness of the raw materials of the finished product are certified, it is completely safe for humans, even if plastic resins are introduced. In fact, the transparent type of concrete has the same properties as the normal one:

• strength: compressive within 20–35 MPa, tensile in bending - at least 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 alkali-silicate reactions of fiberglass with cement under the influence of atmospheric precipitation, but due to the thin 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 being improved, but is still an exclusive and expensive technology.

Scope of application

The manufacturer produces blocks and slabs of white, black and gray color, with specially treated surfaces (polished or matt). This concrete is used for decorative purposes, because of the high cost, the full construction of walls is possible only when building unique objects. It is optimal for interior decoration: partitions, cladding with laying lamps under the tiles, stairs, inserts. original look has furniture and interior items made of transparent composite: benches, countertops, lamps, sinks.

The blocks are connected with a cement or lime-based mortar or with compositions of epoxy resins and quartz chips. Such masonry complies with building and fire safety standards and is suitable for the construction of load-bearing walls. In addition to the solution 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 imposition of fiberglass filaments and a fine-grained concrete mixture. After curing, transparent concrete undergoes processing: 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.

A lot depends on the mobility of the mixtures: the 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-transmitting abilities does not allow it to be obtained directly on the construction site. The process of creating a separate panel is time-consuming and time-consuming (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 desired thickness), the material is cut perpendicular to the laid threads.

Self-manufacturing

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

• 1 part cement;
• 2.3–3 sand without clay impurities and dust;
• 0.5 parts 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, 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 mixed 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 pressed 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 curing time is 5-7 days, before that the product is kept at 20 °C and 95% humidity. After hardening, all the edges of the fibers are covered with cement; in order to achieve transmissive properties, the surface needs finishing - grinding the side faces with diamond discs.

Price

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). Prices are given taking into account the conversion to the euro exchange rate, when planning a purchase, you should be aware of the additional costs of delivery. It is possible to produce panels with individual parameters, up to the arrangement of fiberglass in the form of logos and paintings. In this case, the cost will be negotiable, as with the creation of custom-made colored blocks with LED lighting systems, curved shapes or interior items.

stroitel-list.ru

Transparent concrete - do-it-yourself production technology

For more than 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 us consider in more detail what is included in the composition of this material, what properties it has and where it is used.

What is transparent concrete

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

• cement;
• fine-grained sand;
• fiber optic fibers (thread 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 fractional fillers are not used in the manufacture of translucent concrete.

Fiber-optic glass filaments 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, then 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 of this has not decreased much.

The cost of transparent concrete

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

However, you can order decorative tiles in any size, shape or color. You can even purchase 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 many times higher.

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

• The Litracon Classic prefabricated panel with a size of 1200 X 400 mm and a thickness of 25 mm will cost at least 90,000 rubles. If the thickness is increased to 200 mm, then it will cost 320,000 rubles.
• A little cheaper will be the Litracube Lamp block with a size of 221 X 175 X 175 mm and a thickness of 25 mm. You can pay for it from 54,000 rubles.
• A lightweight concrete slab from Lucem (1250 X 650 mm) with a thickness of 15-50 mm will cost at least 90,000 rubles.
• A luminous tabletop Lucem 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 ordinary concrete. Moreover, in some respects, he even surpasses his "gray brother". This is due to the fact that it contains fiberglass, which is an excellent reinforcing material.

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;
• soundproofing properties - 46 dB;
• water absorption within 6%.

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

The thickness of transparent concrete slabs usually does not exceed 20 cm. However, this indicator does not affect the light transmission of the material. Even if the wall thickness is 2 m, the light will still pass freely through it.

During the day, the plates let in natural light, and at night - artificial, thanks to which you can achieve very unusual design solutions both in the interior of the apartment and during construction country house.

Scope 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, as well as during the construction of:

• partitions;
• stairs;
• inserts and more.

Luminous panels can be used on a par 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 the manufacture of:

• 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. Thus, you will 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 worth 90,000 rubles for an ordinary night light. In this case, you can try to make a transparent composite on your own.

