OK, maybe not properly transparent, but an inclusion of fibre-optics makes it light transmitting. It's a German product, and, from their website: LUCCON translucent concrete is manufactured in large volume top layer concrete blocks with embedded webbed fiber optic cables, making the stone appear comparably massive as well as transparent. By cutting the blocks elements of variable size and thickness are obtained. Upon request LUCCON is available in special colors, dimensions or surface treatments, just ask us! . I'd love to see what our members could make with this stuff, or see them replicate the idea with their own techniques. Concrete lampshades?  Concrete windows?  Transparent concrete canoes? Video from YouTube will not embed. Luccon website via NOTCOT

Some 20 years ago, I built an addition onto my house. It is built on a concrete slab with 42 inch block foundation. I have a completely finished room in which I have installed ceramic tile flooring. Under the ceramic tile I used Ardex to level the concrete before tiling.  For the last 20 years I have never noticed what now appears to be a "wet mortar joint" smell. I have become increasing alarmed about the slab leaching moisture into the room. There is no visible sign of moisture. The tile is not exceptionally cold; it's just that smell.  Can anyone put my mind at rest, or suggest to me what this might be and how to remedy it. I definitely can not destroy the floor. Please advise. Thank you.

I am looking for a recipe for concrete that is light weight and fine enough to be cast into detail, i.e. no bubble or big gaps.

Just had this idea and would like to hear from someone with experience with concrete. Can I make an object - a concrete shape ( box) which which has inside full of styrofoam? I am thinking about the posibility to make staircase from concrete with styrofoam inside - the role of styrofoam is to make the the box lightweight.

I'm thinking about making a concrete tube, and I was wondering if I used two different diameter pvc pipes as the mold if I could remove the concrete without damaging it too badly.

I have made some concrete stepping stones (for decorative use in flower beds mainly) and have painted them to give them a detailed look. I used exterior paint,  Now I'm wondering what I should use to seal them to protect the paint from chipping and fading?

Online i can see that a 60 lb bag from quickcrete is about $5. ok. easy.   Shipping----$20 to----$50----- ouch. so .   where to find it?      gotta be someplace that has 1000s of lbs of it on the shelf, and sells it at 5 or 10 bucks.

These flash drives by Shu-Chun Hsiao are serious. The drives are encased in concrete and are embossed with the weight of each one, a number that correlates with the flash drive's capacity. I love the idea, but 256g sticking out the front of my desktop is just going to destroy itself. P.S. This would make a great entry for the upcoming USB Contest Concrete Memory, Get Totally Cemented via TechEBlog

Hello. I have a 5x5 concrete porch that has sunk 6-8 inches. The porch consists of a top surface with an 18 inch skirt, and a step. I believe it was a single pour.  The porch itself is in good condition, so I am seeking methods of raising it. I have looked into slabjacking, and pressure-fill lifting, but was actually looking for a pneumatic solution. any thoughts, comments, anecdotes, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

This concrete cube made by Daniel Franke and Markus Kison has the amazing ability to turn invisible. Thanks to eye-tracking and a video projector for each face of the cube, the cube has the view behind it projected onto its faces. The result is like looking through a glowing window instead of a cube. You can see the effect in the video. It's not entirely smooth yet, but a very cool idea. Augmented Reality Renders Concrete Block Invisible Related: Death Becomes Her Halloween Costume photo: Durchsehen, Exp. 01 (augmented perspective) by Markus Kison, on Flickr

I’m planning to concrete a slab for a shed with approximate dimensions of 12m x7m. Just wondering if 150mm thick base would be suitable for driving vehicles on and possibly heavier equipmen on such as a tractor. Also with a slab that size will I need to cut expansion joints in and if so how far apart. Thankyou in advance

We have a mountainous property with no sand and very little rock other than granite. Can I use decomposed granite (as fine as sand and small pebbles) as aggregate, instead of river gravel and or sand?

Hi I recently came across this instructable   Search for " DIY light transmitting concrete" and I was wondering how I could make something similar but in the shape of a ball, or a light bulb, So I can have a LED inside it and have it shine and spin freely.  Perhaps filling a tennis ball and drilling holes for light?  Im ind of stumped on this one. any ideas???

I need to know how many ways there are to cast concrete. I heard of silicone used in concrete casting but I would like to know if there are other ways. Thank you very much for your help.

