Natural cement with shell aggregate
Coral concrete is typically found in construction in marine environments where conventional aggregates are scarce. Coral aggregates consist primarily of calcium carbonate (around 96%) and have a porous structure with a rough surface. The arches and vaults of Fort Jefferson are composed of 16 million bricks surrounded by inner cores of coral concrete.
Identification and Creation
| Primary ID | RE0016.14 |
|---|---|
| Other IDs: | CO.002 |
| Collection: | George Wheeler? Concrete Reference Collection |
Physical Description
| Materials: | |
|---|---|
| Composition: | seashell |
| Dimensions: |
Provenance
| Sub-location: | Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas, FL |
|---|
Acquisiton and Rights
| Credit Line (Donor): | Architectural Conservation Lab, University of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Accession year: | June 1, 2026 |
| Catalogued by: | José C. Hernández |