How to prepare transparent concrete

First of all, it should be said that specialized equipment is required for the production of 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 running water.

The solution is kneaded in a forced mixer (it is better to prepare concrete in small portions). First, sand and cement must be displaced. After that, water is added to the mixture, and the solution is stirred for at least 6 minutes. At the following 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 out in 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 structure is completely filled.

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

Finished blocks are mounted using standard masonry mixtures. Epoxy resin with quartz filler can be used for gluing products.

In custody

Transparent concrete is very expensive, so no one uses it to build houses. However, if you use it for decorative purposes, you can achieve a stunning effect.

zamesbetona.ru

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

Modern construction material– transparent concrete, opens up new possibilities for 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 see what it consists of the new kind concrete, what it is used for, and whether it is possible to make glass concrete with your own hands.

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

When, by whom and why?

Pouring with concrete mortar of any formwork form creates a very strong structure with a very long service life. The initial plasticity of the material and maximum strength after hardening make it very popular in the construction market around 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 grayness, concrete surfaces require mandatory decorative finishes.

Who and when invented transparent concrete?

In 2001, Hungarian architect Aron Loskonshi looked at the problem of concrete surfaces from the inside. He decided that the external unattractiveness of concrete could be corrected not by external decorative materials, but by changing its internal structure. As a result of a cycle of experiments, a new, technological 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. As a material for the construction of parts of buildings and structures, it was first used in Europe, in Germany in 2005.

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

For what?

The transparency of litracon is quite relative. According to the degree of light transmission, it is difficult to compare it with glass. However, the use of blocks to build walls or partitions can significantly reduce the amount of electricity consumed by allowing natural light into the room.

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

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

The difference between the light transmission capacity of concrete litracon and ordinary glass

transparent concrete

In fact, transparent concrete is fiberglass blocks filled with concrete mortar. In addition to external attractiveness, 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 crushed stone. The transparency of the material is achieved by adding optical fiber to the composition.

At the same time, there is no 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 blocks of transparent concrete is no more than 5%. The diameter of the glass fiber used can vary, but ranges from 2 microns to 2 mm. The main volume is filled with cement and fine-grained cleaned sand.

On a note! Compared to conventional concrete, this material has a much lower weight, but at the same time it becomes much stronger.

Fiberglass creates a reflective matrix that allows light to pass through.

Performance characteristics

So, we found out that the fiber in the concrete gives the blocks the ability to transmit light. But 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 rates of the following properties:

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

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

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

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. 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 made of transparent concrete blocks.

• for internal and external cladding of building surfaces, including floors;

Internal finishing with transparent concrete slabs

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

Translucent facade wall of the administrative desk of the reception area

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

MAF elements made of transparent concrete

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

Production process

The technology for the production of transparent concrete is not a complicated process. The high cost of the material is due not to labor costs for production, but to the cost of the optical fiber that is part of the blocks and panels. A layer of concrete without a large-fraction component is poured into the formwork, then fiberglass is pressed into the solution and the layer dries.

Then the process is repeated. The pouring of the next layer always occurs after the previous one has set. In this way, transparent concrete is obtained: its production technology 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 a 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 some nuances here. The trick is to keep the exact proportions of all components, as well as fillers.

In addition, it is very important to observe the fiberglass filament laying vector.

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 ratio 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 condition of which must be absolutely clean.

Instructions for pouring blocks are as follows:

1. A box is assembled from a floating, upwardly moving formwork;
2. The first thin layer of concrete mortar is poured inside the formwork;
3. Fiberglass is laid and embedded in the solution;
4. The pour is left at rest until the concrete sets.

The process is then repeated required amount times until reaching full height. After the last layer of filling has set, the formwork is removed. This usually happens 48 to 72 hours after the last layer has been poured.

Important! After removing the formwork, the block is allowed to rest at room temperature and medium humidity for 3-5 days.

