Topic 1- Introduction to Reinforced Concrete Construction, Materials, Manner of Execution, Advantages and Disadvantages and Trends

Reinforced concrete (RC) is a versatile composite and one of the most widelyused materials in modern construction . Concrete is a relatively brittle material that is strong under compression but less so in tension. Plain, unreinforced concrete is unsuitable for many structures as it is relatively poor at withstanding stresses induced by vibrations, wind loading, and so on. To increase its overall strength, steel rods, wires, mesh or cables can be embedded in concrete before it sets. This reinforcement, often known as rebar, resists tensile forces. By forming a strong bond together, the two materials are able to resist a variety of applied forces, effectively acting as a single structural element. Whilst concrete has been used as a construction material since Roman times, the use of reinforcement, in the form of iron was only introduced in the 1850s by French industrialist François Coignet, and it was not until the 1880s that German civil engineer G. A. Wayss used steel as reinforcement. Reinforced concrete is extremely durable and requires little maintenance. It has good thermal mass, and is inherently fire resistant. Rebar is generally made from 100% recycled scrap, and at the demolition stage, the concrete and rebar are capable of being separated so that the steel can be recycled. However, concrete has a relatively high embodied energy, resulting from its extraction, manufacture and transportation. Waste materials can be included within the concrete mix such as RCA (Recycled Crushed Aggregate), GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag) and PFA (Pulverised Fuel Ash), however, issues suchas moisture content and material variability may make its recycling unviable. Applications of Reinforced Concrete 1. Buildings 2. Bridges 3. Water Tanks 4. Floating Structures 5. Chimneys and Towers 6. Retaining Walls 7. Bunkers and Silo 8. Marine Structures 9. Precast Works 10. Roads 11. Foundations

Reinforced concrete (RC)

versatile composite and one of the most
widelyused materials in modern construction
. Concrete is a relatively brittle material that
is strong under compression but less so
in tension.

Advantages of Reinforced Concrete

1. Reinforced concrete has a high compressive
strength compared to other building materials.

. Due to the provided reinforcement, reinforced
concrete can also withstand a good amount of
tensile stress.

Disadvantages of Reinforced Concrete

1. The tensile strength of reinforced concrete is
about one-tenth of its compressive strength

The main steps of using reinforced concrete are
mixing, casting, and curing. All of this affects the
final strength.

Disadvantages of Reinforced Concrete

1. The tensile strength of reinforced concrete is
about one-tenth of its compressive strength

The main steps of using reinforced concrete are
mixing, casting, and curing. All of this affects the
final strength.