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Beam side cover

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Author
suraj

Ge ne ral Sponsor

Message
Poste d: Sat Se p 12, 2009 5:33 am

Post subje ct: C oncre fire prote ction

Eng paravansefi
The concrete cover of 40 mm being less than a minimum for a general fire protection of say
upto a maximum of 4 hours provided further protection is applied on the concrete surface.
Moreover, lime stone coarse aggregate shall not work in such situations of fire protection
requirement. Igneous rock aggregate should be used though these would be expansive.

Joine d: 17 Apr 2008

Posts: 1877
Location: NC R Faridabad, E
m ail
suraj_e ngine e r@yahoo.co.uk

In UAE nowadays for example, all coarse aggregates are used from RAK designated as
Gabbro which belongs & explored from igneous rocks craters.
Columns provided 40 mm cover is definitely an error unless a heavy foreproof coating or
shotcreting is applied on the column surface.
As far as the quality of site cast covers is concerned, I have a different opinion on this.
Excellent covers have been produced on site & with little inconvenience. Special design mix by
trial is produced & the plant deliveres the small quantity of concrete for this purpose. The
precast coveres are diiped in drums filled with water & cured unlimited until used.
Those who use mosaic tile pieces or certain other brick bats pieces or anything else is non
sense.
Regards

Back to top
Dr. N. Subramanian
Ge ne ral Sponsor

Poste d: Mon Se p 14, 2009 1:30 pm

Post subje ct: R e : be am side cove r

Dear Er Aravan,
As per BS 8110-1:1997, Table 3.4 the cover required for 4 h fire endurance is as below:
S.S. beams: 70 mm
Continuous beams: 50 mm
S.S. slabs: 55 mm
Continuous slabs: 45 mm

Joine d: 21 Fe b 2008
Posts: 5105
Location: Gaithe rsburg, MD,
U.S.A.

Columns: 25mm
I think IS 456 does not have such recommendations though it has given min. size of concrete
members(See Fig.1 of IS 456:2000). May be you have to look at IS 1642. Note that these
values are for NSC and for HSC it may differ. Spalling under fire conditions is one of the major
concerns with HSC, a problem that is due to its low water/cement ratio. Prof. Venkatesh
Kodur has done extensive work on Fire resistance on HSC elements. Visit
http://www.toodoc.com/Kodur-ebook.html to download his papers.
Research is in progress at National Research Council, Canada's Institute for Research in
Construction (IRC) to evaluate the fire performance of HSC and to develop solutions that will
minimize spalling and enhance fire resistance. For the NSC columns, with cover of 40mm, the
fire resistance was approximately 366 minutes, while for HSC columns it was 225 minutes.
Factors Affecting Fire Performance

