Minimal clear spacing of bars - Code chapter 8.2(2)

The main principles which are checked are mainly satisfying minimal distances between bars which should be arranged in such a way that concrete can be placed and compacted satisfactorily so that adequate bond will develop between the bars and concrete.

The procedure of calculation is running for each distances between bars and verification of the minimal distance among them towards the limited value from the code. The distances are evaluated as the minimal clear distance for all member types mentioned before (beam, column and beam slab) . Check looks as follows.

Minimal clear distance between longitudinal bar ss-s,min is calculated from practical reinforcement (REDES).

Furthermore minimal allowed clear distance between bars from all bars in cross-section is calculated according to chapter 8.2(2) as

ss-s,min,lim=max (k1 ∙ ϕ; dg+k2; slb,min)

where:

Finally unity check is calculated as follows:

UC8.2(2) = ss-s,min,lim/ ss-s,min

Clause 8.2.(2) - Coefficients used for National annex parameters

There are the following differences in particular NA.

National annex

k1 k2
Standard NA 1,0 5,0

Czech ČSN – EN NA

1,5 5,0

Slovak STN – EN NA

1,5 5,0
German DIN-EN NA 1,0

0,0 for dg ≤16 mm

5,0 for dg >16 mm

Austrian ÖNORM-EN NA 1,0

0,0 for one reinforcement layer

10,0 for more reinforcement layers

Finnish SFS-EN NA 1,0 3,0