IN-LB Inch-Pound Units

An ACI Standard

Code Requirements for

Environmental Engineering
Concrete Structures
(ACI 350-20) and
Commentary (ACI 350R-20)
Reported by ACI Committee 350
ACI 350-20
 First Printing
October 2021
ISBN: 978-1-64195-151-7

Code Requirements for Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures

(ACI 350-20) and Commentary (ACI 350R-20)
Copyright by the American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI. All rights reserved. This material
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 ACI 350-20

Code Requirements for Environmental Engineering

Concrete Structures (ACI 350-20) and Commentary
(ACI 350R-20)
An ACI Standard

Reported by ACI Committee 350

M. Reza Kianoush, Chair Jon B. Ardahl, Vice Chair Andrew R. Minogue, Secretary

Iyad M. Alsamsam Carl A. Gentry Khalid Motiwala Lawrence M. Tabat*

John W. Baker Lisa G. Giroux Jerry Parnes John M. Tehaney
Kiran Chandran Ahmed Hafez Risto Protic Miroslav Vejvoda
Chuen-Shiow Chen Kenneth Ryan Harvey Satish K. Sachdev William A. Wallace
Steven R. Close Keith W. Jacobson William C. Sherman Jeffrey S. Ward
Mark W. Cunningham Edwina S. Lui Manwendra Sinha
Ronald R. Fiore* Daniel J. McCarthy Pericles C. Stivaros
Anthony J. Galterio Kevin H. Monroe Shashiprakash Surali

Consulting Members
William H. Backous Jerry A. Holland Carl H. Moon Narayan M. Prachand
Patrick J. Creegan David G. Kittridge Lawrence G. Mrazek David M. Rogowsky
Robert E. Doyle Dennis C. Kohl Javeed Munshi Lawrence J. Valentine
Anthony L. Felder Nicholas A. Legatos Terry Patzias
Charles S. Hanskat Kyle S. Loyd Andrew R. Philip

*Deceased.

ACI Committee Reports, Guides, and Commentaries are

intended for guidance in planning, designing, executing, and
inspecting construction. This document is intended for the use
of individuals who are competent to evaluate the significance
and limitations of its content and recommendations and who
will accept responsibility for the application of the material it
contains. The American Concrete Institute disclaims any and
all responsibility for the stated principles. The Institute shall
not be liable for any loss or damage arising therefrom. ACI 350-20 supersedes 350-06, became effective November 16, 2020, and was
published October 2021.
Reference to this document shall not be made in contract
Copyright © 2021, American Concrete Institute.
documents. If items found in this document are desired by All rights reserved including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by
the Architect/Engineer to be a part of the contract documents, any means, including the making of copies by any photo process, or by electronic
they shall be restated in mandatory language for incorporation or mechanical device, printed, written, or oral, or recording for sound or visual
by the Architect/Engineer. reproduction or for use in any knowledge or retrieval system or device, unless
permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietors.

1
2 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONCRETE STRUCTURES (ACI 350-20) AND COMMENTARY

PREFACE

The “Code Requirements for Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures” (Code) portion of this document covers the
structural design, materials selection, and construction of environmental engineering concrete structures. Such structures are
used for conveying, storing, or treating water and wastewater, other liquids, and solid waste. The term “solid waste” as used in
the Code encompasses the heterogeneous mass of disposed-of materials, as well as more homogeneous agricultural, industrial,
and mineral wastes.
The Code also covers the evaluation of existing environmental engineering concrete structures.
Environmental engineering concrete structures are subject to uniquely different loadings and severe exposure conditions that
require more restrictive serviceability requirements and may provide longer service lives than non-environmental structures.
Loadings include normal dead and live loads, earth pressure loads, hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads, and vibrating equip-
ment loads. Exposures include concentrated chemicals, alternate wetting and drying, high-velocity flowing liquids, and freezing
and thawing of saturated concrete. Serviceability requirements include liquid-tightness, gas-tightness, and durability.
Proper design, materials, and construction of environmental engineering concrete structures are required to produce service-
able concrete that is dense, durable, nearly impermeable, and resistant to relevant chemicals, with limited deflections and
cracking. This includes minimizing leakage and control over the infiltration of, or contamination to, the environment or
groundwater.
The Code presents additional material as well as modified portions of the ACI 318-05, ACI 318-08, and ACI 318-11 building
codes that are applicable to environmental engineering concrete structures.
The Commentary discusses some of the considerations of the committee in developing the ACI 350 Code, and its relationship
with ACI 318. Emphasis is given to the explanation of provisions that may be unfamiliar to some users of the Code. References
to much of the research data referred to in preparing the Code are given for those who wish to study certain requirements in
greater detail.
The chapter and section numbering of the Code are followed throughout the Commentary.
Among the subjects covered are: drawings and specifications, inspections, materials, concrete quality, mixing and placing,
forming, embedded pipes, joints, reinforcement details, analysis and design, strength and serviceability, flexural and axial
loads, shear and torsion, development of reinforcement, slab systems, walls, footings, precast concrete, prestressed concrete,
shell structures, folded plate members, provisions for seismic design, and an alternate design method in Appendix A.
The quality and testing of materials used in the construction are covered by reference to the appropriate standard specifica-
tions. Welding of reinforcement is covered by reference to the appropriate AWS standard. Criteria for liquid-tightness and gas-
tightness testing may be found in ACI 350.1.

