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Was Roman Concrete Better?

Practical Engineering · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Civil engineering & constructionMaterials science

What it is

Practical Engineering compares modern concrete with that of the Roman Empire, covering modern techniques like roller compacted concrete and water-reducing admixtures. It explains the tradeoffs of Roman construction versus reinforced concrete.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN recommends it as a clear, balanced answer to claims that Roman concrete was better than ours.

  • 4 people recommended it
  • 3 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2021, last 2024

What HN commenters said

  1. “has a pretty good video on Roman concrete vs. modern.”

    Compares Roman and modern concrete, rebar and tension.

    sillyquiet, 2021-10 · Recommendation · in “2,050-year-old Roman tomb offers insights on ancient concrete resilience”

  2. “Here's a good video on the use and tradeoffs of Roman concrete engineering”

    Tradeoffs of Roman concrete versus rebar.

    kibwen, 2022-01 · Recommendation · in “How to design a house to last 1000 years”

  3. “Practical Engineering has a good video about it”

    Explains why Roman buildings used arches and mass.

    adwn, 2022-10 · Recommendation · in “Startup Builds Houses by Pumping Concrete into Inflatable Forms”

  4. “Practical Engineering has a good video on Roman concrete”

    Good video on Roman concrete.

    wnevets, 2022-10 · Recommendation · in “Forgetting the Asbestos – how we lose knowledge and technologies”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: concrete, roman engineering, civil engineering, rebar, materials

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