Concrete Cover For Retaining Wall?

[psustruct]

If a retaining wall is permanently exposed to earth, shouldn't the concrete cover be 3"? Why am I seeing so many engineers use a 2" cover?

 

[ToadJones]

others will have better answers, but I believe you can use less cover if the wall is formed and the back-filled vs. cast directly against the earth with no forms.

 

[steellion]

ACI only requires a 3" cover for earth-formed structures. It is 2" for walls that cast against formwork and permanently exposed to earth.

 

[Den32]

yes, agree with steelion.

ACI says 3" cover for 'cast against and permanently exposed to earth'.

 

[psustruct]

OK. Thank you for the clarification.