Concrete resists tensile forces while steel reinforcement resists compressive forces.

Concrete resists tensile forces while steel reinforcement resists compressive forces.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not Applicable
• D. Both

Answer: (B)

Concrete handles compression well but is weak in tension, while steel is very strong in tension and can elongate (ductile) to absorb energy. In reinforced concrete, the steel bars are placed where tensile stresses occur—such as the tension side of a bending beam—so they carry the tensile load that the cracked concrete cannot resist. The concrete around the compression zone mainly carries the compressive load, complemented by the steel’s contribution where tension exists. Because of this complementary behavior, the overall member becomes stronger and more ductile than either material alone. The statement flips the actual behavior, so it’s not correct.

Concrete handles compression well but is weak in tension, while steel is very strong in tension and can elongate (ductile) to absorb energy. In reinforced concrete, the steel bars are placed where tensile stresses occur—such as the tension side of a bending beam—so they carry the tensile load that the cracked concrete cannot resist. The concrete around the compression zone mainly carries the compressive load, complemented by the steel’s contribution where tension exists. Because of this complementary behavior, the overall member becomes stronger and more ductile than either material alone. The statement flips the actual behavior, so it’s not correct.