MIT CSHub principal investigator Admir Masic along with an international team of researchers from Harvard University and laboratories in Italy and Switzerland have been collaborating to study ancient Roman concrete to uncover the secrets of its longlasting durability. On January 6, the team published its breakthrough findings in the journal Science Advances where they revealed ancient concrete-manufacturing strategies that incorporated several key self-healing functionalities. (Click here to read a summary of the research findings in the MIT news release which has been picked up by many major news outlets in recent days.)
Understanding these strategies can be the key to producing highly durable, resilient and sustainable modern concrete mixtures as the industry strives toward carbon neutrality. This research has inspired the idea of using carbonates to store CO2 in concrete; one of the MIT CSHub’s current projects underway with Masic is investigating that topic.
Click here to learn more about the MIT CSHub’s current research portfolio or contact RMC Research & Education Foundation Executive Director Julie Garbini at jgarbini@rmc-foundation.org. The RMC Research & Education Foundation sponsors the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub.
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association