Keywords: chemical attack; coatings; concrete durability; concrete finishing (fresh concrete); concrete slabs, crack width and spacing; cracking (fracturing);
environmental engineering; hydraulic structures; inspection; joints (junctions); joint sealers; liners; liquid; patching; permeability; pipe columns; pipes (tubes);
prestressed concrete; prestressing steels; protective coatings; reservoirs; roofs; serviceability; sewerage; solid waste facilities; tanks (containers); temperature;
torque; torsion; vibration; volume change; walls; wastewater treatment; water; water-cementitious materials ratio; water supply; water treatment.

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 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONCRETE STRUCTURES (ACI 350-20) AND COMMENTARY 3

INTRODUCTION the job specifications. Other ACI publications, such as ACI

The Code and Commentary includes excerpts from ACI 350.5, “Specifications for Environmental Concrete Struc-
318 that are pertinent to ACI 350. The Commentary discusses tures,” are written specifically for use as part of the contract
some of the considerations of ACI Committee 350 in devel- documents for construction.
oping this Code. Emphasis is given to the explanation of ACI Committee 350 recognizes the desirability of stan-
provisions that may be unfamiliar to users of the standard. dards of performance for individual parties involved in the
This Commentary is not intended to provide a complete contract documents. Available for this purpose are the certi-
historical background concerning the development of the fication programs of the American Concrete Institute, plant
Code, nor is it intended to provide a detailed summary of certification programs of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete
the studies and research data reviewed by the committee in Institute and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Associa-
formulating the provisions of the Code. However, references tion, and qualification standards of the American Society of
to some of the research data are provided for those who wish Concrete Contractors. Also available are “Standard Speci-
to study the background material in depth. fication for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection
As the name implies, “Code Requirements for Environ- and/or Testing” (ASTM E329) and “Standard Practice for
mental Engineering Concrete Structures” may be used as Laboratories Testing Concrete and Concrete Aggregates for
part of a legally adopted Code and, as such, must differ in Use in Construction and Criteria for Laboratory Evaluation”
form and substance from documents that provide detailed (ASTM C1077).
specifications, recommended practice, complete design
procedures, or design aids. Design aids (general concrete design aids are listed in
The Code is intended to cover environmental engineering ACI 318-11):
concrete structures but is not intended to supersede ASTM “Rectangular Concrete Tanks,” Portland Cement Associa-
standards for precast structures. tion, Skokie, IL, 1998, 182 pp. (Presents data for design of
Requirements more stringent than Code provisions may rectangular tanks.)
be desirable for unusual structures. The Code and Commen- “Circular Concrete Tanks Without Prestressing,” Port-
tary cannot replace sound engineering knowledge, experi- land Cement Association, Skokie, IL, 1993, 54 pp. (Presents
ence, and judgment. design data for circular concrete tanks built in or on ground.
A code for design and construction states the minimum Walls may be free or restrained at the top. Wall bases may
requirements necessary to provide for public health and be fixed, hinged, or have intermediate degrees of restraint.
safety. ACI 350 is based on this principle. For any struc- Various layouts for circular roofs are presented.)
ture, the owner or the structural designer may require the Concrete Manual, U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of
quality of materials and construction to be higher than the Reclamation, eighth edition, 1981, 627 pp. (Presents tech-
minimum requirements necessary to provide serviceability nical information for the control of concrete construction,
and to protect the public as stated in the Code. Lower stan- including linings for tunnels, impoundments, and canals.)
dards, however, are not permitted. “Design of Liquid-Containing Concrete Structures for
ACI 350 has no legal status unless adopted by government Earthquake Forces,” Portland Cement Association, Skokie,
bodies having the power to regulate building design and IL, 2002, 60 pp. (Presents design examples for designing for
construction. Where the Code has been adopted, it cannot hydrodynamic forces.)
present background details or suggestions for carrying out “Moments and Reactions for Rectangular Plates” Engi-
its requirements or intent. It is the function of the Commen- neering Monograph No. 27, United States Department of
tary to fill this need. Where the Code has not been adopted, the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, 1990, 100 pp. (Presents
it may serve as a reference to good practice. design aids for rectangular plates.)
The Code provides a means of establishing minimum stan-
dards for acceptance of design and construction by a legally GENERAL COMMENTARY
appointed building official or designated representatives. The Environmental engineering concrete structures are subject
Code and Commentary are not intended for use in settling to stringent service conditions and should be designed for
disputes between the owner, engineer, architect, contractor, extended service life expectancy and detailed with care. The
or their agents, subcontractors, material suppliers, or testing quality of concrete is important, and rigorous quality control
agencies. Therefore, the Code cannot define the contractual must be maintained during construction to obtain dense,
responsibility of the involved parties. General references durable concrete suitable for the expected service conditions.
requiring compliance with ACI 350 in the job specifications Environmental engineering concrete structures for the
should be avoided, as the contractor is rarely in the position containment, treatment, or transmission of liquid such as
of accepting responsibility for architectural and engineering water and wastewater as well as solid waste disposal facili-
design details. Generally, the drawings, specifications, and ties, should be designed and constructed to be liquid-tight,
contract documents should contain all the necessary require- and where required, gas-tight, with minimal leakage under
ments to ensure compliance with the Code. In part, this can normal service conditions.
be accomplished by reference to specific code sections in