Research at IRC and elsewhere shows that the fire performance of HSC, in general, and
spalling, in particular, is influenced by the following factors:
*
original compressive strength of the concrete
*
moisture content of the concrete
*
density of the concrete
*
fire intensity
*
dimensions and shape of specimens
*
lateral reinforcement
*
loading conditions
*
type of aggregate
The studies underway at IRC are seeking to quantify the influence of the above factors and to
develop solutions to enhance the fire performance of HSC. So far it has been possible to draw
some conclusions with regard to these factors, as discussed below.
Concrete Strength
While it is hard to specify the exact strength range, based on the available information,
concrete strengths higher than 55 MPa are more susceptible to spalling and may result in
lower fire resistance.
Moisture Content
The moisture content, expressed in terms of relative humidity, influences the extent of
spalling. Higher RH levels lead to greater spalling. Fire-resistance tests on fullscale HSC
columns have shown that significant spalling occurs when the RH is higher than 80%. The
time required to attain an acceptable RH level (below 75%) in HSC structural members is
longer than that required for NSC structural members because of the low permeability of HSC.
In some cases, such as in offshore structures, RH levels can remain high throughout the life of
the structure and should therefore be accounted for in the design.
Concrete Density
The effect of concrete density was studied by means of fire tests on normal-density (made
with normal-weight aggregate) and lightweight (made with lightweight aggregate) HSC
blocks.5 The extent of spalling was found to be much greater when lightweight aggregate is
used. This is mainly because the lightweight aggregate contains more free moisture, which
creates higher vapour pressure under fire exposures.
Fire Intensity
The spalling of HSC is much more severe in fires characterized by fast heating rates or high
fire intensities. Hydrocarbon fires pose a severe threat in this regard. When HSC is to be used
in facilities where hydrocarbon fuels are present, such as offshore drilling structures and
highway tunnels, the probable occurrence of spalling should be considered in the design.
Specimen Dimensions
A review of the literature shows that the risk of explosive thermal spalling increases with
specimen size. This is due to the fact that specimen size is directly related to heat and
moisture transport through the structure, as well as the capacity of larger structures to store
more energy. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to the size of specimens when
evaluating the spalling problem; fire tests are often conducted on small-scale specimens,
which can give misleading results.
Lateral Reinforcement
The spacing and configuration of ties both have a significant effect on the performance of HSC
columns. Both closer tie spacing (at 0.75 times that required for NSC columns) and the
bending of ties at 135 back into the core of the column, as illustrated in Figure 4, enhance
fire performance. The provision of cross ties also improves fire resistance. Fire tests on HSC
columns, with additional confinement through cross ties and bending of ties back into the core
of the column, have shown that spalling is significantly reduced and fire resistance as high as
266 minutes can be achieved even under full service loads.3

Load Intensity
A loaded HSC structural member will spall to a greater degree than an unloaded member. The
load adds to the stresses created by the pore pressure generated by steam. Also, a higher
load intensity leads to lower fire resistance, since the loss of strength with a rise in
temperature is greater for HSC than for NSC.
Type of Aggregate
Of the two commonly used aggregates, carbonate aggregate (predominantly limestone)
provides higher fire resistance and better spalling resistance in concrete than does siliceous
aggregate (predominantly quartz).3 This is mainly because carbonate aggregate has a
substantially higher heat capacity ( specific heat), which is beneficial in preventing spalling.
This increase in specific heat is likely caused by the dissociation of the dolomite in the
carbonate concrete.
Since Column is a vertical thin element, often covered in sides with walls, the cover
requirements for fire is small.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes
Subramanian
References:
1. Kodur, V.K.R. Spalling in high strength concrete exposed to fire concerns, causes, critical
parameters and cures, Proceedings, ASCE Structures Congress, Philadelphia, PA, 2000.
2. Ulm, F.J., Acker, P. and Levy, M. Chunnel fire. II: analysis of concrete damage, Journal of
Engineering Mechanics , 125(3), 1999, pp. 283-289.
Doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1999)125:3(283)
3. Kodur, V.K.R. and Sultan, M.A. Structural behaviour of high strength concrete columns
exposed to fire, International Symposium on High Performance and Reactive Powder
Concretes, Sherbrooke, QC, 1998, pp. 217-232.
4. Lie, T.T. and Woollerton, J.L. Fire resistance of reinforced concrete columns: test results,
Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council of Canada, Internal Report
No. 569, Ottawa, 1988, 302 pp.
5. Bilodeau, A., Malhotra, V.M. and Hoff, G.C. Hydrocarbon fire resistance of high strength
normal weight and light weight concrete incorporating polypropylene fibres, International
Symposium on High Performance and Reactive Powder Concretes, Sherbrooke, QC, 1998, pp.
271-296.
6. Kodur, V.K.R. Performance of high strength concrete-filled steel columns exposed to fire,
Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 25(6), 1998, pp. 975-981.
DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjce.25-6-975

paravansefi wrote:
Dear Sefians,
Thanks for the replies on the beam side cover query.
In one of our projects, due to the incresed fire rating, we had to use large concrete cover.
For beams, the required cover increase upto 70mm for SS beams as the fire rating is 4
hrs.
Though the minimum beam width is 280mm, once we take 70mm as side cover, the
stirrup/ hoop width becomes 140mm only.
I agree that cover is required to protect the rebar. But pls. note that even for 4hrs fire
rating, column cover remains as 40mm only. Why?? C olumns are more critical to safety of
a building in whole.
regards,
P.Aravan.

