Strengthened resilience found in ancient Roman concrete may pave way for eco-friendly construction: Research find
In the race to decarbonize the construction industry, researchers are looking back to the past for solutions. One such solution could lie in the strategies used by the ancient Romans in producing concrete.
While incorporating ancient Roman concrete production strategies may not significantly reduce emissions during production, they offer a promising pathway to lower lifecycle carbon emissions in construction. The durability and reduced maintenance requirements of Roman concrete can contribute to this goal.
Roman concrete, made with volcanic ash (pozzolan) and recycled rubble, has proven longevity spanning centuries. This longevity can reduce the frequency of repairs and replacements, thereby lowering overall embodied carbon over a structure’s lifecycle.
However, studies have shown that producing Roman-style concrete today using modern techniques and current energy sources results in comparable or sometimes higher CO2 emissions and energy use than modern Portland cement concrete. The main carbon emissions stem from heating limestone at high temperatures to create the calcium oxide necessary for the binder in both ancient and modern concretes.
Despite the similar emissions, Roman concrete concepts could aid decarbonization in several ways. Firstly, extending the service life of infrastructure, decreasing the need for frequent reconstruction or significant maintenance that are carbon-intensive. Secondly, reducing deterioration related to steel reinforcement corrosion, since Roman concrete structures did not rely on steel rebar which is a major cause of modern concrete degradation and replacement.
Thirdly, potentially enabling the use of alternative kiln fuels such as biomass or renewables during production, which has been suggested as a more effective route to decarbonize cement production than changing concrete formulas alone.
The environmental crisis has propelled researchers to find solutions, and the Romans, with their use of locally sourced rocks, volcanic debris, and other recycled rubble, may still have lessons to impart to the modern age. By combining these ancient strategies with modern energy innovations for kiln firing and cement production, we could potentially create a more sustainable built environment.
However, researchers still need to investigate how the two materials compare in terms of performance and durability. While the raw production emissions of Roman concrete mixes are not necessarily lower, their durability and reduced maintenance requirements offer a pathway to lower lifecycle carbon emissions in construction. The race to decarbonize the industry can benefit from this combination of ancient wisdom and modern innovation.
- Scientists could employ modern technology to optimize the production of Roman-style concrete, using environmental-science principles to investigate alternative energy sources such as biomass or renewables for kiln firing.
- Incorporating the techniques of ancient Roman concrete production, which involved the use of locally sourced materials like volcanic ash (pozzolan) and recycled rubble, could potentially form a symbiotic relationship with contemporary aerospace technology, allowing for the development of novel, low-emission construction practices.
- By merging ancient strategies in concrete production with advancements in science, technology, and energy innovations, researchers may contribute to a decarbonized future in the construction industry, balancing the need for innovation with the wisdom of the past.
