Unfinished construction projects at the ancient site of Pompeii have become a treasure trove for modern engineers. Tools, raw materials and half-finished walls are left untouched, just like a time capsule, to reveal a great secret. A team of international researchers excavated this ancient building site and found evidence that reveals the exact concrete instructions of the Romans. The findings show that Roman engineering was much more complex than we previously thought. (CNN)
Photographer: Unknown / Italy Perfrct
Until now, it was thought that the famous book “10 Books of Architecture” by Vitruvius, the famous Roman architect, was the main reference for ancient constructions. He wrote that water should be added to lime first; But the new findings in Pompeii drew a false line on this claim. Evidence shows that workers first mixed dry materials with volcanic aggregates and then added water. This process, called “hot mix”, created a chemical reaction that generated heat, which is the secret of the strength of these structures.
Photographer: Unknown / Walks of Italy
The surprising point of the story is the presence of small white pieces of lime in the concrete, which for years were thought to be the result of incomplete composition or low quality materials; But these pieces of lime are actually a smart safety system for the building. When tiny cracks form in the concrete, rainwater seeps in and dissolves these limes. The resulting solution fills the cracks and after drying, the lime crystal is formed again. In simple words, Roman buildings were capable of “self-repair”; A technology that we are just trying to achieve in the 21st century.
By deciphering this ancient formula, scientists hope to create modern concrete that will extend the life of today’s infrastructure from decades to centuries. Maybe a day will come when our buildings, like the Colosseum, will become a stubborn opponent of time.
Photographer: Unknown / WMF
Why do you think today’s buildings have a shorter lifespan than the structures of 2,000 years ago, despite the advancement of technology? Write your opinion for Kajaro.
Cover photo source: | Photographer: Unknown
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