CHAPTER 7 83

CODE COMMENTARY
7.6.6.5 Where spacing limitations and minimum preclude bundling more than two bars in the same plane. Typ-
concrete cover are based on bar diameter, db , a unit of ical bundle shapes are triangular, square, or L-shaped patterns
bundled bars shall be treated as a single bar of a for three- or four-bar bundles. As a practical caution, bundles
diameter derived from the equivalent total area. more than one bar deep in the plane of bending should not be
hooked or bent as a unit. Where end hooks are required, it is
preferable to stagger the individual bar hooks within a bundle.

7.6.7 Tendons and ducts R7.6.7 Tendons and ducts

7.6.7.1 Center-to-center spacing of pretensioning R7.6.7.1 The allowed decreased spacing in this section
tendons at each end of a member shall be not less for transfer strengths of 4000 psi or greater is based on Ref-
than 4db for strands, or 5db for wire, except that if erence 7.10, 7.11.
specified compressive strength of concrete at time of
initial prestress, fci, is 4000 psi or more, minimum cen-
ter-to-center spacing of strands shall be 1-3/4 in. for
strands of 1/2 in. nominal diameter or smaller and 2 in.
for strands of 0.6 in. nominal diameter. See also 3.3.2.
Closer vertical spacing and bundling of tendons shall
be permitted in the middle portion of a span.

7.6.7.2 Bundling of post-tensioning ducts shall be R7.6.7.2 When ducts for prestressing steel in a beam
permitted if shown that concrete can be satisfactorily are arranged closely together vertically, provision should be
placed and if provision is made to prevent the made to prevent the prestressing steel from breaking
prestressing steel, when tensioned, from breaking through the duct when tensioned. Horizontal disposition of
through the duct. ducts should allow proper placement of concrete. A clear
spacing of one and one-third times the size of the coarse
aggregate, but not less than 1 in., has proven satisfactory.
Where concentration of tendons or ducts tends to create a
weakened plane in the concrete cover, reinforcement should
be provided to control cracking.

7.7 Concrete protection for reinforcement R7.7 Concrete protection for reinforcement

7.7.1 Cast-in-place concrete (nonprestressed) Concrete cover as protection of reinforcement against

weather and other effects is measured from the concrete sur-
The following minimum concrete cover shall be pro- face to the outermost surface of the steel to which the cover
vided for reinforcement, but shall not be less than requirement applies. Where minimum cover is prescribed
required by 7.7.5 and 7.7.7: for a class of structural member, it is measured to the outer
Minimum edge of stirrups, ties, or spirals if transverse reinforcement
cover, in. encloses main bars; to the outermost layer of bars if more
than one layer is used without stirrups or ties; or to the metal
(a) Concrete cast against and end fitting or duct on post-tensioned prestressing steel.
permanently exposed to earth ................................ 3

(b) Concrete exposed to earth or weather: The condition concrete surfaces exposed to earth or
weather refers to direct exposure to moisture changes and
No. 6 through No. 18 bars............................. 2 not just to temperature changes. Slab or thin shell soffits are
No. 5 bar, W31 or D31 wire, not usually considered directly exposed unless subject to
and smaller ............................................. 1-1/2 alternate wetting and drying, including that due to conden-
sation conditions or direct leakage from exposed top sur-
(c) Concrete not exposed to weather face, run off, or similar effects.
or in contact with ground:
Alternative methods of protecting the reinforcement from
Slabs, walls, joists: weather may be provided if they are equivalent to the addi-
No. 14 and No. 18 bars ...................... 1-1/2 tional concrete cover required by the code. When approved
No. 11 bar and smaller ......................... 3/4 by the building official under the provisions of 1.4, rein-
forcement with alternative protection from the weather may

ACI 318 Building Code and Commentary

84 CHAPTER 7

CODE COMMENTARY
Beams, columns: have concrete cover not less than the cover required for rein-
Primary reinforcement, ties, forcement not exposed to weather.
stirrups, spirals ................................... 1-1/2
The development length given in Chapter 12 is now a func-
Shells, folded plate members:
tion of the bar cover. As a result, it may be desirable to use
No. 6 bar and larger.............................. 3/4
larger than minimum cover in some cases.
No. 5 bar, W31 or D31 wire,
and smaller ........................................... 1/2

7.7.2 Cast-in-place concrete (prestressed)

The following minimum concrete cover shall be pro-
vided for prestressed and nonprestressed reinforce-
ment, ducts, and end fittings, but shall not be less than
required by 7.7.5, 7.7.5.1, and 7.7.7:
Minimum
cover, in.
(a) Concrete cast against and
permanently exposed to earth ............................... 3

(b) Concrete exposed to earth or weather:

Wall panels, slabs, joists................................. 1

Other members......................................... 1-1/2

(c) Concrete not exposed to

weather or in contact with ground:

Slabs, walls, joists ...................................... 3/4

Beams, columns:
Primary reinforcement........................... 1-1/2
Ties, stirrups, spirals ................................... 1

Shells, folded plate members:

No. 5 bar, W31 or D31 wire,
and smaller ............................................. 3/8
Other reinforcement ....................... db but not
less than 3/4

7.7.3 Precast concrete (manufactured under R7.7.3 Precast concrete (manufactured under plant
plant control conditions) control conditions)
The following minimum concrete cover shall be pro- The lesser cover thicknesses for precast construction reflect
vided for prestressed and nonprestressed reinforce- the greater convenience of control for proportioning, placing,
ment, ducts, and end fittings, but shall not be less than and curing inherent in precasting. The term manufactured
required by 7.7.5, 7.7.5.1, and 7.7.7: under plant control conditions does not specifically imply
that precast members should be manufactured in a plant.
Minimum Structural elements precast at the job site will also qualify
cover, in. under this section if the control of form dimensions, placing
(a) Concrete exposed to earth or weather: of reinforcement, quality control of concrete, and curing pro-
cedure are equal to that normally expected in a plant.
Wall panels:
No. 14 and No. 18 bars, prestressing Concrete cover to pretensioned strand as described in this
tendons larger than 1-1/2 in. section is intended to provide minimum protection against
diameter.............................................. 1-1/2 weather and other effects. Such cover may not be sufficient to
No. 11 bar and smaller, prestressing transfer or develop the stress in the strand, and it may be nec-
tendons 1-1/2 in. diameter and smaller, essary to increase the cover accordingly.
W31 and D31 wire and smaller............. 3/4

ACI 318 Building Code and Commentary