Research team recreates ancient underwater concrete technology

PhysOrg.com ^ | Apr 7, 2005 | unknown

[wildbill]

A fun way to learn about Roman engineering use of concrete is the novel, Pompeii by Robert Harris.

The novel is about a young “aquarius” or aquaduct engineer who gets the first warning about Vesuvius when problems start to occur in the water supply in Pompeii and Misenum a couple of days before the eruption.

Mixed in with his solving of the mystery of why the aquaducts aren’t working or have sulphur in the water is great information about the engineering of aquaducts, the core of which was the cast concrete water main.

You may not think this provides a great read, but I’m probably not giving a good enough precis to make it come alive—but give it a shot. As days pass and he begins to climb through the aquaducts onto the slopes of Vesuvius you want to shout, “Forget the damn water main. Grab your girl and get the hell out before the volcano blows.”