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

Installation of panels and blocks

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

Panels made of transparent concrete are mounted on a frame or on anchors. Their device is similar to the technology of ventilated facades. Panels can also be laid as floor covering. The strength of the material does not depend on the thickness of the tile.

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 maintaining all the valuable performance qualities of ordinary concrete. This combination makes it very attractive in the construction of concrete buildings with unusual building blocks. If the price of the material seems very high, you can make translucent concrete blocks with your own hands.

betonhouse.com

What is transparent concrete?

cornerstone modern architecture you can safely call concrete, because no serious project can do without it. However, the aesthetic component of structures made of it most often lost and could be partially compensated due to the scale, intricacy and complexity of forms. This was until, in 2001, a young Hungarian architect invented transparent concrete, the fine-grained structure of which included glass fiber optic filaments. Now the idea of ​​​​it can change significantly - Lucem (one of the names of the innovation) is acquiring 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 execution, the price of transparent concrete is quite high - about € 4,000 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 the fiberglass individual indicators 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 lucem do not depend on its thickness. The raw materials used in the production of light-conducting concrete are certified and undergo an environmental assessment before entering the plant, which allows us to produce guaranteed clean and safe products.

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

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

Application

The first product made of light-conducting concrete was a bizarre cube-shaped lamp made for demonstration purposes. Weighed this item home interior over 10 kg. Since it caused an unprecedented stir, 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, to implement bold design solutions in urban design, and to create original interior elements. The imagination of designers and artists is currently only limited by high cost, if a way is found to get around this obstacle, the world will have many amazing innovations.

How to make your own

The complexity of independent production lies in the fact that 4% of the fiber of the total mass is included 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 mix for concrete;
• clean water;
• fiberglass (diameter 0.25 ÷ 3 mm) of the same length corresponding to the thickness of the future plate.

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 move upwards smoothly. Install a box of rectangular shape and specified dimensions on a flat horizontal surface. At the bottom you need to pour a small amount of ready-made concrete, fixing its amount, and distribute it in a thin layer.

On the resulting pillow across the form, carefully, evenly lay the fibers and slightly drown them. After the composition has set, it is dosed to pour the next portion of the liquid concrete solution and again place fiberglass on its surface. Repeat the process until the form is completed.

After the last layer hardens, the formwork is removed and the side surfaces of the slab are ground 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 experience gained, subsequent products may be of higher quality.

Buy in Moscow

Translucent concrete is very expensive abroad, and the costs associated with transportation and customs were added to this. However, domestic engineering does not stand still, and now in our country they have learned how to produce a similar structural material, the cost of which, as they say, is much lower than abroad. In Moscow, you can buy Lutz 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 learn them only if the order for the products is placed 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. Glass fiber with a percentage of no more than 5% is used as a light-conducting filler, which allows you to maintain the basic properties of concrete: tensile and compressive strength, water resistance, frost resistance. At the same time, the design potential of the material is huge: being not completely transparent, the blocks let light and shade through and change the pattern when the lighting changes.

In the absence of coarse-grained filler, fiberglass acts as an analogue of fiber and withstands internal and external loads and deformations. The only drawback is 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 materials are cement, sand with a size modulus of 2–3, fiber optic fiber with a thread diameter of 0.5 to 2.5 mm, modifying additives to improve the formability of low-mobility solutions. There is no coarse-grained filler; the percentage of light-transmitting filler lies in the range of 4-5%. The optical characteristics of fiberglass and the environmental friendliness of the raw materials of the finished product are certified, it is completely safe for humans, even if plastic resins are introduced. In fact, the transparent type of concrete has the same properties as the normal one:

• strength: compressive within 20–35 MPa, tensile in bending - at least 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 alkali-silicate reactions of fiberglass with cement under the influence of atmospheric precipitation, but due to the thin 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 being improved, but 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, because of the high cost, the full construction of walls is possible only when building unique objects. It is optimal for interior decoration: partitions, cladding with laying lamps under the tiles, stairs, inserts. Furniture and interior items made of a 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 complies with building and fire safety standards and is suitable for the construction of load-bearing walls. In addition to the solution 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 imposition of fiberglass filaments and a fine-grained concrete mixture. After curing, transparent concrete undergoes processing: 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.

