field review - what should I check?
field review - what should I check?
(OP)
I am a structural engineer. I would like to know what should be done for field review as a professional in the concrete construction site. Any special item I should check? Comment and suggestion are appreciated very much. Thank.






RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
Dik
RE: field review - what should I check?
Add a squint / eyebrow furl with a head cock to the side. Hold for 5 seconds, add a few degrees, hold and release.
Watch as people look at what you just looked at.
Points of interest:
1. Required steel is there and in place
2. Spacing
3. Clearance
4. Splices
5. Size
6. Orientation
7. Construction joint locations (if specified on plans)
8. Isolation materials at walls / pipes if needed
9. Water stops if needed
10. Embedded steel for the next pour is in place
11. . . .
RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
In effect, this was what my first boss was saying as he bitched about me burning his profits on the job, when I took too long checking shop drawings or out on inspections. You only ended up with 7 redlined items on those shop drawing, or you only came back with 4 items which needed fixing on this inspection trip, why didn't you check those things first and be done with it, what took you so long? Obviously with his vast experience over mine, he was much quicker at seeing what needed red lining, or seeing clear across the construction site what needed inspecting, but that comes with time. So, take the time and use and study aids like those suggested above. Furthermore, you were involved in the design so you should know some of the spots that might need a little special attention.
So, give er hell, be thorough, and keep in mind that forming carpenters, iron workers and cement finishers don't know everything, or even nearly as much as they think they do. But, you can still learn by watching them and taking an interest in what they are doing. Why does it go together easier this way, can my design account for that in the future?
RE: field review - what should I check?
If the contractor is nice to me, I will give him a copy of the checklist in advance (with a lot of things added), and usually, viola - everything is fixed by the time I get there.
RE: field review - what should I check?
Thank JAE for providing link to "Construction Admin - Legal Responsibility". I do have some questions concerning responsibility. I will read comments there.
Your comments are appreciated very much.
RE: field review - what should I check?
Request concrete tests, I would ask to see 1 test result per 50 cubic metres of placed concrete.
RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
What are the ramifications if the columns are cast too high? I image it would affect punching shear because of the change of location of the construction joint and the flexural capacity of the slab over the support.
What are the rectifications if the columns are cast to high? Would it be as simple as jackhammering the columns down to the correct level.
Have you noticed columns poured to the incorrect level regularly in your time and how do you ensure the builder cast's the columns to the correct level?
Apologies for hijacking this thread, it is something for my own interest when performing field inspections.
RE: field review - what should I check?
Ensuring builders do the right thing? I think that is impossible. Ignorance can't be eradicated. We just have to do the best we can. I think some builders deliberately cast columns high to aid in making neat joints.
RE: field review - what should I check?
Newlearner, you also need to make sure that the builders pour the columns before they pour the deck. I prefer at least a day prior.
RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
I often have had nightmares about this...
Oh, and DO NOT approve anything that is either not in place yet, as in "I was going to do that tomorrow", or that you cannot see, as in " I was going to call you, but just had to pour".
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: field review - what should I check?
Also NewLearner, tell the builder that you are to approve all cutting and bending of reo. Otherwise before you know it all of your column starter bars will be cut off because they clash with a PT anchor.
RE: field review - what should I check?
BA
RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
But is 20mm higher unacceptable? I'm always ready to listen to advice.
RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
In a beam, a small projection might be OK. But in a flat slab or flat plate, punching shear is critical, so it is unacceptable to allow projection of the column into the slab. Punching shear capacity is directly proportional to the effective depth, and if the effective depth is decreased, that also limits the critical shear perimeter. So this is one issue on which I won't compromise in the field.
RE: field review - what should I check?
If the column projects 20mm (say 3/4") above the form, bo drops to 62.5" and bo*d becomes 226.5.
The shear strength decreases to 79% of its value with full depth. Also, the vertical sides of the column rising into the slab tend to cause a stress riser.
Get out the cold chisel.
BA
RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
If you are not thorough and sequential you will miss things. I agree with the general overlook first though, sometimes you cannot see the forest for the trees.
I still have copies of my markups from years ago, they make good references.
RE: field review - what should I check?
Be approachable. Encourage questions from the guys building your project. Donate your lunch hour to learning how your design can be better built the guy doing it in the field. I can guarantee this will win you more return business than you can imagine while earning you respect that will last for years.
RE: field review - what should I check?
On the other hand, any attempt at hiding annoyance is equally wrong. If you come across something which is totally botched up, you must tell the superintendent in no uncertain terms to correct it before resuming further work. If it means canceling a concrete pour, do it.
BA
RE: field review - what should I check?
RE: field review - what should I check?
Saying "Don't agree to anything" is too broad. An engineer should be able to make decisions on site about things he is inspecting, and if not, he has a phone. Now, if you mean real changes which require some study, I agree with you.