Concrete is used in nearly everything in this world. Houses, roads, even some revolutionizing things, such as the Hoover Dam and the Panama Canal. Concrete is also used in skyscrapers, allowing us to vastly improve the efficiency of our land usage, although rebar is used to strengthen these structures.
The first instance of mass usage of concrete can be found in ancient Rome, where they paved their streets with a combination of huge concrete blocks laid on top, with a mixture of volcanic ash, lime, and seawater on the bottom. These roads are still in remarkably good condition if you look in the right place.
In the 19th century, concrete really began to take off. Although people started using concrete in buildings, it was mainly used in industrial buildings and to fuel the industrial revolution.
Fun Facts:
- Roughly 4,360,000 cubic yards of concrete were used to construct the Hoover Dam.
- The first concrete highway was built in 1909.
- Reinforced concrete is the only material that is highly resistant to both fire and water.
Picture of pouring concrete:
Sources: https://www.giatecscientific.com/education/the-history-of-concrete/
https://tiltwall.ca/blog/10-surprising-facts-about-concrete-you-never-heard-about-before/
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