How old is the oldest concrete?

One of the first forms of concrete used that still exists today can be found in the Pyramids at Giza, Egypt, which were built around 3,000 BC.

meva.net - Oldest Concrete Structures - MEVA UK

What can I build to make money?

Small Woodworking Project Ideas that are Easy to Sell DIY Wood Storage Chest Project. DIY Phone Holder for Desk. DIY Art Organizer. DIY Succulent...

Last updated Sep 20, 2019

Is Rhino similar to SolidWorks?

Both SolidWorks and Rhino allow their users to create realistic renders that will show and present the design or the model in a better way. It is...

Last updated May 22, 2018

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

The oldest concrete structures that have lasted

Concrete is a common building material that is used prolifically in the construction of many buildings and infrastructure projects. The strength, durability, and flexibility of this material has added to its popularity. Yet concrete has actually been around since ancient times – some of the oldest buildings that humans created are built with early forms of concrete. These are some of the most impressive and longest-lasting buildings that have been made with concrete.

The Pyramids, Giza, Egypt

One of the first forms of concrete used that still exists today can be found in the Pyramids at Giza, Egypt, which were built around 3,000 BC. While the Pyramids are constructed of bricks made from mud and straw, the mortar used between the bricks was created from gypsum and lime (from heated limestone), which would harden and set much like modern cement mortars.

The Colosseum and Pantheon, Rome, Italy

The Roman Empire was known for their impressive architecture, many of which were built using cement and concrete that is very similar to that used today. To create the mortar used for their concrete, the Romans combined pozzolans (fine volcanic ash, which was readily available in Italy), lime, and water. To build a load-bearing wall, they created rudimentary formwork using wood, stacked rocks, or bricks – or a combination of these – onto which they laid a layer of aggregates or broken bricks. The pozzolan mortar was then poured into the form and tamped to consolidate the concrete. Layer by layer, the process was repeated until the wall or slab was completed. Interestingly, the higher layers used lighter-weight aggregates to reduce the weight of the concrete – travertine was used for the foundation layers, while light tuff and pumice were used for higher layers. Both the Colosseum and Pantheon are excellent examples of the longevity and adaptability of concrete. The Colosseum has concrete vaults, and also uses a cement mortar made from limestone and clay for between the bricks. The Colosseum was completed in 80 A.D., having taken ten years to build. Meanwhile, the Roman Pantheon boasts the largest unreinforced solid concrete dome in the world, with a diameter of 43.4m. Built between 126-128 A.D., this is an impressive record to have held for nearly 2,000 years, particularly when considering that the dome does not use steel concrete reinforcement or any supports. In fact, the clear span of the dome was not substantially surpassed until the adoption of steel reinforced concrete, according to the research of David Moore, P.E.

Eddystone Lighthouse, Cornwall, UK

What trade is hardest to master?

A similar pattern emerged when we asked about the trades most difficult to master. According to other contractors, electrical and HVAC are among...

Last updated Oct 24, 2022

Why do you not put wood in concrete?

With concrete holding the moisture against the wood, wood has no chance and will eventually lose the battle. Now you don't have to lose all hope...

Last updated Jan 27, 2021

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

While these early forms of concrete had been used in ancient times, the art of making concrete fell out of favour and this construction method was not used again for many years until the mid-eighteenth century. John Smeaton, a British civil engineer, undertook extensive testing of various limes available at the time. Through his research, he discovered that the hydraulicity of lime was related to different minerals which were either present in the limestone or added, such as pozzolans. He combined this hydraulic lime with powdered brick and pebbles to create the first form of modern concrete, which was used to build the Eddystone Lighthouse in 1759 along with stone masonry. The benefit of Smeaton’s hydraulic lime was that the mortar and concrete set rapidly despite the wet conditions of the site. This early research led to the invention of modern-day Portland cement. Developed in 1824 by Joseph Aspdin of England, it quickly became the dominant cement used in construction.

