Introduction
Although the Romans did not invent the arch, their development of it enabled them to support a large amount of weight and as a result to build larger and more glorified buildings. They wouldn’t be able to indulge, though, their architectural ambitions having not invented the concrete. Both concrete and the arch had a lasting impact on architecture throughout the world. This essay will examine the development of the concrete and arch, their importance of each in the life of Rome, as well as their results.
The development of concrete
Roman concrete is an artificial material composed of an aggregate, a binding agent, and water. Aggregate is a filler, such as gravel, chunks of stone and rubble, broken bricks, etc. Binding agent is a substance which is mixed with the aggregate wet and solidifies when it dries. Many materials, such as mud, lime and gypsum, can be a binding agent (Yegul, n.d.). Roman contribution to the basic structural mixture was the addition as primary binding agent pozzolana. Pozzolana is a volcanic earth originally found near the Greek settlement of Puteoli, which was later discovered in vast quantities around Rome. It …show more content…
Arches have been used since prehistoric times. Its purpose, though, was limited to supporting small structures, such as storerooms. Romans took advantage of the concrete and used arches to support huge amounts of weight; e.g. in the construction of foundations, terraces, and harbor structures. The arch enabled wide spaces to be crossed by the use of the minimum of materials, thus relieving weight which would otherwise put an intolerable burden on the structure (Wilson, 2014). Romans’ command of materials and techniques allowed them to construct circular temples, such as the Pantheon, town walls to protect the empire, roads and bridges for speedy communications and the deployment of troops, and aqueducts to supply populations sufficiently with water (Wilson,
Although the Romans did not invent the arch, their development of it enabled them to support a large amount of weight and as a result to build larger and more glorified buildings. They wouldn’t be able to indulge, though, their architectural ambitions having not invented the concrete. Both concrete and the arch had a lasting impact on architecture throughout the world. This essay will examine the development of the concrete and arch, their importance of each in the life of Rome, as well as their results.
The development of concrete
Roman concrete is an artificial material composed of an aggregate, a binding agent, and water. Aggregate is a filler, such as gravel, chunks of stone and rubble, broken bricks, etc. Binding agent is a substance which is mixed with the aggregate wet and solidifies when it dries. Many materials, such as mud, lime and gypsum, can be a binding agent (Yegul, n.d.). Roman contribution to the basic structural mixture was the addition as primary binding agent pozzolana. Pozzolana is a volcanic earth originally found near the Greek settlement of Puteoli, which was later discovered in vast quantities around Rome. It …show more content…
Arches have been used since prehistoric times. Its purpose, though, was limited to supporting small structures, such as storerooms. Romans took advantage of the concrete and used arches to support huge amounts of weight; e.g. in the construction of foundations, terraces, and harbor structures. The arch enabled wide spaces to be crossed by the use of the minimum of materials, thus relieving weight which would otherwise put an intolerable burden on the structure (Wilson, 2014). Romans’ command of materials and techniques allowed them to construct circular temples, such as the Pantheon, town walls to protect the empire, roads and bridges for speedy communications and the deployment of troops, and aqueducts to supply populations sufficiently with water (Wilson,