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Founded in 1904 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, the American Concrete Institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, technical resources, educational programs, and proven expertise for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete.
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Home > Tools > Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the importance of concrete cover over the reinforcement? A. Concrete cover protects the steel from harmful influences such as aggressive solutions and fire. For example, chlorides penetrating into concrete initiate or accelerate the corrosion of the steel (ACI 201.2R, ACI 222R). Cover also provides protection against the wear caused by vehicle traffic on the roads or bridges and protection for steel against fire damage (ACI 216.1). During fire, concrete cover protects the reinforcement from reaching high temperatures too quickly. References: SP-1(02); ACI 201.2R-16; ACI 216.1-14(19); ACI 222.2R-14; ACI 222R-19; ACI 318-19; E2-00 Topics in Concrete: 318 Building Code; Concrete Fundamentals; Prestressed; Reinforcement
Q. What is the importance of concrete cover over the reinforcement?
A. Concrete cover protects the steel from harmful influences such as aggressive solutions and fire. For example, chlorides penetrating into concrete initiate or accelerate the corrosion of the steel (ACI 201.2R, ACI 222R). Cover also provides protection against the wear caused by vehicle traffic on the roads or bridges and protection for steel against fire damage (ACI 216.1). During fire, concrete cover protects the reinforcement from reaching high temperatures too quickly.
References: SP-1(02); ACI 201.2R-16; ACI 216.1-14(19); ACI 222.2R-14; ACI 222R-19; ACI 318-19; E2-00
Topics in Concrete: 318 Building Code; Concrete Fundamentals; Prestressed; Reinforcement
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