Durability and concrete cover

Exposure classes

Class Minimum
Environment Examples of assignment
strength class
No risk of attack Unreinforced concrete Components without reinforcement
Dry or constantly wet Interior components, components under water
Reinforcement
corrosion Wet, rarely dry Water tanks, foundation components
triggered by Exterior components, wet rooms
Moderate humidity
carbonation
Alternately wet and dry Exterior components with direct irrigation
Components in the spray mist area of traffic areas,
Reinforcement Moderate humidity individual garages.
corrosion triggered
by chlorides Wet, rarely dry Swimming pool
Alternating wet and dry Components in the splash water area, Parkdecks
Reinforcement Salty air Exterior components near the coast
corrosion triggered Harbor basin (permanently under water)
Underwater
by chlorides from
sea water Tidal, spray and spray areas Quay wall in port facilities

Moderate water saturation Exterior components

without de-icing agent
Moderate water saturation with Components in the spray mist area of traffic
Concrete attack by
de-icing agent or sea water areas, unless XF4
frost with and
without de-icing High water saturation Water tank, water change zone (fresh water)
agent without de-icing agents
High water saturation with de- Surfaces treated with de-icing salt, components
icing agent or sea water in the splash water area, Parkdecks

Chemically weak environment Tanks of sewage treatment plants, liquid

Concrete attack manure tanks
by chemical Moderately chemically Components in soil attacking concrete,
attack of the aggressive environment seawater structures
environment
Chemically aggressive Industrial waste water plants with chemically
environment attacking waste water

Concrete attack Moderate wear Traffic areas

due to wear and Heavy wear and tear Forklift traffic
tear
Extreme wear and tear Traffic with tracked ,,CAT" vehicles
Largely dry concrete Interior components, exterior components without direct water contact
Concrete Often wet concrete Unprotected external components, damp rooms, components that
corrosion due to frequently fall below the dew point (e.g. chimneys).
alkali-silica Components exposed to seawater de-icing salt;
Like WF with addition of Alkali
reaction industrial and agricultural structures exposed to Alkali salts
Dynamically stressed concrete Impact of de-icing salt and high dynamic stress (e.g. concrete
with addition of Alkali roadways)
Execution of parking decks only with additional measures When using air-entrained concrete (LP), e.g. due to
(e.g. crack-bridging coating, see DAfStb booklet 600 for simultaneous requirements from exposure class XF, one
information) strength class lower.

Concrete cover
Minimum concrete cover Margin Nominal dimension of the concrete cover
Exposure class

To secure the bond of the concrete steel reinforcement (bar diameter of rebar)
In individual cases, special measures to protect the reinforcement against corrosion may be necessary.
for federation requirements