DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
(OP)
Can anybody explain me how to inspect drilled piers reinforcement before concrete placement?
Spread footing foundation inspection is pretty straight forward, but how can i see and check rebars inside the drilled hole?
Thanks.
Spread footing foundation inspection is pretty straight forward, but how can i see and check rebars inside the drilled hole?
Thanks.






RE: DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
RE: DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
The piers are 18ft deep....
RE: DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
1. That they used the correct number and size of vertical bars.
2. That the hooping or ties are as specified.
3. That the vertical bars extend out of the pier top the required distance to properly lap with the future upper reinforcement.
4. That the vertical bar cage is provided with the required clear distance from the hole face (usually 3").
5. That the bottom of the pier is clear of excessive debris, loose dirt, etc. (i.e. it should be cleaned out well.
6. If required - verify the base of the pier is on the expected soil strata - this can vary greatly from site to site - read the geotechnical report. Sometimes piers are simply founded at a set depth (your 18 feet), or based X distance into a particular type of material (such as 3 feet into blue shale).
Usually with items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 you can do this with a mirror (per above suggestion) or a very high powered flashlight. Item 6 is usually performed during drilling - and many times the geotechnical engineer is hired to validate the pier depth.
RE: DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
RE: DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
1. ACI 336.1-01: Specification for the Construction of Drilled Piers
2. DOT Drilled Pier Inspection Manuals. Example:
http://www
In some jurisdictions, if the cage has been lowered prior to the inspector's arrival, the contractor is required to take the cage out so the inspector can perform a visual inspection.
RE: DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
The whole group was situated at the bottom of what looked to be a huge belled pier bottom - shaft perhaps 10 feet and bell much larger. I wonder if the photo is out there on the net somewhere. I'd love to get a copy.
I don't think they were inspecting the pier - but perhaps already had done so and were taking advantage of the cool air and shade.
RE: DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
Unless you go down into the caisson, it will be very difficult to tell if you have "muck" on the bottom - or not. There are, of course, methods to determine this - or perhaps the design "ignores" the base loading (not usually with bells).
Today - we have gone into caissons before lowering cages (if required) - but you'll have to make sure you follow confined space protocols.
RE: DRILLED PIERS INSPECTION
Ryan Coggins, P.E., S.I.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/ryancoggins