So I've been thinking of making some homemade concrete stuff with different molds I plan on making. Since I'm not a big expert on concrete and such I've been reading all over the Internet for how-to guides and what not. And something that seems to be a really good idea is to use a tool to vibrate out the bubbles and air pockets from the molds before they set... and so far I've not found any instructable here on how to make such a tool ( because it's a bit expensive to buy one, and hey.. why not make it myself) So my question is simply if any one know of a good idea of such a tool, how to make one or whatever.. (maybe modifying something, making one from an electric motor?) I need ideas!  

See the picture for  more detail, but I basically need to know if this design of rock-steel-concrete-pipe will transfer heat to the oil in the pipe well. Thanks in advance, I don't need big fancy explanations, I just need to know if this will be a substantial heat source.

We're moving into a place with a non-functional fireplace and a stained hearth. I haven't touched it yet and have no idea what the stains are.  A guess for the circular ones is wine or some other dark drink.  Any ideas for a relatively non-toxic clean up? It turns out a lot of it is wax.

I constructed 4" triangular molds out of cardboard (I am making coasters).I poured quikrete mortar mix into a cup, mixed with some water and poured into the molds until the depth was roughly .5".About 1 hour into drying I realized that huge cracks were forming!How do I eliminate or reduce cracking?

I have a plain black laminate countertop in my bathroom that shows just about every drop of water with a nice white ring.  I was hoping to do a concrete or tile top but I'd like to keep it cheap by just doing it on top of the existing laminate.  Anyone know if this is possible? Thanks!

Dr Purnell is actively seeking other researchers, engineers, scientists, designers or even sculptors and artists who also have ideas for new uses for cement.I'm not sure if anyone is interested or if someone in the community previously posted this, but I thought I might throw this out to the ingenious and innovative Instructables community. I thought some of you all might be interested.Main Page / Network Link:http://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/resilience/research/NACNetCementingtheFuture.shtmlLeeds engineers developing bullet proof vests from cementhttp://www.leeds.ac.uk/media/press_releases/current09/bullet.htmMight be a good way for interested Instructables folk to continue contributing on a global scale and to showcase the open-source power of the Instructables community. Plus, it might help you out if you're younger and/or looking for undergrad or graduate level resume boosting aspects for design and/or engineering programs.

A few years back I found a website that discussed using a concrete lined depression in the ground as a cooling spot for dogs. For the life of me, I cannot find it again. What would be the best method of doing this myself? Thank you

Ideas for personalizing an indoor concrete floor

I removed a wall down the middle of my basement.  It had a concrete footing which came out with the curb when it was removed, but the concrete floor on one side of this area is one inch higher than one the other side.  How do I level this so I can install a floating laminate flooring?

I recently bought a bench mold so I could build a cement garden bench   The mold has some delicate designs in it.   I tried using quikrite 5000 and other cements with basic aggregates already premixed, but it did not come out crisp. The designs were pitted by aggregates I think.   I am wondering if a simple Portland cement with only sand would work? I also incorporate rebar as well?

I am casting small concrete panels for Xmas presents. I like the look of stain more than integral color, and am wondering if there are options to stain the pieces outside of commercial acid stains. The pieces will be decorative only, and not need to stand up to wear and tear like floors, countertops, or even coasters would. Would like to hear about unsuccessful attempts as well. Thanks!

I have a space out the front of my house that I want to turn into a chain anchoring spot for my husband's scooter. I've included a photo of the spot for reference's sake (I really need to clean it out and excavate >.<) Most of the area is already concreted in but there's a space about six feet by three feet under the kitchen window that I want to fill in. I watched a few videos on how to do it and the information given was great but it showed how to pour new slabs in areas that aren't already concreted so now I turn to you guys. I also, as part of the slab, want to install a heavy duty anchoring point for the scooter that can't easily be pulled from the ground and will take a heavy duty steel chain through it. Any advice?

I am going to construct a fence between my garage and my house. 20 ft or so long, To keep my too small dogs contained. Here in lies the rub, I have already built one fence. it's still up and working fine, however in the construction I discovered how dense the crete is, ramset doesn't work, drilling? I would never get deep enough. So I have decided to use cement piers and 4x4 posts and sit the fence right on the concrete, with enough weight I am praying the fence will not move much, I only need to contain two 5# dogs its mostly ornamental. If anyone has attempted anything along these lines, please contact me with your triumphs and failures, or any advice you may have thanks!

If the container is completely full of concrete, or possibly has a small air space?

I have a lot of concrete from an old driveway that I got rid of with a sledgehammer. I dont have a truck to dispose of the concrete somewhere. So need to do something with it around my house.

