Mechanical Properties of Light-Transmitting Concrete and Its Durability Performance under the Effects of Accelerated Aging

Although concrete has been used extensively as a structural material for buildings since ancient times, light-transmitting concrete (LTC), also referred to as translucent concrete, is an innovative and attractive building material for the construction industry to enhance aesthetic and energy-saving properties. This research paper aims to investigate the mechanical properties of LTC with different optical fiber arrangements with three optical fiber ratios, respectively, 1, 1.6, and 2.4 %. The durability performance of LTC under the effects of accelerated aging is also investigated. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) optical fibers with two arrangements were used in the concrete specimens. One of the LTC groups that had a linear optical fiber arrangement was labeled as ARlin. The other LTC group with bundle optical fiber arrangements was labeled as ARbun. The prepared concrete consisted of cement, fine aggregate, water, mineral additive, acrylic polymer, and superplasticizer. The flexural strengths of LTC with PMMA optical fibers placed longitudinally or laterally were determined. The compressive strengths of LTC specimens with different arrangements were compared. Accelerated aging effects under wetting-drying, freezing-thawing, and high temperature were applied to the ARlin group to investigate these effects on the mechanical properties of LTC. The results of the experiments indicate that the optical fiber arrangements affect the flexural strength, compressive strength, and light transmittance of LTC. The light transmittance increases with the optical fiber content. It is also seen that the flexural strengths and light transmittance of LTC specimens decrease significantly after the high-temperature effect. According to the test results, it is also concluded that LTC with 0.5-mm-diameter optical fibers in a linear arrangement can be used as a construction material under external conditions.