What does this deep foundations final checklist cover?

13 items across 3 sections, covering cutoffs and connection, testing coordination, as-built record. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The GC's superintendent with the geotechnical rep and the structural engineer of record's field observer before caps are formed.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After piles and shafts are trimmed to cutoff and before pile caps and grade beams are formed, so any deficient element is caught while it's still exposed.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

6 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 8 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a deep foundations final inspection?

Cutoff elevation trimmed low, leaving too little embedment of the pile into the cap. Dowels or embeds for the cap missing or bent out of position after the head is chipped down. As-built locations never surveyed, so an out-of-tolerance pile isn't picked up until the cap won't fit the layout.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Deep foundations

Deep foundations final inspection checklist

Deep foundations final inspection is where the punch list is either short or expensive. This checklist walks the finished work the way an owner or AHJ will see it: devices on, systems running, everything labeled. Each item gets the photo that closes it instead of reopening it. Work is commonly verified against ACI, the project geotechnical report and specifications. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

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The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Cutoffs and connection

Cutoff elevations verified and sound concrete exposed
Each pile trimmed to the specified cutoff, concrete at the head sound and not fractured from over-driving or chipping.
Dowels and embeds for the cap in place and correct
Projecting bars, dowels or embed plates for the pile cap present, correct length and position, undamaged after trimming.
Cutoff line marked from a surveyed elevation before trimming
Cutoff painted or marked on each head from a surveyed benchmark, not measured down from grade by eye, before the saw or breaker starts.
Cut-off pieces and broken concrete cleared from the cap excavation
Trimmed pile ends, chipped concrete and slurry-contaminated material removed from around each head and out of the cap or grade beam excavation before forming.

Testing coordination

Integrity and load testing observed and documented
Specified integrity or load tests witnessed on the required elements, results recorded and reconciled against acceptance criteria before proceeding.
No photo
Integrity report anomalies sent to the engineer of record
Each anomaly the testing agency's integrity report flags is listed by element number and sent to the engineer of record, with the evaluation or coring request logged.
No photo
Load-test report and the engineer's written criteria in the file
Where load tests were specified, the testing agency's report is on file with the geotechnical engineer's written confirmation or revision of the production criteria.
No photo
Crosshole access tubes grouted once testing is complete
Where shafts carry access tubes for crosshole testing, tubes filled with grout after the testing agency releases them, per the specifications, and noted on the log.
No photo

As-built record

As-built locations and elevations surveyed
Final head location and cutoff elevation surveyed for each element and compared against plan tolerance before caps are formed.
Out-of-tolerance elements listed with measured offsets
Every element outside location, plumb or cutoff tolerance listed with its measured deviation and sent to the engineer of record for evaluation before caps are formed.
No photo
Element count on the logs reconciled with the survey and pile plan
Number of elements on the installation logs matches the as-built survey and the pile plan; any missing, added or abandoned element explained in writing.
No photo
Cap or grade beam outline laid out over the as-built heads
Cap edges marked over the surveyed heads so edge distance to each pile is checked against the cap detail before forms go up.
Engineer of record's acceptance received before caps are formed
Written acceptance or direction from the engineer of record on file for the elements under each cap, with the special inspector's reports referenced.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Cutoff elevation trimmed low, leaving too little embedment of the pile into the cap.
Dowels or embeds for the cap missing or bent out of position after the head is chipped down.
As-built locations never surveyed, so an out-of-tolerance pile isn't picked up until the cap won't fit the layout.

Verified against

ACI concrete practice

Common questions

6 answers

What does this deep foundations final checklist cover?: 13 items across 3 sections, covering cutoffs and connection, testing coordination, as-built record. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The GC's superintendent with the geotechnical rep and the structural engineer of record's field observer before caps are formed.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After piles and shafts are trimmed to cutoff and before pile caps and grade beams are formed, so any deficient element is caught while it's still exposed.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 6 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 8 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a deep foundations final inspection?: Cutoff elevation trimmed low, leaving too little embedment of the pile into the cap. Dowels or embeds for the cap missing or bent out of position after the head is chipped down. As-built locations never surveyed, so an out-of-tolerance pile isn't picked up until the cap won't fit the layout.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

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Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 8 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.