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 efcient means for the overland movement of armies, ofcials and civilians, and the inland carriage of ofcial communications and trade goods. These major roads were often stone-paved, reason why they have still lasted many centuries.

The rst street in USA

The rst street in the United States to be paved with concrete was Court Avenue in Bellefontaine, Ohio in 1891. The rst 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 benecial purposes.

Mixing the concrete

In many cases there will also be Portland cement substitutes added, such as y 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 benets 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.

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