Roman concrete was a material used in construction during the late Roman Republic until the fading of the Roman Empire. Roman concrete was based on a hydraulic-setting cement. Recently, it has been found that it materially differs in several ways from modern concrete which is based on Portland cement. Roman concrete is durable due to its incorporation of volcanic ash, which prevents cracks from spreading.

Recent scientific breakthroughs examining Roman concrete are gathering media and industry attention. Because of its unusual durability, longevity and lessened environmental footprint, corporations and municipalities are starting to explore the use of Roman-style concrete in North America, substituting the coal fly ash with volcanic ash that has similar properties.

Proponents claim that concrete made with volcanic ash can cost up to 60% less because it requires less cement, and that it has a smaller environmental footprint due to its lower cooking temperature and much longer lifespan. Usable examples of Roman concrete exposed to harsh marine environments have been found to be 2000 years old with little or no wear. Here are a couple of videos exploring how you can make it yourself…

An Attempt at Reproducing Ancient Roman Concrete by using Limestone, Volcanic Ash and Aggregate…

Using Artificial Pozzolans like Terracotta and Red Brick Dust as Substitutes for Volcanic Ash to create a Modern Version of Roman Concrete…

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