sspawar wrote:
Dear Sefians,
The discussion has been more concentrated over C over Block. I want to add
some important thing in regard of cover block.
1. Find attached - testing plan of cover block to ensure its quality which is part

of routine.( We treat cover block as good as Precast)

2. Where pile based structures are made cover block for piling rebar cage is
made in shape of ring to insert in main bar, it is reinforced with the use of
binding wires rings, due extra care.
3.Special curing pond is important. Lots are marked with date.
4.Shorting of good cover blocks by comparission with appd sample.
My purpose of asking question to Mr.Aravan, to listen him fully first, then can be
expained.
Regards
Back to top
sspawar
...

Poste d: Mon Se p 14, 2009 5:53 pm

Post subje ct:

Dear Sefians,
Fire resistance -in HSC & governing factors is fantastically explained by Dr. N S.
I want to add some thing conceptually and practically, why cover in column is less.
1.During fire Members - Beam and Slab come across of fire. They obstruct the heat and absorb
Joine d: 05 Jun 2009
Posts: 1171

more than a vertical member and expansion in steel will be more aggressively takes place
than vertically erected bars. Different degree of expansion will tends to cracks and spalls of
concrete.
2.Second strong reason is Beam and Slab or members generally possess the bending stress
and tension at bottom where fire hit with its greater effect. Fire in compression member could
comparatively make losses lesser than tension members.
I hope I am thinking in right direction.
Second factors affecting fire resistance of normal concrete
1.One most important thing in my view is that - Cement and cementations material - is the
greater governing factor. GGBS is the best fire resistance cement.
2.Second is type of aggregate - fine and as well as coarse aggregate. Fine aggregate sand
is not recommendable, because of present of Mica and sand stone having calcareous
deposits. Coarse aggregates of lime stone are not feasible though lime stone exhibits lower
value of thermal expansion coefficient. But other physical and chemical properties like crushing
value etc (table 7/ SP23), Porosity (table10) and water absorption (table 11) is lower than

COEFFICIENT OF
THERMAL EXPANSION
PER DEGREE
CENTIGRADE
Cement Concrete Quartzite
1.2 to 1.3
x 10^-5
Cement Concrete Sand Stone
0.9 to
1.2 x 10^-5
Cement Concrete Granite
0.7 to 0.95 x
10^-5
Cement Concrete Basalt
0.8 to 0.95 x
10^-5
Cement Concrete - Lime
stone
0.6 to 0.90 x
10^-5
Aluminum
.0000230
Brass
.0000188
Bricks/Brick Work
.0000055
BASALT. Basalt aggregates (both fine and coarse) is the best for fire resistance concrete.

.0000055
Cement
0.0000144
Glass
0.0000081
Granite
0.0000085
Iron
.0000110
Lead
0.000029
Marble
0.000011
Sand Stone
0.0000125
Steel
0.000012
R.C.C.
0.0000117
Tin
0.0000125
Zinc
0.0000325
Wood
0.000011
Please may also visit a topic over Heat resistance concrete posted by me in this forum.
Regards
Back to top
suraj

Ge ne ral Sponsor

Poste d: Tue Se p 15, 2009 7:51 am

Post subje ct: Space rs For C oncre te

Dear All,
The ongoing delibeartion on the topic of determining concrete spacers dimensions being of
very high significance has been elaborated only on fireprotection philosophy. The codes are
respected & recommended & should be considered as recommmendations. The decision
should always be taken on the technicalities of the approach aided by the experiences on the
past projects alongwith their success as well as failures.
Joine d: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 1877
Location: NC R Faridabad, E
m ail
suraj_e ngine e r@yahoo.co.uk

