Cover

Civil & Structural

The thickness of concrete between the outer face and the nearest reinforcement. It keeps water, oxygen, chloride and carbon dioxide away from the steel so the alkaline concrete can keep it passivated. Lose the cover and the steel corrodes, expands and spalls off what remains.

Explained in depth

Concrete and reinforcement — why the mix is the easy part

Related terms

Water-cement ratio
Building pressurisation
Building siting assessment
Bund
Concrete grade
CUI
Fire curve
HSFG / slip-critical
Permit to excavate
Pipe rack
Plot plan
RBI