Reinforced concrete is one of the most common construction materials, especially in the wastewater industry. Concrete, in its most basic form, is a mixture of water, aggregates, cement and reinforcing steel. Concrete is strong in compression and very weak in tension which is the reason reinforcing steel is added to form a composite structure.

While concrete used in wastewater applications can be quite resilient, proper design and corrosion protection are necessary to ensure the structure lasts through its intended service life.