Scientists behind a new study say they have uncovered the mystery ingredient that allowed the Romans to make their construction material so durable and build elaborate structures in challenging places such as docks, sewers and earthquake zones.
But how did their construction materials help keep colossal buildings like the Pantheon and the Colosseum standing for more than 2,000 years?Roman concrete, in many cases, has proven to be longer-lasting than its modern equivalent, which can deteriorate within decades.
"For me, it was really difficult to believe that ancient Roman would not do a good job because they really made careful effort when choosing and processing materials," said study author Admir Masic, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.The new finding could help make manufacturing today's concrete more sustainable, potentially shaking up society as the Romans once did.
With further study, the researchers concluded that lime clasts arose because of the use of quicklime — the most reactive, and dangerous, dry form of limestone — when mixing the concrete, rather than or in addition to slaked lime.
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