water/cement ratio and minimum cement content for a designed mix using 20

mm nominal maximum sized normal-weight aggregates. Tables 2.4 and 2.5

(extracted from the FRC Code) specify the minimum dimensions and nominal
cover for different types of structural member for different fire resistance
periods.

Table 2.3 Nominal cover, water/cement ratio and cement content for different grades
of concrete
Exposure condition Type of exposure
Internal concrete surfaces.
External concrete surfaces protected from the effects of
severe rain or cyclic wetting and drying e.g. concrete finish
Mild with mosaic tiles, painting or rendering.
Concrete surfaces continuously under water, or rarely dry -
not sea water.
Concrete in contact with non-aggressive soil.
Internal concrete surfaces exposed to high humidity e.g.
bathrooms and kitchens.
External concrete surfaces exposed to the effects of severe
Moderate
rain or cyclic wetting and drying e.g. fair faced concrete,
concrete with cladding secured by dry or mechanical
fixing, curtain walling.
Concrete surfaces exposed to sea water spray through
Severe airborne contact but not direct exposure, i.e. structures on
or near the coast.
Concrete surfaces exposed to corrosive fumes.
Concrete surfaces frequently exposed to sea or flowing
Very Severe water with pH ≤ 4.5.
Concrete in sea water tidal zone down to 1 m below lowest
low water level.

Exposure condition Nominal cover to all reinforcement (including links) (mm)

Concrete grade C20/25 C30 C35 C40 C45 C50 C55
Mild 35 30 30 30 25 25 25
Moderate - 40 35 35 30 30 30
Severe - - - 50 45 45 45
Very Severe - - - - - 55 50
Max. water/cement
0.65 0.65 0.60 0.55 0.45 0.40 0.35
ratio
Min. cement content
290 290 290 300 340 380 380
(kg/m3)
Notes:
For slabs under mild exposure, nominal cover may be taken as 25 mm (for concrete of
grade C35 or above) or 30 mm (for concrete grade of C30 or below).
For prestressed concrete, concrete of grade C30 or below should not be used and the
minimum cement content should not be less than 300 kg/m3.

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