Which term designates concrete reinforced with steel bars or mesh?

• A. Conflagration
• B. Fire Insurance
• C. Reinforced Concrete
• D. High-Rise Building

Answer: (C)

Concrete alone handles compression well but resists tension poorly. Embedding steel bars or mesh inside the concrete creates reinforced concrete, which combines the compressive strength of concrete with the tensile strength and ductility of steel. This reinforcement lets the material resist bending, shear, and other loads more effectively, and it improves performance under fire by helping maintain strength and stiffness longer as temperatures rise. The other terms refer to a type of fire event, an insurance product, or a building category, not a material designation.