omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.

com 13 Feb 2024

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

Table Of Contents
1: Footing Inspections Checklist

2: Columns and Walls Inspections Checklist

3: Suspended Slab Inspections Checklist

4: Steelwork Inspections Checklist

5: Timber Framing Inspections Checklist

6: Inspections Tools

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

INITIAL THOUGHTS

A successful site inspection is most of the time the result of good

communication and rapport with the builder on site. This structural
inspection checklist has NOT been created to cover every and each item
related to the construction of a building. Inspecting a construction site
requires full attention, focus and generally the supervision of an
experienced engineer.
A general checklist will not tell you that the contractor has excavated too
close to an existing building nor that the architects have changed their
mind and decided to use a heavier finish or add a wall or screen that
catches more wind. You will need to be able to pick up those things on site
or no one will.
Understanding the load paths of the design is crucial before you start
comparing the drawings on paper to what has been built on site. If
something does not look right to you, it is probably because it is not right.
Remember, you must build trust on site. You are a problem solver, so act
like one.
I express my appreciation to all of you who always offer valuable
suggestions and corrected errors. Your comments, corrections, suggestions
and recommendations are very welcome. Please email me at
benginaustralia@outlook.com

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG AT: The Brazilian Engineer in Australia - Helping
Engineers. Transform the World (benginaustralia.com)

DISCLAIMER
While the contents of this Ebook are believed to be accurate and complete,
the information given is intended for general guidance and does not
replace the services of professional advisers on specific projects.
None of what I teach should be taken as advice and you should always
have your designs and work reviewed by a competent registered engineer.

COPYRIGHT
Distribution of this Ebook and posting it in social media, websites etc will
be illegal as it infringes the copyright.
Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without written
permission constitutes an infringement of copyright.

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

FOOTING INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
1 Structural drawings:

• Review and study the structural drawings and specifications.

• Ensure that you bring a copy of the drawings to the site.

2 Inspection Report book:

• Write down any rectification works. If major rectification and/or you are
NOT happy with the items inspected, tick the box “Not approved,
further inspection required”. If you are happy with the inspection, tick
the box “Approved” and write your standard comments (“Ensure cover
is maintained during pour”,”Ensure concrete strength as per drawings”
etc).

3 Documenting and Communicating:

• Take lots of photos and videos. If in doubt, call your senior engineer.
If the contractor asks you questions you don’t know the answer, say
you have to double check in the office and will get back to them asap.
You have to build trust. You are the problem solver, so act like one.
• Email the inspection report to your manager and the builder.
• Colour all inspected items or reference them by grid lines or
numbers. This will ensure that you know what must be inspected next
and do not miss anything.

4 Dimensions, cover, cleanliness :

• Check depth, width and length of pad footings

• Check depth and width of strip footings
• Check base width, depth and key depth of retaining wall footing
• Check bore hole diameter and depth of bored piers
• (If pier depth exceeds 1.5 – 2m consult engineer for reinforcement)
• Check adequate cover has been achieved (side, btm, top)
• Ensure clean base (no loose soil, no debris, no water)
• Check pipes are not running parallel (inside) the footing.
• Pipes should pass through middle third of footing or refer details.
• Check screw pile locations and ensure no off-center piles at strip
footings.

5 Reinforcement:

• Check reinforcement size, number of bars and cog of pad footings

• Check reinforcement size, number of bars, spacing of ligs (if
specified), lap length of strip footings
C Brazilian Engineer in Australia
omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

FOOTING INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
5 Reinforcement:

• Check reinforcement at corners, intersections and steps

• Check strip footings or ground beams reinforcement ties/develops
into pad footings.
• Check all lap lengths.
• Ensure screw piles are engaged into footing (if specified)
• Check bored pier reinforcement cage (if specified)
• Check holding down bolts embedment length, size, spacing, edge
distance and detail (welded nut, U-bolt, cogged bolt etc)
• If steel columns cast into footing, check embedment length and
corrosion protection paint if external.
• Ensure that the starter bars are tied to main bars or will be installed
during the pour if acceptable.
• Check ligs for support at starter bars for RC columns.
• When inspecting cantilever retaining wall footings, ensure that the
starter bars are tied to the main reinforcement and placed on the
correct face of the wall. Check lap length of starters.

6 Concrete Strength

• Check with the builder to ensure that he is aware of the concrete

strength required.
• If pump-line used, slurry at the beginning of the job should not be
placed into bore holes

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

COLUMN & WALLS INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
1 Structural drawings:

• Review and study the structural drawings and specifications.

• Ensure that you bring a copy of the drawings to the site.

2 Inspection Report book:

• Write down any rectification works. If major rectification and/or you are
NOT happy with the items inspected, tick the box “Not approved,
further inspection required”. If you are happy with the inspection, tick
the box “Approved” and write your standard comments (“Ensure cover
is maintained during pour”,”Ensure concrete strength as per drawings”
All blockwork to be fully core filled” etc).

