Why Ancient Roman Concrete Has Literally Withstood the Test of Time
The secret to the durability of Ancient Roman concrete has been discovered.
The special ingredient is a particular type of lime – adding it to the concrete mixture and heaing the whole concoction to a high temperature produces a particular chemical reaction. The resulting concrete is one that can withstand cracks – because it has "self-healing" properties!
We Finally Know Why Ancient Roman Concrete Was So Durable
The ancient Romans were masters of building and engineering, perhaps most famously represented by the aqueducts.
Michelle Starr