this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2025
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In a First, America Dropped 30,000-Pound Bunker-Busters—But Iran’s Concrete May Be Unbreakable, Scientists Say (www.popularmechanics.com)
submitted 2 days ago by NoSpotOfGround@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Previously, a yield strength of 5,000 pounds per square inch (psi) was enough for concrete to be rated as “high strength,” with the best going up to 10,000 psi. The new UHPC can withstand 40,000 psi or more.

The greater strength is achieved by turning concrete into a composite material with the addition of steel or other fibers. These fibers hold the concrete together and prevent cracks from spreading throughout it, negating the brittleness. “Instead of getting a few large cracks in a concrete panel, you get lots of smaller cracks,” says Barnett. “The fibers give it more fracture energy.”

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[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Hardly. Did you read the article?

[–] unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The greater strength is achieved by turning concrete into a composite material with the addition of steel or other fibers.

Fiber reinforcment is thousands of years old.

[–] deranger@sh.itjust.works 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Calling that pyramid age I think is a little disingenuous, they didn’t have 40,000 psi concrete back in those days.

[–] Fondots@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

So I did not read the article because of a paywall I'm too lazy to circumvent right now

But from OP's summary, the main technology they're talking about is concrete reinforced with steel or other fibers.

And that's definitely more advanced than "pyramid age"

But it's also pretty much a direct descendant of mud brick reinforced with straw which humanity has been using since well before the pyramids. Same basic concept, different materials.

So yes and no.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

Yes....no.....maybe? I don't know. Can you repeat the question?

[–] Bonus@slrpnk.net 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Egyptians stacked blocks of stone to build the pyramids.

Roman concrete was impressively strong.

Neither of them had steel-reinforced concrete.

Neither did Gothic cathedrals, which is why they needed flying buttresses.

Reinforced concrete as we know it today is a 19th century innovation, as I understand it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforced_concrete?wprov=sfla1

Maybe the commenter was thinking of adobe.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

And this tech goes way beyond merely "reinforced".