Mineralized carbonates contribute to the millennial durability of Roman concrete

Roman concrete's millennial durability is significantly enhanced by carbonation, not just the pozzolanic reaction. A study of Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, Italy, reveals that calcite cementation and radiaxial fibrous calcite formation from atmospheric CO2 and moisture reinforce structural strength and occlude porosity, offering potential for modern concrete resilience. The research used multiscale spectroscopic and tomographic approaches to analyze the concrete's microstructure, uncovering its self-healing properties and sustainable construction implications.

Zhu, X., Chae, S. R., McElhany, S., Liang, C., Zheng, Q., Li, J., Fondi, V., Del Ferro, S., Modena Altieri, A., Lisabeth, H. P., Bhattacharjee, A., Fouke, B. W., Wenk, H.-R., & Monteiro, P. J. M. (2026). Mineralized carbonates contribute to the millennial durability of Roman concrete. Science Advances, 12(28). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb0754