What type of crack occurs as a result of bending in slabs or beams?

The correct choice highlights a crack that occurs when structural elements, such as slabs or beams, experience bending forces. When bending occurs, tension forces are generated on one side of the concrete element, leading to its elongation and potential cracking. These tension cracks are typically formed on the tension side, where the material exceeds its tensile strength.

In the context of slab and beam behavior, under applied loads, bending causes the top fibers to compress and the bottom fibers to stretch. If the tensile stress on the bottom reaches a critical limit, cracks will initiate, primarily leading to what is classified as tension cracks. Understanding the behavior of materials under bending is crucial for assessing structural integrity, especially in rescue scenarios where such knowledge can inform safe and effective intervention strategies.