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Concrete is strong in compression, as the aggregate efficiently carries the compression load. However, it is weak in tension as the cement holding the aggregate in place can crack, allowing the structure to fail. Reinforced concrete solves these problems by adding metal reinforcing bars, glass fiber, or plastic fiber to carry tensile loads

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Concrete is strong in compression, as the aggregate efficiently carries the compression load. However, it is weak in tension as the cement holding the aggregate in place can crack, allowing the structure to fail. Reinforced concrete solves these problems by adding metal reinforcing bars, glass fiber, or plastic fiber to carry tensile loads

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When tension is applied to glass, the microscopic fractures found in glass experience the pressure more than the rest of the material, and the material easily breaks. In compression, however, these fractures are pressed together instead, so the pressure is spread evenly through the material.

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Q: Why is concrete weak in tension?
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What is difference between pre tension and post tension precast girders of bridge?

A simple explanation: PRE tensioned- cables are tensioned, and the concrete is cast around it. The tensioning is done BEFORE casting the concrete (PRE = before). POST tensioned- cables are placed inside of ducts or are greased to prevent bonding to the concrete, the concrete is cast around the cables, and then the cables are tensioned after the concrete has reached a desired strength. The tensioning is done AFTER the concrete is cast (POST = after).  


What is the difference Between under reinforced section and over reinforced section?

When the maximum stresses in steel and concrete simultaniously reaches allowable value the section is called balanced section when the %of steel in a section is less than that required for a balanced section it is under reinforced section when the %of steel in a section is more than that required for a balanced section it is over reinforced sectionover reinforcement is as per section design I.e Ast1+Ast2>Ast Ast1+Ast2


Why tensile strength is higher than shear strength?

because of how the molecules are arranged, most materials are a lot stronger in tension than in shear. This is not true for all materials, like chalk or concrete, which are much stronger in shear than in tension.


Singly reinforced beam definition?

singly reinforcement beam have steel provided only one side tension an another side compression. tension takes steel load or tensile load and compression takes concrete or compressive load.


What is the meaning of steel re bar?

Rebar is an informal term for steel "reinforcing bar". These are steel bars that are placed within the structure before the wet concrete is placed. Steel reinforcement is necessary for almost all structural concrete because concrete has virtually no tensile or shear strength. The rebar provides almost all of the resistance to tension and shear within the structure.

Related questions

What can you reinforce concrete with?

There are different forces on a materials such as Compression and Tension. Compression is pushing a material together. Tension is pulling a material apart. Concrete has good strength in Compression, but is weak in Tension. The steel reinforcement improves the resistance to tension of the concrete.


What is Reinforced cement concrete-RCC?

Concrete is very strong in compression but weak in tension. RCC is concrete with reinforcing steel bars in it. Steel is a really good material in tension. Steel carries the tensile load and thus RCC is strong in tension too. However, designers still try to ensure concrete is in compression wherever possible.


Why is concrete in compression and weak under tension?

Concrete is strong in compression, as the aggregate efficiently carries the compression load. However, it is weak in tension as the cement holding the aggregate in place can crack, allowing the structure to fail. Reinforced concrete solves these problems by adding metal reinforcing bars, glass fiber, or plastic fiber to carry tensile loads


Why concrete is strong in compression and weak in tension?

Concrete is strong in compression, as the aggregate efficiently carries the compression load. However, it is weak in tension as the cement holding the aggregate in place can crack, allowing the structure to fail. Reinforced concrete solves these problems by adding metal reinforcing bars, glass fiber, or plastic fiber to carry tensile loads


Why use concrete?

It is a low cost material with excellent properties though it is weak in tension. There is also a lot of experience using the material.


What is meant by reinforced concrete?

A reinforced concrete is a one in which steel is used. The inclusion of steel in concrete is to take up the tensile forces, since concrete is weak in tension and strong in compression. Moreover it gives warning of the structure before failure.


Why steel is used to reinforce concrete explain it?

There are two main loading conditions that concrete under goes. These are Compression and Tension. Concrete is very strong in compression and is very weak in Tension (pulling apart). Concrete has so little strength to resist tension it is assumed to have no strength in tension. When civil engineers design concrete structures they can determine where the tension and compression will be located. Steel is added to give the concrete tensile strength. For Example a concrete beam when loaded from the top will experience compression on top section of the beam. The top portion of the beam will push inwards creating compression while the bottom section will pull apart creating tension. (Imagine a smile shape). :) Therefore reinforcement will be needed in the tension area (bottom).


What is meant by reinforcement?

A reinforced concrete is a one in which steel is used. The inclusion of steel in concrete is to take up the tensile forces, since concrete is weak in tension and strong in compression. Moreover it gives warning of the structure before failure.


What is the Young's modulus value for suspension system materials?

Usually a minimum of 200 GPa. This is the Young's Modulus for structural steel a common material for suspension systems. Steel is great in tension. Concrete is weak in tension.


What is reinforced concrete?

Reinforced concrete is concrete reinforced with steel bars because although concrete is very strong in compression (depending on its components) it is very weak in tension and the steel bars make up for the required tensile strength.


Why are reinforcements needed for concrete?

Concrete (like stone) is very strong in compression but breaks almost instantly in tension. It is also weak in response to side forces and twisting forces. Steel bars are very strong in tension but crumple and fold instantly in compression. By putting steel reinforcement bars in concrete and pretensioning the bars before the concrete hardens creates a composite material that is strong in both compression and tension (with each material supporting the other) and also improves the response to side forces and twisting forces.


What are advantages and disadvantages of Concrete?

Concrete: *Pros: Extremely strong in compression, can be poured into a form on-site, or pre-fabricated. Can be poured and cured under water, if necessary *Cons: Very weak under tension, though this can be moderated with steel reinforcement