3 Documenting and Communicating:

• Take lots of photos and videos. If in doubt, call your senior engineer.
If the contractor asks you questions you don’t know the answer, say
you have to double check in the office and will get back to them asap.
You have to build trust. You are the problem solver, so act like one.
• Email the inspection report to your manager and the builder.
• Colour all inspected items or reference them by grid lines or
numbers. This will ensure that you know what must be inspected next
and do not miss anything.

4 Suggested methodology:

• Walk the entire area checking dimensions and reinforcement.

• Walk back checking cover, spacing and lap length.
• Note down any issues encountered.
It is easier to check one item at a time. Adjust methodology to suit
you and the project.

4 Dimensions, cover, joints :

• Check thickness of concrete walls or blockwork type.

• Check dimensions of concrete or block columns.
• Check adequate cover has been achieved or will be achieved after
formwork is in place (Ensure maximum cover is not exceeded for
crack control and ensure cover is precise for cantilever retaining
walls).
• Check control joint locations
• Check bond beam, lintels size.
• Check cleanout block course. Ensure no mortar spills.
C Brazilian Engineer in Australia
omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

COLUMN & WALLS INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
5 Reinforcement:

• Check main vertical & horizontal reinforcement size and spacing in

walls.
• Check main vertical reinforcement, ligs and spacing in columns.
• Check extra ligs for splice at bottom and top of columns.
• Check column bar crank if required.
• Check all lap lengths.
• Check starter bar length is suitable for continuation of wall or columns
above.
• Check vertical reinforcement of retaining walls are placed on the
correct face of the wall.
• Check reinforcement of walls at corners, intersections and control
joints.
• Check intersection between vertical bars and ligs of columns are tied
together.
• Check starter bars of columns are tied to the main vertical bars.
• Check bond beam main reinforcement size, number of bars, ligs and
spacing.
• Check extra reinforcement at openings.

6 Concrete Strength

• Check with the builder to ensure that he is aware of the concrete

strength required.

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

SUSPENDED SLAB & BEAMS INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
1 Structural drawings:

• Review and study the structural drawings and specifications.

• Ensure that you bring a copy of the drawings to the site.

2 Inspection Report book:

• Write down any rectification works. If major rectification and/or you are
NOT happy with the items inspected, tick the box “Not approved,
further inspection required”. If you are happy with the inspection, tick
the box “Approved” and write your standard comments (“Ensure cover
is maintained during pour”,”Ensure concrete strength as per drawings”
etc).

3 Documenting and Communicating:

• Take lots of photos and videos. If in doubt, call your senior engineer.
If the contractor asks you questions you don’t know the answer, say
you have to double check in the office and will get back to them asap.
You have to build trust. You are the problem solver, so act like one.
• Email the inspection report to your manager and the builder.
• Colour all inspected items or reference them by grid lines or
numbers. This will ensure that you know what must be inspected next
and do not miss anything.

4 Suggested methodology:

• Walk the entire area checking the supports and edge connections.
• Ensure that all the columns and walls supporting the slab are in
place and the suspended slab is properly propped.
• Check that non-loadbearing walls below have not been built as load
bearing (gap between soffit and wall).
• Walk the entire area again checking thicknesses, beam dimensions,
cover and bar sizes.
• Walk the entire area checking btm reinforcement in both directions
• Walk the entire area checking top reinforcement in both directions
• Walk the entire area checking extra reinforcement, trimmers and
starter bars if required.
• Note down any issues encountered.
It is easier to check one item at a time. Adjust methodology to suit
you and the project.
• Ensure basement walls are propped.

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

SUSPENDED SLAB & BEAMS INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
5 Dimensions, cover, joints :

• Check thickness of slab and stairs.

• Check dimensions of concrete beams.
• Check adequate cover has been achieved (+5mm max tolerance).
• Check side cover of beams and slabs.
• Check cover at steps.
• Check column or wall under is at soffit level. If protruding into
suspended slab more than 20mm, contact design engineer.
• Check pipes and services are not running laterally within the slab.
• Check construction joint location if required

6 Reinforcement:

• Check btm reinforcement size and spacing in both directions.

• Check top reinforcement size and spacing in both directions.
• Check extra reinforcement, trimmers, cogs and step details.
• Check integrity reinforcement
• Check reinforcement laying sequence.
• Check main reinforcement size, number of bars, ligs size and
spacing in RC beams.
• Check all lap lengths.
• Check lap locations.
• Check ligs for support at starter bars of RC columns.
• Check starter bar length is suitable for walls and columns above.

7 Concrete Strength

• Check with the builder to ensure that he is aware of the concrete

strength required.

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

STEELWORK INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
1 Structural drawings:

• Review and study the structural drawings and specifications.

• Ensure that you bring a copy of the drawings to the site.

2 Inspection Report book:

• Write down any rectification works. If major rectification and/or you are
NOT happy with the items inspected, tick the box “Not approved,
further inspection required”. If you are happy with the inspection, tick
the box “Approved” and write your standard comments.

