How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

Eurocode 24 recommends that c dev is taken as 10 mm, unless the

fabrication is subjected to a quality assurance ystem where it is
permitted to reduce c dev to 5 mm, or 0 mm if the element can be
rejected if it is out of tolerance (e.g. precast elements).

Cement types and minimum cement content

Table 4 may be used to understand the cement/combination
designations. It should be noted from Table 2 that the strength,
water/cement ratio and minimum cement content may vary depending
on the cement type used. In the UK, all cement/combinations are
available (except SRPC), although in most concrete production plants
either ground granulated blastfurnace slag or flyash (pfa) is available; not
both. When using a designated concrete (see section below), it is not
necessary to specify the types of cement/combinations.
Explanation of the compressive strength class notation

C for normal
weight
concrete A

40 /50
Cylinder
strengthB

Cube
strengthC

LC for
lightweight
concrete

A Includes heavyweight concrete

B Minimum characteristic 150 mm
diameter by 300 mm cylinder
strength, N/mm2
C Minimum characteristic cube
strength, N/mm2

Table 3
Compressive strength class for normal and heavyweight concrete
Example Compressive
strength classes
(BS 8500)

Designated
concrete
(BS 8500)

Previous Grade
of concrete
(BS 53283 & BS 81105)

C20/25

RC20/25

C25

C25/30

RC25/30

C30

C28/35

RC28/35

C35

C30/37

RC30/37

C32/40

RC32/40

C40

C35/45

RC35/45

C45

C40/50

RC40/50

C50

C45/55

C50/60

C60

NOTE: Refer to BS 8500-1: 2006, Table A.20 for full list of Compressive strength classes.

Table 4
Cement and combination typea
Broad
Composition
designationb

Cement/combination
types (BS 8500)

CEM I

Portland cement

CEM I

SRPC

Sulfate-resisting Portland cement

SRPC

IIA

Portland cement with 620% of fly

ash, ground granulated blastfurnace
slag, limestone, or 610% silica
fumec

CEM II/A-L, CEM II/A-LL,

CIIA-L, CIIA-LL,
CEM II/A-S, CIIA-S
CEM II/A-V, CIIA-V
CEM II/AD

IIB-S

Portland cement with 2135%

ground granulated blastfurnace slag

CEM II/B-S, CIIB-S

IIB-V

Portland cement with 2535% fly ash

CEM II/B-V, CIIB-V

IIB+SR

Portland cement with 2535% fly ash

CEM II/B-V+SR,
CIIB-V+SR

IIIAd, e

Portland cement with 3665%

ground granulated blastfurnace slag

CEM III/A,, CIIIA

IIIA+SRe

Portland cement with 3665%

ground granulated blastfurnace slag
with additional requirements that
enhance sulfate resistance

CEM III/A+SRf,
CIII/A+SRf

IIIBe, g

Portland cement with 6680%

ground granulated blastfurnace slag

CEM III/B, CIIIB

IIIB+SRe

Portland cement with 6680%

ground granulated blastfurnace slag
with additional requirements that
enhance sulfate resistance

CEM III/B+SRf , CIIIB+SRf

IVB-V

Portland cement with 3655% fly ash

CEM IV/B(V), CIVB

Air content
Where air entrainment is required for exposure classes XF3 and XF4
the minimum air content by volume of 3.0%, 3.5% or 5.5% should
be specified for 40 mm, 20 mm and 10 mm maximum aggregate size
respectively.

Freeze/thaw aggregates
For exposure conditions XF3 and XF4 freeze/thaw resisting
aggregates should be specified. The producer is then obliged to
conform to the requirements given in BS 85002: 2006, Cl.4.3.

Aggressive ground
Where plain or reinforced concrete is in contact with the ground
further checks are required to ensure durability. An aggressive
chemical environment for concrete class (ACEC class) should be
assessed for the site. BRE Special Digest 12 gives guidance on the
assessment of the ACEC class and this is normally carried out as part
of the interpretive reporting for a ground investigation. Knowing the
ACEC class, a design chemical class (DC class) can be obtained from
Table 5.
For designated concretes, an appropriate foundation concrete (FND
designation) can be selected using Table 6; the cover should be
determined from Table 2 for the applicable exposure classes. A FND
concrete has the strength class of C25/30, therefore, where a higher
strength is required a designed concrete should be specified. For
designed concretes, the concrete producer should be advised of the
DC-class (see section on specification).

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Key
a There are a number of cements and combinations not listed in this table that may be specified for
certain specialist applications. See BRE Special Digest 12. for the sulfate-resisting characteristics of other
cements and combinations.
b The use of these broad designations is sufficient for most applications. Where a more limited range of
cement or combinations types is required, select from the notations given in BS 8500-2:2006, Table 1.
c When IIA or IIA-D is specified, CEM I and silica fume may be combined in the concrete mixer using the
k-value concept; see BS EN 206-1:200, 5.2.5.2.3.
d Where IIIA is specified, IIIA+SR may be used.
e Inclusive of low early strength option (see BS EN 197-4 and the L classes in BS 8500-2:2006, Table A.1.).
f +SR indicates additional restrictions related to sulfate resistance. See BS 8500-2:2006, Table 1,
footnote D.
g Where IIIB is specified, IIIB+SR may be used.