Light Transmitting Lightweight Concrete with Transparent Plastic Bar

The ENV model proposed by TRIZ secured light transmission by replacing the existing costly transparent optical fibers with low-cost transparent materials with improved constructability, and improved the production method by changing the existing labor-intensive method of laying thousands or tens of thousands of optical fibers into a labor-saving system capable of mass production, which involves the use of a large external multi-porous mold.

The application of plastic based bar against optical fiber showed that the light transmitting ability was almost equal as well as the convenience of making light transmitting concrete. Additionally, the difficulties coming from heavy weight of trial product for material preparation, transportation, and processing process were tried to solve by applying lightweight aggregate and light foaming agent while maintaining minimum compressive strength.