Hot mixing: Mechanistic insights into the durability of ancient Roman concrete
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sciadv.add1602.pdf
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2.13 MB
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Checksum (MD5)
acc267ab0511637024d0ddda6e8955d8
Author(s)
Masic, Admir
Seymour, Linda
Maragh, Janille
Date Issued
January 6, 2023
Journal
Science Advances
Publisher
AAAS
Citation
Masic, Admir, Seymour, Linda and Maragh, Janille. 2023. "Hot mixing: Mechanistic insights into the durability of ancient Roman concrete." Science Advances, 9 (1).
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Ancient Roman concretes have survived millennia, but mechanistic insights into their durability remain an
enigma. Here, we use a multiscale correlative elemental and chemical mapping approach to investigating
relict lime clasts, a ubiquitous and conspicuous mineral component associated with ancient Roman mortars.
Together, these analyses provide new insights into mortar preparation methodologies and provide evidence
that the Romans employed hot mixing, using quicklime in conjunction with, or instead of, slaked lime, to
create an environment where high surface area aggregate-scale lime clasts are retained within the mortar
matrix. Inspired by these findings, we propose that these macroscopic inclusions might serve as critical
sources of reactive calcium for long-term pore and crack-filling or post-pozzolanic reactivity within the cementitious constructs. The subsequent development and testing of modern lime clast–containing cementitious mixtures demonstrate their self-healing potential, thus paving the way for the development of more durable, resilient, and sustainable concrete formulations.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.add1602
