The History of Cement

Throughout the history of human construction, there have been certain materials that have catapulted our development forward. Whether it was adobe clay to create crude structures at the beginning of human civilisation or tempered steel to strengthen our towering skyscrapers, our reliance on quality building materials has allowed us to reach new heights in construction.

However, there is one such material that has been around since antiquity and is still an essential component in most structures built today – cement. Often used interchangeably with the term concrete, cement is actually the binding paste that makes concrete such a viable building material. Binding everything, from our structures and roads to our home and garden fixtures, cement is an essential product in today’s society.

Yet, although cement is so important, it often goes unnoticed. As one of the oldest building materials ever used, cement has a fascinating history that stretches back to the beginnings of human construction. With this in mind, we at Forth Valley Concrete decided to take a deep dive into the history of this essential material and learn a little more about why it’s such an invaluable resource today.

How does it work?

As we’ve mentioned, cement is the binding agent for concrete, yet, how does it help to keep structures together so effectively? The material is primarily made from a chemical combination of calcium, silicon and a range of other ingredients mixed with materials such as shale, clay, slate and silica sand; this mixture is then heated at an extremely high temperature.

When it comes to making modern cement the most commonly used process is known as the dry method. To begin with, the raw materials such as limestone and clay need to be quarried. Once the rocks are quarried, they are crushed through various stages until they’re reduced to pieces three inches or smaller.

The crushed rock is mixed with the other materials and fed into a cement kiln which is then heated at around 1500° C. As the mixture moves through this huge kiln, elements are driven out by turning into gases, leaving only a hard substance known as a clinker left over. These small marble-shaped balls are fed into coolers and are then mixed with gypsum and limestone all whilst being finely ground down.

The finished product is then shipped off to ready-made cement companies around the world where it will be put into mixers and concrete trucks for a variety of construction jobs. However, it has taken thousands of years to get to where we are today.

Cement in antiquity

The use of cement can be found as far back as 7000 BCE, where a lime concrete floor was discovered by archaeologists working in Israel in 1985. However, it seems that it didn’t quite take off as a viable material for several thousand years after this point and would only be seen to be used again on a more commercial level by the Ancient Egyptians who utilised the material known as gypsum mixed with lime to create a mortar used to bind their mighty pyramids.

By 500 BCE, the Greeks had begun to use concrete and cementitious material to cover their sun-dried buildings and walls, with the floors of the royal palace of Tiryns being made from concrete.

However, although they didn’t discover the material, it would be the Romans who would become the true masters of cement and concrete production. Realising that by adding volcanic ash to their cement mixes, their concrete would last much longer underwater compared to conventional methods.

This volcanic substance, known as pozzolana due to it being found in the Italian settlement of Pozzuoli, allowed for cement and, in turn, concrete to be used widely throughout the empire. Some of the most iconic structures of the Roman era, including the stunning Pantheon and Hadrian’s Wall here in the UK, were built using Roman concrete.

The pozzolana method of cement mixing has proved so successful, scientists have been studying roman concrete to create a stronger bind for modern cement when underwater and have found the method could be a more eco-friendly process when compared to today’s cement making processes.

The middle ages & the Enlightenment

With the fall of the Roman empire, the art of cement making was nearly completely lost to the annals of time until manuscripts were discovered describing the pozzolana technique in 1414. However, this isn’t to say that there aren’t trace uses of the material throughout this period.

During the middle ages, engineers were known to use a crude form of hydraulic cement for structures such as canals, harbours and fortresses, whilst the German Rhineland continued to use pozzolana in their mixes due to having volcanic deposits nearby.

Also, with the age of discovery well underway, Spanish settlers began to introduce a cement type known as tabby. The material is made from oyster-shell lime, sand and shells to form a type of concrete and was used extensively in the Americas during the 16th century.

The Industrial Revolution

Although efforts were made to rekindle the widespread use of cement during the middle ages, it wouldn’t be until the beginnings of the industrial revolution that it became a viable commercial product.

In 1759, John Smeaton made a significant contribution to the revival of quality cement when constructing the third Eddystone Lighthouse in the English Channel. Needing a mortar that could set in the 12 hours between tides, Smeaton began experimenting with various components, noting that certain volcanic substances made for more water-proof finishes.

However, it wouldn’t be until Joseph Aspdin created what is iconically known as ‘Portland cement’ in 1824 that the material would become an essential part of the construction industry. Made when Aspdin heated clay and limestone until the limestone calcined, he ended up naming and patenting his discovery as ‘Portland’ cement due to its similarities to the stones found on the island of the same name. Thanks to Aspdin’s discovery, cement had begun its inexorable rise back to being an essential construction material.

Modern cement

With further experimentation by Isaac Johnson through firing the mixture at much higher temperatures, clinkers were made, finalising what we would now know as modern Portland cement. From here on, Portland cement quickly became the global standard for construction and became an essential component in the industry. Over the 20th century, various developments in the construction sector allowed for Portland cement to become even more reliable and, in turn, more widespread.

For example, rotary kilns were created, which allowed for higher temperatures to be achieved more efficiently, leading to a better quality clinker. Gypsum has also been added to aid in the setting of the cement mixture.

There is also a wider range of concrete types allowing for more diverse applications. C20 concrete, for example, is used for lightweight foundations whilst C40 is required for more heavy-duty operations.

Today, some of the largest and most impressive structures ever made are heavily reliant on quality cement. The Three Gorges Dam in China is the largest power station in terms of capacity and is made from around 65,400,000 tonnes of concrete .

Forth Valley Concrete – Scotland’s premier concrete suppliers

The history of cement and concrete is a genuinely interesting topic due to the simple fact that, without it, we may not be where we are today. Concrete is still a foundational element for a host of construction jobs, from giant hydroelectric dams to the driveway outside your house.

If you’re in need of quality concrete, it’s important that you work with a company that understands its importance and is more than qualified to offer a quality and bespoke service. Here at Forth Valley Concrete, we’re proud to be a part of such an illustrious history and pride ourselves on supplying the best, cost-effective concrete products.

Whether you’re in need of a stunning new concrete driveway or a supply of large-scale commercial concrete, our team has you covered. Get in touch today on 01236 347 018 or visit our website for more information.