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4 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONCRETE STRUCTURES (ACI 350-20) AND COMMENTARY

The liquid-tightness and gas-tightness of a structure will resistance to the effect of freezing-and-thawing cycles.
be reasonably assured if: Other admixtures, such as water reducers, are useful, as
a) The concrete mixture is properly proportioned, mixed, they increase workability and improve consolidation while
placed, consolidated, finished, and cured. lowering the water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm),
b) Crack widths and depths are minimized. which can increase strength characteristics. Use of some
c) Joints are properly spaced, sized, designed, water- supplementary cementitious materials can also provide
stopped, and constructed. similar benefits. In addition, supplementary cementitious
d) Adequate reinforcing steel is provided, properly materials can also reduce permeability, increase durability,
detailed, fabricated, and placed. and extend service life.
e) Impervious protective coatings or barriers are used Joint design should also account for movement resulting
where required. from thermal dimensional changes, differential settlements,
Usually it is more economical and dependable to and shrinkage strains induced by placement sequencing.
resist liquid or gas permeation through the use of quality Joints that form a barrier to the passage of liquids and gases
concrete, proper design of joint details, and adequate rein- are required to include waterstops in complete, closed
forcement, rather than by means of an impervious protec- circuits. Proper rate of concrete placement operations,
tive barrier or coating. Liquid-tightness or gas-tightness adequate consolidation, and proper curing are also essential
can also be obtained by appropriate use of shrinkage- to control of cracking in environmental engineering concrete
compensating concrete. However, the engineer must recog- structures. Additional information on cracking is contained
nize and account for the limitations, characteristics, and in ACI 224R and ACI 224.2R.
properties of shrinkage-compensating concrete as described The design of the entire environmental engineering
in ACI 223 and ACI 224.2R. concrete structure as well as all individual members should
Reduced permeability of the concrete is obtained by be in accordance with the Code, which has been adapted
lowering the water-cementitious materials ratio as low as from ACI 318. When all relevant loading conditions are
possible, without sacrificing acceptable workability and considered, the design should provide adequate safety and
consolidation. Permeability decreases dramatically with serviceability, with a service life significantly greater than
extended periods of moist curing. In some cases, surface the service life expected if these structures were designed
treatments can be an alternative to moist curing. Reduced following the provisions of ACI 318. Some components of
permeability of the concrete surface can be achieved through the structure, such as jointing materials, have a shorter life
the use of smooth forms or by troweling. expectancy and will require maintenance or replacement.
Air entrainment increases consolidation, reduces segre- The size of elements and amount of reinforcement should
gation and bleeding, increases workability, and provides be selected on the basis of the serviceability and stress limits
to promote long service life.

