What does this soil stabilization final checklist cover?

14 items across 4 sections, covering compaction and density, cure and grade, surface condition, records and release. 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 earthwork QC tech, releasing the stabilized section before paving or the next lift.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

After the cure or mellowing period the design requires, before the base course, slab or pavement covers the section.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

10 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 12 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 soil stabilization final inspection?

Next course scheduled before the mellowing period is up, so the section is loaded while it's still gaining strength. Density tested on the easy flat runs and skipped at the edges and low corners where compaction actually fell short. Finished surface left loose and dusty, so the next lift bonds to a weak skin instead of the compacted layer.

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

Soil stabilization

Soil stabilization final inspection checklist

Soil stabilization 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 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.

Compaction and density

Density tested across the section
In-place density confirmed against the design requirement at representative points, including edges and low areas, results photographed with locations.
Compaction complete before crusting
Full roller pattern completed while the soil is still in the moisture window, no rework of a section that crusted before it was rolled.
Density failures closed with a passing retest at the same station
Every failing result in the testing lab's log tied to a rework and a passing retest at that location, not a new test moved to better ground.
No photo
Compacted thickness of the treated layer measured at test holes
Holes dug after compaction show the treated layer (color or indicator change) at the design thickness, measured with a rule at the hole.

Cure and grade

Cure or mellowing period honored
The elapsed cure or mellowing time the design specifies is documented before the section is released, surface kept moist where cement or fly-ash is used.
Traffic and equipment held off the section during cure
Cones or barricades keep haul trucks off the curing section; any ruts or tire marks noted for the geotechnical engineer.
Strength samples molded where the specifications call for them
Testing lab's field specimens from the mixed material logged with sample IDs tied to the section stations, breaks tracked to the design strength.
No photo
Finished grade and cross-slope verified
Grade and cross-slope shot against design so water drains and the next course sits to line, no birdbaths holding water.

Surface condition

Surface tight and clean before the next course
Finished surface firm underfoot, no loose or raveled material, dust and debris removed so the next lift bonds to the stabilized layer.
Treated layer carried to the full width shown
Stabilization extends to the edge limits on the drawings, past the pavement or slab line where the design says, with no untreated strip at curbs or structures.
Joints between day's sections overlapped and remixed
Mixer overlapped into the previous section's edge so no untreated seam runs between days; seam probed for firm, treated material.
Stabilized surface walked for shrinkage cracks and rutting
Full section walked before release, cracks or ruts marked and measured and shown to the geotechnical engineer before the next course.

Records and release

Geotechnical engineer's acceptance of the section recorded
Field report or written acceptance from the geotechnical engineer filed before the base course or slab crew is released onto the section.
No photo
Daily log ties each section to date, stations and additive used
Log shows the stations mixed, date, additive tons applied and cure start for each section, so the testing lab results trace back to it.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Next course scheduled before the mellowing period is up, so the section is loaded while it's still gaining strength.
Density tested on the easy flat runs and skipped at the edges and low corners where compaction actually fell short.
Finished surface left loose and dusty, so the next lift bonds to a weak skin instead of the compacted layer.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this soil stabilization final checklist cover?: 14 items across 4 sections, covering compaction and density, cure and grade, surface condition, records and release. 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 earthwork QC tech, releasing the stabilized section before paving or the next lift.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: After the cure or mellowing period the design requires, before the base course, slab or pavement covers the section.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 10 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 12 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 soil stabilization final inspection?: Next course scheduled before the mellowing period is up, so the section is loaded while it's still gaining strength. Density tested on the easy flat runs and skipped at the edges and low corners where compaction actually fell short. Finished surface left loose and dusty, so the next lift bonds to a weak skin instead of the compacted layer.
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

Soil stabilization Rough-inSoil stabilization rough-in inspection checklistSubgrade, additive type and spread rate, mixing depth and moisture verified before compaction closes the section15 items15 photos Soil stabilization PunchSoil stabilization punch checklistSoft or pumping areas re-worked, curing membrane and dust addressed, grade corrections closed9 items4 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 12 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.