Which of the following best describes the function of stirrups in reinforced concrete beams?

• A. They primarily carry bending moments
• B. They anchor reinforcement in place
• C. They resist shear, hold main reinforcement in place, and confine concrete around potential cracks
• D. They serve as furring channels for formwork removal

Answer: (C)

Stirrups act as shear reinforcement in reinforced concrete beams. Their primary job is to resist shear forces that occur in the beam’s web, which helps prevent diagonal cracking and failure. They also keep the main longitudinal reinforcement in the correct position during pouring and under load, and they confine the surrounding concrete, which improves ductility and limits crack widths. Bending moments are carried mainly by the longitudinal bars, not by the stirrups, and stirrups aren’t used as furring channels for formwork removal. So their combined roles of resisting shear, holding the main reinforcement in place, and confining concrete around potential cracks explains why this option is correct.