Sticky Rice Is the Key To Super Strong Mortar 194
lilbridge writes "For over 1,500 years the Chinese have been using sticky rice as an ingredient in mortar, which has resulted in super strong buildings, many of which are still standing after hundreds of years. Scientists have been studying the sticky rice and lime mortar to unlock the secrets of its strength, and have just determined the secret ingredient that makes the mortar more stable and stronger. The scientists have also concluded that this mixture is the most appropriate for restoration of ancient and historic buildings, which means it is probably also appropriate for new construction as well."
The Great Wall of America (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Where will the rice come from? (Score:5, Insightful)
Yes, we do have enough rice.
We have enough food production that no one should go hungry.
People go hungry due to politics and poor distribution, not overall quantity of food.
Re:US Homes (Score:3, Insightful)
Will someone please... (Score:3, Insightful)
Darn right! (Score:3, Insightful)
How MUCH sticky rice per how much lime, etc. Or how much purified additive? (Though adding cooked(?) rice, as the Chinese did, would probably end up inexpensive and may also add more strength as it collapses and forms voids, making a concrete foam structure.)
I was about to make a post complaining about the lack of useful information. But you beat me to it AND phrased it brilliantly. Kudos.
Re:US Homes (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:The romans build concrete buildings (Score:3, Insightful)
It's a moot point, because nobody builds anything to last for millennia. The Romans' work has done so by coincidence, but the useful life of buildings and other structures is measured primarily in decades, occasionally in centuries, but never in millennia. So rebar it is.