Roman concrete wasn't the secret, people just don't understand how lime works

I keep seeing posts about how Roman concrete is some lost magic formula. But I was a mason for 12 years before switching to conservation work in 2018. The hot mixing they talk about with lime clasts? We still do that on heritage sites. It's not a lost secret, it's just more labor intensive and most modern builders won't bother because it takes 3 times as long to set. Has anyone here actually worked with hydraulic lime before jumping on the "ancient genius" bandwagon?

3 comments

3 Comments

felixlane15d ago

Respectfully, plenty of modern masons still use those same techniques just not on every job.

emma_wells8315d ago

Ngl, I tried laying bricks once and my wall looked like it was designed by a toddler with a head injury. The mortar was everywhere except between the bricks, and the whole thing leaned so bad I had to call it modern art just to save face. Meanwhile real masons show up with these old school techniques and make it look effortless, like they're just playing with giant Legos. Tbh, my respect for anyone who can stack rocks without chaos is basically infinite at this point. Must be nice having skills that actually hold things up instead of just my doubts.

jessica92115d ago

Buy a pack of white chalk and snap lines on your concrete foundation before you lay your first brick. It keeps your courses straight and saves you from the leaning tower situation. For the mortar mess, keep a wet sponge in a bucket of water nearby and wipe the joints clean as you go, dont let it dry on the face. If you ever try again, mix your mortar a little stiffer than you think you need it, like peanut butter not pancake batter.