Which property of concrete provides its primary resistance to being crushed under compression?

• A. Compression
• B. Tension
• C. Shear
• D. Elasticity

Answer: (A)

Concrete resists being crushed primarily through its compressive strength. The cement paste, together with the aggregates, forms a stiff, load-sharing matrix that distributes and bears compressive stresses, causing microcracks to close and the material to endure high loads before failing. This makes concrete exceptionally strong under compression, which is why columns and foundations rely on that property. In contrast, concrete is relatively weak in tension—cracks readily open and propagate without reinforcement—so steel is added to carry tensile stresses. Elasticity describes how the material deforms under load, but the key factor that stops crushing is its compressive strength.