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 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONCRETE STRUCTURES (ACI 350-20) AND COMMENTARY 5

CONTENTS 5.4—Proportioning shotcrete on the basis of field experi-

ence or trial mixtures, or both, p. 102
PREFACE, p. 2 5.5—Average compressive strength reduction for
concrete, p. 106
INTRODUCTION, p. 3 5.6—Average compressive strength reduction for shot-
crete, p. 107
GENERAL COMMENTARY, p. 3 5.7—Evaluation and acceptance of concrete and shot-
crete, p. 107
CHAPTER 1—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, p. 5 5.8—Preparation of equipment and place of deposit,
1.1—Scope, p. 5 p. 113
1.2—Contract documents, p. 10 5.9—Mixing, p. 114
1.3—Inspection, p. 12 5.10—Conveying concrete and wet-mix shotcrete, p. 115
1.4—Approval of special systems of design or construc- 5.11—Depositing of concrete, p. 115
tion, p. 14 5.12—Application of shotcrete, p. 116
5.13—Curing, p. 116
CHAPTER 2—NOTATION AND DEFINITIONS, p. 15 5.14—Cold weather requirements, p. 118
2.1—Code notation, p. 15 5.15—Hot weather requirements, p. 118
2.2—Definitions, p. 34
CHAPTER 6—FORMWORK AND EMBEDMENTS,
CHAPTER 3—MATERIALS, p. 45 p. 119
3.1—Tests of materials, p. 45 6.1—Design of formwork, p. 119
3.2—Cementitious materials, p. 45 6.2—Removal of forms, shores, and reshoring, p. 119
3.3—Aggregates, p. 46 6.3—Embedments in concrete and shotcrete, p. 121
3.4—Water, p. 48
3.5—Steel reinforcement, p. 49 CHAPTER 7—JOINTS, p. 123
3.6—Joint accessories, p. 55 7.1—Jointing, p. 123
3.7—Fibers, p. 57 7.2—Construction joints, p. 128
3.8—Admixtures, p. 58 7.3—Crack-inducing joints, p. 129
3.9—Storage of materials, p. 60 7.4—Movement joints, p. 130
3.10—Referenced standards, p. 60 7.5—Joint accessories, p. 131

CHAPTER 4—DURABILITY REQUIREMENTS, p. 67 CHAPTER 8—ANALYSIS AND DESIGN – GENERAL

4.1—General, p. 67 CONSIDERATIONS, p. 137
4.2—Exposure categories and classes, p. 70 8.1—Design methods, p. 137
4.4—Additional requirements for freezing-and-thawing 8.2—Loading, p. 137
exposures, p. 79 8.3—Methods of analysis, p. 138
4.5—Additional requirements for sulfate exposures, p. 80 8.4—Redistribution of moments in continuous flexural
4.6—Additional requirements for alkali-aggregate reac- members, p. 139
tions, p. 81 8.5—Modulus of elasticity, p. 141
4.7—Additional requirements for corrosion protection of 8.6—Lightweight concrete, p. 141
reinforcement and other metal embedments, p. 84 8.7—Stiffness, p. 142
4.8—Additional requirements for protection against 8.8—Effective stiffness to determine lateral deflections, p.
chemical attack, p. 85 142
4.9—Additional requirements for protection against 8.9—Span length, p. 143
erosion, p. 89 8.10—Columns, p. 144
4.10—Protection systems, p. 90 8.11—Arrangement of live load, p. 144
4.11—Tightness testing of structures, p. 92 8.12—T-beam construction, p. 145
4.12—Joints, p. 92 8.13—Joist construction, p. 145
8.14—Separate floor finish, p. 146
CHAPTER 5—CONCRETE QUALITY, MIXING, AND
PLACING, p. 95 CHAPTER 9—STRENGTH AND SERVICEABILITY
5.1—General, p. 95 REQUIREMENTS, p. 147
5.2—Selection of proportions, p. 96 9.1—General, p. 147
5.3—Proportioning concrete on the basis of field experi- 9.2—Required strength, p. 147
ence or trial mixtures, or both, p. 97 9.3—Design strength, p. 152
9.4—Design strength for reinforcement, p. 156

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6 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONCRETE STRUCTURES (ACI 350-20) AND COMMENTARY

9.5—Control of deflections, p. 156 12.14—Requirements for structural integrity, p. 282

