Cyclopean Concrete and Its Many Diverse Uses and Applications in Architecture

Subscriber Access

Historically, "cyclopean" referred to a building technique that superimposed large stone blocks together without any mortar. This allowed for a diverse array of structures across various civilizations, including defensive walls, talayots, navetas, nuraghes, temples, tombs, and forts. Nowadays, the term applies to any ancient structure consisting of large stones superimposed to form a polygonal shape.

Nowadays, cyclopean concrete, also known as cyclopean cement, is the hybridization of these ancient techniques with modern building resources. The key difference between cyclopean concrete and simple concrete is the size of the rocks added to the mixture. Simple concrete uses smaller rocks in the mixture while cyclopean includes larger rocks like boulders. In simple concrete, coarser additives have size limits based on the space in the framework or the necessary durability and can typically measure no more than an inch. 

Content Loader

Image gallery

See allShow less
About this author
Cite: Maiztegui, Belén. "Cyclopean Concrete and Its Many Diverse Uses and Applications in Architecture" [¿Qué es el hormigón ciclópeo? Diversos usos y aplicaciones en obras de arquitectura] 08 Jun 2021. ArchDaily. (Trans. Johnson, Maggie) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/962686/cyclopean-concrete-and-its-many-diverse-uses-and-applications-in-architecture> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.