Analysis of illumination performance of Light-Transmitting Building Block

Abstract

Light Transmitting Building Block (LTBB) is a building block with transparent rods embedded in it that allows transmission of light. It was recently granted a patent in 2020 in India and so, there is no further information available on its light-transmitting performance. The paper analyzes the data generated from the experiment performed in Patna, India on its light transmitting capacity for daylighting. Many factors are involved that have an impact on the light transmitting capacity of the LTBB (Model 1). Experiment for light transmittance were also carried out for the block without embedded transparent rods (Model 2) and compared with Model 1. It is found that light transmitting performance of Model 1 was significantly better than Model 2. Further, the requirement of the number of blocks of Model 1 was calculated for generating the recommended level of illumination for specific indoor activities through a software simulation using DIALux.