CHAPTER 10—FLEXURE AND AXIAL LOADS, p. 163 CHAPTER 13—EARTHQUAKE-RESISTANT

10.1—Scope, p. 163 STRUCTURES, p. 285
10.2—Design assumptions, p. 163 13.1—General requirements, p. 285
10.3—General principles and requirements, p. 165 13.2—Ordinary moment frames, p. 292
10.4—Distance between lateral supports of flexural 13.4—Intermediate precast structural walls, p. 298
members, p. 167 13.5—Flexural members of special moment frames,
10.5—Minimum reinforcement of flexural members, p. 298
p. 168 13.6—Special moment frame members subjected to
10.6—Distribution of flexural reinforcement, p. 168 bending and axial load, p. 305
10.7—Deep beams, p. 172 13.7—Joints of special moment frames, p. 309
10.8—Design dimensions for compression members, 13.8—Special moment frames constructed using precast
p. 173 concrete, p. 312
10.9—Limits for reinforcement of compression members, 13.9—Special structural walls and coupling beams, p. 314
p. 173 13.10—Special structural walls constructed using precast
10.10—Slenderness effects in compression members, concrete, p. 323
p. 175 13.11—Structural diaphragms and trusses, p. 323
10.11—Axially loaded members supporting slab system, 13.12—Foundations, p. 328
p. 182 13.13—Members not designated as part of the seismic-
10.12—Transmission of column loads through floor force-resisting system, p. 330
system, p. 182
10.13—Composite compression members, p. 183 CHAPTER 14—TWO-WAY SLAB SYSTEMS, p. 333
10.14—Bearing strength, p. 185 14.1—Scope, p. 333
14.2—General, p. 334
CHAPTER 11—SHEAR AND TORSION, p. 187 14.3—Slab reinforcement, p. 334
11.1—Shear strength, p. 187 14.4—Openings in slab systems, p. 338
11.2—Shear strength provided by concrete for nonpre- 14.5—Design procedures, p. 339
stressed members, p. 190 14.6—Direct design method, p. 342
11.3—Shear strength provided by concrete for prestressed 14.7—Equivalent frame method, p. 348
members, p. 192
11.4—Shear strength provided by shear reinforcement, CHAPTER 15—WALLS, p. 353
p. 195 15.1—Scope, p. 353
11.5—Design for torsion, p. 200 15.2—General, p. 353
11.6—Shear-friction, p. 210 15.3—Walls prestressed circumferentially by wrapping
11.7—Deep beams, p. 214 with high-strength steel wire or strand, p. 353
11.8—Provisions for brackets and corbels, p. 214 15.4—Minimum reinforcement, p. 356
11.9—Provisions for walls, p. 218 15.5—Walls designed as compression members, p. 357
11.10—Transfer of moments to columns, p. 220 15.6—Empirical Design Method, p. 357
11.11—Provisions for slabs and footings, p. 220 15.7—Minimum wall thickness, p. 359
15.8—Walls as grade beams, p. 359
CHAPTER 12—REINFORCEMENT—DETAILS,
DEVELOPMENT, AND SPLICES, p. 233 CHAPTER 16—FOOTINGS, p. 361
12.1—Standard hooks, p. 233 16.1—Scope, p. 361
12.2—Minimum bend diameters, p. 233 16.2—Loads and reactions, p. 361
12.3—Bending, p. 234 16.3—Footings supporting circular or regular polygon-
12.4—Surface conditions of reinforcement, p. 234 shaped columns or pedestals, p. 362
12.5—Placing reinforcement, p. 235 16.4—Moment in footings, p. 362
12.6—Spacing limits for reinforcement, p. 236 16.5—Shear in footings, p. 362
12.7—Concrete protection for reinforcement, p. 237 16.6—Development of reinforcement in footings, p. 364
12.8—Development, p. 242 16.7—Minimum footing depth, p. 364
12.9—Splices, p. 262 16.8—Transfer of force at base of column, wall, or rein-
12.10—Lateral reinforcement, p. 270 forced pedestal, p. 364
12.11—Reinforcement details for columns, p. 274 16.9—Sloped or stepped footings, p. 366
12.12—Connections, p. 274 16.10—Combined footings and mats, p. 366
12.13—Shrinkage and temperature reinforcement, p. 275

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 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONCRETE STRUCTURES (ACI 350-20) AND COMMENTARY 7

