Discovering concrete in the 'Land of Stone' : a pre-inventory of buildings constructed using proprietary reinforced concrete systems in Scotland c.1900-1920
Abstract
Although concrete is not traditionally considered an historic building material, the
first example of its use dates from 5600 B.C. Types of concrete developed between
that time and the late 19th century varied widely in terms of their individual
admixtures, as well as in terms of their strength and durability characteristics.
‘Although the Romans experimented with bronze reinforcement’, it wasn’t until
inventors rediscovered reinforcing techniques in the mid-19th century that the stage
was set for the development of what is considered modern ‘concrete’, or
reinforced concrete. In the United Kingdom and on the Continent, developments in
reinforced concrete technology remained unchecked until just before the First
World War, when the first governmental attempts to regulate use of the material
took place.
Reinforced concrete components and construction techniques during this period
were all proprietary, or patented, technologies. Although approaches to marketing
the technologies differed, companies marketing a product which incorporated
their unique reinforcement into building frames and structures of their own design
were selling ‘monolithic’ building systems. These are the subjects of this paper.