Reinforced concrete is a composite material in which concrete’s low tensile strength and ductility are countered by the inclusion of reinforcement having higher tensile strength or ductility. The reinforcement, usually steel bars (rebars), is embedded in the concrete to bear the tensile, shear, and sometimes compressive stresses in a structure. The mechanism by which reinforced concrete works is based on the complementary properties of the concrete and steel. While concrete is excellent in compression, steel absorbs the tensile forces, making the composite structurally efficient and suitable for a wide range of applications, from residential buildings to bridges and industrial structures.