# Rebar in Construction Explained

> Rebar in construction is ribbed steel that carries the tension concrete cannot. See a bridge slab example and how SuperWise records steel deliveries.

Canonical: https://superwise.site/glossary/reinforcement-rebar/
Last updated: 2026-11-01

Ribbed steel bars set in concrete to carry the tension that concrete alone cannot, so beams do not fracture when they bend.

## What is Reinforcement (Rebar)?

Reinforcement, commonly called rebar, is ribbed steel bar placed in [formwork](https://superwise.site/glossary/formwork/) before concrete is poured. Concrete resists compression well but is weak in tension, and the embedded steel takes the tensile stress when a cured beam bends under load. The ribs let the concrete grip the steel, which prevents sudden failure.

## Practical example

If an elephant stands at the centre of a long concrete bridge, the underside stretches and tends to crack. The structural engineer places a tight grid of 25 mm steel bars along the bottom of the bridge slab. The steel takes the stretching force while the concrete on top takes the compression.

## In SuperWise

Steel is a material resource in SuperWise, filed under a category such as Steel, with a unit such as MT or kgs and a minimum stock level. Each delivery is a [material delivery challan](https://superwise.site/glossary/material-delivery-challan/) against a PO line, with a quality status and photos. The MIS and management report compares materials procured with the planned [BOQ](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/) quantities, showing over and under use.

[Material management](https://superwise.site/features/material-management/)

## Related terms

- [Bar Bending Schedule (BBS)](https://superwise.site/glossary/bar-bending-schedule/)
- [TMT Bars (Thermo Mechanically Treated)](https://superwise.site/glossary/tmt-bars/)
- [Yield Strength (Steel Rebar)](https://superwise.site/glossary/yield-strength/)
- [Formwork (Shuttering)](https://superwise.site/glossary/formwork/)

## Related
- [Bar Bending Schedule (BBS)](https://superwise.site/glossary/bar-bending-schedule/)
- [TMT Bars (Thermo Mechanically Treated)](https://superwise.site/glossary/tmt-bars/)
- [Yield Strength (Steel Rebar)](https://superwise.site/glossary/yield-strength/)
- [Formwork (Shuttering)](https://superwise.site/glossary/formwork/)
- [Material management](https://superwise.site/features/material-management/)