This article explains the history of concrete as an important building material from ancient times to modern times, and how its ability to transform into different strengths and shapes has made it an integral part of architecture. It highlights the role that prestressed concrete technology has played in enabling large, open spaces.
Concrete has a wide range of uses as a building material. Although concrete has become an essential material in modern architecture, its origins are much older. Although it’s commonly thought of as a product of modern technology, concrete was already used in ancient Rome. Back then, the Romans innovated in construction techniques to build a variety of structures, some of which still stand today.
Concrete is a mixture of cement mixed with aggregates such as sand and gravel and kneaded with water. The mixture is used for a variety of purposes, from building foundations to complex structures. One of the biggest advantages of concrete is that it can be molded freely. By pouring it into molds and letting it harden, you can create structures of all shapes and sizes. More than just a building material, concrete also has the advantage of being able to be used in different climates, as its properties change depending on environmental conditions. For these reasons, concrete has become one of the most used building materials worldwide.
Different types of concrete aggregates have different strengths and densities, so the strength and density of concrete can be varied by adjusting the type and proportion of aggregates. For example, high-strength concrete is used in structures such as skyscrapers and large bridges, while lightweight concrete is often used in homes and commercial buildings where insulation is important. And since strength is achieved by increasing the contact between aggregates, it is effective to mix different sized aggregates.
Reinforced concrete has been widely used as the most important building material since modern times, but research to increase the tensile strength of reinforced concrete has led to the development of prestressed concrete. Prestressed concrete is made as follows. First, rebar is placed in the formwork and the concrete is poured while the rebar is pulled. After the concrete has hardened, the pulling force is removed, and as the rebar shrinks, it exerts a compressive force on the concrete, making prestressed concrete more resistant to external tensile forces. This technique compensates for the disadvantages of reinforced concrete and allows for larger, more open spaces.
The Kimbell Art Museum is a perfect example of this technological advancement. To create a sense of openness, the columns are spaced more than 30 meters apart, creating a single level of exhibition space inside. This spacing was made possible by the use of prestressed concrete, which would have been difficult to achieve with conventional reinforced concrete. Light streaming through the gaps in the long roof of this structure fills the spacious interior, giving the reinforced concrete interior a marble-like shine. The technical exploration of building materials has always been a driving force behind new architectural aesthetics.
Especially since the modern era, rapid advances in technology have allowed for the creation of innovative architectural works. This innovation will continue in the future, and new materials and technologies will open up even more possibilities. The organic relationship between building materials and architectural aesthetics is here to stay. This will allow architecture to become more than just a functional structure, contributing to the creation of new spaces that inspire artistic expression.
