WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -For many years, researchers have assumed that the key to the ancient concrete’s durability was based on one ingredient: pozzolanic material such as volcanic ash from the area of Pozzuoli, on the Bay of Naples.

Detailed explanation-2: -Material properties In Rome, readily available tuff was often used as an aggregate. Gypsum and quicklime were used as binders. Volcanic dusts, called pozzolana or “pit sand", were favoured where they could be obtained. Pozzolana makes the concrete more resistant to salt water than modern-day concrete.

Detailed explanation-3: -The research team discovered that while modern concrete is made to be inert, the Roman version interacts with the environment. When seawater interacts with the mixture, it forms rare minerals aluminous tobermorite and phillipsite which are believed to strengthen the material.

Detailed explanation-4: -The most common materials used were brick, stone or masonry, cement, concrete and marble. Brick came in many different shapes. Curved bricks were used to build columns, and triangular bricks were used to build walls. Marble was mainly a decorative material.

Detailed explanation-5: -The development of concrete to form the structural core of buildings was one of the most important innovations in Roman architecture. Concrete is easier and quicker to use than cut stone, and its raw materials are cheap and easy to transport.

Detailed explanation-6: -The research team found the ancient Romans made their concrete with quicklime, which is lime in its pure state, rather than the more typical slaked lime, and that this gave it “self-healing” properties.