Reinforced concrete is a composite material in which the concrete’s tensile strength and ductility (tendency to deform) are enhanced by the use of a reinforcing material — usually steel bars or a mesh of steel wire (rebar). The rebar is typically embedded into the concrete before the concrete sets.
The reinforcing protocols are generally designed to resist tensile stresses in particular regions of the concrete that might cause unacceptable cracking and/or structural failure.
For a strong, ductile, and durable construction, the concrete reinforcement needs to exhibit the following properties:
- High relative strength
- High toleration to tensile strain
- Strong bond to the concrete, irrespective of pH, moisture, and similar factors.
- Thermal compatibility — resisting unacceptable stresses in response to changing temperatures.