I am looking at the feasibility of 3D printing concrete forms to make a staircase that goes up a 4' retaining wall. The forms would be cylindrical, split in half, and during the pour would be supported using a wood support system. Ideally I would have one main highly curved support "column" (think more of a snake or spaghetti noodle) with then stairs that slide in via a mortise and tenon type connection. The stairs would be poured individually in a separate production process than the main support. I plan on using a combination of a wire mesh, rebar and tension cables for the concrete reinforcement. The tension cables would run the length of the main support beam and would be hydraulically tensioned just before the formwork was removed. I have ample concrete experience as a civil engineer and a construction manager but this idea seems like I need some outside input.Does anyone have any experience 3d printing concrete forms. What is the best material that will hold up to the moisture and high alkalinity of concrete?At this point I have no real conceptual drawings but I'm looking to see if any similar projects have been attempted and hopefully learn and improve on them!

I'll be making a concrete counter top for my outdoor kitchen. I'll shape a "box" in the concrete (just like a concrete sink), and build the propane burners into that. Will I run into any heat issues with the concrete? Should I line it with something to shield it from heat?

What kind of concrete and how would I hold the concrete in place till it sets up? This is a top step

While researching patch kits for pebble and resin coating for concrete stairs, one supplier claimed that ONLY their resin would not eat concrete.   Is it true that some resins will eat the concrete? Will fiberglass resin work for this? The pebbles are about 1/8"

Hi everyone.  This is my very first Instructables experience - I've just found you guys.  I'm wanting to know if I could resurface my old cast iron enamel bath with concrete??  Would it stick???

Hi, so I bought a machete in Costa Rica, but it's not very sharp at all. I want to be able to cut open a coconut with it, so I need it to be relatively sharp. I found a video of a guy sharpening his blade on a regular, large, flat stone using only water. I can't find a large flat stone to sharpen it with, but I happen to have a large, flat, concrete surface, conveniently located in my basement (it's the floor). Using water, can I sharpen my machete on the concrete surface, much like the guy in the video did on the rock? He pretty much just moved it in a circular pattern, at an angle to the rock. I don't want to invest any money on this, so please let me know if this is possible.

Cement is an ingredient of concrete. I'm trying to put a small grab-rail onto my Mom's front patio, which has concrete aggregate rocks of about 0.5cm-2.5cm. It's classic, old concrete slabs. IT IS NOT PURE CEMENT. My question is: What's the best way to anchor, say, a handrail, into it. It appears to be fragile. Thanks.  

Molds, iron/wire gauge, how deep I must sink them in the dirt (semi-soft soil) and how it is supposed to be the foundation. Also the "specifications" for the concrete like which and how much sand and gravel to use with the cement note: they must have out side the ground 3 to 3,5 meters in height, that is about 10 to 12 feet in height

How do I lifta broken coner of a concrete slab in the walk at the front of my house?

A while back I spilled roughly one candle's-worth of melted wax on my rough concrete shop floor. It's not causing any problems, but it's ugly and feels weird when I step on it. I've thought of a wire brush and a lot of heat, neither of which are really practical. Any suggestions for removing it?

It cant be too different from drywall texture spray rigs.

I only need to mix about 8 ounces of the stuff at a time for an art project. The project requires putting concrete on cardboard sculptures that are essentially cardboard cutouts of a dog. So, the sculpture is pretty thin. What can I do to put the concrete on just the back of the cutout properly? The sculpture is about 20 inches tall and 3-5 inches wide.

We have this ugly patio slab mid yard and thought to dress it and its ajoining pathways up with cobblestone style paving such as we saw in Spain. I'd use river rock or round stones from the home DIY stores but do I lay cement and set the stones in or some sort of outdoor thinset and grout? How should I prepare the slab surface (its plain old cement/concrete and too big to smash and remove)? Please advise.

I'm making a concrete art piece and want to insert an electrical outlet inside it.  Is it okay if I embed the outlet in the concrete or is there a reason I need to use the metal outlet box like is used in the wall?

The chimney is gone, leaving a large (about a bushel sized ) heap of oil soot on a concrete floor.    Some has been shoveled up along with the mortar dust.  There remains about a bucketful spread around a 1.5 meter square area... plus foot and paw prints over a larger area of new concrete. (I will be checking soon to make sure everyone and the dog are OK.) So what is the right way to contain this mess and get it safely out of the house?  

I just noticed an "instructable" on patching cracks in concrete, posted not by an individual, but by a corporation, Sackrete, which advertises on this website. I happen to like Sackrete products, and appreciate that this company produces videos to instruct its customers, BUT... this seems to violate the spirit of this website! Is it not dubious to allow advertisers to promote their products in the same format as those videos contributed by regular folks? Anybody want to enlighten me on this?