Underreinforcement

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Describes a construction or material that has been given too little added support or strengthening ; a learned response that has received too little rewarding feedback to become established
2. A state in which a structure lacks enough supporting reinforcement to bear its intended load ; a condition in which a behavior is not rewarded often enough to be firmly learned
3. Insufficient strengthening of a building element or material ; inadequate positive reinforcement of an action so that it fails to take hold

Etymology: "Underreinforcement" is a plain compound: the prefix "under-," meaning insufficient or below the proper amount, attached to "reinforcement," the act or result of strengthening something. The base verb "reinforce" combines "re-," meaning again or further, with "inforce," an English spelling of an Old French verb meaning to strengthen. That Old French verb traces back to Latin "fortis," "strong," so the same root that gives "fort" and "fortress" sits at the heart of the word. The term is mostly technical. In structural engineering, an underreinforced concrete beam contains less steel than would be needed to balance the concrete's compressive strength. Under load, the steel yields and stretches before the concrete crushes, giving a visible warning of failure. The word therefore describes a deliberate design condition, not a flaw in the everyday sense, although in other fields it can mean a shortfall in support or incentive.