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PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) is concrete without steel reinforcement, often used as a leveling or bedding layer under foundations and floors.
Structure & concrete · Also: Plain Cement Concrete, Lean concrete
PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) is concrete without steel reinforcement, often used as a leveling or bedding layer under foundations and floors.
Plain-language explanations for planning and learning. Local codes, consultant advice and contract documents take precedence over glossary summaries.
PCC (sometimes called lean concrete) provides a clean, level working surface and distributes loads lightly. Typical uses include footing beds, flooring base and fill where tensile strength is not required. Mixes are often leaner than structural RCC. Thickness is set by the drawing (commonly 75–100 mm under footings, varying by project). Because there is no reinforcement, PCC is not a substitute for RCC members that must carry bending or tension.
Example: Before casting an RCC footing, a 100 mm PCC bed may be laid so the footing sits on a firm, level surface and cover to bottom bars is easier to maintain.
| Unit | Notes |
|---|---|
| m³ | Volume = area × thickness |
| mm | Typical bed thickness on drawings |
RCC
RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) is concrete strengthened with steel bars so it can resist both compression and tension in beams, slabs, columns and footings.
Formwork
Formwork (shuttering) is the temporary mould that holds wet concrete to the required shape until it gains enough strength to support itself.
Aggregate
Aggregate is the sand and stone (jelly/metal) that make up most of concrete’s volume — fine aggregate is sand; coarse aggregate is crushed stone.
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Glossary 2026.08.1
No. By definition PCC has no structural reinforcement. Mesh for shrinkage is a separate specification if used.