Which option best differentiates reinforced concrete from plain concrete in terms of tensile stress?

• A. Reinforced concrete uses steel to carry tensile stresses
• B. Plain concrete relies on cement paste for strength
• C. Reinforced concrete carries no tensile stresses
• D. Plain concrete uses steel reinforcement

Answer: (C)

Reinforced concrete differentiates itself by using steel reinforcement to carry tensile stresses, while concrete itself is strong in compression but weak in tension. In bending or other tensile loads, the concrete tends to crack when tension is applied, so the steel bars take over the tensile force. The steel provides ductility and high tensile strength, and when bonded to the concrete, they work together as a single composite member to resist bending and cracking.

That’s why the best description is that reinforced concrete uses steel to carry tensile stresses. The other statements misattribute where tensile strength comes from or misstate which material carries tension, e.g., plain concrete is not relied on for steel reinforcement, and reinforced concrete does carry tensile loads through the steel, not avoid them.