Roman Concrete Durability

Jacklin Kwan reports on research into the unusual durability of Roman concrete . Admir Masic, an MIT chemist, determined that the Romans heated the limestone before formulating concrete. The resulting nuggets of "quicklime" provide additional adhesion in the concrete mix, helping a concrete structure retain its strength in damp environments which normally induce cracks and failure.

For more information, consult Seymour et al. (2023).

-DD