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Coverblocks Overview General

Cover blocks are used to maintain the specified distance between steel reinforcement bars (rebar) and shuttering in reinforced concrete construction (RCC). It is important to embed rebar in concrete (known as cover) to prevent corrosion and provide fire protection. The recommended cover varies based on the structure and environment but is typically 20mm for slabs, 25mm for beams, 40mm for columns, and 50mm for foundations. Cover can be effectively provided using fiber concrete or plastic circular spacers depending on the application. The number of spacers required depends on the rebar diameter and size of the beam or column, with thinner rebars and smaller sections requiring more spacers.

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452 views7 pages

Coverblocks Overview General

Cover blocks are used to maintain the specified distance between steel reinforcement bars (rebar) and shuttering in reinforced concrete construction (RCC). It is important to embed rebar in concrete (known as cover) to prevent corrosion and provide fire protection. The recommended cover varies based on the structure and environment but is typically 20mm for slabs, 25mm for beams, 40mm for columns, and 50mm for foundations. Cover can be effectively provided using fiber concrete or plastic circular spacers depending on the application. The number of spacers required depends on the rebar diameter and size of the beam or column, with thinner rebars and smaller sections requiring more spacers.

Uploaded by

jack21ab
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Draft

Cover Blocks
Overview

19 July 2011

Client Logo

Key Questions
I.

What are cover blocks?

II.

Why we must use cover blocks?

III. What is the right amount of cover?


IV. How to provide the cover effectively?
V.

How many cover blocks should I use?

What are cover blocks?


Figure 1: Showing use of cover blocks
TMT Bar
Cover Blocks

Cover

Shuttering

Cover blocks are used to maintain a specified


distance between the TMT rebar and the
shuttering

Why we must use cover blocks?

When doing RCC work it is important to


embed the steel in the concrete (also known
as cover) so that the rebar doesnt corrode
and to provide fire protection to the rebar
If we dont provide the recommended cover
the rebar will corrode with time and will
ultimately result in premature failure of the
structure (see figure 2)
Thus using cover blocks enhances the life of
the structure significantly without adding
much to the cost

Page 3

Figure 2: Showing what happens if cover


is not adequate

What is the right amount of cover?


The right amount of cover is determined by the application and the
environment (e.g., is the RCC under water, etc.)
In normal environments, following are typical covers recommended in the
Indian context
Application
Application

Cover
Cover (in
(in mm)
mm)


 Slab
Slab


 20
20 mm
mm


 Beam
Beam


 25
25 mm
mm


 Column
Column


 40
40 mm
mm


 Foundation
Foundation


 50
50 mm
mm

Page 4

How to provide the cover effectively?


Method used to provide cover effectively varies by application
KK
KK Fiber
Fiber Concrete
Concrete Spacer
Spacer

Application
Application

 Slab
Slab


 Better
Better bonding
bonding with
with
surrounding
surrounding concrete
concrete as
as itit is
is
made
made from
from the
the same
same
material
material

Type
Type of
of Spacer
Spacer

 KK
KK Fiber
Fiber concrete
concrete
spacer
spacer


 Allows
Allows concrete
concrete to
to flow
flow as
as
the
the contact
contact with
with shuttering
shuttering is
is
limited
limited


 Beam
Beam -- horizontal
horizontal


 KK
KK Fiber
Fiber concrete
concrete
spacer
spacer


 Beam
Beam Vertical
Vertical


 KK
KK Plastic
Plastic Circular
Circular

For
Spacer
sides,
use
 Spacer
For sides, use circular
circular
spacer
spacer

 KK
KK Plastic
Plastic Circular
Circular
Spacer
Spacer


 Columns
Columns

KK
KK Plastic
Plastic Circular
Circular Spacer
Spacer

 Even
Even ifif the
the rebar
rebar is
is rotated
rotated
the
spacing
is
maintained
the spacing is maintained

 Allows
Allows the
the concrete
concrete to
to flow
flow
through
the
spacer
thus
through the spacer thus
better
better bonding
bonding

 Clips
Clips on
on the
the rebar
rebar quickly
quickly
and
and effortlessly
effortlessly

Page 5

How many cover blocks should I use?


Spacer positioning is based primarily on acceptable deflection at maximum loading. Therefore,
thinner rebars require more spacers than larger diameter rebars. Below are guidelines for
recommended quantities for spacers based on rebar size and application
SLABS
Rebar Diameter

Maximum Distance Spacers required (per sq-meter)

All

70 cm

BEAMS & COLUMNS


Spacer Distance In The Longitudinal Direction
Rebar Diameter

COLUMNS

BEAMS

up to 10 mm

50 cm

25 cm

12 to 20 mm

100 cm

50 cm

Over 20 mm

125 cm

75 cm

Spacer Nos Required In The Transverse Direction


Width/Height of Beam/Column

COLUMNS

BEAMS

up to 100 cm

Over 100 cm

3 or more

3 or more

Page 6

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