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bachmitre | 3 years ago
Why was Roman concrete so durable?
Roman concrete, also known as opus caementicium, was a highly durable construction material used by the ancient Romans for a variety of structures, including aqueducts, bridges, and buildings. There are several factors that contributed to the durability of Roman concrete:
The use of lime and pozzolanic materials: Roman concrete was made from a mixture of lime, water, and an aggregate such as sand or crushed stone. The lime was derived from the heating of limestone, which produced a highly reactive form of calcium oxide. The Romans also added a pozzolanic material, such as volcanic ash, to the mixture, which improved the durability and strength of the concrete by reacting with the lime to form a cementitious material.
The inclusion of a reinforcement material: Roman concrete was often reinforced with a material such as iron or lead, which helped to increase its structural strength and resist cracking.
The use of a hydraulic setting process: Roman concrete was able to harden underwater due to its hydraulic setting properties, which allowed it to set and cure even in the presence of water.
The construction of thick, monolithic structures: Roman concrete was often used to build thick, monolithic structures such as walls and foundations, which were able to withstand the forces of nature and resist deterioration over time.
Overall, the combination of these factors made Roman concrete a highly durable construction material that has stood the test of time.
itsthecourier|3 years ago
dgoldstein0|3 years ago
Sounds like chatgpt messed up it's facts? If this means reenforced like with rebar, the Romans didn't do that - and that's part of why their concrete structures lasted so long - when designed to be under compression rather than tension (arches, domes, etc)