WHAT IS
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glossaryWhat is concrete cover?
Concrete cover is the distance between outermost reinforcement and concrete surface. A must-have component for every reinforced concrete structure due to durability, fire resistance and bonding performance. Concrete cover is determined by code requirements and exposure conditions.
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glossaryWhat is neutral axis?
Neutral axis is an imaginary line in a reinforced concrete section where longitudinal strain is zero. It separates the compression and tension zones, and its position depends on loading, material properties, and section geometry.
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glossaryWhat is lever arm?
The lever arm is the distance between the centre of the compression force and the centre of the tension force acting on a section. It is a key parameter in moment capacity calculations. Understanding the strain distribution and stress–strain behaviour of concrete and steel is essential for determining the lever arm.
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glossaryWhat is K coefficient?
K is a unitless coefficent defined as M/(fck • b•d²). It represents the ratio of design moment to section capacity parameters (width, effective depth, and concrete strength). It helps quickly assess whether a section satisfies code requirements, including ductility and compression zone adequacy, and provides a convenient way to determine the lever arm ratio (z/d) and hence the required tension reinforcement.