72 rue Charles Michels, St. Denis, France

In 1853, François Coignet – a French industrialist – built a four-storey house in St. Denis, France. While Coignet had previously built unreinforced concrete houses – many of which are still standing today – the building at 72 rue Charles Michels was the world’s first reinforced concrete structure. The building uses iron reinforcement as opposed to steel, and whilst currently empty, the building has been listed as a French historic monument since 1998.

Lionel Allorge, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alvord Lake Bridge, San Francisco, USA

This bridge was the first reinforced concrete bridge to be built in the USA, having been constructed in 1889 by Ernest L. Ransome. This structure uses steel reinforcing bars and survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and many others as well, and can still be found within the Golden Gate Park today. Ransome invented his own reinforcement, which took the form of square bars made of cold-twisted steel. These bars are embedded within the underside of the arch and are bent to the same curved profile. The Alvord Lake Bridge features a 29-foot-long (8.84-metre) span; however, by the 1900s, reinforced concrete bridges were being built with spans of 100 feet (30.58 metres) or more.

Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What is the most common pitch for a shed roof?

Traditional roofing materials such as traditional clay tiles and timber shakes/shingles need a relatively steep pitch in excess of 40 degrees to be...

Last updated Mar 11, 2022

What kind of anchors do I need for concrete?

Wedge Anchors and Sleeve Anchors. Both wedge anchors and sleeve anchors are excellent types of concrete anchors that hold a tremendous amount of...

Last updated Jul 6, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Court Street, Bellefontaine, USA

Located along the local courthouse’s southern face is the first and oldest concrete street in the USA. Court Street was built in 1891 in Bellefontaine, Ohio and is still in service today. Although the first concrete pavement in the world was first built in Inverness, Scotland in 1865 and parts of this road are still in use, Court Street is noteworthy for its high strength. Tests showed the pavement achieved a breaking strength of 8,000 pounds per square inch (55MPa), which is much stronger than the majority of concrete used today.

Ben Turover, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ingalls Building, Cincinnati, USA

Built in 1903, the Ingalls Building was the world’s first reinforced concrete high-rise building. Boasting 16 storeys, the structure is 180 feet (54 metres) tall, which was a feat of engineering for the time. The lower strength and stiffness of concrete in comparison to steel meant that building tall structures in concrete was difficult, particularly before the elastic theory of structures was developed for reinforced concrete.

Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Centennial Hall, Wroclaw, Poland

The Centennial Hall in Wrocław, Poland (then Breslau, Germany) was built in 1913 of reinforced concrete. Designed by the architect Max Berg, the hall features a reinforced concrete dome with a span of 65 metres (216 feet). Today, the hall has been designated a World Heritage site, with many visitors each year.

Concrete Stands the Test of Time

With structures thousands of years old, even before the invention of modern forms of concrete, it’s clear that concrete is a durable and long-lasting material. With concrete structures, the question is not so much, will it last, but rather, how long will it last? If these structures are any indication, the answer could be: much longer than anyone expected.

meva.net - Oldest Concrete Structures - MEVA UK

How hot is too hot in a greenhouse?

90 degrees Fahrenheit Monitor the temperature So what temperature is too hot for your greenhouse? The general rule of thumb is that anything above...

Last updated Dec 13, 2020

What are the 5 furniture styles?

We have tried to make understandable list of major furniture styles popular in homes. TRADITIONAL. Traditional style of furniture reproduces the...

Last updated May 28, 2022

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Should I carpet my shed?

Carpet or Laminate Carpet or Laminate is a bold choice for a garden shed, as it is usually reserved for indoor rooms, but it can also be a great...

Last updated Feb 3, 2019

Promotion

What is the best day to move in a new house 2022?

Feng Shui Auspicious Dates For House Moving in 2022 Cheng Day – Best day for all ceremonies. San He Day – A triple harmony day. Horse Day – 6th day...

Last updated Jan 22, 2021