Why Roman buildings Are So Strong, Scientists Reveal

The historical Rome buildings lasted a millennia. In this week's post we will go over what scientist's have tested and found out.  How did the materials of the colossal buildings like the Pantheon, and Colosseum last for more than 2000 years ?

Many of us have heard that the Romans built have built big, and quality buildings.  Scientists now reveal that they done a new study which shows why their buildings lasted long, stayed durable.

Researchers from U.S.A , Switzerland and Italy analyzed samples of a 2000 year old wall,  at Privernum in central Italy and  from The Roman Empire.  

They found white chunks in the concrete, which are referred as lime clasts. That allows cracks to be healed over time. The white chunks have been thought as poor mixing or low quality material before.

Admir Masic -  An associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,  has said that it was difficult for him to believe that the Roman engineers would do sloppy work, because the Roman engineers would take careful consideration in deciding and use of the materials. Specific guidelines were used in the construction of the Roman Empire.

The new research finding could possibly make the new construction of buildings more durable and with better quality.

Concrete is essentially rock or stone, formed by mixing cement , water, limestone, and sand.  It is said the Romans have first combined lime with water before mixing, before mixing with a binding agent. That is how the Roman's concrete were made.  

Researchers have said that the lime clasts occurred because of the calcium oxide (quicklime) . The hot mixing and the use of quicklime made the concrete strong and last longer.   The high temperature involving hot mixing, reduces curing and setting times so the reactions are quicker. This allows for faster construction of buildings.

To make sure the lime clasts were the reason for the concrete to repair itself, the researchers conducted a test.

Two samples of concrete were taken, one following the Roman guidelines and the other modern guidelines. They cracked open both of them. The results were that after two week's water could not flow through the Roman concrete. Water flowed though the one without quick lime.

They found out lime clasts can dissolve into cracks and recrystallize after exposure to water, healing cracks. This healing part allowed for more durable and sustainable Roman concrete.  This was a reason why the Roman buildings lasted for so long, and was durable.