CONCRETE GRADE VARIATION IN TENSION AND COMPRESSION ZONES OF RCC BEAMS

A beam is a one dimensional (normally horizontal) flexural member which provides support to the slab and vertical walls. In a normal beam (simply supported) two zones generally arise, viz. compression zone at top and tension zone at bottom. As concrete is weak in tension, steel is introduced in the tension zone to take the tension, but as strength of concrete is ignored in tension zone with respect to compression zone. So logically no concrete is required in tension side. But this concrete needs to be provided on tension side to act as strain transferring media to steel and may be called as 'sacrificial concrete'. If this concrete has no tension mere than strain transferring, then why to go for same grade of concrete which is used in upper zone? This is basic question which led to the idea of concrete grade reduction in tension zone for RCC beams to reduce construction cost.