Performance Evaluation of Light Transmitting Concrete Made with Plastic Optical Fibers

Abstract

Light transmitting concrete (LTC) is a concrete made with light optical elements (e.g., plastic optical fibers) having the light transmitting property. In addition to its use as aesthetic purpose, LTC enhances the utilization of natural resource by the projection of light through the concrete. Thus, this translucent concrete can be used in structures to make energy efficient and environment friendly structures through the minimization of artificial energy usage. This chapter deals with the performance evaluation of light transmitting concrete (LTC) made with plastic optical fibers (POFs). For this purpose, compressive strength and light transmitting properties of LTC have been investigated and compared with conventional concrete. Experimental results show that the compressive strength at 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days have been increased by 3.47-12.23%, 4.82-14.85%, and 4.07-9.78%, respectively for the LTC made with various percentage of POFs. From the simple light transmission test, it has been found that the LTC made with 0.75 mm, 1 mm, and double layer 0.75 mm POFs can transmit 8%, 9.44%, and 14.8% light, respectively. Results of the present study imply that light transmitting concrete made with POFs can be used for aesthetic and energy saving purpose without compromising the strength.