Difference Between RCC and PCC in Construction
Introduction
In the construction industry, RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) and PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) are widely used building materials. Although both are made from cement, sand, aggregate, and water, their applications and strength characteristics are different. Understanding the difference between RCC and PCC is essential for every civil engineer, contractor, and construction professional.
In civil engineering and building construction, PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) and RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) are the two most fundamental concrete types.
The primary difference between them lies in the presence of steel reinforcement: PCC is concrete without steel, making it strong in compression but weak in tension, whereas RCC combines concrete with steel bars (rebar) to handle both compressive and tensile forces.
Direct Comparison: PCC vs. RCC
| Parameter | Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) | Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) |
| Composition | Cement + Fine Aggregate (Sand) + Coarse Aggregate + Water | Cement + Fine Aggregate + Coarse Aggregate + Water + Steel Rebar / Mesh |
| Tensile Strength | Very Low (weak under bending or pulling forces) | High (steel absorbs tensile and flexural stresses) |
| Compressive Strength | High | High |
| Load-Bearing Capacity | Low to Moderate (used for beddings and non-structural bases) | Very High (used for primary structural elements) |
| Cost | Cheaper (no steel costs) | Higher (due to high cost of steel and skilled labor) |
| Structural Role | Provides a flat, rigid bed and prevents direct soil contact | Carries heavy live, dead, wind, and seismic structural loads |
What is PCC?
PCC is basic concrete poured without any steel reinforcement inside. Concrete naturally has great resistance to being crushed (compressive strength), but it cracks easily when stretched, bent, or twisted (tensile strength). Therefore, PCC is only used in areas where the structure experiences pure compression and no bending forces.
Key Applications of PCC:
Levelling Course: Poured at the bottom of foundation pits before setting up footing steel.
Bedding Layer: Underneath brickwork, stone masonry, floors, and drainage pipes.
Pavements & Footpaths: Rigid concrete roads, driveways, and pedestrian walkways.
Plinth Protection: Sloped concrete around the outer base of a building to drain rainwater away.
What is RCC?
Concrete and steel expand and contract at nearly identical rates when temperature changes. To make up for concrete's weakness in tension, steel rebars or wire meshes are embedded inside the wet concrete during casting.
When a heavy load causes a beam or slab to bend, the concrete resists the crushing forces on top, while the embedded steel bars take all the pulling forces at the bottom.
Key Applications of RCC:
Footings & Raft Foundations: Transmits the full weight of the building safely into the soil.
Columns: Vertical load-bearing members that hold up the floors.
Beams & Lintels: Horizontal members that support wall loads and span across room openings.
Floor & Roof Slabs: The overhead ceiling/floor structures.
Retaining Walls, Bridges, & Water Tanks: Structures exposed to heavy lateral soil or water pressure.
Key Advantages of PCC
1. High Compressive Strength
Load Bearing: PCC can withstand immense crushing/downward forces (compression). This makes it ideal for supporting heavy foundation loads, retaining walls, and rigid pavements.
2. Cost-Effective
No Steel Required: Steel reinforcement (rebar) is one of the most expensive components in construction. Because PCC uses only cement, sand, aggregates, and water, it is significantly cheaper per cubic meter than RCC.
Low Labor Cost: Preparing and laying PCC requires basic masonry skills, reducing the need for specialized steel fixers or complex shuttering crews.
3. Provides a Solid & Level Bed
Uniform Surface: Soil surfaces are naturally uneven and soft. Pouring a layer of PCC creates a perfectly level, hard, and flat surface for laying foundation footings or brickwork.
Easy Marking: The smooth top surface of PCC allows engineers to draw exact column lines and grid marks accurately using chalk or line powder.
4. Barrier Against Soil Moisture & Chemicals
Moisture Proofing: PCC prevents moisture, groundwater, and dampness from rising into the building foundation or ground floor (capillary action).
Chemical Protection: It protects steel rebars in the main RCC foundation from coming into direct contact with corrosive soil chemicals, salts, and sulfates.
5. Prevents Soil Settlement & Erosion
Load Distribution: PCC distributes the weight of the structure over a wider area of soil, reducing the risk of uneven or differential settlement.
Erosion Control: It stabilizes loose soil beds and prevents rainwater or groundwater from washing away soil underneath footings and retaining walls.
6. Good Fire and Weather Resistance
Concrete is non-combustible and offers excellent resistance to fire, moisture, and extreme weather changes, ensuring long-term durability for non-structural layers.
Summary Table: Where PCC Shines
| Benefit | How It Helps the Project |
| Protective Base Layer | Shields RCC footings from soil moisture and corrosive salts. |
| Budget Friendly | Cuts initial structural base costs by eliminating expensive steel rebar. |
| Construction Foundation | Gives workers a clean, rigid, level plane to assemble reinforcement cages. |
Key Advantages of RCC
1. High Tensile & Compressive Strength
Combined Performance: Concrete inherently resists heavy crushing/downward forces (compression), while the embedded steel rebars absorb stretching, bending, and pulling forces (tension).
Versatility: This combination allows RCC to be used in long-span beams, slabs, cantilevers, and heavy columns without cracking or collapsing under load.
2. High Durability & Long Lifespan
Properly designed and cured RCC structures can last for 50 to 100+ years with minimal degradation.
When concrete provides adequate cover over steel rebars, it protects the steel from environmental weathering, corrosion, and chemical attacks.
3. Moldability & Structural Flexibility
Wet concrete can be easily poured into formwork (shuttering) of virtually any shape—including arches, domes, curved walls, or complex architectural designs.
Once hardened, it forms a rigid, monolithic structure that acts as a single cohesive unit.
4. Exceptional Fire & Weather Resistance
Concrete is non-combustible and has low thermal conductivity. It can withstand intense fire for hours without losing structural stability, protecting embedded steel from high heat.
It easily withstands harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain, frost, wind pressure, and high temperatures.
5. High Rigidity & Seismic Resistance
RCC members have immense mass and stiffness, minimizing structural deflections and vibrations under dynamic live loads.
When detailed according to seismic design codes (ductile detailing), RCC structures absorb earthquake forces effectively through controlled deformation.
6. Low Maintenance Cost
Unlike structural steel (which requires regular anti-corrosion painting) or timber (which requires termite treatment and polishing), RCC requires very low upkeep over its operational lifecycle.
7. Readily Available Materials & Skilled Labor
Raw materials like cement, sand, aggregates, and steel bars are widely available everywhere.
Labor and contractors experienced in rebar fixing and concrete pouring are universally available.
Conclusion
Both RCC and PCC are essential construction materials. The selection depends on structural requirements and load conditions.
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