I am researching the nuances of materiality in the making of Art. I am looking at natural materials as opposed to synthetic to try to reduce my Carbon foot print in the making of Art.
So far I have been experimenting casting sculptural works in Hydraulic Lime (NHL3.5) instead of Conrete in order to reduce CO 2. However I am looking to try out the more durable Roman concrete whci uses Lime, Valcanic ash and or sand. Key to its setting is the introduction of sea water and actually setting it in Salt water.
‘Production of alkaline pore fluids through dissolution-precipitation, cation-exchange and/or carbonation reactions with Campi Flegrei ash components, similar to processes in altered trachytic and basaltic tuffs, created multiple pathways to post-pozzolanic phillipsite and Al-tobermorite crystallization at ambient seawater and surface temperatures’.
cited:
Jackson, M. D. et al. (2017) ‘Phillipsite and Al-tobermorite mineral cements produced through low-temperature water-rock reactions in Roman marine concrete’, American Mineralogist, 102(7), pp. 1435–1450. doi: 10.2138/am-2017-5993CCBY.(accessed 2nd February 2020)
I read somewhere they used blood as an air-entraining agent to increase the durability of their structures. Blood left small bubbles inside of their concrete which led to a more durable structure.
Thank you for your answers. I don't think that I am going to ask where they got the blood from! :-) but it is all food for thought!
You're welcome. Yes, it seems gross :), but their method in increasing the durability through freeze and thawing was very intelligent. Also, as a natural additive, wool or hair could provide a little tensile strength and reduce cracks.
Thank you Sahar Moussa, very interesting indeed. Their theory for pyramid Stones would make sense.
Thank you
Dear Louise,
I’m working on Geopolymer Technology with in Italy and in Russia, following the teachings of Professor Davidovits. But Geopolymers aren’t hydrated materials so Roman cement that comes from reaction between hydrate lime and Natural pozzolana (from Italy , close to Pozzuoli, near to Vesuvio volcan to understand better the geographical area) isn’t Geopolymer . Roman cemento is possible to realize even at our time using artificial (lot of sources, from nature and from by products) and only natural pozzolana (but different from the original one, that is finished ).
All Roman cements crystallized thanks to CSH from pozzolanic reaction and cocciopesto, broken brick powder, can be used as cobinder and aggregate, following the ancient recipe.
Write me at [email protected] if you need more info and for orders.
Find attached picture about the most common recipes of “modern” Roman cement that is possible to realize in Italy. Mechanical strength from 7 to 20 MPa of the mortar after 28 days of water curing. The control made using NHL 3,5 and metakaolin as stabilizer had 4,5 MPa.
All the best
Alex Reggiani
Many thanks Alex. You have answered anothe rquestion I had about loking at Geopolymer Technology. As I move forward I might well contact you about this.
Best wishes
Louise
No problem Louise, if you want to know more about GeoMITS and Renca check at our websites :
geomits.com (Italy) and renca.org (Russian Federation).
We are doing different products because of raw materials locally are completely different so performances and field of application can vary .
Welcome to Geopolymer technology, but to know more , specially about the basis of the technology, I suggest to participate at next Geopolymer Camp from 6 to 8th of July at Saint Quentin en Picardie (north of France close to Belgian limit, not far from Paris. Professor Davidovits and his son Ralph are really special men and all your doubts can be explained. Find informations at geopolymer.org about Geopolymer Camp and the topics of this year. I will participate too with GeoMITS and Renca for sure .
Kind regards
Alex Reggiani
CTO GeoMITS
CTO Renca Rus
Dear Alex, many thanks again for your helpful information. I will take a look at this.
All the best,
Louise
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