What Is Cover in Concrete?

The clear cover is the distance between the exposed concrete surface (without plaster and other finishes) to the nearest surface of the reinforcing bar Look into the following image for more detail. Or The space amid the surface of fixed reinforcement and the outside of concrete of an RCC member is the concrete cover.

Why we provide Concrete Cover?

Covering is provided to arrest the attack of corrosion. Reinforcement is prone to corrosion and fire for atmospheric conditions. If the proper cover isn’t implemented then there is more chance of corrosion and cracks in hardened RCC.

Covering is provided For every element of the building (Slabs, Beams, footings) where the reinforcement is used. In order to maintain the proper arrangement of reinforcement and to provide a covering for reinforcement. covering blocks are used.

Conditions for Concrete Cover :-

Covering varies according to the dimensions of the elements (Slab, beam, column, footings, etc.) the conditions for providing covering in RCC is tabulated below:-

Condition

Covering

If the length of the item is ≤ 0.3

1" or 25mm or 0.025m

If the length of the item is in between 0.4m to 0.5m then

2" or 50mm or 0.050m

If the length of the item is ≥ 0.6m then

4" or 100mm or 0.1m