NCIDQ Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX) Practice Exam

Reinforced concrete is a composite material that significantly enhances the strength and durability of conventional concrete through the incorporation of steel bars, known as rebar, or steel mesh within its matrix. The primary reason for using steel reinforcement is that while concrete is strong in compression, it has low tensile strength and is prone to cracking under tensile loads. The addition of steel bars allows the concrete to better withstand these tensile stresses, creating a more resilient structural element.

The bond between the steel reinforcement and the concrete effectively allows both materials to work together, enabling reinforced concrete to carry larger loads and extend its structural capabilities. This combination is essential in many applications, particularly in constructing beams, slabs, columns, and other components that must bear heavy loads.

Shotcrete is a method of applying concrete using a high-velocity spray, but it does not inherently increase structural strength through steel; High performance concrete focuses on properties such as durability and workability rather than specifically incorporating steel for tensile strength; Sealed concrete refers to techniques for reducing permeability but does not imply structural reinforcement. Thus, reinforced concrete stands out as the type specifically designed to enhance strength through the use of steel bars.