history

Why Did the Roman Empire's Concrete Survive for Millennia?

šŸ’” The Answer

  • Roman concrete used volcanic ash called pozzolana which strengthened over time.
  • The chemical reaction within the concrete created an extremely durable binder.
  • Modern concrete often suffers from corrosion and cracking within decades.
  • Roman concrete self-healed through dissolution of lime clasts in cracks.

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