Concrete cover

Concrete cover is the region between the exposed concrete surface and the nearest surface of the reinforcing bar, in reinforced concrete members.

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Purpose of Provision of Concrete Cover

• to protect the reinforcement bars from environmental effects to prevent corrosion
• to protect the reinforcement bars from fire
• to give reinforcing bars sufficient embedment to enable them to be stressed without slipping

Guidelines

The amount of cover depth that needs to be provided is usually based on the exposure conditions that the structure is likely to be subjected. The Indian Concrete Code mandates the following:

Other national codes also specify minimum cover requirements based on their respective local exposure conditions.

Paradox

Large cover depths (50-75 mm) are required to protect reinforcement against corrosion in aggressive environments, but thick cover leads to increased crack widths in flexural reinforced concrete members. Large crack-widths (greater than 0.3 mm) permit ingress of moisture and chemical attack to the concrete, resulting in possible corrosion of reinforcement and deterioration of concrete. Therefore, thick covers defeat the very purpose for which it is provided. There is a need for judicious balance of cover depth and crack width requirements.

Methods of maintaining cover

See also

• Steel fixer
• Rebar
• Reinforced concrete
• Formwork