Concrete – The Forgotten Foundation

 Concrete is likely the most ubiquitous and most unnoticed ingredient in any modern piece of construction. We drive on concrete roads, highways and bridges every day. Millions of people walk on concrete sidewalks the world over. It stops mighty rivers and creates artificial lakes; reaches towards the sky in skyscrapers; and provides a solid foundation for millions of homes.

So much concrete is made each year, every single person on earth could get their own cubic meter, and there would still be much left over. It’s completely immune to fire; stands up to hurricanes and tornadoes with ease; and its durability is simply unmatched. With all that, it is almost ironic that so many people hardly notice it, much less know where it came from.

A Brief History

While nobody is really sure exactly who first developed concrete as a building material, we do know that the Romans were the first to develop a reliably high quality mixture and use it on a mass scale. They built concrete structures across their entire empire and even designed structures that specifically utilized its benefits. Their designs revolutionized the ancient world and anyone today that questions the quality of their concrete or the workmanship of their designs need only look as far as the many Roman structures still standing to this day.

Efficiency

Today’s concrete differs little in strength and durability from the Roman counterpart, though the mixture is very different. Regardless of this however, concrete is one of the most energy efficient building materials available today (though, strangely, the concrete production industry produces the 3^rd highest CO2 rates in the world). Most concrete used in construction is produced locally, which greatly reduces the impact of transporting it compared to other materials.

Additionally, homes built with concrete are significantly more airtight and the material’s thermal mass properties retain heat and cold much better than other materials. Because less air escapes and the insulating factor maintains interior temperatures more efficiently, residents of concrete homes enjoy the added benefit of cheaper utility costs.

Combine these benefits with its durability, safety and resistance to the elements, and you’ll begin to grasp just how amazing concrete truly is!