What does this shotcrete final checklist cover?

14 items across 4 sections, covering thickness and rebound, finish and density, curing, testing and records. 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 shotcrete foreman, walking the finished surface before it's covered, tiled or backfilled.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After shooting and finishing are complete and initial cure has begun, before the surface is coated, plastered or hidden.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

10 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 13 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 shotcrete final inspection?

Rebound collected on ledges and reveals and shot over instead of removed, so a weak sandy layer ends up inside the section. Thickness checked only where the depth gauges are and left thin in the field between them. Cure walked away from after the first day, so a wall or slope surface-cracks as it dries out.

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

Shotcrete

Shotcrete final inspection checklist

Shotcrete 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.

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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.

Thickness and rebound

In-place thickness verified across the surface
Finished thickness confirmed at depth gauges and by probing or cores between them, meeting the specified thickness with no thin zones.
Rebound removed, not buried
Overspray and rebound cleaned off reinforcement, ledges and the work face before the next pass, not encapsulated in the section.
Ground wires and thickness gauges removed or set below the face
Wires pulled or cut and gauge pins trimmed back from the finished face so no steel is left exposed to rust through the surface.
Rebound hauled away, not reused or left at the toe
Rebound piles at the base of the wall or slope cleared before they harden, and never shoveled back into the hopper or pump.

Finish and density

Surface finish and density sound
Finish to the specified texture, no sand pockets, laminations or dry patches, surface sounded for hollow or drummy areas.
Cracks noted and evaluated
Any shrinkage or structural cracks marked and measured, distinguished from surface crazing, tracked for repair before closeout.
Finished face walked for exposed bar, chairs or tie wire
No reinforcement, tie wire ends or standoffs showing at the face; any found marked for cover repair before curing ends.
Masking pulled and rebound cleaned out of embeds and blockouts
Sleeves, anchors and blockouts uncovered, clear of shotcrete and rebound, and still at the locations shown after shooting.
Face checked to line and plane with a straightedge or string
Finished face checked against the line and plane tolerance in the specifications; high and low spots marked for correction.

Curing

Curing carried through the required period
Wet cure or curing compound applied per the specification and maintained for the full period, surface kept from drying on walls and slopes.

Testing and records

Panel or in-place core report on file from the testing agency
Testing agency's report shows core grades for encasement behind reinforcement and strength compared to the specification.
No photo
Special inspector's shooting reports filed for each placement
Where the statement of special inspections covers shotcrete, a daily report for every placement is on file with any open items listed.
No photo
Placement log ties each area to date, nozzle operator and batch
Log shows the wall or slope area shot, date, nozzle operator and batch tickets, so any core or panel result traces back to its area.
No photo
Nonconforming areas reported to the engineer of record
Thin zones, low core grades or voids behind bars sent to the engineer of record with locations; repair waits for their direction.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Rebound collected on ledges and reveals and shot over instead of removed, so a weak sandy layer ends up inside the section.
Thickness checked only where the depth gauges are and left thin in the field between them.
Cure walked away from after the first day, so a wall or slope surface-cracks as it dries out.

Verified against

ACI concrete practice

Common questions

6 answers

What does this shotcrete final checklist cover?: 14 items across 4 sections, covering thickness and rebound, finish and density, curing, testing and records. 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 shotcrete foreman, walking the finished surface before it's covered, tiled or backfilled.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After shooting and finishing are complete and initial cure has begun, before the surface is coated, plastered or hidden.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 10 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 13 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 shotcrete final inspection?: Rebound collected on ledges and reveals and shot over instead of removed, so a weak sandy layer ends up inside the section. Thickness checked only where the depth gauges are and left thin in the field between them. Cure walked away from after the first day, so a wall or slope surface-cracks as it dries out.
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

Shotcrete Rough-inShotcrete rough-in inspection checklistSubstrate, reinforcement cover, embeds and thickness controls verified before shooting buries them14 items15 photos Shotcrete PunchShotcrete punch checklistDrummy and sand-pocket areas sounded and repaired, cold joints feathered, cure completed9 items2 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 13 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.