About the Invention of Concrete

Concrete is a hard building material made by combining cement, aggregate and water. Its invention dates back to the ancient Romans. Concrete has enabled civilized man to build roads, buildings, damns and other structures that have improved the quality of life. Concrete foundations have increased the lifespan of buildings by helping to protect them from the elements of nature. Over the years, the process of making concrete has evolved and changed.

History

Ancient Romans first developed concrete, which they used to build bridges, roads and buildings. Some of those early concrete structures remain, giving testament to the durability of the concrete and cement developed by the Romans. The Romans used lime and volcanic ash to create their cement.

Time Frame

After the fall of the Roman Empire in the A.D. 400's, the art of making cement was lost. A British engineer, John Smeaton, discovered a way to make cement (an essential element in concrete) in 1756. The debut for cement in the United States occurred in 1818, with the construction of the Erie Canal. During this time, American Engineer, Canvass White, discovered a rock in New York's Madison County, which made natural hydraulic cement with minimal processing.

Types

Romans made concrete from cement made from lime and volcanic ash. Early American concrete was made with cement from rocks found in New York. In 1824, British bricklayer Joseph Aspdin invented Portland cement, which was considered superior to natural cement. It was created with a combination of limestone and clay. By 1898, there were 91 different formulas for Portland concrete. A standard formula for Portland concrete was established by 1917.

Features

Reinforced concrete, where a material, such as steel, is added to the concrete, was developed in the mid 1800's by French gardener, Joseph Monier. French engineer, Eugene Freyssinet, invented pre-stressed concrete in 1927. Pre-stressed is used to make structures, such as bridges or beams, which have a longer span. It is made by casting concrete around steel cables that have been stretched. When the concrete hardens the cables compress the concrete.

Identification

Reinforced concrete is fashioned by casting concrete around steel rods. Pre-stressed concrete creates a force to counter the weight of the structure. Pre-cast concrete is cast and hardened before used, such as concrete pipes or beams. Concrete masonry is precast block. Air-entrained concrete uses tiny air bubbles to allow the concrete room for expansion if it freezes. High-early-strength concrete hardens quickly and is used in colder climates. Lightweight concrete weighs less than other types of concrete.

Benefits

Concrete is a durable building material that can last for centuries, as is the case for many early Roman structures. Because of its strength, concrete is often used to build dams, bridges and skyscrapers. Concrete is often used as the foundation for houses and other buildings. It can also be used as the material to create building walls, floors or roofs. Concrete can be used to create pipes to carry water or sewage.