(What do you guys with actual building experience think of Roman concrete?
I want to build using a mixture of biochar and some form of concrete either, modern or Roman.
Romans did hot mixing- see the video. I want to add biochar which is normally used to
make a healthy soil which lasts as long as 700 plus years.)
(By adding biochar to concrete I can make homes that will be
Faraday cages, meaning they will block electromagnetic waves which will make us
healthier. Biochar also stops mold from growing inside the home. If you mix biochar and
concrete, you can cure the forms in one fifth the time by using an electric current. I would like
to ty this using these Roman formulas as modern concrete has a 50 year term limit or life span.
There is a bridge in Rome built 2,100 years ago that still has pedestrian traffic. America has $4 trillion
worth of infrastructure needing repair partially due to the inadequacies of Portland Cement. Some people
have commented that the Romans used sea water for its minerals to make a superior build.)
(Please watch this video and comment.)
#1: ghostrider To: Horse (#0)
ghostrider posted on 2026-04-27 09:27:59 Reply Private Reply
#2: Horse To: ghostrider (#1)
Horse posted on 2026-04-27 12:30:36 Reply Private Reply
#3: ghostrider To: Horse (#2)
ghostrider posted on 2026-04-27 13:39:58 Reply Private Reply
#4: Horse To: ghostrider (#3)
Yes, applying electric current to concrete can significantly shorten its curing time, a process known as electro-thermal curing or electric heating.
Here is how it works and what to consider:
The Mechanism: Concrete is passed with an electric current (usually low voltage, high amperage) through conductive elements like steel reinforcement bars or embedded heating wires. The electrical resistance generates heat directly within the concrete mix.
Temperature Regulation: Concrete gains strength faster at higher temperatures. By maintaining the concrete at an elevated temperature (typically between 50°C and 70°C / 122°F–158°F), the chemical hydration reaction accelerates, allowing the concrete to reach required strength in a fraction of the time it would take at ambient temperatures.
Common Applications: This method is frequently used in precast concrete manufacturing to speed up production cycles and in winter construction to prevent freezing and ensure proper strength gain in cold weather.
Important Considerations:
Moisture Control: Excessive heat can cause the water inside the concrete to evaporate too quickly, which can actually weaken the final structure or cause cracking. The process requires careful monitoring to ensure the concrete stays moist.
Energy Cost: While it saves time, the energy costs can be higher than traditional steam curing or insulated blanket methods.
Safety: Improper setup can lead to overheating, which damages the concrete microstructure, or electrical hazards on the construction site.
If you are planning a specific project, the voltage, duration, and placement of electrodes need to be calculated based on the mix design and ambient conditions.
references listed
Thermal Curing Of Fresh Concrete | Curing Methods
https://engineeringintro.com/concrete/concrete-strength/thermal-curing-of-fresh-concrete-curing-methods/
Electric heating curing regimes of temperature self-controlled concrete with nano-carbon black for performance improvement in cold regions
This study prepared the TSC by adding nano-carbon black into ordinary concrete and investigated the effects of 2 different types of EHC regime, namely constant voltage curing (CVC) and ascending voltage curing (AVC) regimes, on the mechanical properties, electrical properties, temperature evolution, microstructure, and carbon emission
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0958946524002622
Horse posted on 2026-04-27 14:01:11 Reply Private Reply