1.WHAT IS R.C.C?

Reinforced cement
concrete (R.C.C) is the
combination of ordinary
concrete with the
reinforcement to increase
its compressive and
tensile strength to a great
extent.

Concrete is a versatile
material for modern
construction, however, on
its own, it has high
compressive strength but
low tensile strength.
Concrete can be prepared
by mixing well-
proportioned quantities
of cement (even lime in
some cases), sand,
crushed rock or gravel, 2.PURPOSE OF RE-
and water. The re- ENFORCEMENT IN
enforcement is therefore
added to increase its
CONCRETE:
tensile strength.
Concrete has a very high
compressive strength but
It has been used from
low tensile strength.
foundations to the
Thus, there is no need for re-
rooftops of buildings, in
enforcement when only
the construction of
compressive forces are
highways roads traffic,
acting on the concrete
and hydro-power tunnels,
surface.
irrigation canals, drains
etc. However, when tensile forces
are also acting, like in beams
or slabs then there is a high
risk of failure in case of plain
concrete.
 Therefore, to eliminate the
high risk of failure, a
material with high tensile
strength (steel) is added to
the concrete.
Steel not only has high
tensile strength but also
good compressive strength.
Therefore, it is capable of
withstanding all three types
of forces acting on a
structure: compressive,
tensile and shear forces.
3.Nature of
Reinforced Cement
Concrete:
The main principle in the
preparation of the
reinforced cement
concrete is to make a
structural material in
which
(i) Steel bears the main tensile
stresses
(ii) concrete bears the main
compressive forces;
both acting in complete unison.
Compatibility of steel and
concrete:
(i) the steel re-enforcement
used does not rust due to the
alkaline nature of concrete,
which is because of its principle
element being Calcium
Hydroxide.
(ii) The bond or ‘grip’ between
the steel and concrete is
established easily;
(iii) R.C.C. does not crack
easily as the thermal expansion
of steel and concrete is almost
identical.
4.Placement of
Reinforcement:
It requires very complex
and careful design
considerations for each
member of reinforcement
concrete. Thus, the size,
shape, spacing, and
location of reinforcement
will be entirely different in
a slab or beam or a
column.
In beams, for example,
steel bars may be required
more in the lower sections
and in fixed beams, in the
end, sections as well
where the tensile stresses
are most effective.
The top section of the 5. Types of
beam may need no Reinforcement used in
reinforcement. R.C.C:
The horizontal Reinforcement used in
reinforcements are often concrete is principally
tied up with square made of steel of different
stirrups at suitable types. Further, it may be
intervals. made in required shape
These stirrups also and volume. Some
provide additional common types of
strength to the Reinforced reinforcement are:
Cement Concrete against
shearing stresses. (i) Mild Steel Bars:
The reinforcement These come in various
requires the minimum diameters and are
prescribed covering of required to possess a
concrete. characteristic strength in
The covering is essential
to protect the
reinforcement from
deterioration under attack
from weathering agencies
and also from casual fires.

tension which is specified

in relevant codes. This
steel bar used as
reinforcement can be
commonly bent easily
without cracking at the
bends.

(ii) Hot Rolled Bars and

Cold Worked Bars: They
are specially prepared
reinforcements.
The first type has a
characteristic strength in
tension which is almost
double than that of mild
steel bars. Further, as
these come commonly in
thick sections. They can
be bent by heating (up to
100°C) without developing
any defects. This is not
possible with the ordinary
mild steel bars.
Similarly, the cold worked
steel bars come in twisted
or stretched forms having 6. Advantages of
elongated ribs or such Reinforced
structures along their
length. Concrete (RCC):
They also have a much There are 100s of
higher characteristic advantages of Reinforced
strength of the order of Concrete, but here we will
425 N/mm2 against 250 discuss some important
N/mm2 for mild steel advantages of Reinforced
bars. Concrete.
Such bars may not be (i) Structures made
heated for bending and re- from Reinforced
bending. Concrete are
durable.
(ii) It has a high
compressive
strength (due to
concrete).
(iii) It has a high tensile
strength (due to
reinforcement).
(iii) Steel Fabric: This is
made from a variety of (iv) It is resistant to fire
bars and wires. and other climate
These may include plain changes.
round wires, indented and
deformed wires, deformed (v) Easily available almost
steel bars of cold-worked anywhere in the world.
type. The mesh from such
wires is made by welding (vi) Too much expertise is
together straightened not required for working
lengths very carefully and on it, normal skilled
strictly in accordance with labour can also do it.
the specifications.
(vii) It can be moulded in any
form, shape.
(viii) It can be used in any part
of the structure i.e., from
foundation to the top roofing.
(ix) Repairing cost is almost nil.
(x) It is more economical
compared to other materials.
7.R.C.C. GRADES:
Architects refer the
following concrete code
table in drawing.
Knowing this table will
help you in deciding the
proportion of cement,
sand and gravel in RCC.
Concrete code and
concrete ratio:

Proportio
n of Expected
Concret Cement: Compressiv
e Grade Sand: e Strength
Stone at 28 days
pieces

10 N/mm2
M100 1: 3: 6 or 100
Kg/cm2

15 N/mm2
M15 or
1: 2: 4 or 150
M150
Kg/cm2

20 N/mm2
M20 or
1: 1.5: 3 or 200
M200
Kg/cm2

25 N/mm2
M25 or
1: 1: 2 or 250
M250
Kg/cm2
 8.TYPES OF
CEMENT:
The cement used shall he any
of the following and the type
selected should be appropriate
for the intended use:

a) 33 Grade ordinary Portland

cement conforming to IS 269

b) 43 Grade ordinary Portland

cement conforming to IS 8112

c) S3 Grade ordinary Portland

cement conforming to IS
12269

d) Rapid hardening Portland

cement conforming to IS 8041

e) Portland slag cement

conforming to IS 455

f) Portland pozzolana cement

(fly ash based) conforming to
IS 1489 (Part 1)

g) Portland pozzolana cement

(calcined clay based)
conforming to IS 1489 (Part 2)

h) Hydrophobic cement
conforming to IS 8043

j) Low heat Portland cement

conforming to IS 12600

k) Sulphate resisting Portland

cement conforming to IS
12330