CHAPTER 17—PRECAST CONCRETE, p. 369 20.2—Analysis and design, p. 415

17.1—Scope, p. 369 20.3—Design strength of materials, p. 420
17.2—General, p. 369 20.4—Shell reinforcement, p. 420
17.3—Distribution of forces among members, p. 370 20.5—Construction, p. 422
17.4—Member design, p. 371
17.5—Structural integrity, p. 371 CHAPTER 21—LIQUID-CONTAINING GROUND-
17.6—Connection and bearing design, p. 373 SUPPORTED SLABS, p. 423
17.7—Items embedded after concrete placement, p. 375 21.1—Scope, p. 423
17.8—Marking and identification, p. 375 21.2—Slab support, p. 424
17.9—Handling, p. 375 21.3—Slab thickness, p. 425
17.10—Strength evaluation of precast construction, p. 376 21.4—Reinforcement, p. 426
21.5—Joints, p. 426
CHAPTER 18—COMPOSITE CONCRETE 21.6—Hydrostatic uplift, p. 427
FLEXURAL MEMBERS, p. 377 21.7—Curing, p. 427
18.1—Scope, p. 377
18.2—General, p. 377 CHAPTER 22—STRENGTH EVALUATION AND
18.3—Shoring, p. 378 CONDITION ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURES,
18.4—Vertical shear strength, p. 378 p. 429
18.5—Horizontal shear strength, p. 378 22.1—General, p. 429
18.6—Ties for horizontal shear, p. 379 22.2—Determination of required dimensions and material
properties, p. 431
CHAPTER 19—PRESTRESSED CONCRETE, p. 381 22.3—Condition survey of structures, p. 432
19.1—Scope, p. 381 22.4—Field and laboratory testing, p. 433
19.2—General, p. 382 22.5—Tightness testing, p. 434
19.3—Design assumptions, p. 383 22.6—Evaluation report, p. 434
19.4—Serviceability requirements—flexural members, p. 22.7—Load testing, p. 435
385
19.5—Permissible stresses in prestressing steel, p. 388 APPENDIX A—ALTERNATE DESIGN METHOD,
19.6—Loss of prestress, p. 388 p. 437
19.7—Flexural strength, p. 390 A.1—Scope, p. 437
19.8—Limits for reinforcement of flexural members, p. A.2—General, p. 438
391 A.3—Allowable stresses at service loads, p. 438
19.9—Minimum bonded reinforcement, p. 392 A.4—Development and splices of reinforcement, p. 440
19.10—Statically indeterminate structures, p. 394 A.5—Flexure, p. 440
19.11—Compression members—combined flexure and A.6—Compression members with or without flexure, p.
axial loads, p. 395 441
19.12—Slab systems, p. 397 A.7—Shear and torsion, p. 441
19.13—Post-tensioned tendon anchorage zones, p. 399
19.14—Design of anchorage zones for monostrand or APPENDIX B—STRUT-AND-TIE MODELS, p. 447
single 5/8 in. diameter bar tendons, p. 404 B.1—Definitions, p. 447
19.15—Design of anchorage zones for multistrand B.2—Strut-and-tie model design procedure, p. 453
tendons, p. 405 B.3—Strength of struts, p. 455
19.16—Corrosion protection for unbonded single-strand B.4—Strength of ties, p. 458
prestressing tendons, p. 406 B.5—Strength of nodal zones, p. 460
19.17—Post-tensioning ducts, p. 408
19.18—Grout for bonded tendons, p. 408 APPENDIX C—ALTERNATIVE PROVISIONS FOR
19.19—Protection for prestressing steel, p. 410 REINFORCED AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
19.20—Application and measurement of prestressing FLEXURAL AND COMPRESSION MEMBERS,
force, p. 410 p. 463
19.21—Post-tensioning anchorages and couplers, p. 411
19.22—External post-tensioning, p. 412
APPENDIX D—ALTERNATIVE LOAD FACTORS,
CHAPTER 20—SHELLS AND FOLDED PLATE STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTORS, AND
MEMBERS, p. 413 DISTRIBUTION OF FLEXURAL REINFORCEMENT,
20.1—Scope and definitions, p. 413 p. 471

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8 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONCRETE STRUCTURES (ACI 350-20) AND COMMENTARY

APPENDIX E—ANCHORING TO CONCRETE, p. 479 E.6—Design requirements for shear loading, p. 509
E.1—Definitions, p. 479 E.7—Interaction of tensile and shear forces, p. 519
E.2—Scope, p. 483 E.8—Required edge distances, spacings, and thicknesses
E.3—General requirements, p. 484 to preclude splitting failure, p. 519
E.4—General requirements for strength of anchors, p. 491 E.9—Installation and inspection of anchors, p. 521
E.5—Design requirements for tensile loading, p. 497
COMMENTARY REFERENCES, p. 527

