What types of stress does reinforced concrete primarily resist?

Reinforced concrete is primarily designed to resist tensile and compressive stresses due to the unique properties of its composite materials. Concrete is naturally strong in compression, which allows it to withstand heavy loads pushing down on it. However, concrete has a low tensile strength, meaning it cannot effectively resist forces that pull or stretch it.

To enhance the tensile capacity, steel reinforcement bars (rebar) are embedded within the concrete. The steel absorbs the tensile stresses, allowing the reinforced concrete structure to handle both compressive and tensile forces simultaneously. This synergy between the concrete and the rebar is what makes reinforced concrete an effective material for a wide range of construction applications, enabling structures to endure the various loading conditions they encounter throughout their lifespan.