Deep foundations rough-in inspection checklist

Pile head location checked against the plan before installation

Each pile or shaft center measured against the layout, offset from plan location within the specified tolerance and recorded.

Tip or founding elevation reconciled with the bearing criteria

Founding elevation surveyed and compared against the depth and bearing stratum called for in the geotechnical report, not just the driving record.

Element numbers staked from project control to match the pile plan

Each stake or paint mark carries the pile or shaft number from the pile plan, set by the surveyor from project control, so every log and as-built ties to one location.

Test elements installed and criteria issued before production starts

Test piles, test shafts or load-test elements the specifications call for are in, and the geotechnical engineer's installation criteria are issued in writing before production elements begin.

Driving record matched to the acceptance criteria

Blow count, set and final penetration logged against the specified refusal or capacity criteria for each pile, hammer energy noted.

Pile condition checked before and during driving

Pile straight and undamaged before pickup, head not brooming or splitting, no visible deviation or heave of adjacent piles.

Hammer, helmet and cushion match the approved installation plan

Hammer model, helmet and cushion material on the rig matched to the driving system in the approved pile installation plan; cushion changed at the interval that plan sets.

Hole cleanliness and slurry condition verified before concrete

Base cleaned of cuttings, slurry properties within the specified range where used, sidewalls stable and free of caving before the pour.

Reinforcement cage placement, cover and support checked

Cage centered with spacers holding the specified cover all around, dowels and hoops per the drawings, cage supported so it doesn't rack during concreting.

Tremie or auger tip kept below the concrete head through the pour

Tremie, pump line or auger tip stays embedded in the rising concrete or grout for the whole placement, per the approved installation plan; any break in the pour logged.

Concrete or grout volume logged against the theoretical volume

Volume placed in each shaft or augercast pile compared with its theoretical hole volume on the log; an under-run or large over-run reported as a possible neck or cave.

Depth measured independently of the rig readout

Pile or auger marked in increments, or shaft depth sounded with a weighted tape from behind the shaft protection, and the reading compared with the rig's counter before logging.

Foundation contractor's log complete for every element installed today

Each element installed today appears on the log with its number, date, depth, installation data and any interruption, signed by the foreman before the rig moves on.

Out-of-criteria elements reported to the engineers before the next one

Short elements, early refusal, obstructions or cage problems written up to the geotechnical engineer and engineer of record, with their direction logged before production continues.

Finished heads flagged with their number and protected from traffic

Each installed pile or shaft head marked with its element number and flagged, capped or barricaded so equipment does not strike or load it before cutoff.