a case for roman cement - cuislandora.wrlc.org
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A Case for Roman Cement: How the Revitalization of Ancient Construction Methods can
Minimize the Built Environment's Ecological Impact
By: Schola Eburuoh
Portland CementCement is the most widely used material in existence.Ingredients: clinker, water and aggregate
Pros:● High compressive strength● Fast curing time
Cons:● 1:1 ratio of CO2 released ● Production contributes to Global
Warming due to the release of CO2
© erica overmeer
Primary Ingredients
Roman CementRoman Cement was used in structures
dating back to 27 BC.
Ingredients: lime, Pozzolan, Aggregate and
Water
Pros:● Structures have lasted for centuries● crystalline structure which actually
becomes more durable overtime
Cons:● Limited volcanic ash for production● short-term compressive strength
The market, or Macellum, in Pozzuoli 50-150 AD
The Pantheon, 113–125 AD
Primary Ingredients
Alkali-Activated Cement
Residential building, Lipetsk, Russian Federation, 1987-1989
Residential buildings, Mariupol, Ukraine, 1960
Rather than utilizing the limited and
relatively harmless ingredient of volcanic
ash, Alkali-Activated Cement uses waste
products such as fly ash and slag.
Ingredients: Waste Product, Activator, and
Water
● reduces the unregulated dumping of
waste materials
● decreases Carbon Dioxide emissions
This research realizes the environmental advantages of Alkali-
Activated Cement within today’s built environment.
Primary Ingredients
Cement VS ConcreteThe addition of aggregate to the cement mixture is what created concrete
● Aggregate = sand, gravel, crushed stone, or recycled cement
● Allows the cement mortar to bind to it
● Adds compressive strength
Compressive Strength Tensile Strength
Goals of Alkali-Activated Cement
● Curing time and compressive strength of Portland Cement
● Durability & reduced Carbon Dioxide emissions of Roman Cement
Materials science, Engineering and Chemistry (MATEC) Web of Conferences, 2019https://www.matec-
conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2019/23/matecconf_ricon17_05003.pdf
Comparing Environmental ImpactThe 3 Pillars of Sustainability
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/sustainability_primer_v7.pdf
The 3 Pillars of Sustainability according to
the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA):
● Economic
● Social
● Environmental
Economic- New market opportunities
- Employment opportunities
- New need for new methods of
training
Social- Health benefits of decrease in
hazardous gas inhalation at
production
- Continued research on indoor
air quality
Environmental- Decrease in CO2 production,
resulting in the decrease of
global warming
- Waste diversion
Life Cycle Analysis
Analyzing the environmental impact of
Alkali-Activated cement and Portland
Cement throughout their lifespans
Sustainable building certifications
Life Cycle Analysis
Continued Research & Conclusions