Pile Foundation Inspection

Pile driving must achieve required capacity. Driving records must document blow counts, penetration depth, and any interruptions.

1. Check driving records — blow counts should match geotechnical requirements

2. Verify pile penetration depth meets minimum design depth

3. Check for refusal or set criteria per the engineer's specifications

4. Verify pile alignment — should be plumb (within 2% of length tolerance)

5. Check for pile damage during driving (crushed tops, splits, doglegs)

6. Verify pile spacing matches foundation plan

7. Check that all piles were driven in correct sequence per plan

- Insufficient penetration depth (pile does not reach bearing layer)

- Pile damaged during driving (reduced capacity)

- Pile out of alignment (load eccentricity)

- Driving records incomplete or missing

- Wrong pile spacing

- Premature refusal (pile hits obstruction, not bearing layer)

Piles must be cut to correct elevation. Pile caps must be properly formed, reinforced, and connected to the pile with adequate embedment.

1. Verify pile cutoff elevation matches plans (within 1" tolerance)

2. Check that pile tops are clean and sound concrete/steel (not damaged from driving)

3. Verify pile reinforcement extends into pile cap by required development length

4. Check pile cap dimensions match structural plans

5. Verify pile cap reinforcement (size, spacing, cover)

6. Check that pile is centered within pile cap (within tolerance)

7. Verify connection between pile cap and grade beam or foundation wall

- Pile cut at wrong elevation

- Pile reinforcement not extended into cap (no structural connection)

- Pile cap undersized

- Pile off-center in cap (eccentric loading)

- Missing reinforcement in pile cap

- Poor connection between cap and grade beam