Question

Identify five advantages or disadvantages of reinforced concrete construction in comparison

to structural steel construction. Provide references as necessary. The five should be distinct.

Answer 1

Five advantages of reinforced concrete construction in comparison to steel construction are as follows :-

1) RCC structures are more durable because durability of steel structures is highly affected by environmental conditions and steel structures are more prone to corrosion and hence less durable.

2) RCC structures cost less in comparison to the steel structures.

3) Lesser skilled labour is required in constructing RCC structures.

4) Joints in RCC structures are easy to provide and hence no special designing required for joints in rcc structures.

5) RCC structures are better in resisting wind loads due to higher weight in comparison to steel structures.

Five disadvantages of RCC structures in comparison to steel structures are as follows:

1) Low strength to weight ratio in comparison to steel structures.

2) RCC structures are prone to brittle and sudden failure as compared to steel structures that are ductile and do not fail suddenly.

3) RCC structures consume a considerably more construction time.

4) RCC structures have low earthquake resisting capacity due to high weight in comparison to the steel structures.

5) scrap value of RCC structures is nil in comparison to the steel structures as concrete cannot be used again.