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This Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure developed a series of informational “Concrete Clips” videos, starting in 2017. This “Concrete Clips”, “Supplementary Cementitious Materials“, begins by including a few engaging facts on concrete in ancient history, and presents a brief overview of the history, usage, and benefits of SCMs. SCMs are often used to make more durable concrete.
Over 2,000 Years Ago, Romans Created Cementitious Mortar—Volcanic Material (Pozzolans), Ground with Lime & Sand—Pantheon Temple & Roman Colosseum still standing today. “They understood that volcanic materials, when finely ground and mixed with lime and sand, yielded a mortar that was cementitious. water resistant and very strong.”
These were the first
supplementary cementitious materials, or SCMs.
Using SCMs in concrete help agencies meet their biggest requirement: DURABILITY.
Prior to the 1980’s, Portland Cement was used in paving mixtures for conventional concrete as the sole binder. When these ingredients, when heated at high temperatures, combine to form a rock-like substance that is ground into the fine powder commonly known as Portland Cement.
Today, there are 4 types of SCMs used:
Fly Ash | Slag Cement | Silica Fume | Natural Pozzolans
Please click on video above to view. You may also go to YouTube to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=ZEiJ9gZPH4M&feature=emb_logo
Entire list of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure Concrete Clips: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5_sm9g9d4T1ND5YlNt0OuL6g2T_NbGdR
ISCP article, “Rock Solid History of Concrete—How Limestone, Rocks, and Volcanic Ash Built the Modern World”: https://www.concretepavements.org/2017/10/18/rock-solid-history-of-concrete-how-limestone-rocks-and-volcanic-ash-built-the-modern-world/
Other ISCP articles on “Concrete Clips”:
1. https://www.concretepavements.org/2020/04/07/fhwa-concrete-clips-series-expanded-with-5-new-videos-in-2020/
2. https://www.concretepavements.org/2018/10/18/videos-fhwa-concrete-clips-cover-blended-cements/
3. https://www.concretepavements.org/2020/06/25/nc²-summer-2020-quarterly-e-news-of-the-national-concrete-consortium/
4. https://www.concretepavements.org/2020/03/26/nc²-spring-2020-quarterly-e-news-concrete-film-clips-q-list-search-bridge-deck-nc²-map-brief-news-from-the-road/
ROMAN COLOSSEUM: https://parcocolosseo.it
PANTHEON TEMPLE: https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/pantheon
Featured home page image: Cell from the video: The Colosseum