Reinforced concrete
Composite material compensating concrete's low tensile strength with reinforcement.
Reinforced concrete, also called ferroconcrete or ferro-concrete, is a composite material in which concrete's relatively low tensile strength and ductility are compensated for by the inclusion of reinforcement having higher tensile strength or ductility. The reinforcement is usually, though not necessarily, steel reinforcing bars (known as rebar) and is usually embedded passively in the concrete before the concrete sets. In terms of volume used annually, it is one of the most common engineering materials.
- field
- Construction material
- known_for
- Composite material combining concrete with reinforcement to resist tensile stresses
- first_known_use
- Mid-19th century in England and France
- key_innovators
- François Coignet, William B. Wilkinson, Joseph Monier, Thaddeus Hyatt, Ernest L. Ransome, G. A. Wayss
Lore & Background
The early development of reinforced concrete took place in parallel in England and France during the mid-19th century. Wilkinson reinforced the concrete roof and floors in a two-story house, demonstrating knowledge of tensile stresses. Ernest L. G. A.
Reader's Guide
Reinforced concrete is one of the most common engineering materials by volume used annually. Its significance lies in enabling modern structures that would be impossible with unreinforced concrete, as it resists tensile stresses that cause cracking or structural failure. The material's development in the mid-19th century by figures like Coignet, Wilkinson, Monier, Hyatt, Ransome, and Wayss transformed construction, leading to skyscrapers, bridges, and buildings worldwide. Standards such as the NACU's Standard No. Reinforced concrete can be precast or cast-in-place, and its design—especially floor systems—significantly impacts costs, strength, and building use. When designed correctly, the alkalinity of concrete protects steel rebar from corrosion.
Did You Know?
- Ernest L. Ransome's key innovation was twisting reinforcing steel bars to improve their bond with concrete.
More in Manufacturing And Materials 1-24
Elsewhere in the Manufacturing And Materials universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record