The word “concrete” is believed to be derived from the Latin word concretus which means to “grow together.” Concrete is a composite material made up of aggregate (stone and sand) and water, which are combined with cement to form a fluid material that can flow into various shapes and molds. Once the concrete mixture is placed and not further agitated, it begins to set. As the concrete sets, the cement in the mixture reacts with the water and binds the aggregates together to transform the mixture into a strong, rigid material (hence its Latin origin of “grow together”). The composition of concrete mixtures has changed over time and varies throughout the world based on the availability of the necessary ingredients.
So back to those concrete structures from ancient Roman that are still standing today. It has been recently discovered that one of the cementitious materials used by the Romans reacted chemically with seawater to dramatically increase the durability of their concrete. So exposure to the sea actually made them stronger. This is a prime example of some very smart construction engineers formulating a superior product using the materials available to them.
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