Roman concrete has proven to be longer-lasting than its modern equivalent, which can deteriorate within decades - Upgoat

Roman concrete has proven to be longer-lasting than its modern equivalent, which can deteriorate within decades
submitted by paul_neri to technology 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 18:17:08 ago (+6/-4) (edition.cnn.com)
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/22/world/human-history-mysteries-solved-science-2023-scn/index.html

[ - ] TheGreatWar 0 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 19:26:27 ago (+0/-0)

Even with the lime casts the roman concrete is overrated. The primary destroyers of modern concrete are rusting steel reinforcement, ice expansion, and water erosion. The lime only heals cracks which modern concrete can additionally prevent using glass fibers. Exterior concrete on roman structures is heavily eroded.

[ + ] Deleted

[ - ] deleted 2 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 19:41:59 ago (+2/-0)

deleted

[ + ] bonghits4jeebus

[ - ] bonghits4jeebus 2 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 21:24:47 ago (+2/-0)

All the modern construction I'm aware of is concrete-and-rebar. Romans didn't have that. Whatever they built out of concrete had to be able to support itself, so I think it was thick.

We are somewhere in between not knowing how to build stuff like that and not caring to. People don't expect buildings to last more than 100 years now. And when they're old we just knock em down. It might be kind of a dark age like when people started writing on papyrus instead of stone.

[ + ] paul_neri

[ - ] paul_neri [op] 1 point 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 23:11:43 ago (+1/-0)

Must you ruin a good story?

[ - ] HonkyMcNiggerSpic 0 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 20:23:50 ago (+0/-0)

Because they crushed up the bones of their enemies and mixed it in with it.

[ - ] deleted 1 point 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 19:23:28 ago (+1/-0)

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[ + ] x0x7

[ - ] x0x7 4 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 19:47:41 ago (+4/-0)

Nah. It's pretty solidly understood. You just have your lye ground to two different sizes, with one being rather course. This does three related things for you.

1. When there is a crack the lye can disolve in the water and then come out of solution when dried sealing up cracks and reducing water penetration

Two and three are nearly the same thing:

2. Concrete has a certain pH, usually very basic. With time it becomes more acidic. When it reaches a certain level it starts crumbling. The excess lye is able to keep the concrete basic longer despite rain and ground water being acidic.

3. Related. By having the lye more clumpy you are able to add extra lye while not adding "too much" for the initial mix.

[ + ] Deleted

[ - ] deleted 0 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 19:55:38 ago (+0/-0)

deleted

[ + ] DukeofRaul

[ - ] DukeofRaul 2 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 19:31:35 ago (+2/-0)

It had coral and volcanic ash in it

[ + ] UncleDoug

[ - ] UncleDoug 1 point 1.4 yearsDec 23, 2023 01:14:56 ago (+1/-0)

Coarse mix with aggregate and salt water aswell

[ + ] bonghits4jeebus

[ - ] bonghits4jeebus 1 point 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 21:19:35 ago (+1/-0)

I was possible because they had a ready supply of that volcanic ash.

[ - ] Lost_In_The_Thinking 1 point 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 22:16:26 ago (+1/-0)

CNN, Neri? Jesus H. You deserve any abuse people give you.

[ + ] paul_neri

[ - ] paul_neri [op] 0 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 23:12:38 ago (+0/-0)

You're a fusspot.

[ - ] iThinkiShitYourself 2 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 21:01:54 ago (+2/-0)

a fucking cnn link............

baby boomer detected. i have never, ever gone to cnn.com for news nor has anyone i know (except baby boomers and gen x)

[ + ] paul_neri

[ - ] paul_neri [op] 0 points 1.4 yearsDec 22, 2023 23:12:54 ago (+0/-0)

Correct.

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