For over 50 years, concrete has been the most popular building material. Due to their 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. With his light hand 15 years ago, light-conducting concrete was born, 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 backlighting. Of course, the cost in this case will be several times higher.
If we talk about the price of "typical" panels made of 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 with a size of 221 X 175 X 175 mm and a thickness of 25 mm will cost a little cheaper. 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 tensile strength not less than 2;
- density - 2300 kg / cm 3;
- thermal conductivity - 2.1 W / (m ∙ K);
- frost resistance up to F75;
- waterproof - 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 alkaline-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 freely through it.
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 in the construction of a 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 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 put a lamp inside it. This way you will end up with 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 the production of such a composite requires specialized equipment. 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 resembling 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. At the next stages, the following operations are prepared and performed:
- A layer of concrete with a height of about 0.5-1 cm is laid into the formwork.
- A layer of fibers is laid on it (they need to be pressed a little into the solution).
- After that, you need to wait until the layer "grabs".
- 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 it will be possible to sand the surfaces. For finishing, it is best to use diamond discs.
The finished blocks are assembled using standard masonry mixes. For gluing products, you can use epoxy resin with quartz filler.
In custody
Transparent concrete is very expensive, so no one uses it to build houses. However, if used for decorative purposes, it can achieve a stunning effect.
Concrete is a durable building material that has high quality characteristics and a long service life. The advantages of concrete mortar are many, however, there are also disadvantages. One of the drawbacks is the unaesthetic exterior, which requires additional finishing. But technologies in the world of construction do not stand still, and a new type was invented - translucent concrete. This building material makes it possible to distinguish silhouettes of objects and outlines of people, which is a unique design solution for the construction of buildings and structures. Transparent concrete can be made by hand, which will reduce the cost of already expensive materials.
Definition
Transparent concrete is a unique building material that was invented by the Hungarian architect A. Losonczi. He was looking for opportunities to provide structures with additional lighting without violating the strength characteristics of the concrete solution. And then the architect decided to change the internal structure of the material.
After fifteen years of experiments with concrete, the architect managed to introduce a new material into the construction - transparent concrete (Litracon). It is composed of fine-grained composite materials and fiberglass.
The production of transparent concrete is impossible in large volumes, therefore it is customary to produce them in the form of a block.
Against the background of the main advantages, the main disadvantage of a transparent concrete solution is highlighted - it is the high price of the materials used, which can reach thousands of dollars.
Features and characteristics
The light is transmitted due to the optical fiber included in the litracon. In addition to a unique appearance, transparent concretes have:
- high strength;
- water resistance;
- thermal insulation;
- soundproofing;
- the possibility of hand-made production.
Due to the fiberglass, which is part of the composition, the material receives a reinforcing effect, which exaggerates its characteristics:
- moisture absorption up to six percent;
- frost resistance;
- bending strength;
- compressive strength.
The peculiarities of litracon are its environmental friendliness, the indicators of which are tested and certified. The disadvantages of the material include the inability to obtain a light-conducting mixture directly in the formwork at the construction site. The manufacturing process consists in layer-by-layer laying of the components of the solution, after hardening of which, the laid surface is treated with an additional composition, which will allow obtaining the necessary light-conducting properties.
Light transmission is ensured by the optical fiber included in the litracon. It allows light rays to be transmitted over a distance of about 200 centimeters. Fiber optic is fire resistant and resistant to extreme temperature changes and UV radiation.
Walls made of transparent concrete are capable of transmitting rays of natural light into the room during the daytime, illuminating the backyard area due to room lighting. Litracon can be found in black, white and gray, matte or polished panels are also produced. Light-guiding blocks are fixed with anchors, mortars, adhesive mixtures. Blocks of various sizes are made, with a variety of colors and surface treatment methods.
Areas of use
Litracon is used to create a unique design element of the interior:
- facades of buildings and structures;
- countertops;
- stairs;
- benches;
- internal partitions.
