Which component is commonly used to anchor structural elements together in reinforced concrete?

• A. Rebar
• B. Mortar
• C. Sand
• D. Water

Answer: (A)

Reinforcing steel, or rebar, provides the tensile strength and bonding that ties concrete elements into a single, functioning unit. Concrete handles compression well, but it struggles under tension and cracking at joints. By embedding steel bars inside the concrete and anchoring them with an adequate embedment length, the steel carries tensile forces and transfers loads between elements (like beams, columns, and slabs), effectively keeping the structure together and preventing separation at connections. The bond between rebar and concrete, along with proper detailing, enables what’s called composite action, so the whole assembly acts as one integrated system.

Mortar is used to bond masonry units, not to anchor reinforcing steel in concrete. Sand is an aggregate in the concrete mix, and water is part of the mix but doesn’t provide the anchoring function.