Is It Time to Rethink Steel Reinforcement of Concrete?

The steel reinforcement of concrete has been around for centuries and was standardized around 1950. Steel reinforcing bar—known as rebar—has a convenient property: a similar thermal expansion coefficient to the concrete surrounding it, making it a natural system to add tensile strength to concrete beams and columns. Unfortunately, steel is prone to corrosion, especially when moisture seeps inside columns and beams through cracks. That rust causes spalling and eventual failure of reinforced concrete structures. Is there a better way?

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