DIY manufacturing technology
Transparent concrete can be made with your own hands, but you should carefully consider this process. The difficulty lies in the technology for preparing litracon, namely, in the proportions of the required components. To get a light-guiding structure, you should take four percent of the fiber from the entire mass of the solution. You should also observe the direction of laying the threads, which should lie strictly in one direction. To create a litracon with your own hand, the following materials should be prepared:
- purified water;
- dried cement mixture with fine aggregate grains;
- fiberglass with a length corresponding to the thickness of the board.
Optical fiberglass (threads with a cross section from ¼ to 3 mm, in length equal to the future thickness of the panels). The technological process of the hand-made preparation of litracon includes the following stages:
- the manufacture of a box, which is a floating formwork capable of moving upward as the mortar hardens;
- the manufactured box is installed on a leveled horizontal surface and the prepared mixture is poured into it in a thin layer in a small volume;
- then the fiberglass is placed in the filled solution and it is slightly sunk;
- allow the solution to seize and then pour the next portion, after which another layer of fiberglass is placed in it;
- repeat the pouring and installation of fiberglass until the formwork is completely filled;
- after the last layer of the poured solution has solidified, the formwork is dismantled, the sides of the blocks are ground and polished, from the side of perpendicularly located fiberglass.
Creation consists in mixing one part of cement and three parts of sand. Part of the water is added based on the weight of the cement, and should not be more than half of its part. Next, modifiers are added, some of which are determined according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The dry components are immersed in a mixer and mixed for one minute. As soon as the mixture becomes homogeneous, add water and mix for another five minutes.
After shaping the transparent concrete in the blocks, the finishing process is started. To do this, stripping is carried out two or three days after its installation and the manufactured block is left to stand in conditions of optimal humidity and temperature conditions. The incomplete solidification process takes place in three to five days.
In order for the material to transmit light rays, the side surfaces must be sanded.
Concrete can be safely called the cornerstone of modern architecture, because no serious project can do without it. However, the aesthetic component of the structures made from it most often lost and could be partially compensated for 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 it can change significantly - Lucem (one of the names of the innovation) acquires signs of airy decorativeness.
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 apparent 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 it to be obtained, 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 product made of light-conducting concrete was a fancy cube-shaped lamp made for demonstration purposes. This piece of home furnishings weighed 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 to get around this obstacle is found, 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 upward. Place a rectangular box of 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 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 solution in a metered dose 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.
For more than half a century, concrete has remained one of the most demanded building materials. The combination of high strength, resistance to external influences and durability makes it possible to create buildings on the basis of this material, the service life of which exceeds 50 years.
The main problem of concrete has always been its low aesthetics and unsuitability for creating interesting design and architectural solutions. That is why transparent concrete, after its appearance, became a real boon for many designers. The ability of such a durable and dense material to transmit light allowed creating a new generation of interior.
Features and basic properties of the composite
The unique concrete owes its appearance to the Hungarian Aron Losonczi. In search of ways to add light to the rooms, while maintaining the structural reliability of concrete, the architect came to the conclusion that the modification of the material should be carried out from the inside, changing its structure.
As a result of numerous experiments, about 15 years ago, transparent concrete appeared, made on the basis of a fine-grained composite and fiberglass as the base light-conducting aggregate. The created material was named "Litracon".
The technology for making transparent concrete has undergone changes, but is still very specific. Filling massive structures with such a composite is impossible due to the complexity of the distribution of fibers. As a result, blocks have become the optimal form of release.
In fact, in the fabrication of the material, bundles of glass fibers are stacked between layers of fine-grained concrete. After hardening, a large number of conductive elements remain in the body of the material, creating a unique light pattern in the concrete body.
Despite the specific appearance, transparent concrete is produced according to the technology of the classic fine-grained composite, therefore it has all the basic properties of this material. The main characteristics of the material include:
- compressive strength from 20 to 35 MPa;
- tensile bending strength not less than 2 MPa;
- water resistance at the W4 - W8 level;
- frost resistance not less than 75 cycles;
- water absorption does not exceed 6%.
The absence of a coarse aggregate in the body of the composite increases the possibility of deformations and shear, therefore, fiberglass for transparent concrete additionally performs the function of internal reinforcement, being a kind of analogue of fiber.
