Which of the following is verified for embedded steel reinforcement cover?

• A. Minimum concrete cover as specified and that the reinforcement is clean and free from corrosion; verify protective coatings if required.
• B. Color of concrete around the reinforcement.
• C. The reinforcement's exact length and bend radius.
• D. The number of bars in each bundle.

Answer: (A)

This item tests corrosion protection of embedded steel by verifying the concrete cover and the condition of the reinforcement. The key idea is that the concrete cover—the distance from the outer surface of the concrete to the outer surface of the steel—must meet the design minimum to shield the steel from moisture, chlorides, and fire exposure. At the same time, the reinforcement must be clean and free from corrosion because rusted or dirty bars can compromise the bond between steel and concrete and allow corrosion to progress under the surface. If the project requires protective coatings on the steel, those coatings must be present and in acceptable condition to provide the intended extra protection.

Why this is the best fit: it directly addresses both the minimum cover requirement and the condition of the steel (clean and free of corrosion), plus the need to verify any protective coatings when required. The other aspects listed—color of the concrete around the reinforcement, the exact length and bend radius, or the number of bars in each bundle—do not pertain to verifying embedded reinforcement cover or its corrosion protection.