A lot depends on the mobility of the mixtures: the 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-transmitting abilities does not allow it to be obtained directly on the construction site. The process of creating a separate panel is time-consuming and time-consuming (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 desired thickness), the material is cut perpendicular to the laid threads.

Self-manufacturing

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

• 1 part cement;
• 2.3–3 sand without clay impurities and dust;
• 0.5 parts 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, 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 mixed 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 pressed 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 curing time is 5-7 days, before that the product is kept at 20 °C and 95% humidity. After hardening, all the edges of the fibers are covered with cement; in order to achieve transmissive properties, the surface needs finishing - grinding the side faces with diamond discs.

Price

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). Prices are given taking into account the conversion to the euro exchange rate, when planning a purchase, you should be aware of the additional costs of delivery. It is possible to produce panels with individual parameters, up to the arrangement of fiberglass in the form of logos and paintings. In this case, the cost will be negotiable, as with the creation of 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 made and other tasks are implemented. At the same time, the external ugliness of concrete does not bother anyone - it is skillfully masked facing materials, so this nuance does not cause any special problems. Nevertheless, the Hungarian engineer Aron Losonzi decided to add one more quality to the list of gray material characteristics - light transmission. This is how Illumicon transparent concrete appeared, which has many differences from traditional mixtures. This applies not only to appearance, but also to the original structure, due to manufacturing technology.

Composition of concrete

The basis is still an ordinary mortar prepared from a fine-grained cement mass. The technology itself has revolutionized the concept of concrete only through the unusual combination of the basic familiar mixture and fiber optics. These are threads that are used in telecommunication networks. It is through the combination of these components that transparent concrete is formed. The composition of the main solution 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 optical elements exceeds 5%. This affects the strength and durability of the material. On the other hand, the very quality that determines transparency depends on the percentage of glass fiber content. Most often, transparent concrete is produced using fibers whose thickness 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, the solution is poured into it. It is important to note here that the concrete mix 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 fillers with a large fraction 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. The key characteristic of the material - the ability to provide visibility - also depends on the accuracy of the laying of the fibers. Another fundamental difference from the classical method of making concrete is the need to refine the already hardened mortar. First, 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 mortar, its technical properties are in many ways similar to ordinary fine-grained concretes - for example, grade M250. 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 litracon cannot compete with heavy compositions in terms of density. But transparent concrete demonstrates good water resistance and frost resistance. Since the average compressive strength does not allow the use of a light-conducting material as a base for the construction of large construction projects, it is desirable 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, which can be subjected to high power loads. Moreover, pouring the foundation from fiberglass mortar 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 arrangement of architectural compositions with decorative properties. Both in the creation of street design objects and in decorating 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 loads as part of small architectural structures.

Pros and cons of transparent concrete

The main advantage of this material is the combination of seemingly incomparable performance. This is a decorative effect and power potential, corresponding in its performance to lightweight concrete. As for the minuses, the average strength indicators are not even taken into account by experts. Much more significant is the high price. It is the inclusion of fiber optic strands in transparent concrete that increases the cost of making the mortar.

How to make your own?

The most high-quality executions of such concretes are produced in the factory and are already implemented in the form of ready-to-use design objects. But if you wish, you can make a litracon yourself. The main difficulty will be correct styling fiberglass threads. 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, the formations are alternately filled with portions of the solution. At the same time, it is important to observe the concentration of fibers in total mass so that the concrete retains a sufficient margin of safety.

Conclusion

Quite often, improving the characteristics of a familiar building material leads to a change in the directions of its use. Despite the similarity with classical mortars, transparent concrete is used mainly as a decorative object. To obtain a reliable power base, it is quite advisable to use conventional compositions, the aesthetic appeal of which does not matter during operation. Litrakon, on the contrary, is not of particular interest in terms of load-bearing capacity, but it is best revealed in the form of an original design element.