In production conditions, for the manufacture of material, the technology of stage-by-stage casting or layer-by-layer vibrocompression can be used. Both options provide reliable fiber attachment while maintaining high performance of the composite as a whole.
Despite the seeming complexity of execution, transparent concrete can be made with your own hands, with a little effort and effort.
Composite application
This unique material is most often used for decorative purposes. Its high strength makes it possible to erect internal partitions from it in rooms, providing access for more light. This version of interior walls is especially in demand in office premises, when decorating cafes and restaurants, as well as entertainment complexes.
Transparent composite is often used to cut tiles for walls, floors or ceilings. The use of the material as the main one in the construction of buildings is, in principle, possible, but not economically feasible. The cost of transparent concrete is extremely high, and the performance of any technological line will not be able to meet the needs of a full-fledged construction.
In addition, glass fiber under the influence of external moisture and temperature changes can enter into alkali-silicate reactions with the minerals of the cement stone, which leads to the destruction of the material.
The combination of all factors has led to the fact that the unique composite remains a very exotic finishing material used to create decorative partitions, as well as decorative elements.
Self-production
To create transparent concrete with your own hands, you do not need special equipment or specific skills. You can also make it at home. In fact, the preparation of such a material will require good formwork and careful adherence to technology.
Materials and equipment
For the preparation of the solution, it is best to use a forced mixer capable of providing a high degree of homogeneity of the slow-moving mixture. When using a gravity mixer, it is necessary to reduce the volume of a single batch and increase the mixing time at least 2 times.
From raw materials you will need:
- cement or mixed binder;
- sand for construction work of the 1st class with a fineness module 2 - 3;
- fiberglass with a diameter of 0.5 - 2.5 mm and a length equal to the thickness of the product;
- modifiers that improve the formability of inactive mixtures.
The use of mobile mixes presupposes a quick setting of each layer of fine-grained concrete on which the bundles of glass fibers are laid. It is easier to make layers of inactive mixtures capable of retaining their shape after compaction.
Special modifiers help to obtain a dense and homogeneous structure of the base composite for transparent concrete. Sand should be used of medium size with a minimum amount of impurities, dusty and silty particles.
Composition and preparation of fine-grained concrete
To make a base composite, it is best to mix cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 2.5-3 by weight. The amount of water should not exceed half the weight of the cement. In general, the composition of fine-grained concrete per 1 m3 can be represented as follows:
- cement = 450 - 500 kg;
- sand = 1300 - 1500 kg;
- water = 200 - 250 kg.
When modifiers are used, their dosage is prescribed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. After loading into the mixer, sand and cement are mixed for a minute until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, then mixing water is introduced, and mixing is ensured for at least 5 - 8 minutes. After obtaining a homogeneous mixture, the production of transparent concrete begins.
For the manufacture of the composite, a formwork with a rectangular base is prepared. A kind of block is filled with a mixture in several stages. First, the bottom layer of fine-grained concrete with a thickness of no more than 0.5 - 1 cm is laid and compacted. Then fiberglass bundles are laid along so as to cover almost the entire surface of the concrete.
Next, the next layer of fine-grained concrete of the same thickness is laid and compacted. A new mesh of glass fibers is created on top, laid across. Then the procedure is repeated until the formwork is filled.
By changing the direction of the fiberglass beams, the light will be able to pass through all the side faces of the manufactured block. Of course, the frequency of conductive elements will be less frequent than that of a factory-made material, but the composite will retain its decorative properties.
The use of mobile mixtures leads to uneven distribution and displacement of the fiber bundles. This effect slightly impairs the conductance of light, but creates an interesting pattern in the body of the material. When using a mobile mixture, the laying of a new layer is carried out after the loss of the mobility of the previous one.
Finishing
De-molding of the product is carried out 48 - 72 hours after production. Then the block is kept at a temperature of 20 ° C and a humidity of 95% for 3 - 5 days. During this period, concrete will acquire up to 80% of its strength and will be able to withstand the final processing.
After stripping, all fiberglass bundles are tightened with cement laitance, so they do not transmit light. To impart light-conducting properties to the material, all side surfaces of the block must be sanded with diamond discs of various grain sizes.
