Transparent Cement!!!!

Now a days many new innovations can be seen in the construction industry. Among many some has got attention through out the world. These innovations and research are keen in producing the products that is energy efficient and can be re usable. One such product among them is Transparent cement. 

I am very much surprised to see these products which are one of the most innovative researches that are used for energy efficient Building. But I feel very sad that India is still lagging in the technology in the construction industry thinking about the cost and budget.

Italcementi Group developed a new transparent cement used to build the Italian Pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo 2010. This is an innovative material from Italcementi Group Research.

A dedicated team of Italcementi Group researchers has worked over 3,000 hours since June 2008 to finalize the new ‘transparent cement’ development project.

The new i.light®  transparent cement, by bonding special resins into a newly conceived mix, allows manufacturing solid and insulated yet light-transmitting construction panels. Italcementi Group researchers have identified the right formulation of a dry ready-mixed product that allows inserting these plastic resins in the cementitious material, which is naturally opaque, without creating cracks and jeopardizing the structure.

The challenge of transparency confirms the innovative and creative dimension of Made in Italy and has allowed Italcementi Group to provide theItalian Pavilion for Expo 2010 in Shanghai with know-how and solid business experience. Italcementi Group wanted to take up the challenge posed by the Italian Commissionership and architect Giampaolo Imbrighito co-operate on an ambitious project: to build the Pavilion with cement walls, but at the same time able to filter the light.

The goal was met thanks to an innovative material, an example of the made-in-Italy ability to find creative, efficient solutions.

3,774 transparent panels (including  the “semi-transparent” ones, i.e. with a 50% lower transparency level due to architectural requirements) have been produced and will be used to cover a total surface area of 1,887 m², approximately 40% of the total envelope  of the Pavilion, creating in the building in Shanghai a sequence of lights and shadows in constant evolution during the day. 

The transparent effect is more evident when it is dark and, seen from the outside, the building will allow the interior lights to filter through while, from inside, during the day, it will show the changes in the levels of daylight.

Used for the first time in Shanghai, future applications of this material may encompass its use as an architectural component with diversified, integrable functions, such as, for example, internal lighting (shading/light diffusion techniques).

The Technical Data Sheet 

Description

A new type of cementitious material has been set up which, by bonding special resins, allows

manufacturing light-transmitting panels: this is i.light composite product.

The new cementitious product has been developed by Italcementi Group to meet specific architectural

design requirements of the external walls for the Italian Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

The product ensures transparency through an innovative mix design of the cementitious matrix.

The excellent flow properties of the mix allow bonding the resin inserts into a final panel that combines

the typical robustness of cementitious materials and the possibility of transmitting light both inwards and

outwards.

Physical & Mechanical Characteristics

The physical & mechanical characteristics of each panel are:

• Dimensions (nominal): thickness 50 mm; length 1000 mm; width 500 mm

• Mass: 50 Kg

• Transparency: ~18-20% (as % with respect to the total surface)

• Weathering: After more than 1 year of outdoor natural exposure, no degradation was observed

(specific tests are planned at the Polytechnic of Milan).

Mechanical properties in flexure

Elastic limit: 1,92 MPa – Internal test (controlled displacement)

Peak stress: 7,70 MPa – Internal test (controlled displacement)

Post Peak Response: Strain hardening – Plastic Behavior (no loose/detached material was observed

during the post-peak phase).

Characteristics of the cementitious matrix

Main Constituents:

Cement:  to ensure rapid hardening and high strength

Selected sand / gravel with appropriate particle size : Siliceous / Calcareous

Stainless Steel Fibres : to provide high toughness (ductility)

Polypropylene Fibres : to minimize the cracking risk at early ages

Suitable mix of admixtures  - to improve the rheology in the fresh state

                                         - to attenuate slow deformation phenomena

Mechanical Properties

Compressive Strength : 65 MPa

Flexural Strength : 10 MPa

Elastic Modulus : 39000 MPa

Tensile Modulus : 3200 MPa

Elongation at Break : 3%

Transmission factor (optical) : 92%

Resistance to UV : Good

Chemical resistance : Good to acids and alkalis

Courtesy : www.italcementigroup.com