Cover blocks are typically made using concrete with a specific strength requirement to ensure they perform their protective function effectively.
Concrete Mix for Cover Blocks
A fundamental aspect of making cover blocks involves selecting the appropriate concrete mix. According to standard construction practice, the concrete grade used for creating cover blocks needs to be one grade higher than the concrete grade used in the primary structural element they will protect.
This specific requirement helps ensure the cover block is durable and robust, providing adequate protection to the reinforcement steel within the concrete structure.
- Rule: Cover block concrete grade = Structure concrete grade + One grade higher.
- Example: If your structure utilizes M20 grade concrete, then the concrete mix used to make the cover blocks should be of M25 grade.
While the reference specifically highlights the concrete grade requirement, the actual manufacturing process typically involves mixing the concrete materials (cement, aggregates, water, potentially admixtures) to the specified grade, pouring this mix into molds of the desired size and shape, allowing the concrete to set, and then curing the blocks to achieve their final strength and durability. The specific shape and size of the molds dictate the resulting cover block dimensions.
