Concrete has relatively high compressive strength, but much lower tensile strength. Therefore, it is usually reinforced with materials that are strong in tension (often steel). The elasticity of concrete is relatively constant at low stress levels but starts decreasing at higher stress levels as matrix cracking develops.
Concrete's inherent properties make it suitable for applications requiring high compressive strength but less so for tensile forces. To address this, reinforcement with materials like steel is essential to enhance its overall performance. The elasticity of concrete changes as stress increases and matrix cracking develops at higher stress levels.