Reinforced Concrete Inspection
Reinforced Concrete Inspection
This domain tests what a special inspector is expected to observe, verify, and record on a cast-in-place reinforced concrete project, and the limits of that role. Expect questions on pre-placement checklists, hold points, daily records, and how the inspector's authority flows from the building official through the statement of special inspections.
Role and authority
- The inspector observes, verifies and reports; the contractor directs the work. Never issue a verbal approval of a deviation.
- Scope comes from IBC Chapter 17 (statement of special inspections), the approved plans and the project specifications. If plans and specifications conflict, ask the designer in writing.
Pre-placement hold point
- Formwork: dimensions, line and grade, cleanliness, release agent, shoring and re-shoring.
- Reinforcement: bar size, number, spacing, laps, hooks, cover, chairs and bar supports (class per CRSI), coated-bar damage, and embedded items such as sleeves and anchor bolts.
- Confirm the mix design and batch ticket match the approved submittal, and that the crew has consolidation and curing equipment on hand.
Worked example
A beam detail shows 40 mm clear cover. On site you measure 33 mm from the form face to the No. 19 longitudinal bar. ACI 117 permits a 6 mm reduction of specified cover where the specified cover is 50 mm or less, so the smallest acceptable dimension is 34 mm. The location is out of tolerance and also below the ACI 318 minimum cover for a beam not exposed to weather. Record it, notify the contractor in writing, and request the designer's disposition.
Traps
- Measuring cover to the outside of the stirrup instead of to the main bar.
- Treating a placement tolerance as permission to go below a code minimum.
- Confusing interior cover (40 mm for beams) with cover for members exposed to weather (50 mm for No. 19 and larger).
- Accepting a substitution because the superintendent approved it verbally.