shrewdmanager #FBPEApr 7, 2023
Christopher Phin
They’ve figured out the secret of ancient Roman concrete’s durability! And it’s really cool! https://news.mit.edu/2023/roman-concrete-durability-lime-casts-0106
Riddle solved: Why was Roman concrete so durable?

Researchers have discovered ancient Roman concrete-manufacturing strategies that incorporated self-healing. Applying this knowledge toward modern cement production, they hope to improve the material’s environmental impact.

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Apr 6, 2023 at 10:52amIvory for iOS
Show threadKatjaApr 7, 2023
@chrisphin being condescending is really part of our make up 🙄, very interesting article
Show threadChristopher PhinApr 7, 2023
@Kaetchi Was… was I being condescending? I’m not sure what point you’re making!
Show threadKatjaApr 23, 2023
@chrisphin not at all you but everybody thinking it was an accident etc not giving potential credit. Just find this kind of attitude everywhere anti malarial drug developed by chinese researcher 👩‍🔬 Tu Youyou took forever to be used in western 🌎 usual mistrust condescending ….. not even realising future bigger than just current “western” knowledge and effort
Show threadChristopher PhinApr 23, 2023
@Kaetchi Oh, yeah; I’m sure it was entirely deliberate and painstakingly worked out over time.
Show thread@faktoiderApr 7, 2023

@chrisphin Haven't the healing properties of Roman concrete been known for some time? Here's a 2015 article that specifically mentions it.

https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/technology/2015/09/roman-concrete-more-than-stands-the-test-of-time-1010334w

Roman concrete more than stands the test of time - constructconnect.com - Daily Commercial News

The secrets of Roman concrete could pave the way for greener concrete, according to researchers who have created a recipe to replicate the mix as it was 1,900 years ago.

Daily Commercial News
Show threadChristopher PhinApr 7, 2023
@faktoider Not an expert. 😄 But that article seems specifically to be referring to the ash, which had been know but which was an incomplete explanation. The specific chemistry around lime is the new discovery, I believe.
Show threadBrian PerryApr 7, 2023
@chrisphin Self-healing concrete is a new one to me, very cool.
Show threadSkynetRobot0Apr 7, 2023
@chrisphin wow this is cool
Show threadMGFarm   Apr 7, 2023

@chrisphin
@APBBlue

That is really cool! Self-repairing roads and building would be amazing!

Show threadDeadly HeadshotApr 7, 2023
@chrisphin
"As a result of these successful tests, the team is working to commercialize this modified cement material." How can they file for a patent with 4000 years of prior art?!
Show threadAdam Shostack  Apr 7, 2023
@chrisphin Or... https://shostack.org/blog/roman-concrete/ 🤷
Shostack + Friends Blog > Roman Concrete

Roman concrete was cool, but the new MIT result may be off-base

Show threadTheo HonohanSep 10, 2023
@adamshostack @chrisphin Your blog post neglects to mention the significant fact that, in rusting, the steel reinforcement expands, a lot, leading to fracturing of the concrete. This shown in the diagram you posted but you give the impression of not being aware of it. Anyway, it's not a case of that explanation and the MIT one being mutually exclusive.
Show threadBadscrewApr 7, 2023
@chrisphin because they didn’t « reinforce » it with very much unstable and perishable iron.
Show threadDavidApr 8, 2023
@chrisphin I always thought it had something to do with the lime but never dreamed it was quicklime.