What does this post-tensioned concrete final checklist cover?

15 items across 3 sections, covering before stressing, stressing, pockets and grouting. 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 PT subcontractor's stressing crew and the engineer's field rep witnessing elongations.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After the concrete reaches the specified stressing strength, tendon by tendon, and, on bonded systems, after cutoff when the tendons are grouted.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

9 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 11 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 post-tensioned concrete final inspection?

Elongations written down but never compared against the calculated range, so a tendon short of gauge pressure or elongation slips through. Jack pressure gauge out of calibration date, making every elongation reading on that jack unverifiable. Grout stopping short of a high point on a bonded tendon, leaving a void where the strand can corrode.

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

Post-tensioned concrete

Post-tensioned concrete final inspection checklist

Post-tensioned concrete 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 applicable building code. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

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.

Before stressing

Stressing strength confirmed by the testing agency's breaks
Cylinder results for this pour reach the stressing strength on the drawings before any jack goes on, and the report is in the PT supplier's hands.
No photo
Stressing crew is the PT supplier's certified crew
Operators on the jacks named on the PT supplier's crew list with current certification on file, not a laborer borrowed from another crew.
No photo
Exclusion zone barricaded behind and in line with each jack
Barricade, tape and signs keep everyone, including whoever holds the phone, out from behind the jack and anchorage; the photo is taken from the side, outside the zone.
Bearing concrete at each live end sound before the jack is set
Edge forms and pocket formers stripped, pockets clean, no honeycomb, cracks or voids behind the bearing face; any defect reported to the PT supplier and the engineer of record before stressing.
Tendon tails paint-marked for elongation measurement
Each tail marked at a consistent reference from the slab or beam edge by the stressing crew before stressing, so the elongation can be measured from the same point after lock-off.

Stressing

Elongation measured against the calculated range and recorded
Measured elongation and gauge pressure logged per tendon and compared against the calculated range on the stressing record before the tail is cut.
Jack calibration current and sequence followed
Calibration certificate for the jack and gauge in date, stressing sequence matching the drawings so the slab isn't loaded unevenly.
Special inspector's stressing observation logged
Where the statement of special inspections covers stressing, the inspector's observation of jacking, gauge pressures and elongations is logged for this pour.
No photo
Wedges seated evenly at each anchor after lock-off
Once stressing on that edge is finished and the stressing foreman has opened the zone, viewed from the side, never in line with the tendon: wedges even, none proud or cracked.
Stressing records for the pour sent for the engineer's review
Completed records with tendon marks, gauge pressures and elongations for every tendon in the pour sent to the engineer or PT supplier for comparison with the calculated values.
No photo

Pockets and grouting

Pockets patched after cutoff
Tails cut, anchor and wedges coated per the detail, pockets packed and patched flush so the anchorage is protected, not left open.
Grouting completed on bonded systems
Bonded tendons grouted per the procedure, grout returning at vents to confirm the duct is full, injection and vent records kept.
No photo
Tails cut only after the stressing records are reviewed
Tails left long until the engineer or PT supplier releases them, then cut by the method the supplier allows with no torch heat at the wedges, leaving the tail length on the detail.
Pocket patch bag labels match the specified grout
Bag label on the patch material at the pocket matches the non-shrink grout or patch product named in the specifications or PT shop drawings, mixed per the bag.
Trades told not to drill or core stressed areas without a scan
Written notice to trades that stressed slabs and beams need tendon locating before any core, sleeve or post-installed anchor, with signage posted where the project requires it.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Elongations written down but never compared against the calculated range, so a tendon short of gauge pressure or elongation slips through.
Jack pressure gauge out of calibration date, making every elongation reading on that jack unverifiable.
Grout stopping short of a high point on a bonded tendon, leaving a void where the strand can corrode.

Verified against

ACI concrete practice

Common questions

6 answers

What does this post-tensioned concrete final checklist cover?: 15 items across 3 sections, covering before stressing, stressing, pockets and grouting. 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 PT subcontractor's stressing crew and the engineer's field rep witnessing elongations.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After the concrete reaches the specified stressing strength, tendon by tendon, and, on bonded systems, after cutoff when the tendons are grouted.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 9 of the 15 items call for photo evidence, 11 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 post-tensioned concrete final inspection?: Elongations written down but never compared against the calculated range, so a tendon short of gauge pressure or elongation slips through. Jack pressure gauge out of calibration date, making every elongation reading on that jack unverifiable. Grout stopping short of a high point on a bonded tendon, leaving a void where the strand can corrode.
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

Post-tensioned concrete Rough-inPost-tensioned concrete rough-in inspection checklistTendon profile, anchorage and cover verified before the slab or beam is poured15 items15 photos Post-tensioned concrete PunchPost-tensioned concrete punch checklistOut-of-range elongations, unpatched pockets and tendon damage resolved before closeout9 items3 photos

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 11 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.