What is Clear Cover? What is Cover Block? Types of Cover Blocks used in construction. Purpose & Sizes of Cover Block

What is Clear Cover? 

Clear Cover is the minimum space or distance between the exposed surface of concrete and the reinforcement bar present in the concrete member.

What is Cover Block?

Cover Block is basically a spacer which is used to lift the rebar of slab, beam, stair case etc. so that the concrete can flow under the rebars.

Types of Cover Blocks used in construction.

The different types of cover blocks depending on the type of material used are as follows:

1.      Wooden cover block.

2.      Steel cover block.

3.      PVC block.

4.      Cement masonry cover block.

5.      Aluminum cover block.

6.      Stone cover block.

Purpose of Cover Block    

·        Cover Block is required to save the bars from the corrosion

·       To maintain a specified spacing between the rebar and the shuttering.

·        Cover block protects the reinforcement steel bar from fire.

·      The cover gives the supported bars adequate insertion to empower them to focused without slip

Sizes of Cover Blocks for Structural Members

Following are the sizes of cover blocks for different structural members which are normally used at the construction sites;

Concrete Member	Clear Cover
Column	40mm
Beam	25mm
Slab / Chajja	15mm
Footings	50mm
Stair Case	15mm
Shear Wall	25mm
Raft Foundation (Top)	50mm
Raft Foundation (Bottom & sides)	75mm
Retaining Wall	20/25mm
Water Retaining Structures	20/30mm