The maximum area of tension reinforcement in beams shall not exceed A. 0.15% B. 1.5% C. 4% D. 1%

The correct answer is: B. 1.5%

The maximum area of tension reinforcement in beams shall not exceed 1.5% of the gross concrete area. This is to ensure that the beam has sufficient strength to resist the tensile forces that are developed when the beam is loaded.

Option A: 0.15% is too low and will not provide enough strength to resist the tensile forces.

Option C: 4% is too high and may cause the beam to crack.

Option D: 1% is a common value for the maximum area of tension reinforcement, but it is not the maximum value. The maximum value is 1.5%.