3 Documenting and Communicating:

• Take lots of photos and videos. If in doubt, call your senior engineer.
If the contractor asks you questions you don’t know the answer, say
you have to double check in the office and will get back to them asap.
You have to build trust. You are the problem solver, so act like one.
• Email the inspection report to your manager and the builder.
• Colour all inspected items or reference them by grid lines or
numbers. This will ensure that you know what must be inspected next
and do not miss anything.

4 Suggested methodology:

• Walk the entire area, understand the load path and check if all
structural elements make sense to you.
• Check bay widths, main steel framing and connections.
• Check purlin/girts spacing, lap, bridging.
• Note down any issues encountered.
It is easier to check one item at a time. Adjust methodology to suit
you and the project.

5 Dimensions and connections:

• Check sizes of columns and rafters/beams.

• Check sizes of purlins and girts, spacing, lapping if required, number
of bridging and flybraces.
• Check bay widths (quick visual check)
• Ensure joists direction as per drawings.
• Check beams are single span or continuous as per drawings
• Check columns are continuous or stop and start.
• Check roof and wall bracing.
• Check rods have been tightened.
• Check struts. C Brazilian Engineer in Australia
omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

STEELWORK INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
5 Dimensions and connections:

• Check plates, welds and bolts of connections.

• Check stiffener plates if specified.
• Check number of bolts, sizes, arrangement and category.
• Check Chemset bolts size, spacing and edge distance.
• Check slotted holes to allow vertical movement for non-loadbearing
columns or wind mullions.

Obs: Some items can only be visually inspected. Ensure you have
previously checked and approved the shop drawings.
6 Paint and protection

• Ensure external steelwork, fixings and fasteners are hot dip

galvanized.

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

TIMBER FRAMING INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
1 Structural drawings:

• Review and study the structural drawings and specifications.

• Ensure that you bring a copy of the drawings to the site.

2 Inspection Report book:

• Write down any rectification works. If major rectification and/or you are
NOT happy with the items inspected, tick the box “Not approved,
further inspection required”. If you are happy with the inspection, tick
the box “Approved” and write your standard comments.
3 Documenting and Communicating:

• Take lots of photos and videos. If in doubt, call your senior engineer.
If the contractor asks you questions you don’t know the answer, say
you have to double check in the office and will get back to them asap.
You have to build trust. You are the problem solver, so act like one.
• Email the inspection report to your manager and the builder.
• Colour all inspected items or reference them by grid lines or
numbers. This will ensure that you know what must be inspected next
and do not miss anything.

4 Suggested methodology:

• Walk the entire area, understand the load paths and check if all
structural elements make sense to you.
• Start inspection from the roof and make your way down following the
visualized load paths.
• Note down any issues encountered.
It is easier to check one item at a time. Adjust methodology to suit
you and the project.

5 Dimensions and connections:

• Check size, spacing and timber product/specie (grade mark) of

rafters.
• Check size and timber product/specie of roof beams, lintels and
wind beams.
• Check roof bracing.
• Check bracing walls, nail spacing.
• Check tie-down rods are not loose.
• Check tie-down spacing and continuity from roof to footings.
• Check bracing wall connection to roof diaphragm (shear blocks).
• Check internal load bearing walls have adequate tie-down.
C Brazilian Engineer in Australia
omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

TIMBER FRAMING INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST

No Description Notes
5 Dimensions and connections:

• Check additional tie-down at girder truss location.

• Check non-load bearing internal walls brackets to trusses (allow
vertical movement)
• Check wall framing: stud sizes and spacing, noggings, jamb studs,
top and bottom plates.
• Check extra studs under point loads.
• Check window sill and trimmers.
• Check size and timber product/specie (grade mark) of bearers.
• Check cambered beams have not been installed upside-down.
• Check beam laminations are properly fastened together.
• Check size, timber product/specie and spacing of joists.
• Check joists directions are as per drawings.
• Check bracing wall connection to floor diaphragm (shear blocks).
• Check size of columns.
• Check beams are single or continuous span as per drawings
• Check columns are continuous or stop and start.
• Check plates, welds and bolts of connections.
• Check stiffener plates if specified.
• Check number of bolts, sizes, arrangement and category.
• Check Chemset bolts size, spacing and edge distance.
• Check nail and screw fixings. Check spacing and edge distances.
• Check for pipes and services running through structural members.
• Check for broken elements

6 Paint and protection

• Ensure external timber framing exposed to weather is H3 or H4

treated or adequate hardwood.

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia

omar.al-azzzawi@hotmail.com 13 Feb 2024

INSPECTION TOOLS CHECKLIST

No Item Description Notes
Tape measure • Check dimensions of structural elements on
1 site, pre-design inspection measurements.
(or laser
measurer)
PPE • Hard hat, safety boots and reflected vest.
2 • Safety gloves, eyes, hearing and face protection
equipment may be required for some sites.

Vernier Caliper • Often used on Forensic inspections.

3

CHECK OUT MY OTHER E-BOOK TO LEARN HOW TO DESIGN A

REINFORCED CONCRETE BLOCK RETAINING WALL STEP-BY-STEP
FROM START TO FINISH. https://payhip.com/b/kwHZf

C Brazilian Engineer in Australia