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CHAPTER 1—GENERAL CHAPTER R1—GENERAL

REQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS

1.1—Scope R1.1—Scope
The American Concrete Institute “Code Requirements
for Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures
(ACI 350-20),” hereinafter referred to as this Code, provides
minimum requirements for environmental engineering
concrete design and construction practices.
The 2020 edition of this Code revised the previous code,
ACI 350-06. This Code includes in one document the require-
ments for all reinforced concrete used for environmental
engineering structures. This covers the spectrum of concrete
containing nonprestressed reinforcement, prestressing steel,
or composite steel shapes, pipe, or tubing.
Prestressed concrete is included under the definition
of reinforced concrete. Provisions of this Code apply to
prestressed concrete except those that are specifically stated
to apply to nonprestressed concrete.
Chapter 13 of this Code contains provisions for design and
detailing of earthquake-resistant structures. Refer to 1.1.9.
Appendix A of this Code contains provisions for an
alternate method of design for nonprestressed reinforced
concrete members using service loads (without load factors)
and permissible service load stresses. The strength design
method of this Code is intended to give design results similar
to the Alternate Design Method.
Appendix B of this Code contains provisions for the
design of regions near geometrical discontinuities, or abrupt
changes in loadings.
Appendix C of this Code contains provisions for reinforce-
ment limits based on 0.75ρb, determination of the strength
reduction factor ϕ, and moment redistribution that have been
in the ACI 318 codes for many years, including ACI 318-99.
The provisions are applicable to reinforced and prestressed
concrete members. When used, the provisions of Appendix
C are to be used in their entirety.
Appendix D of this Code permits the use of load, envi-
ronmental durability, strength reduction factors, and flexural
reinforcement distribution provisions similar to those in
Chapters 9 and 10 of ACI 350-01. Designs made using the
provisions of Appendix D are equally acceptable as those
based on the body of this Code, provided the provisions of
Appendix D are used in their entirety.
Appendix E of this Code contains provisions for anchoring
to concrete.

1.1.1 Except for primary containment of hazardous mate- R1.1.1 A hazardous material may be defined as a liquid,
rials, this Code, where adopted under the requirements of the solid, gas, or sludge waste that contains properties that are
legally adopted building code, provides minimum require- dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the
ments for the design and construction of reinforced concrete environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
elements of environmental engineering concrete structures. listed wastes are organized into three categories under the
In areas without a legally adopted building code, this Code Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): source-
defines minimum acceptable standards for materials, design, specific wastes, generic wastes, and commercial chemical
and construction practice. This Code also covers the strength products. Source-specific wastes include sludges and waste-

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6 CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONCRETE STRUCTURES (ACI 350-20) AND COMMENTARY

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evaluation and condition assessment of environmental engi- waters from treatment and production processes in specific
neering concrete structures. industries such as petroleum refining and wood preserving.
In this Code, the term “concrete” shall also include shot- The list of generic wastes includes wastes from common
crete except where specifically indicated otherwise. manufacturing and industrial processes such as solvents
The specified concrete compressive strength shall not used in degreasing operations. The third list contains specific
be less than 4000 psi. No maximum specified compressive chemical products such as benzene, creosote, mercury, and
strength shall apply unless restricted by a specific Code various pesticides.
provision. Shotcrete is pneumatically placed whereas other types of
concrete are typically placed by gravity or pumped.
Below-grade structures, such as pump stations and pipe
galleries, which are part of treatment facilities and which
may be exposed to external groundwater pressures, gener-
ally are designed as environmental engineering concrete
structures. Above-grade building structures that are not
directly exposed to liquids, solid wastes, corrosive chemi-
cals, corrosive gases, or high humidity associated with treat-
ment facilities generally may be designed in accordance
with the general building code or applicable industry stan-
dards. Nevertheless, consideration of corrosive effects on
such structures may still be advisable.

