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It is unlikely that the Romans used knowledge of concrete gained from Mesopotamia. Concrete was made on a very small scale in Mesopotamia and the Romans devised their own concrete long before they got anywhere near Mesopotamia. A more likely source of inspiration would have been the Greeks who made mortars from a pumice called Santorin earth- named after the island where it was extracted. Pumice is a glassy volcanic rock. The Romans took cement making to a higher level. The kind of pumice they used was a finer grained one called pozzolana - named after Pozzuoli, a volcanic area by Naples. The Romans devised lime mortar-pozzolana pastes as binders for concrete (Vitruvius wrote of a 1:2 ratio for buildings and a 1:3 one for underwater concrete). Thus pozzolana was used as an additive to mortar, rather than using it alone as a mortar. When pozzolana is mixed with lime, it forms a light-weight, smooth, plaster-like concrete. Sand and stone rubble or rubble from previous buildings was used to add strength to it. The Romans invented a form of concrete which was much stronger than any previous one and which measures up to modern Portland concrete. The first known use of concrete by the Romans was the building of the piers of the port of Cosa (SW Tuscany) in 273 AD. Prior to this the Romans made their structures with rock blocks and bricks -which continued to be used.

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How did roads aqueducts and concrete contribute to life?

Hhh


How many concrete structures were there in ancient Rome?

There is not a precise count. The Romans used concrete extensively. They used it for large buildings, bridges, and aqueducts though stone and brick were used as well in a concrete construction. As Roman concrete also set underwater, it was also used to build ports.The biggest building which was made mainly in concrete is the Colosseum.


3 things the Romans brought to Britain?

concrete, aqueducts and roads


What materials did Romans use to build arches?

The Romans did not specifically create any one material to built aqueducts and arches. Their arches were mainly stone, some faced with concrete, depending on the purpose for the arch. The aqueducts were large diameter ceramic pipes. On the above ground aqueducts, these ceramic pipes rode atop the arches and they were the aqueducts in the underground ones. The 10th Legion's ceramic workshop has recently been found in Israel and it shows their ceramic kiln rooms and workrooms.


What did the Romans build to transport water to their cities how did these structures work?

The Romans built aqueducts to transport water to their cities. These structures utilized a gradient system, allowing gravity to move water from higher elevations to lower areas, often spanning long distances. Made from stone, brick, and concrete, aqueducts featured arches and channels, enabling them to cross valleys and uneven terrain while maintaining a consistent flow of water. This engineering marvel ensured a reliable supply of fresh water for drinking, bathing, and irrigation in urban areas.

Related Questions

What features of the Roman cities are still in use today?

Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.Two features of Roman cities immediately come to mind, they are the aqueducts and concrete. Aqueducts are still used in some areas and our modern piping evolved from them. Concrete is obvious -- streets, sidewalks, driveways, etc.


How did roads aqueducts and concrete contribute to life?

Hhh


How many concrete structures were there in ancient Rome?

There is not a precise count. The Romans used concrete extensively. They used it for large buildings, bridges, and aqueducts though stone and brick were used as well in a concrete construction. As Roman concrete also set underwater, it was also used to build ports.The biggest building which was made mainly in concrete is the Colosseum.


3 things the Romans brought to Britain?

concrete, aqueducts and roads


What did the Romans Invent for us?

Concrete, Aqueducts, Baths, Central Heating and Roads.


How are aqueducts today diffent from aqueducts in rome?

Modern aqueducts differ from those in ancient Rome primarily in their construction materials and technology. While Roman aqueducts were predominantly made of stone and concrete, contemporary aqueducts often utilize advanced materials like reinforced concrete and plastics. Additionally, modern engineering allows for more sophisticated designs, including the use of pumps and pressure systems, enabling efficient water transport over greater distances. Finally, modern aqueducts are typically integrated into larger water management systems that prioritize sustainability and environmental considerations.


What was Roman architecture structures made out of?

Roman architecture primarily utilized materials such as concrete, brick, and stone, particularly limestone and marble. Concrete, a revolutionary innovation of the Romans, allowed for the construction of larger and more durable structures. Additionally, they often used travertine and volcanic tuff for various buildings, while decorative elements frequently incorporated marble. This combination of materials enabled the Romans to create impressive structures like aqueducts, amphitheaters, and temples that have withstood the test of time.


Which is costly steel structures or concrete structures?

Concrete structures are more costly than steel structures. Both types of material are the dominant materials that are used in building homes and offices.


What is distress in concrete?

The cracks in concrete and its inability to support certain structures is what is called distress in concrete.


Who first used concrete?

The use of concrete dates back to ancient civilizations, with the earliest known use attributed to the Nabataean traders around 6500 BC in what is now Jordan and Syria. However, the Romans are often credited with popularizing and significantly advancing concrete technology around 300 BC, using it extensively in their architectural masterpieces, such as the Pantheon and aqueducts. Roman concrete, known as opus caementicium, was pivotal in the development of durable structures that have stood the test of time.


What materials did Romans use to build arches?

The Romans did not specifically create any one material to built aqueducts and arches. Their arches were mainly stone, some faced with concrete, depending on the purpose for the arch. The aqueducts were large diameter ceramic pipes. On the above ground aqueducts, these ceramic pipes rode atop the arches and they were the aqueducts in the underground ones. The 10th Legion's ceramic workshop has recently been found in Israel and it shows their ceramic kiln rooms and workrooms.


What are the advantages Of concrete for Romans?

Concrete provided the Romans with several significant advantages, including durability and versatility. Its strength allowed for the construction of monumental structures like the Pantheon and aqueducts, which have stood the test of time. Additionally, Roman concrete could be poured into molds, enabling complex architectural designs and facilitating the rapid construction of buildings and infrastructure. This innovation contributed to the expansion of Roman influence and infrastructure across their empire.