Tensile strength in concrete is achieved by:

• A. The use of steel reinforcement
• B. Increasing water content
• C. Using larger aggregate
• D. Reducing cement content

Answer: (A)

Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension. Adding steel reinforcement introduces a material with high tensile strength that bonds well to concrete, creating a composite member. When the structure is loaded, the concrete carries the compressive forces while the steel resists the tensile forces, preventing cracks from growing and improving the overall tensile performance. The other options don’t provide this tensile-capable system: more water weakens strength, larger aggregate doesn’t address tensile stress effectively, and reducing cement lowers the mix’s strength. So, steel reinforcement is how tensile strength is achieved in reinforced concrete.