Romancrete is also quite strong, as strong or stronger than some modern forms of concrete.
“Romancrete is also quite strong, as strong or stronger than some modern
forms of concrete.”
(General info on one of the “rediscovered” Roman technologies)
I’m no engineer, but IIRC from some History Channel shows, the great
feat of the Romans was “hydraulic cement”, that could be used to
even make cast forms underwater.
I think one show mentioned that the mixing and using of this wonderful
material was lost for centuries...only recovered in modern times.
Like this new “Roman superglue”, some of the castings are still in
great shape even after a couple of millenia of weathering.
INCREDIBLE.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pozzolana
Finely ground and mixed with lime it creates a hydraulic cement and
can be used to make a strong mortar that will also set under water. It
transformed the possibilities for making concrete structures,
although it took the Romans some time to discover its full potential.
Typically it was mixed two-to-one with lime just prior to mixing with
water. The Roman port at Cosa was built of Pozzolana that was poured
underwater, apparently using a long tube to carefully lay it up without
allowing sea water to mix with it. The three piers are still visible today,
with the underwater portions in generally excellent condition after
2100 years.