1.1.1.1 Environmental engineering concrete structures R1.1.1.1 Environmental engineering concrete struc-
are defined as concrete structures intended for conveying, tures include but are not limited to tanks, reservoirs, clari-
storing, or treating water, wastewater, or other liquids fiers, separators, lagoon liners, and secondary containment
and non-hazardous materials such as solid waste, and for structures. Also included are hydraulic structures associ-
secondary containment of hazardous liquids. For ancil- ated with flood control and water supply projects such as
lary structures for which liquid-tightness, gas-tightness, stilling basins, channels, portions of power houses, spillway
or enhanced durability are essential, design considerations piers, spray walls, training walls, flood walls, intake and
shall also conform to requirements of environmental engi- outlet structures, flood control tunnels and shafts, energy-
neering concrete structures. dissipating structures such as impact basins, lock walls,
guide and guard walls, canal linings, and reinforced sections
of concrete gravity dams.

1.1.2 Precast concrete environmental structures designed R1.1.2 Although precast environmental concrete struc-
and constructed in accordance with ASTM standards are not tures designed and constructed in accordance with ASTM
covered in this Code. standards are not included in the scope of this Code, the
licensed design professional should evaluate whether addi-
tional requirements may be necessary to minimize dete-
rioration and to achieve the desired durability and service
life of the structure. For example, ASTM C478 allows a
maximum w/cm of 0.53 and the standard has no criteria that
will permit addressing service conditions where the concrete
may be exposed to freezing and thawing, harmful chemicals
and gases, or harmful sulfates, all of which could accelerate
deterioration and reduce durability of the structure and the
expected service life.

1.1.3 This Code supplements the general building code and R1.1.3 The American Concrete Institute recommends that
shall govern in all matters pertaining to design and construc- this Code be adopted in its entirety; however, it is recog-
tion of reinforced concrete elements of environmental engi- nized that when this Code is made a part of a legally adopted
neering concrete structures, except wherever this Code general building code, that general building code may
is in conflict with requirements in legally adopted codes modify some provisions of this Code.
addressing environmental engineering concrete structures.

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1.1.4 This Code shall apply in all matters pertaining to

design, construction, and material properties wherever this
Code is in conflict with requirements contained in other
standards referenced in this Code.

1.1.5 The provisions of this Code shall govern for tanks, R1.1.5 Environmental engineering projects can contain
reservoirs, and other reinforced concrete elements of envi- several types of structures. For example, a treatment plant
ronmental engineering concrete structures. For special struc- can contain environmental engineering concrete structures
tures such as arches, bins and silos, blast-resistant structures, such as tanks and reservoirs, as well as an administration
and chimneys, provisions of this Code shall govern where building. The ACI 350 Code would apply to the environ-
applicable. When an environmental concrete structure may mental structures, while ACI 318 could apply to the admin-
be considered a building structure then it shall be designed istration building. Also, the following ACI publications
to the requirements of this Code. could apply to other structures.
“Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete Chim-
neys (ACI 307-08) and Commentary” by ACI Committee
307. This standard prescribes material, construction, and
design requirements for circular cast-in-place reinforced
chimneys. It sets forth minimum loadings for the design
of reinforced concrete chimneys and contains methods for
determining the stresses in the concrete and reinforcement
required as a result of these loadings.
“Design Specification for Concrete Silos and Stacking
Tubes for Storing Granular Materials (ACI 313-16) and
Commentary” reported by ACI Committee 313. This speci-
fication provides material, design, and construction require-
ments for reinforced concrete bins, silos, and bunkers and
stave silos for storing granular materials. It includes recom-
mended design and construction criteria based on experi-
mental and analytical studies plus worldwide experience in
silo design and construction.
Bins, silos, and bunkers are special structures, posing
special problems not encountered in normal building design.
While ACI 313 refers to “Building Code Requirements
for Structural Concrete (ACI 318)” for many applicable
requirements, it provides supplemental detail requirements
and ways of considering the unique problems of static and
dynamic loading of silo structures. Much of the criteria are
empirical, but this specification does not preclude the use
of more sophisticated methods that give equivalent or better
safety and reliability.
ACI 313 sets forth recommended loadings and methods
for determining the stresses in the concrete and reinforce-
ment resulting from these loadings. Methods are recom-
mended for determining the thermal effects resulting from
stored material and for determining crack width in concrete
walls due to pressure exerted by the stored material. Appen-
dixes provide recommended minimum values of overpres-
sure and impact factors.
“Code Requirements for Nuclear Safety-Related
Concrete Structures (ACI 349-06) and Commentary”
reported by ACI Committee 349. This standard provides
minimum requirements for design and construction of
concrete structures that form part of a nuclear power plant
and that have nuclear safety-related functions. This stan-

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