Translucent concrete combined with 3D printing
Possibly one of the most studied materials is concrete. Its worldwide impact in many fields is enormous and we have already contrasted it in this article.
Its variants are diverse with properties that sometimes amaze you. Among all that wide range, there is the translucent concrete.
A type of concrete that allows the passage of light, even with superior mechanical characteristics and weighs less than conventional concrete by replacing gravel and sand with resins and optical fibers.
A "top ten" with many advantages in architecture. If it were not for how little industrialized its manufacture is and because, on average, it is much more expensive than conventional. But… the solution arrived!
Two researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. José Ramón Albiol Ibáñez and Miguel Sánchez López, have designed and patented a new low-cost translucent concrete.
THE innovative product that promises to revolutionize the construction sector is called HTRANS. It allows incorporate 3D printed designs with a transparent resin inside and create, walls, facades, pavements, etc. to the letter.
“Any design we imagine can be 3D printed and incorporated into the facade construction process. We can create structures with groundbreaking images and in multiple ways, from our company logo, to a reproduction of a work of art, the face of a person or the sky line of a city; and we can include luminous devices such as LEDs to illuminate the structure ", highlights José Ramón Albiol, professor at the Higher Technical School of Building Engineering (ETSIE) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV).
The The main advantage of this new translucent concrete is that it has a much lower cost than conventional translucent concrete. 80% cheaper!
By combining 3D printed parts and filaments other than fiber optics. A saving in the final cost of the product is obtained close to 80%
The inclusion of 3D pieces of transparent resin inside and the use of filaments other than fiber optics that are used today, manage to automate and significantly reduce production times, which translates into a saving in the final cost of the product of about 80%.
HTRANS also incorporates reinforcement elements of different thicknesses that guarantee the resistance of the concrete pieces. "The pieces printed in 3D with the design that we want to show also incorporate an internal substructure, which ensures the structural rigidity of the piece", adds José Ramón Albiol.
This configuration and the materials used facilitate that the quality and definition of the images on the facing is optimal, improving the three-dimensional appearance of the final product.
What's more, permanent or intermittent lighting can be incorporated in any area, using batteries that are charged through an external power supply, as well as wireless charging devices.
“It is an innovative and technological solution, unique in the world, easy to transport and install, which has great potential for the construction, advertising or furniture industry. Also for design objects such as lamps or decorative elements, furniture and kitchen countertops, exterior and interior flooring, etc. ", says Albiol.
Do not forget that we have an article about concrete houses, they are impressive!
Regarding the production process, the UPV researchers highlight its simplicity: firstly, we have the pieces printed in 3D with the designs that we want to incorporate into our product, be it a facade, pavement, etc.
These are included in the formwork, the concrete is poured and, once it is inside them, both sides are polished obtaining the final product with the image, design, etc. chosen one.
As a fact, and in case you did not know, the UPV of Valencia has been researching concrete in its different variants for many years, for example, with printed concrete. In addition, in the UPV itself there is the ICITECH (Institute of Concrete Science and Technology) which is always providing innovation.
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