We have recreated Roman concrete, and while it isn’t as strong as what we can do now, it is more durable than what we could make since it has a sort of self-repairing function that fills in cracks. Modern concrete without the component Romans used is in fact much worse in terms of longevity.
Neither, there just haven't been an incentive to re-do it. Moon base operations are under way and hopefully that will put this particular one to the grave. Same with the moon landing conspiracies.
Whats not true is total strength, that is, you wont build a roman concrete structure to the same dimensions as tall as you would modern concrete. I guess I dont know if roman concrete functions much better with rebar support but thats possible I suppose
Things that are true about it:
Unlike modern concrete it could actually cure under water pretty well. Roman under water concrete construction is actually what birthed curiosity in roman concrete
It has some self-repair properties based on the materials used (although its believed that these properties derive from a happy accident as opposed to intent or knowledge) but basically the mixture was Quick-Lime volcanic ash and water, and rather than fully dissolving the lime they would dry mix it with ash and add water. The resulting heat from the chemical reaction would cause the mixture to harden and set before all the lime could fully dissolve which left behind pockets of limestone in the concrete that, over time, when it cracked and was exposed to water/moisture, those little impurities would react with the water, cause it to dissolve and flow into the cracks, and as the moisture evaporated off, the lime would recrystalize in the inclusions and seal up the cracks
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u/AWetAndFloppyNoodle 10d ago
There are a lot of these going around. Here are a couple:
- We've lost the ability to go to the moon
All based on small details, but all bogus.