Many are in awe of
the beauty and historical value of ancient Roman architecture; however, what is
most impressive about these structures is their resilience. Despite centuries
of climate change, concrete structures like the Parthenon and the Colosseum
were able to endure more than the majority of modern structures today, which
civil engineers and architects anticipate to remain in good condition for
approximately 50 years. Research led by scientists at Harvard and MIT found, after
analyzing the makeup of this concrete, that it contained lime
clasts
. Lime clasts are small chunks of white mineral deposits that contain
calcium oxide and gave this ancient concrete “self-healing” capabilities.
. Lime clasts are small chunks of white mineral deposits that contain
calcium oxide and gave this ancient concrete “self-healing” capabilities.Despite how it
sounds, this idea of structures being self-healing is not magic but a simple
scientific chemical process. When concrete begins to crack due to weathering
over time or various freeze-thaw cycles (especially due to climate change), the
quicklime in these lime clasts begins to create a chemical reaction with water
and causes a recrystallization of calcium carbonate that seals the cracks that
appear in the concrete.
Not only could this prove beneficial for roadways and
bridges to prevent minor cracks and create buildings that are more structurally sound, but it could also help reduce emissions that
are worsening climate change. Cement production accounts for about 8% of
greenhouse gas emissions. Modern-day concrete is created with a
variety of aggregates and cement, which is the ‘glue’ that holds the
aggregate together and gives concrete its strength. The downside to this
process is this mixture needs to be heated at 2,642 degrees Fahrenheit (1,450
degrees Celsius), causing an abundance of carbon to be released into the
atmosphere from burning fuel. The ancient Romans, however, used heated lime in even
lesser quantities to create clumps of lime clasts to mix into their concrete,
which only needed to be baked at 1,652 degrees Fahrenheit (900 degrees Celsius),
producing a substantially lower amount of carbon emissions due to the lack of fuel
needed. Not only does the process of creating this concrete produce less
emissions, but its healing properties would prevent the reconstruction of previously built infrastructure,
saving time and additional emissions.
There are startup concrete companies in the process of utilizing this method of construction, claiming that this method is not only less carbon-costly but less expensive than the current self-healing concrete that has been produced. Approximately 19 billion tons of concrete are being used around the world annually. Creating concrete that is not only more sustainable but creates a smaller carbon footprint would be a huge step in the right direction to combat climate change and carbon emissions.
I didn't know that the production of concrete was such an energy intensive process and that it makes up 8% of emissions. Hopefully this new-old technology can help to make it more efficient.
ReplyDeleteHey Abby,
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting concept and you explained the science behind it very clearly. I think this would be a great step in reducing the amount of emissions created by constant building renovations/construction. It is also great to hear that this a cheaper option so hopefully communities will be more open to switching over. However, knowing how prevalent planned obsolesce is, I worry that some won't make the switch so that they can continue to replace buildings/roads more frequently allowing them to sell more product.
This is such an interesting fact that I personally did not know about. I wonder what the world would be like today if we kept with the system that the romans used. Would the world and structures of today be better off?
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this! This is such a new and different thing to report on, thank you for sharing. I too have always thought why is it that their buildings and roads are still standing and yet our own infrastructure crumbles so quickly. If they could incorporate this I would be interested to see how well it would do here in the cold winters.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you for sharing this. I had no clue before that some materials have self healing properties, hopefully these can be further utilized and put to use for structures in areas that suffer tropical storms
ReplyDeleteThis was a really informative post! I remember hearing about Roman Concrete when I was a kid and the secret to it had not yet been discovered. It is so cool that they've figured it out now! It is even cooler learning how it might impact climate change, I had no clue that cement production was an emission contributor. Hopefully this substance can be used to create stronger, long-lasting buildings with a lower carbon cost.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the glue had to be heated to 2642 degrees and that it produces so much carbon into the air. this was a very insightful post
ReplyDeleteRoman architecture is really impressive, and the discovery of lime clasts providing self-healing capabilities offers a promising solution for modern infrastructure. This method not only enhances the durability of structures but also significantly reduces carbon emissions during production. By adopting these ancient techniques, we can create more sustainable concrete that requires less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases. The potential for startup companies to implement this method on a large scale could lead to substantial environmental benefits, making it a crucial step towards mitigating climate change.
ReplyDeleteAbby, this is such a great post, and I was so impressed to see how you could bring your field and something you love in this class. I had no idea how much concrete was aiding to climate change. Your suggestion of change is great, and I think it could really help our planet begin to fix our wrongs.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting post, I had no idea how much emissions making concrete produced! My dad is a civil engineer who works a lot with concrete and asphalt, so I know a lot about it, but I never considered the connection it has to the climate crisis. It is amazing to see that there are people trying to account for it and adjust accordingly.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting subject and could help reduce our carbon impact. I did not know how much carbon it took to create concrete.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other commenters about how interesting your post is. As you say concrete is a key climate issue. There are several innovative ways being worked on reduce the greenhouse gases from concrete. The Parthenon is a Greek building and made of marble. The Pantheon is Roman and made of concrete. In fact it is the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world and it stands in nearly perfect condition for almost 2000 years. It is the most amazing building I have ever entered. It has enormous, massive doors original to 128 AD. I gently leaned on one and it swung silently on its hinges.
ReplyDeleteThe ancient Roman concrete’s self-healing properties and lower carbon emissions present a sustainable alternative to modern concrete, offering both environmental and economic benefits. By incorporating lime clasts into construction, we could reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production while extending the longevity of infrastructure.
ReplyDeleteI love how you brought up how we can implement solutions and climate durability in construction! Using these long lasting materials would significantly decrease emissions from constant construction work and frequent transportation of materials. It's so interesting how these ancient structures seemed to be ahead of their time by withstanding centuries of drastic events and climate change impacts. I'm glad to see that there are start-ups to begin implementing more of these "self-healing" materials.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Ancient Roman concrete’s self-healing tech is a game-changer for sustainability. Are any major projects using it yet? How soon could it go mainstream?
ReplyDelete