Definition

1. Noun:
   • A composite building material: "reinforced concrete" is a type of concrete that is strengthened by embedding steel bars (rebar) or mesh within it. This combination provides much greater tensile strength than plain concrete, allowing it to withstand significant stresses, such as bending and stretching, which concrete alone cannot resist well.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The bridge's foundation is made of reinforced concrete to ensure its stability.
  • Modern skyscrapers rely heavily on reinforced concrete for their structural frames.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term is often used attributively (like an adjective) to describe other nouns.
  • The architect specified a reinforced concrete beam for the load-bearing wall.
• In technical contexts: Often abbreviated as "RC" in engineering and construction documents.
  • The structural analysis confirmed the RC column's design was sound.

Variants and Related Words

• Reinforcement (n): The steel bars or mesh used to strengthen the concrete.
  • The workers placed the reinforcement before pouring the concrete.
• Prestressed concrete (n): A specialized type of reinforced concrete where the steel reinforcement is tensioned before the concrete sets, providing even greater strength.
• Ferroconcrete (n): A synonym for reinforced concrete, though less common in everyday use.

Synonyms

• Ferroconcrete: A direct synonym.
• Armored concrete: Another term, emphasizing the protective and strengthening role of the steel.

Notes on Meaning

The term specifically refers to the composite material itself. It is a mass noun and is not typically used in a plural form (e.g., "reinforced concretes"). The reinforcement is integral to its definition; plain concrete without this internal metal support is a different material.

Noun

1. concrete with metal and/or mesh added to provide extra support against stresses