Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC): Construction, Materials, Advantages, and Disadvantages

Introduction of RCC ( Reinforced Cement Concrete)

Concrete is a versatile material which is widely used for the construction of structures. RCC full form is Reinforced cement concrete. RCC meaning in civil engineering is a composite material which consists of steel and concrete ( which is a mixture of cement sand and aggregate) and known as reinforced cement concrete.

In this article, you will get to know all about RCC Construction and Advantages and Disadvantages of Reinforced cement concrete.

What Is RCC?

RCC full form is Reinforced cement concrete. It is a composite material which is the combination of ordinary concrete with reinforcement to increase the compressive strength and tensile strength of the concrete.

RCC concrete is widely used in the construction of structures from foundations to the roof, construction of highways and irrigation canals, etc.

Concrete is very good in compression but it is weak in tension that’s why the reinforcement is provided in the concrete wherever tensile stress is more.

Reinforcement resists the tensile stress of the concrete and increases the tensile strength. The Steel is provided in the concrete because of its high tensile strength and good bonding with concrete.

The Steel should have good tensile strength and a high modulus of elasticity. It should have the same temperature of the coefficient of expansion and contraction so that there should not be thermal stresses should be developed in concrete.

Materials Which Are Used in the RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete):

1. Cement
2. Aggregates
3. Admixtures
4. Steel
5. Water

1. Cement:

Cement is a Binder which is a powder mixture of different compounds that sets and harden and bind other materials with each other.

The Portland cement is one of the most common types of cement which is generally used all over the world for construction.

2. Aggregates:

There are two types of aggregates are used in the reinforced cement concrete. The fine aggregates and coarse aggregate.

3. Admixtures:

The different pictures are added to the RCC to improve its physical properties. Admixtures are added in the concrete to alter its properties such as workability and setting time.

4. Steel:

The steel is generally provided in the form of round bars with different diameters. The commonly used Steel in the construction is mild steel.

5. Water:

Water is one of the most important elements in the construction and preparation of RCC concrete. The quality of the water which is used in the manufacturing of concrete directly affects its strength and the quality of the work.

Advantages of Reinforced Cement Concrete:

There are various advantages of reinforcement concrete are as follows

1. RCC has high compressive strength.
2. It has long period of life and required low maintenance cost.
3. Reinforced cement concrete has better resistance to fire as compared to Steel.
4. RCC Structures are more durable as compared to other types of Structures.
5. RCC sections can be cast into different shapes and sizes.
6. RCC is a cheaper construction Material as compared to steel and Prestressed concrete.
7. The Construction of reinforced cement concrete required less-skilled labour as compared to Construction of steel structures.

Disadvantages of Reinforced Cement Concrete:

There are also some limitations of Reinforced cement concrete which are as follows

1. The Reinforced cement concrete required proper mixing, casting of the concrete.
2. The cost required for formwork is high.
3. Reinforced cement concrete structures are heavier than structures which are made from steel and wood.
4. The structures which are made from rain for cement concrete take some time to attain its full strength.
5. The tensile strength of the reinforced cement concrete is about one-tenth of its compressive strength.

Properties of RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete):

Here are the different properties of reinforced cement concrete are as follows

1. Reinforced cement concrete should not show excessive deflection.
2. Reinforced cement concrete is capable of resisting tensile as well as compressive bending and shear forces.
3. The reinforced cement concrete is more durable as compared to other types of construction material.
4. Reinforced cement concrete structures are designed to take high compressive loads.
5. Reinforced cement concrete is a good fire-resistant material.
6. It provides complete insulation against heat and sound.
7. Reinforced cement concrete can be moulded into any desired shape as per your requirement.

RCC Building:

1. It is the building which is constructed with the reinforced cement concrete. The RCC building is a structural building which is constructed with the reinforced cement concrete.
2. The main reason for reinforcing concrete with Steel is to enhance its strength. The steel and concrete have nearly the same values of coefficient of thermal expansion which allows the steel and concrete in the structural members to act as a whole.

What Does RCC Stands for?

RCC stands for Reinforced Cement Concrete. The full form of RCC is reinforced cement concrete which contains steel bars. RCC has widely used in the construction of various structures and buildings components such as footing beams columns and slabs etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC)

What Is Rcc?

RCC stands for Reinforced Cement Concrete. It is a composite material made of ordinary concrete reinforced with steel to improve its compressive and tensile strength.

Why Is Reinforcement Used in Concrete?

Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension. Reinforcement, usually in the form of steel bars, is added to concrete to resist tensile stresses and enhance its overall strength.

What Materials Are Used in Rcc?

The primary materials used in RCC include:

1. Cement
2. Aggregates (fine and coarse)
3. Admixtures
4. Steel
5. Water

What Are the Advantages of Rcc?

1. High compressive strength
2. Long lifespan and low maintenance cost
3. Better fire resistance compared to steel
4. Durability
5. Can be cast into various shapes and sizes
6. Cost-effective compared to steel and prestressed concrete
7. Requires less-skilled labor for construction

What Are the Disadvantages of Rcc?

1. Requires proper mixing and casting
2. High cost of formwork
3. Heavier than structures made from steel and wood
4. Takes time to attain full strength
5. The tensile strength is about one-tenth of its compressive strength

What Are the Properties of Rcc?

1. Should not show excessive deflection
2. Capable of resisting tensile, compressive, bending, and shear forces
3. More durable than other construction materials
4. Designed to take high compressive loads
5. Good fire resistance
6. Provides insulation against heat and sound
7. Can be molded into any desired shape

What Is an Rcc Building?

An RCC building is a structure constructed using reinforced cement concrete, incorporating steel reinforcement to enhance its strength and durability.

Why Is Steel Used in Rcc?

Steel is used in RCC because it has high tensile strength, good bonding with concrete, and similar coefficients of thermal expansion, allowing both materials to work together effectively.

What Types of Aggregates Are Used in Rcc?

Two types of aggregates are used in RCC: fine aggregates and coarse aggregates.

What Is the Role of Water in Rcc?

Water is crucial in the construction and preparation of RCC concrete. The quality of water used directly affects the strength and quality of the concrete mix.