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Ancient Roman concrete has withstood the attack by elements for over 2,000 years. The basic construction techniques of the Romans must be better than those of modern practice as judged by comparing the products. Can we learn from the Romans in some way to improve our concrete?
Dusty ancient history books taught us that Roman concrete consisted of just three parts: a pasty, hydrate lime; pozzolan ash from a nearby volcano; and a few pieces of fist-sized rock. If these parts were mixed together in the manner of modern concrete and placed in a structure, the result certainly would not pass the test of the ages. The riddle plaguing the minds of our concrete specialists . . . how did those Romans around the time of Christ build such elaborate, ageless structures in concrete as seen on the skyline of Rome?
I ended up finding a supplier and buying 400 tons of volcanic ash when I built my concrete home. my home is more the 4600 sq ft and is considered an underground home. my home is very lit up and pretty well ventilated.
I used both the ash and large size gravel in the mixture. I also used copper rebar instead of the normal steel as copper does not rust as steel does. as far as the hydrated lime goes, I just asked the supplier to give me what is closest to natural as you can get it, as that is what the romans would have access to.
when spring or summer comes I will post pictures if I remember to.
I for one would be very interested to see it, and hear a report on how it worked for you in your first winter living in it.
I am interested in the copper re-bar aspect as well. It would seem to me just off the top of my head that the combination of dense concrete with added volcanic silica, earth, and what is basically a farday cage would combine to make it difficult to get an AM/FM radio signal inside the structure.
Either that or the worlds largest isoliniar chip!
Of course it should be great for protection from solar electromagnetic storms and nuclear blasts
My words may come across as flippant, but please be assured I am intensly interested in experimental structures of this nature and I am genuinely interested in how your ideas have translated into a practical application like this.
I'm also interested in hearing more about this copper rebar. I have never seen or even heard of such an animal.
I know that copper pipes have to be protected from concrete because of corrosion. I also assume that copper does not have close to the same strength that steel does, so how does the size affect placement.
How were you able to get approval for concrete mix as far as psi loads, rebar, etc?
What about factors you are not considering? Temperature, climate, humidity, precipitation...even the fact that everything was done by hand back then - which often leads to a different methodology of building, different loads on walls, etc? You really need to take such factors into consideration. I would say, from my own observation (I have been to Rome), that the ancient Roman sewer system is still functional, whereas many built here in the US in the last 100 years are now defunct. But the Romans used different materials and worked by hand, and the craftsmanship was outstanding. Not today!
I'm also interested in hearing more about this copper rebar. I have never seen or even heard of such an animal.
I know that copper pipes have to be protected from concrete because of corrosion. I also assume that copper does not have close to the same strength that steel does, so how does the size affect placement.
How were you able to get approval for concrete mix as far as psi loads, rebar, etc?
Something else bothers me about this - copper has less than 1/3 the yield strength of even mild steel. Personally, I think it is a horrible choice for a rebar material. Quite literally, bones from an abattoir would have been a better choice, especially if there was no significant shear force involved.
"I also used copper rebar instead of the normal steel as copper does not rust as steel does. "
You are aware that copper corrodes in the presence of concrete? What was used to prevent this from happening?
it was sheathed in a rubberized coating. when I bought the copper rebar from the manufacturer, they recommended it as I am not the 1st person to ask for copper rebar.
I for one would be very interested to see it, and hear a report on how it worked for you in your first winter living in it.
I am interested in the copper re-bar aspect as well. It would seem to me just off the top of my head that the combination of dense concrete with added volcanic silica, earth, and what is basically a farday cage would combine to make it difficult to get an AM/FM radio signal inside the structure.
Either that or the worlds largest isoliniar chip!
Of course it should be great for protection from solar electromagnetic storms and nuclear blasts
My words may come across as flippant, but please be assured I am intensly interested in experimental structures of this nature and I am genuinely interested in how your ideas have translated into a practical application like this.
MT, so far with the heat completely off and even in sub-zero weather the last few weeks, the temperature has not gotten below 54 degrees inside.
I have not had any problems getting am/fm inside the home.
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