Column is very imporatnt element of the building & must be stronger in comparison to beams.
The moisture penetration, chemical chloride rapid penetration, carbonation etc. & various
factors effect the thickness of the cover. I have never seen any cover for the column less than
40 mm upto 2 hours fire rating anywhere. I am not referring to ours where the people do not
even try to know the effect of covers.
Simultaneously, the expected level of the working quality should be kept abreast while
deciding such parameters. Even, in gulf where the quality criteria overweighs all other factors,
it is too struggling affair to get the people to the determined proposal, yet, much can be done
there. Even after, resorting to hardwork on the quality controls there, the defects in the
concrete are seen & the remedial actions adopted.
The designer should respect the research work but for the purpose of making judgement on
the possible engineering design & the working designs & detailing, I suggest that due safety
criteria keeping in view the substandard work environment, the parameters have to be
decided for follow up. Moreover, we do not have practice to apply the protective coatings on
the concrete that may help the concrete resist the adverse impact of chemicals & carbonation
etc.
I would advise to provide adequate covers for a better framing.'
Regards
_________________
Thanks & Warm Regards
IntPE(India)Suraj Singh FIE Civil
Engineering & Arbitration

Back to top
vikram.jeet

Ge ne ral Sponsor

Poste d: W e d Se p 16, 2009 4:39 am

Post subje ct: Be am side cove r

I think providing more cover than permissible is also as bad as providing

less cover .More cover will result in larger crack width which is also

detrimental from durability considerations unless bars are spaced very

closer to keep the crack width within permissible range.
regards

Joine d: 26 Jan 2003

Posts: 2212

vikramjeet
Posted via Email

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prof.arc
...

Poste d: W e d Se p 16, 2009 8:41 am

Post subje ct: Be am side cove r

Very well said by Mr. Suraj Singh.

I would also endorse that quality of construction must be accorded the topmost importance.
Analysis and design can be approximate.
ARC

Joine d: 26 Jan 2003

Posts: 695

On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 3:51 AM, suraj <forum@sefindia.org (forum@sefindia.org)> wrote:
Quote:
Dear All,
The ongoing delibeartion on the topic of determining concrete spacers dimensions being of
very high significance has been elaborated only on fireprotection philosophy. The codes are
respected & recommended & should be considered as recommmendations. The decision
should always be taken on the technicalities of the approach aided by the experiences on
the past projects alongwith their success as well as failures.
C olumn is very imporatnt element of the building & must be stronger in comparison to
beams. The moisture penetration, chemical chloride rapid penetration, carbonation etc. &
various factors effect the thickness of the cover. I have never seen any cover for the
column less than 40 mm upto 2 hours fire rating anywhere. I am not referring to ours
where the people do not even try to know the effect of covers.
Simultaneously, the expected level of the working quality should be kept abreast while
deciding such parameters. Even, in gulf where the quality criteria overweighs all other
factors, it is too struggling affair to get the people to the determined proposal, yet, much
can be done there. Even after, resorting to hardwork on the quality controls there, the
defects in the concrete are seen & the remedial actions adopted.
The designer should respect the research work but for the purpose of making judgement
on the possible engineering design & the working designs & detailing, I suggest that due
safety criteria keeping in view the substandard work environment, the parameters have to
be decided for follow up. Moreover, we do not have practice to apply the protective
coatings on the concrete that may help the concrete resist the adverse impact of chemicals
& carbonation etc.
I would advise to provide adequate covers for a better framing.'
Regards

P Eng Suraj Singh

Posted via Email

Back to top
sspawar
...

Poste d: W e d Se p 16, 2009 11:12 am

Post subje ct: R e : Be am side cove r

prof.arc wrote:
Very well said by Mr. Suraj Singh.
I would also endorse that quality of construction must be accorded the topmost importance.
Analysis and design can be approximate.
ARC
Joine d: 05 Jun 2009
Posts: 1171

On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 3:51 AM, suraj <forum> wrote:

