reinforced concrete: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Professional
Quick answer
What does “reinforced concrete” mean?
Concrete that has been strengthened by embedding steel bars or mesh within it to greatly increase its tensile strength.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Concrete that has been strengthened by embedding steel bars or mesh within it to greatly increase its tensile strength.
A composite building material consisting of concrete (which is strong under compression but weak under tension) and a reinforcement material (typically steel) that bears tensile loads, creating a versatile and durable structural element used globally in construction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in term usage. The abbreviation 'rebar' (for reinforcing bar) is common in both, but perhaps more prevalent in US professional speech. Spelling: 'reinforced' (both).
Connotations
Connotes modern construction, strength, durability, and often large-scale infrastructure. Can have a somewhat utilitarian, grey, or brutalist aesthetic connotation in architectural discourse.
Frequency
High frequency in engineering, architecture, and construction contexts in both regions. Low frequency in everyday conversation outside related topics.
Grammar
How to Use “reinforced concrete” in a Sentence
[structure] is made of/constructed from reinforced concreteto cast/pour reinforced concrete into [a form/mould]to reinforce concrete with [steel bars/mesh]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reinforced concrete” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The design specifies that the concrete must be reinforced with stainless steel mesh.
- They decided to reinforce the concrete lintels with additional bars.
American English
- The contractor will reinforce the concrete foundation with #6 rebar.
- All concrete slabs on grade must be reinforced per the building code.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable – 'reinforced' is not standardly used as an adverb modifying 'concrete'; the phrase is a compound noun.]
American English
- [Not applicable – 'reinforced' is not standardly used as an adverb modifying 'concrete'; the phrase is a compound noun.]
adjective
British English
- The reinforced-concrete core provides the building's stability.
- They inspected the ageing reinforced concrete bridge.
American English
- The reinforced concrete parking structure was completed ahead of schedule.
- A reinforced concrete pipe was specified for the drainage project.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in project proposals, cost estimates, and supply chain discussions for construction projects (e.g., 'The budget assumes a 10% increase in reinforced concrete costs.').
Academic
Central term in civil engineering, materials science, and architectural history papers (e.g., 'The study examines the corrosion resistance of novel reinforced concrete composites.').
Everyday
Used when describing buildings, bridges, or infrastructure in layman's terms (e.g., 'The new car park is all reinforced concrete.').
Technical
Precise specification in structural drawings, building codes, and engineering reports (e.g., 'Specification: C30/37 reinforced concrete with high-yield steel reinforcement to BS 8110.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reinforced concrete”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reinforced concrete”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reinforced concrete”
- Mispronunciation: stressing 'forced' as in 'rein-FORCED' instead of the primary stress on 'forced' in 'reinforced' /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrst/.
- Misspelling: 're-enforced concrete' (incorrect – no hyphen in modern usage).
- Confusing with 'precast concrete' (which may or may not be reinforced).
- Using as a verb phrase incorrectly: 'They reinforced concreted the wall.' (Correct: 'They constructed the wall from reinforced concrete.' or 'They reinforced the concrete wall.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are related but distinct. Reinforced concrete has passive steel bars embedded to resist tension after the concrete cracks. Pre-stressed concrete has tendons (high-strength steel cables) that are tensioned *before* the concrete bears load, putting the concrete into compression and making it more resistant to tension from the start.
Yes. While steel (rebar, mesh) is most common, other materials include glass fibre (GFRC), carbon fibre, basalt fibre, and various polymer fibres. These are often used for specific properties like corrosion resistance or reduced weight.
Hairline cracking is common due to shrinkage during curing or thermal expansion. Structural cracking can occur if the reinforcement is insufficient, corroded, or if loads exceed design limits. Proper design, mix, and construction techniques minimize undesirable cracking.
In construction and engineering contexts, 'RC' is the standard abbreviation for 'Reinforced Concrete' (e.g., 'RC frame', 'RC wall'). It is crucial to distinguish it from other meanings like 'Reinforced Cement' (less common) or 'Remote Control' in different contexts.
Concrete that has been strengthened by embedding steel bars or mesh within it to greatly increase its tensile strength.
Reinforced concrete is usually technical / professional in register.
Reinforced concrete: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːst ˈkɒŋkriːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrst ˈkɑːŋkriːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not applicable - technical term rarely used idiomatically]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a concrete wrestler (concrete) wearing a steel belt (reinforcement) – the belt provides the flexible strength the rigid wrestler lacks.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP or a MARRIAGE OF MATERIALS, where two dissimilar components (hard, brittle concrete and flexible, strong steel) combine to create something superior to the sum of its parts.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of the 'reinforcement' in reinforced concrete?