Ancient Roman concrete was incredibly strong — scientists may have just figured out why
Business Insider USA tourist at the Roman Pantheon on May 12, 2022. Scientists may have cracked the secrete of why ancient Roman concrete, used on this building, was so durable.Ancient Roman concrete is incredibly durable, even more so than modern concrete. One team may have cracked the mystery — focusing on tiny white flecks once seen as imperfections.
The general belief was that the lime was first mixed with water, before adding in the aggregates. The flecks were seen as a sign the mortar was not well mixed by the builders. After studying the flecks more closely, Masic and the team of scientists concluded that they were likely to have been put there on purpose. This, they found, was crucial to the self-healing property of the concrete.Scietnists have analysed the elements in this lump of concrete. A false color image shows a large lump of calcium, in red, on this image.Lime clasts — the white flecks — are quite brittle, and that's a good thing.
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