Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
PCI
PCI guidance covers precast and prestressed concrete: how panels, beams and double-tees are handled, set and tied into the structure. The pieces arrive finished, so the field questions are about how they land and connect: is the bearing right, are the connections welded or bolted as detailed, is the grout placed and cured. A misplaced bearing or an ungrouted keyway is far harder to fix once the next piece is on top.
Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
What it covers
- Erection sequence, setting and temporary bracing until connections are made
- Bearing length, bearing pads and seating at supports
- Connections: weld plates, bolted seats and embed alignment
- Grouting of keyways, joints and bearing pockets
- Erection tolerances, handling damage and the finished surface
What the evidence looks like
- Bearing photographed at each seat with the length and pad visible, since a short bearing is a structural defect hidden by the piece above.
- Connections photographed made up: weld plates welded, bolts torqued, embeds lined up with the detail.
- Grouting photographed placed and consolidated in keyways and pockets, not left as a gap behind a clean face.
- Temporary bracing photographed in place until the permanent connection carries the piece.
- Handling chips, spalls and cracks photographed and referred to the engineer rather than patched over quietly.
Checklists that verify work against PCI
3 free checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Precast concrete Rough-in· Precast concretePrecast concrete rough-in inspection checklistBearing, connections and embeds verified as panels are set, before closure hides them7 items11 photosPrecast concrete Final· Precast concretePrecast concrete final inspection checklistAll connections, welds and grout complete and cured, with panel joints aligned and treated5 items8 photosPrecast concrete Punch· Precast concretePrecast concrete punch checklistCloseout walk for spalls, cracks and chips, with patching and joint sealant proofed4 items6 photos
Common questions
- What is PCI?
- Precast and prestressed concrete: erection, bearing, connections, grouting and tolerances. It is published by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. PCI guidance covers precast and prestressed concrete: how panels, beams and double-tees are handled, set and tied into the structure. The pieces arrive finished, so the field questions are about how they land and connect: is the bearing right, are the connections welded or bolted as detailed, is the grout placed and cured. A misplaced bearing or an ungrouted keyway is far harder to fix once the next piece is on top.
- What does PCI cover?
- Erection sequence, setting and temporary bracing until connections are made; Bearing length, bearing pads and seating at supports; Connections: weld plates, bolted seats and embed alignment; Grouting of keyways, joints and bearing pockets; Erection tolerances, handling damage and the finished surface.
- What does a field inspection against PCI look at?
- Bearing photographed at each seat with the length and pad visible, since a short bearing is a structural defect hidden by the piece above. Connections photographed made up: weld plates welded, bolts torqued, embeds lined up with the detail. Grouting photographed placed and consolidated in keyways and pockets, not left as a gap behind a clean face. Temporary bracing photographed in place until the permanent connection carries the piece. Handling chips, spalls and cracks photographed and referred to the engineer rather than patched over quietly.
- Which edition of PCI applies to my project?
- Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Which checklists verify work against PCI?
- 3 free checklists in the RTI library reference this family. Each is listed on this page with the photo evidence every item needs before it can be submitted.
A standard is only met if the evidence exists
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.