Determine the major role of construction

A major part of civil engineering construction involves the use of cement concrete. Concrete has a good compressive strength and works well in those parts of structures/structural components which are subjected to compressive stresses due to loads. But its tensile strength is very low compared to its compressive strength. Tensile strength of concrete is related with its compressive strength, which is normally represented in terms of the Grade or Characteristic compressive strength of concrete. On an average, it may be taken to be of an order of around 10% of its compressive strength.