Chapter 4
Reinforced concrete structures
4.1 Introduction
Concrete is an extremely versatile structural
material. It is moderately strong in compres-
sion but weak in tension; it has good resis-
tance to fire and good durability. Perhaps its
most distinctive characteristic, however, is that
it is available to the builder, on the building
site, in semi-liquid form. This has two very
important consequences. First, it allows
concrete to be cast into a wide variety of
shapes; the material itself places little restric-
tion on form. Secondly, it makes possible the
incorporation into concrete of other materials,
Fig. 4.1 Church, Vienna,
Austria, 1965-76. Fritz
Wotruba with Fritz G. Mayr,
architects. The expressive
possibilities of reinforced
concrete are well illustrated
here. [Photo: E. & F.
McLachlan]
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