2 ms·
I seem to recall reading something about concrete density. Roman concrete when wet was about as malleable as Silly-Putty. It took a lot of work to shape it into
by johan_larson 9y ago
I seem to recall reading something about concrete density. Roman concrete when wet was about as malleable as Silly-Putty. It took a lot of work to shape it into its forms and eliminate air pockets. Our concrete is looser and pours when wet, so it's a lot easier to work with, but it's also weaker.
- toyg 9y agoEasier to work with -> faster and cheaper. The Romans optimised for long-term durability; modern builders optimise for cost. It's like any manufacturing industry: building expensive stuff that lasts forever will naturally diminish your business in the long run. It's much better to make "cheap but good enough" stuff that you throw away and re-make every X years. Such is the way of the private profit.
- Spooky23 9y agoAlso, union construction guys are more expensive than slaves. Remember that manhours were cheap in the Roman era.