I was dead wrong about those ancient Roman concrete recipes

For years I rolled my eyes at all the hype about Roman concrete being better than modern stuff. Figured it was just romanticizing the past. Then I actually read the 2023 MIT study on their hot mixing process with quicklime. They showed how the lime clasts actually give the concrete self-healing properties over time. That's why Roman harbor structures have lasted 2,000 years while our modern stuff crumbles in 50. Has anyone here tried experimenting with lime-based mixes in their own projects?

2 comments

2 Comments

rowan_butler931mo ago

Throw quicklime into my next concrete project" sounds like you might end up burning your driveway clean off.

kelly_hill1mo ago

Wait, you mean all those times I called ancient builders overrated I was actually the clown in the room? Honestly, the idea that 2,000 year old concrete can fix itself while my driveway cracks after one frost is both embarrassing and kind of hilarious. Ngl, I'm half tempted to start throwing quicklime into my next concrete project just to see if the neighbors think I'm a genius or a pyromaniac.