The diagonal tension in concrete can be resisted by providing 

Concept:

• This tension which is caused in the tensile zone of the beam due to shear, at or near the supports is called Diagonal Tension which is caused by shear and cannot be resisted by concrete alone.
• So shear reinforcement is provided in the R.C.C. beams to take up diagonal tension and prevent cracking of the beam.
• Diagonal tension occurs in the tensile zone of the beam, generally tensile zone in a beam lies below the neutral axis and the compression zone is above the neutral axis.
• The diagonal tension increases below the neutral axis due to the combination of tensile stress and shear stress. Above the neutral axis, the compressive stress dominates, which does not contribute significantly to diagonal tension, hence the reduction in tension.