Scientists Unveil the Chemical Secret of Exceptional Roman Cement.
“Roman cement is not only not corroded by seawater, but also gradually becomes stronger as the centuries go by”
Using an electron microscope, X-ray micro-diffraction and a Raman spectroscope, the researchers mapped the chemical composition in different Roman architectural works. In addition to significant amounts of Tobermorite, they also detected the presence of a porous mineral called “Phillipsite,” which continues to form through continuous exposure to seawater, reinforcing the concrete and preventing cracks from forming.
Marie Jackson, lead author of the study, says, “In contrast to modern cement principles, the Romans created a 'rock' cement, which thrives and benefits in chemical exchange with seawater. This is something very rare on earth. I think our research opens up a new perspective about cement, and I believe we may be able to produce a mineral cement that improves its resilience over time.”
Ancient Romans : Amazing Engineers
Paesini di Natale tra Puglia e Basilicata
i paesini di natale 3 x 1 Tre Audioguide per smartphone al prezzo di una sola.Anzi,…
Are dry stone walls eco-friendly? Yes, the Terracing Borders of Life and Death ( Part 2 )
Are drystone walls eco-friendly? Yes, right from birth. (Part 1)
Are dry stone walls eco-friendly? Yes, since birth. (Part 1)
Adventure Tourism in Apulia: “the blades” of the territory.
Adventure Tourism in Puglia: the "blades" of the Territory
The ancient Romans were incredible engineers. Monuments, roads and aqueducts built in that was held up very well despite the weather, natural disasters and wear and tear they faced, but have you ever wondered why? How did they endure for so long? The answer lies in the cement they used, the chemical composition of which was recently analyzed by a series of Italian, American and Chinese experts. Ready to discover its secret formula?
I, deeply in love with travel, research and especially innovation, was fascinated by the topic and couldn't help but share it with you. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit Rome I am always amazed and cannot help but wonder how they managed to build such monuments, TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO, not yesterday. Now I have the answers to my questions: the results of analyzes conducted some time ago on the Roman port in the bay of Pozzuoli (Naples) suggested that it was the contact with water that made the concrete particularly solid, strong, but it is not just that. The new study conducted in California, however, provides us with new elements that explain the chemical composition of the ancient Romans' concrete, thus unraveling the mystery: particular chemical reactions between the components of the mortar made this material very strong, comparable to that of many cements today.
Composition of Roman cement: the discovery
By analyzing the mineral components of cement taken from Pozzuoli Bay, the team of international researchers was able to discover the secret formula of the composition of ancient Roman cement: how did they prepare it in those days? The main ingredients of the mortar in question are pozzolan (a mixture of volcanic ash and silt) and lime, into which fragments of tuff, bricks and shards were inserted to form the cementitious, or one of the earliest examples of concrete in history. Replicating the particular ancient recipe, scholars allowed this concrete to harden for 180 days and found that as it hardened, the materials in the mixture created an extremely hard crystal that prevented cracks from widening. And this is how the ancient Romans had managed to build particularly strong monuments.
For comparison, Portland cement (the one most commonly used today) is not combined with pozzolan and does not bond well compared to the ecological concrete of the ancient Romans; in fact, it tends to wear out quickly if in contact with seawater. In addition, its manufacture produces a considerable amount of carbon dioxide, so it does not help the environment at all.
I suppose they already had incredible knowledge of the seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete in those days, given the remarkable strength of the monuments built, but I also find it particularly interesting that the composition of Roman cement makes it an environmentally friendly cement. Why? Easy: in addition to being stronger than Portland cement, the ancient Romans' concrete is also more sustainable! Indeed, the Romans used much less lime but also a process that consumed much less fuel. So adopting the materials and production techniques of as many as two thousand years ago could revolutionize today's construction industry with stronger, more durable and less carbon dioxide-emitting concrete.
TO
“The cement was a mix of volcanic dust, Calcium Oxide and seawater.”
Electron Microscope image of a section
Researchers at the University of Utah have attempted to solve this fascinating riddle from the time of the Caesars, which could lead to today's chemical technology appropriating ancient techniques that are ameliorative to those of today. The results of the research were published in GeoScienceWorld), and they identified two specific components as the secret to the strength of Roman cement: lime and volcanic ash, which contained a rare mineral known as “Aluminum Tobermorite.” When exposed to seawater, the substance crystallizes into lime, and strengthens the surrounding material.
The discovery could therefore prove particularly valuable for the development of a future environmentally friendly cement that could precisely pollute less and hopefully last even longer than today's cement. Could the ancient composition of Roman cement revolutionize modern architecture?
The first practical application that could benefit from the study of exceptional Roman concrete is the barrier protection of Swansea Lagoon in Wales.
via Admiral Millo 9 .
Alberobello, Bari. ( Italy )
📞 +39 339 5856822
English 
Italian 
Spanish