Title:
Translucent Concrete: Mechanical Properties and Illuminance
Author(s):
Almeida
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_S24_Almeida.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
3/23/2024
Abstract:
This research evaluates the mechanical properties i.e., compressive strength and dynamic modulus and light transmission of translucent cement paste. Translucent cement paste was made by embedding plastic fiber optic cables in cement paste made with a w/c=0.42. Fiber percentages by volume of 3%, 4%, and 5% were examined along with a control mix (cement paste without fiber). Cubes 2” in length and cylinders, Ø=2” and L=4” were produced either by using a laser cutter (cubes) or 3D printed (cylinders). Sets of three cubes were used to carry compressive strength tests at curing ages of 7, 21, 28 and 90 days. Light transmission through specimens were measured in terms of luminosity using a light meter on sets of 3 cubes. Casted cylinders were sliced into disks with Ø=2” and L=1”. Sets of three disks were used to determine the dynamic modulus of translucent cement paste by measuring its resonant frequency using an accelerometer. From ongoing tests, it is observed that the use of plastic fiber optic cables embedded in a cement paste matrix cause a considerable loss of compressive strength, primarily due to the number of cracks they generate and the failure mechanisms they induce in the specimens. Dynamic modulus results indicate that the stiffness of translucent cement paste varies with the increase of fiber optic cables. It is also observed that light transmission measured in lux as luminosity in translucent cement paste increases with higher fiber percentages.