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A formed equipment pedestal outdoors contains No. 8 vertical bars next to the formed side face. Under the ACI cover table, the side cover may not be less than which value?

Correct Answer

C) 2 in.

ACI 318-19 Table 20.6.1.3.1 requires 2 in. minimum cover for formed concrete exposed to earth or weather when the reinforcement is No. 6 through No. 18 bars. Other choices: 3/4 in. is for interior slab or wall reinforcement, 1 in. is a common but nonmatching guess here, and 3 in. is the cast-against-earth value.

Answer Options
A
3/4 in.
B
1 in.
C
2 in.
D
3 in.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

ACI 318-19 Table 20.6.1.3.1 requires 2 in. minimum cover for formed concrete exposed to earth or weather when the reinforcement is No. 6 through No. 18 bars.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A: 3/4 in.

The trap in A is 3/4 in. That selection is wrong because 3/4 in. is a concrete-cover value for a different exposure/member case; ACI 318-19 Table 20.6.1.3.1 keys this item to 2 in.; Formed exterior concrete with No. 6 through No. 18 bars needs 2 in. cover.

Option B: 1 in.

Choice B gives 1 in. Its specific error: 1 in. is a concrete-cover value for a different exposure/member case; ACI 318-19 Table 20.6.1.3.1 keys this item to 2 in. The accepted answer is 2 in.

Option D: 3 in.

In concrete work, 3 in. is the wrong selection for Concrete cover: 3 in. is a concrete-cover value for a different exposure/member case; ACI 318-19 Table 20.6.1.3.1 keys this item to 2 in.

Memory Technique

Treat concrete cover like a labeled shelf; only the matching condition belongs with 2 in.

Reference Hint

Open ACI 318-19, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete; use ACI 318-19 Table 20.6.1.3.1 to confirm that ACI 318-19 Table 20.6.1.3.1 requires 2 in.

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