Stone Concrete Roads

A bit of history... The Romans

Stone (concrete) roads were developed by the Roman state and

were built from about 500 BC through the expansion and

consolidation of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

They provided efficient means for the overland movement of

armies, officials and civilians, and the inland carriage of official

communications and trade goods.

These major roads were often stone-paved, reason why they have

still lasted many centuries.

The first street in USA

The first street in the United States to be paved with concrete was

Court Avenue in Bellefontaine, Ohio in 1891.

The first mile of concrete pavement in the United States was on

Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan in 1909.

Concrete roads advantages

One of the major advantages of concrete roads is they are

typically stronger and more durable than asphalt roadways.

They also can be grooved to provide a durable skid-resistant

surface.

These stone roads can be maintained over time utilizing a series of

methods known as concrete pavement restoration.

Mixing the concrete

Concrete surfaces are created using a concrete mix of Portland

cement, coarse aggregate, sand and water.

In virtually all modern mixes there will also be various admixtures

added to increase workability, reduce the required amount of

water, mitigate harmful chemical reactions and for other beneficial

purposes.

Mixing the concrete

In many cases there will also be Portland cement substitutes

added, such as fly ash. This can reduce the cost of the concrete

and improve its physical properties.

The material is applied in a freshly mixed slurry, and worked

mechanically to compact the interior and force some of the

cement slurry to the surface to produce a smoother, denser

surface free from honeycombing.

The water allows the mix to combine molecularly in a chemical

reaction called hydration.

Concrete becoming the preferred choice

International researchers say they've uncovered the chemical

secrets of why 2,000-year-old Roman concrete has lasted so

long, especially in breakwaters along some of the ancient empire's

ports, compared with the modern recipe for concrete, which

includes Portland cement.

And unlocking that secret, they say, may have long-term

environmental benefits as well as help future building projects.

Hence, in almost all the new major road construction you can see

the use of concrete rather than asphalt these days.

Discover the possibilities...visit us today

www.DRMprefab.com