If desired, the product can be cut into tiles of a given thickness. The cut must be carried out perpendicular to the laying layers.
Concrete is one of the most durable building materials with exceptionally high technical and operational characteristics. The indisputable advantage of the material in question is its long service life. Despite the fact that the concrete composition has a number of advantages, it has not been without disadvantages.
The main disadvantage of the cement composition is the unattractive appearance, it requires a decorative finish. However, construction technologies are developing by leaps and bounds. As a result, technologists have developed a fundamentally new type of concrete - translucent.
We are talking about a building material that allows you to create realistic silhouettes of animals and people, which in essence is an excellent design solution for the construction of objects and buildings. Transparent concrete is easy to make with your own hands, which helps to reduce the cost of expensive building materials.
Definition of translucent concrete
Transparent concrete is a unique building material invented by Mr. Losonczi, one of the leading Hungarian architects. He was looking for the possibility of providing his structures with additional lighting, while the technical characteristics of the cement composition did not deteriorate in any way. As a result, the architect decided to change the internal components of the building material.
After 15 years of incessant searches and experiments, he managed to develop and introduce into the construction industry a fundamentally new decorative and finishing material - transparent concrete. He received the name Litracon. The composition of the material incorporates composite fine-grained joints based on fiberglass.
The main disadvantage of transparent concretes is that production is impossible on a large scale and volume, so they are produced mainly in the form of building blocks.
Despite the obvious advantages of transparent concrete, one should not ignore their key disadvantage - the high price of the materials used. In total, the price tag is approaching several thousand dollars.
Technical characteristics and features of transparent concrete
Transparent concrete is distinguished not only by its unique appearance, but also by the following characteristics:
- thermal insulation;
- water resistance;
- high strength characteristics;
- the possibility of hand-made production;
- insulation.
- high bending and compressive strength;
- frost resistance;
- the level of moisture absorption rises to 6%.
Light is transmitted through a special fiber that is part of the building material. Due to it, the transmission of light is better at a length of up to 2 m. The optical fiber is resistant to temperature fluctuations, thermal effects, and ultraviolet radiation.
In the daytime, such transparent concrete lets natural light into the living space. In this way, it is possible to provide indoor lighting to a personal plot, garden area. On sale there is material in gray, white and black. Light-conducting elements are fixed with mortars, anchors, or other fixing compounds. Today the blocks are available in a variety of colors.
Scope of application of transparent concrete
Litracon is used to form unique design elements:
- internal partitions;
- stairs;
- countertops;
- facades of structures.
DIY transparent concrete production technology
The production of transparent concrete can also be organized with your own hands, if you carefully approach the technological process. The main problem is the technological complexity of the preparation of litracon, or, to be more precise, the need for strict adherence to the necessary ingredients.
To obtain a light-guiding structure, it is necessary to prepare 4% of fiber-optic cement from the total mass of the composition. It is equally important to lay the threads in the right direction - they are located strictly in one direction.
To prepare a litracon with your own hands, it is important to prepare several components:
- purified water;
- cement mixture with the addition of fine-grained aggregate;
- fiberglass.
- First, it is necessary to make a box, which is a floating formwork. It moves in the vertical direction when the bulk of the solution solidifies.
- The finished box is mounted on a preparatory surface, previously leveled. After that, the prepared mixture is fed in a small volume to the base of the formwork.
- After that, the fiberglass is laid in the already poured concrete mixture, slightly sinking the material.
- Then it is necessary to wait for the solution to set, and only after that the next portion is poured.
- The pouring is repeated and the fiberglass is installed. The frequency is repeated until the final filling of the formwork device.
- The dismantling of the formwork and the grinding of the blocks is started upon completion of the filling of the last layer.
After the completion of the formation of the clear concrete, the final sanding is started. For this purpose, stripping is carried out. It is carried out 3 days after the installation of the formwork. In conditions of low humidity, the manufactured blocks can withstand 5 days.
Litracon is a widespread modern material, distinguished not only by its impeccable style and appearance, but also by its exceptional technical characteristics.
