What is Reinforced Cement Concrete ?

Civil Engineering

REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE 

 Reinforced cement concrete is a composite material made up of cement concrete and reinforcement in which the concrete resists compression with reinforcement resisting the tension and shear. It is the most versatile building material available and is extensively used in construction industry ranging from small structural elements such as beams and columns to massive structures like dams and bridges.

The idea of reinforcing concrete with steel has resulted in a composite material having the potential of resisting significant tensile stresses. The steel bars are embedded in the tensile zone of concrete to compensate the poor tensile resistance of concrete.

(A)   Plain concrete beam crack and  
 fails in flexural tension 
even under small load

(B)    Reinforced concrete beam supports loads
        with acceptably low deformations and
        fails in ductile mode under heavy loads 

Reinforced Concrete Column 

The bond between steel and the surrounding concrete ensure strain compatibility. Moreover, the reinforcing steel imparts ductility to this composite material. The reinforcing steel also supplements concrete in bearing compressive forces as in the case of columns. Here the bars are confined with lateral ties, in order to maintain their position and to prevent their local buckling. In addition, the lateral ties also serve to confine the concrete, there enhancing  its compression load bearing capacity.

 

Reinforced Concrete Column