Quote:
Dear All,
The ongoing delibeartion on the topic of determining concrete spacers
dimensions being of very high significance has been elaborated only on
fireprotection philosophy. The codes are respected & recommended & should be
considered as recommmendations. The decision should always be taken on the
technicalities of the approach aided by the experiences on the past projects
alongwith their success as well as failures.
C olumn is very imporatnt element of the building & must be stronger in

comparison to beams. The moisture penetration, chemical chloride rapid

penetration, carbonation etc. & various factors effect the thickness of the cover.
I have never seen any cover for the column less than 40 mm upto 2 hours fire
rating anywhere. I am not referring to ours where the people do not even try to
know the effect of covers.
Simultaneously, the expected level of the working quality should be kept
abreast while deciding such parameters. Even, in gulf where the quality criteria
overweighs all other factors, it is too struggling affair to get the people to the
determined proposal, yet, much can be done there. Even after, resorting to
hardwork on the quality controls there, the defects in the concrete are seen &
the remedial actions adopted.
The designer should respect the research work but for the purpose of making
judgement on the possible engineering design & the working designs & detailing,
I suggest that due safety criteria keeping in view the substandard work
environment, the parameters have to be decided for follow up. Moreover, we do
not have practice to apply the protective coatings on the concrete that may help
the concrete resist the adverse impact of chemicals & carbonation etc.
I would advise to provide adequate covers for a better framing.'
Regards

P Eng Suraj Singh

Posted via Email

Dear Prof.ARC,
For severe exposure conditions, IS code recommends value of cover thicknesses more than
the normal condition.
While designing any beam, D-dc = de is taken in to account, where as side cover of beam and
column are not accountable as full width is considered (width of concrete is considered
irrespective of cover).
In this prospect what should be the maximum limit of side cover thickness, so that member
will be able to persist their requisite properties.
(I have written this thing in my previous answer within this topic -6th posting, please clarify)
Regards
Back to top
thirumalaichettiar
Silve r Sponsor

Poste d: Fri Se p 18, 2009 2:54 am

Post subje ct:

I went through the ETABS wherein there is a cover of 40/50mm for the bottom and sides and
for the top surface of the beam there is a cover of 25mm. Hope that this may be due to the
fact that the bottom and sides(3 sides) are exposed to weathering agents while the top
surface is with the slab concrete or inside the building where the exposure is moderate.
Somebody can throw opinion on this.

Joine d: 26 Jan 2003

Posts: 3434

T.Rangarajan.

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suraj

Ge ne ral Sponsor

Poste d: Fri Se p 18, 2009 7:09 am

Post subje ct: ETABS cove rs spe cs

ETABS is using right philosophy.

Bottom & sides are equal for covers. 40/50 mm is correct consideration.
Top is always lesser due to the fact that it has to match with the slab rebars.
20/25 is acceptable.
_________________
Thanks & Warm Regards
IntPE(India)Suraj Singh FIE Civil
Joine d: 17 Apr 2008
Posts: 1877
Location: NC R Faridabad, E
m ail
suraj_e ngine e r@yahoo.co.uk

Engineering & Arbitration

Back to top
Dr. N. Subramanian
Ge ne ral Sponsor

Poste d: Thu De c 02, 2010 3:43 am

Post subje ct:

Hi All,
I found that another company,Astra Concrete Products, B-10,Madkaim Industrial Estate,
Madkaim-Goa. 403404 (Tel +918322312424, Fax+918322314407) is manufacturing fiber
concrete spacers in M60 grade concrete.The products have been tested at Frankfurt along
with similar German products
and are found to have better compressive strength and lower water absorption then them.
They are even exported to six countries. Enclosed is the brochure of these products.
Interested persons may contact them directly.
Joine d: 21 Fe b 2008
Posts: 5105
Location: Gaithe rsburg, MD,
U.S.A.

Best wishes
NS
-thirumalaichettiar wrote:
Eng.SSPAWAR,
Er.Suraj has clearly explained the requirements for cover to RC members. As he said more
cover is harmful than protection. Provide the max. cover based on the criteria as pointed
out by Er.Suraj.
As Dr.N.S informed nowa days plastic cover blocks are available. But to my knowledge and
what I had in C oimbatore is AC C is supplying cover blocks at free of cost to its customer.
Also now propitiatory mortar cover blocks are sold ar the cost of about Rs1/= that is a
pack of 200 counts at Rs200/=.
It is better to use it rather than the use of site made or sometimes many people use
mosaic tiles, aggregate etc at site which is a very wrong system.
T.Rangarajan.

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