Question

In Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC), which of the following are combined to act together as one material?

• A. Concrete and sand
• B. Concrete and steel
• C. Cement and sand
• D. Cement and Aluminium Sulphate

Hint:

Recall the fundamental structural division of labor in construction:
Concrete = Compression resistance.
Steel = Tension resistance.
Together, they form Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) is a composite building material designed to leverage the mechanical properties of two distinct components: concrete and steel.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
To understand why concrete and steel are combined in RCC, we must look at their mechanical characteristics:
- Concrete has exceptionally high strength under compression (resisting squeezing forces), but it is brittle and has very low tensile strength (cracks easily when stretched or bent).
- Steel has very high tensile strength (resisting pulling or stretching forces).
By placing steel reinforcing bars (rebar) inside the concrete forms before pouring, the two materials combine to act as a single unit once the concrete cures.
In this composite material:
- Concrete resists the compressive loads.
- Steel resists the tensile loads caused by bending, wind, or earthquakes.
Additionally, steel and concrete have almost identical coefficients of thermal expansion, meaning they expand and contract at the same rate when temperature changes.
This prevents internal stress and delamination, allowing them to act together as one durable material.

Step 3: Final Answer:
In RCC, concrete and steel are combined to act together as one material.