In reinforced concrete construction, the lack of strength of concrete in tension is
compensated for by providing bonded steel reinforcement near the tension faces
of the concrete section. The steel, being strong in tension, bears the tensile forces
and the concrete takes the compressive forces. Under no-load condition the steel
is unstressed; as a reinforced concrete member is loaded it deforms, inducing
compressive and tensile stresses. The stresses in concrete and steel, therefore, vary
with the load.