BUILDING MATERIALS

CONCRETE

Romans were the first civilization to use concrete.

They used it to achieve very big structures with huge interiors.
Use of concrete was discontinued in the Middle Ages.
Came into use again after 1824 when Portland cement was developed.
The addition of steel reinforcement that followed this development increased the
use of concrete as a construction material
Advantages of Concrete
its fire resistance,
inexpensive manufacturing process,
durable nature,
its structural versatility,
high compressive strength and
ability to pre-cast it
Its major disadvantages are
the fact that casting must be controlled, and so it
cannot be mixed far away from the site.
It is also subject to rapid deterioration in hostile environments