TryBuildCalc

Pile Foundation Verification Checklist

Essential Checklist+

Complete these critical checks before approving the work or proceeding to the next construction stage.

✓14 Inspection Points
✓5 Verification Categories
✓Design & Soil Confirmation+
  • Pile diameter, length, count, and layout are taken directly from the geotechnical report and approved structural design, not estimated.
  • Pile capacity (from the design/load test) exceeds the actual column load with the applicable safety factor, including any group effect reduction for closely spaced piles.
  • Pile spacing on the drawing meets the minimum centre-to-centre spacing required by the applicable design code for the pile diameter used.
✓Boring / Driving & Verification+
  • Each pile position is set out and verified against the foundation layout drawing before boring/driving begins.
  • Pile plumb (verticality) is checked and within the applicable tolerance throughout boring/driving, not just at the start.
  • Boring is taken to the design depth/founding stratum, confirmed by the site engineer (or driving resistance meets the specified set/refusal criteria for driven piles).
✓Reinforcement Verification+
  • Main bar diameter and count match the structural drawing, with cover blocks/spacer wheels maintaining consistent cover all around the cage.
  • Helical/spiral tie diameter and pitch match the drawing along the full cage length, tied securely to the main bars.
  • Lap length used matches the applicable code's requirement for the bar diameter and concrete grade, not an assumed default.
  • Cage is lowered centred in the bore hole (or aligned in the casing) and held in position — not resting off-centre or on the base — before concreting.
  • Cage extends the correct projection length above cut-off level for the future pile cap's development/lap length into it.
✓Casting & Quality Control+
  • Concrete slump/workability is appropriate for tremie or pump placement through a confined, often wet or slurry-filled bore hole.
  • Concrete is placed by tremie (or another method appropriate to standing water/drilling fluid conditions) rather than free-fall, to avoid segregation.
✓Final Check+
  • Pile is cut down to the exact design cut-off level, with main bars exposed and clean for development into the pile cap.
Full QC Checklist+

Verify design/soil confirmation, boring/driving, reinforcement, casting/QC, and final check.

✓25 Inspection Points
✓5 Verification Categories
✓Design & Soil Confirmation+
  • Pile diameter, length, count, and layout are taken directly from the geotechnical report and approved structural design, not estimated.
  • Pile capacity (from the design/load test) exceeds the actual column load with the applicable safety factor, including any group effect reduction for closely spaced piles.
  • Pile spacing on the drawing meets the minimum centre-to-centre spacing required by the applicable design code for the pile diameter used.
  • Installation method (bored/cast-in-situ vs. driven precast, casing vs. drilling fluid) is confirmed against the ground conditions in the geotechnical report.
  • The reinforcement schedule used for ordering is prepared from the latest approved drawing revision, with the revision number noted.
✓Boring / Driving & Verification+
  • Each pile position is set out and verified against the foundation layout drawing before boring/driving begins.
  • Pile plumb (verticality) is checked and within the applicable tolerance throughout boring/driving, not just at the start.
  • Boring is taken to the design depth/founding stratum, confirmed by the site engineer (or driving resistance meets the specified set/refusal criteria for driven piles).
  • Loose material/slurry at the base of a bored pile is cleaned out before reinforcement and concrete placement.
  • Casing (where used) is withdrawn in a controlled sequence that keeps pace with concrete placement, avoiding a soil collapse or concrete break.
✓Reinforcement Verification+
  • Main bar diameter and count match the structural drawing, with cover blocks/spacer wheels maintaining consistent cover all around the cage.
  • Helical/spiral tie diameter and pitch match the drawing along the full cage length, tied securely to the main bars.
  • Lap splice locations along the cage are staggered per the applicable code, not concentrated at the same level across all bars.
  • Lap length used matches the applicable code's requirement for the bar diameter and concrete grade, not an assumed default.
  • Cage is lowered centred in the bore hole (or aligned in the casing) and held in position — not resting off-centre or on the base — before concreting.
  • Cage extends the correct projection length above cut-off level for the future pile cap's development/lap length into it.
✓Casting & Quality Control+
  • Concrete slump/workability is appropriate for tremie or pump placement through a confined, often wet or slurry-filled bore hole.
  • Concrete is placed by tremie (or another method appropriate to standing water/drilling fluid conditions) rather than free-fall, to avoid segregation.
  • Concreting proceeds continuously without a planned cold joint partway down the pile.
  • Concrete is cast to a level slightly above the design cut-off level, allowing for laitance/weak concrete at the very top to be chipped away later.
  • A pile integrity test (e.g. low-strain PIT) or another applicable quality check is scheduled for a representative sample of piles.
✓Final Check+
  • Pile is cut down to the exact design cut-off level, with main bars exposed and clean for development into the pile cap.
  • No visible honeycombing, necking, or contamination at the exposed pile head.
  • Total concrete and steel used is reconciled against this calculator's estimate (or the project BBS) before closing out the item in records.
  • As-built pile position, verticality, depth, and any integrity test results are recorded and signed off by the site engineer before the pile cap is cast over it.
Inspection Notes+
Use the latest approved drawings, specifications, and site measurements.
Complete all critical checks before proceeding to the next work stage.
Record deviations and confirm rectification where required.

Related Calculators & Guides

Pile Foundation CalculatorOpen the related calculator and verify the current project inputs.

FAQ

Use it after collecting the project inputs and again before approving or closing the relevant work stage.
No. It supports verification but does not replace approved drawings, specifications, codes, manufacturer requirements, or professional inspection.