REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE (R.C.C.)

In resisting compression Concrete is good but is very weak in resisting tension. Therefore in the concrete reinforcement is provided wherever tensile stress is expected. Since tensile strength of steel is quite high and the bond between steel and concrete is good the best reinforcement is steel. For the same extension the force resisted as the elastic modulus of steel is high, by steel is high compared to concrete. But hair cracks in concrete are unavoidable in tensile zone. Usually Reinforcements are in the form of mild steel or ribbed steel bars of 6 mm to 32 mm diameter. As per the design requirements a cage of reinforcements is prepared kept in a form work and then green concrete is poured. The form work is removed after the concrete hardens. Now the composite material of steel and concrete called R.C.C. acts as a structural member and it can resist tensile or compressive stresses very well.