Light-conducting ingredients, usually glass fibres, cause a translucent translucent effect in so-called translucent concrete. Important here is the continuity of the fibers through the complete material thickness. With a sufficient fibre content and coordinated illumination behind the translucent concrete slab, shadowing silhouettes can be read through the material.
Translucent concrete is increasingly being used in architecture and furniture design in high-quality areas. As backlit façade panels, interior wall cladding, but also as backlit raised floors, translucent concrete elements sometimes achieve a sensational effect. When not backlit, a translucent concrete façade looks like conventional solid concrete. Translucent concrete can also have a translucent effect without artificial light, e.g. inwards, if sufficient daylight is available from the outside.
Translucent concrete consists largely of fine concrete with a small grain size. The proportion of visually effective elements is about 5%. The material is usually prefabricated in the form of slabs and processed in a similar way to natural stone.
Source: bauwion
