Basics of Building Construction

Building Components And Types

Lesson 15 : Reinforced Cement Concrete

Causes Of Failure Of Reinforced Concrete Structures

A reinforced concrete member can fail mostly in the following cases:

• When the member is subjected to excessive tension, so as to exceed the permissible stress in steel.
• When the loading is such that the compressive stress in concrete exceeds its safe permissible value.
• When the concrete is subjected to excessive shear.
• On account of the slipping of the steel bars from concrete.
• Due to bad quality of materials used that can cause shrinkage creep or thermal effects.
• When the member is subjected to extremes of temperature, aggressive liquids or gases.