Product Brochure

pave the way:
A resource for the concrete industry
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CONCRETE
Though it’s one of the most common building
materials in modern society, the origins of con-
crete began around 8,000 years ago in the Middle
East with the Nabataean Kingdom. According to
the Internaonal Associaon of Cered Home
Inspectors, the Nabataeans were centuries ahead
of their me in their understanding of concrete,
paving the way for later civilizaons.
TIMELINE OF CONCRETE
MODIFICATIONS AND USAGE
6,500 BC – The rst concrete-like structures
were built by Nabataean or Bedouin traders who
controlled a series of oases and developed a small
empire in the regions of southern Syria and north-
ern Jordan. They understood the need to keep
the mix as dry or low-slump as possible, as excess
water introduces voids and weaknesses into the
concrete. Their building pracces included tamp-
ing the freshly placed concrete with special tools
to produce more gel. This chemical reacon would
bond the parculates and aggregate together.
700 BC – Nabataeans later discovered the ad-
vantages of hydraulic lime (cement that hardens
underwater) and began building kilns to supply
mortar for the construcon of rubble-wall hous-
es, concrete oors, and underground waterproof
cisterns. These cisterns were kept secret and were
one of the reasons they thrived in the desert.
BY POWERBLANKET
Concrete is a staple of modern society. It supports our homes and offices, paves our
roads and runways, and carries water and sewage away. Nearly every building uses
concrete as a foundation. It can be seen in every construction site.
1
6,500 BC
Nabatean or Bedouin
traders in modern
Syria and Jordan
discovered lime that
hardens when
underwater
700 BC
Nabatean builders
begin using kilns to
make concrete mortar
for homes and secret
underground water
cisterns
200 BC
Romans mixed volcanic
ash with concrete to
build underwater pillars
that created expansive
harbors
1824 AD
British citizen Joseph
Aspdin invented
“Portland Cement” that
is still used today due
to its strength
1891 AD
The first concrete
roadway is paved in Ohio
and is still being used by
motorists today
TODAY
Concrete is used
structurally and
decoratively on
exteriors and interiors
with color dying and
texturing