Appendix 1

Concrete cover,
exposure classes
11/2013
C O N C R E T E C O V E R
The concrete cover is one of the most important parameters in manufacturing reinforced
concrete elements, since the concrete cover must ensure:
1) firm transference of adhesive powers between concrete and reinforcement;
2) sufficient fire resistance of a structure;
3) sufficient protection of steel reinforcement against corrosion.

Table 2 presents descriptions of exposure classes and Table 1 presents minimum

requirements for concrete cover according to increase in exposure class and concrete
strength class.
The values of minimum concrete cover conform to the standard EVS-13369 "Common rules
for precast concrete products“ Appendix A and the descriptions of exposure classes conform
to the standard EVS-EN 206-1 “Concrete. Part 1: Specification, performance, production
and conformity”.

Table 1. XD3,
Exposure XD1, XD2,
XS3,
Dependence of the class XC2, XS1, XS2,
XC0 XC1 XC4 XF3,
concrete cover on XC3 XF1, XF2,
XF4,
exposure class and XA1 XA2
XA3
concrete strength class
Concrete class <C30/37 <C30/37 <C35/45 <C40/50 <C40/50 <C40/50 <C45/55
Min. concrete 10 10 15 20 25 30 35
cover (mm)
Concrete class >C30/37 >C30/37 >C35/45 >C40/50 >C40/50 >C40/50 >C45/55
Min. concrete 10 10 10 15 20 25 30
cover (mm)

Table 2. Class Description of the environment Examples about the application

indic. of exposure classes
Exposure classes

1. No risk of corrosion
X0 If the concrete does not contain reinforcement Concrete in interior space
or structural steel: All conditions, excluding with very dry air
those with freezing/melting, wearing or
chemical agents

If the concrete contains reinforcement

or structural steel: very dry
2. Corrosion caused by carbonation
If concrete containing reinforcement or structural steel is exposed to air and moisture,
the environmental conditions are classified as follows:
XC1 Dry or permanently wet Concrete in interior space with
low air humidity
Concrete permanently under water
XC2 Wet, rarely dry Concrete surfaces, which are in
contact with water for a long time
Numerous foundations
XC3 Moderately moist Concrete in interior space with
moderate or high air humidity
Concrete exposed to outside air,
protected from rain
XC4 Alternately wet and dry Surfaces in contact with water,
that do not belong to class XC2
Note. The moisture condition is connected to the condition of the concrete cover of reinforcement or structural
steel, but in many cases the conditions of the concrete cover and the ambient environment can be considered
the same. In these cases the classification of ambient environment can be used. The situation is different, if the
concrete and the environment have been separated from each other by some kind of barrier.

Telephone +372 7 315 400 E-mail: [email protected]

Betooni 7, 51014 Tartu, Estonia Fax +372 7 315 401 www.tmbelement.ee
 Appendix 1
Exposure classes

Class Description of the environment Examples about the application

indic. of exposure classes

3. Corrosion caused by chloride (except sea water chlorides)

If concrete containing reinforcement or structural steel is exposed to chloride, including water
containing anti-icing salts, which do not originate from sea water, the exposure classes are:
XD1 Moderately moist Concrete surfaces, whereto drops
containing chlorides are falling
XD2 Wet, rarely dry Swimming pools
Concrete exposed to process
water containing chlorides
XD3 Alternately wet and dry Bridge parts, whereto drops
containing chlorides are falling
Pavements
Parking lot panels
Note. See also division 2 of this table for moisture conditions.
4. Corrosion caused by sea water chloride
If concrete containing reinforcement or structural steel is exposed to sea water or sea air
containing salts, the exposure classes are:
XS1 Air containing salts, but no direct exposure Structures located on shore
to sea water or near it
XS2 Under water Parts of marine buildings
XS3 Tide, dripping and drizzling water belts Parts of marine buildings
5. Impact of freezing/melting with or without anti-icing agent
If wet concrete is exposed to a considerable number of freezing/melting cycles,
the exposure classes are:
XF1 Moderately saturated with water, Vertical concrete surfaces
without anti-icing agent unprotected from rain and cold
XF2 Moderately saturated with water, Vertical concrete surfaces of road
with anti-icing agent structures unprotected from
freezing and drizzle containing
anti-icing agents

XF3 Highly saturated with water, Horizontal concrete surfaces

without anti-icing agent unprotected from rain and cold
XF4 Highly saturated with water, Road and bridge decks exposed
with anti-icing agent or sea water to the impact of anti-icing agents
Concrete surfaces exposed to
spatter containing anti-icing
agents and cold

Marine buildings located in the

spatter zone and exposed to cold
6. Chemical agents
XA1 Environment with low chemical aggressiveness Chemical agents found in ground
and groundwater
XA2 Environment with moderate chemical Chemical agents found in ground
aggressiveness and groundwater
XA3 Environment with high chemical aggressiveness Chemical agents found in ground
and groundwater

Telephone +372 7 315 400 E-mail: [email protected]

Betooni 7, 51014 Tartu, Estonia Fax +372 7 315 401 www.tmbelement.ee