International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research ISSN 2348-7607 (Online) Vol. 10, Issue 2, pp: (40-45), Month: October 2022 - March 2023, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Light Transmitting Concrete: A Review Avinaba Bhattacharyya1, Dr.Biman Mukherjee2 1,2
Department of Civil Engineering
1,2
Narula Institute of Technology, Kolkata, India DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7370798
Published Date: 28-November-2022
Abstract: Researchers have focused on the concept of sustainable development looking forward to innovate something using energy conservation. Light transmitting concrete (LTC) or ‘LiTraCon’ is an example of such phenomenal innovation. This review evaluates the principles involved in this, manufacturing process, pros and cons and applications of LitraCon. It has been described how the Litracon developed from 90's and further. Embedding optical fibres in the concrete reduces electricity demands. Hence, it can be used as an eco -friendly alternative to traditional concrete in the near future. The applications of LiTraCon, illustrates its positive impact worldwide. LiTraCon can become an affordable alternative for both commercial and residential projects. Keywords: Light Transmitting concrete, optical fibre, energy saving, sustainable development, green technology.
I. INTRODUCTION Development is reaching its height. To cope up with this new advanced technological world, upgradation to a great extent is needed. Civilization has moved towards urbanization. Materials needed for construction has its own variance. Similarly, concrete has got different types and usage according to the needs of people. Light Transmitting Concrete is a type of concrete which transmits light and reduce the consumption of electricity. Indirectly, it saves non-renewable resource up to a certain extent. The proliferating urbanization reveals the growth of concrete fathomlessly. There is no denying that concrete and the technology surrounding it has come a long way since its discovery and development.From the great pyramids at Giza to smart sensors for testing concrete properties,technology swiftly ameliorated. Although extension development creates hazards which includes high production, high consumption, high pollution and other ill-effects to environment. Among all these, power production by using a non-renewable resource is deep-rooted day by day. In 2021,about 4,116billion kilowatt hours of electricity were generated at utility-scale electricity generation facilities in the UnitedStates where 21.8% share of total is coal energy source. The world has proven reserves equivalent to 133.1times its annual consumption. This means it hasabout 133yearsof coal left(excluding unproven reserves). Light Transmitting concrete or LiTraCon is embedded with light optical elements having light transmissive property. Usually, optical fibers are used within it from one end to another. Therefore, the fibers have to go through whole object. This results in a certain light pattern on the other surface, depending on the fiber structure. In theory, the optical fibers could carry light to a distant but with increasing its length transmission property is reduced, depending on type of fibers and how it is bend. Since the fibers have bend and roughness on the cut surfaces so the transmission is reduced.
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