Which type of reinforcement provides tensile and shear strength in a concrete deck?

• A. Primary reinforcement
• B. Secondary reinforcement
• C. Positive Moment Tension
• D. Negative Moment Tension

Answer: (A)

In reinforced concrete, the element’s ability to resist bending and cracking hinges on reinforcement that carries the main tensile forces. The primary reinforcement is the main set of bars placed in the tension zone to take these tensile demands, which also helps bridge cracks and contributes to resisting shear forces when the deck is loaded. Secondary reinforcement, by contrast, mainly controls crack widths and distributes stresses but does not carry the majority of tensile or shear load. Positive moment tension and negative moment tension describe where tension occurs due to bending, not a type of reinforcement. So the reinforcement that provides the main tensile resistance and helps contribute to shear strength in a concrete deck is the primary reinforcement.