Table of Contents

Methodology for Casting of Pier / Abutment Shaft

Methodology for Casting of Pier / Abutment Shaft

1. Survey

The location and layout of pier and abutment shafts shall be checked with reference to established control points and benchmarks created during pile foundation works.

  • Longitudinal and transverse centerlines shall be verified before commencement of reinforcement and shuttering work.
  • Survey coordinates and offsets shall be cross-checked with approved drawings.
  • Levels and alignment shall be jointly verified with the AE before starting construction.

2. Reinforcement Work

2.1 Preparation of BBS

  • Bar Bending Schedule (BBS) shall be prepared as per approved structural drawings.
  • Submitted to AE for approval before fabrication.

2.2 Cutting & Bending

  • Reinforcement bars shall be cut as per approved BBS using manual or machine cutting.
  • Bars shall be bent as per approved shapes and dimensions.
  • All reinforcement shall be cleaned before use.

2.3 Fixing of Reinforcement

  • Reinforcement shall be placed and tied as per drawings.
  • Prefabricated cages may be used for faster execution.
  • Cover blocks, spacers, and chairs shall be provided for required cover.
  • Check spacing, laps, anchorage, and verticality before concreting.

3. Formwork

  • Formwork shall be fabricated as per approved drawings to maintain shape and alignment.
  • Standard steel shuttering shall be used wherever possible.
  • Joints shall be bolted and sealed using rubber/foam strips to prevent leakage.
  • Adequate bracing and supports shall be provided against concrete pressure.
  • Formwork shall be cleaned and shuttering oil applied before erection.
  • Alignment and verticality shall be checked as per IRC SP:112 checklist.
  • RFI shall be raised before concreting for AE approval.

4. Concreting

  • Concrete shall be produced at batching plant using approved design mix.
  • Transported using transit mixers to site.
  • Slump shall be maintained between 80 mm to 130 mm.
  • Concrete shall be placed using pump or crane bucket.
  • Free fall shall not exceed 1.5 m.
  • Compaction shall be done using 40/60 mm vibrators.
  • Cubes shall be cast as per MoRTH Clause 1718.
  • Construction joints shall be properly roughened and cleaned.
  • Concreting shall be continuous to avoid cold joints.

5. De-shuttering

  • Formwork shall be removed only after achieving required strength.
  • Removal shall be done carefully using crane or manual tools.
  • Edges and corners shall be protected during stripping.
  • Defects shall be repaired immediately after removal.

6. Curing

  • Curing shall start immediately after de-shuttering.
  • Vertical surfaces shall be covered with wet hessian cloth.
  • Continuous water sprinkling shall be ensured.
  • Top surfaces shall be water cured or ponded.
  • Minimum curing period shall be 14 days.
  • Curing compound may be used where required.

7. Deployment of Equipment

  • Batching Plant
  • Transit Mixer
  • Concrete Pump
  • Welding Generator
  • Concrete Vibrator & Needles
  • Crane
  • Truck / Trailer
  • Bar Bending Machine

Equipment deployment shall depend upon site requirement and construction schedule.

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8. Quality Control

  • Survey & alignment verification
  • Reinforcement inspection
  • Cover block & spacer check
  • Formwork alignment & verticality check
  • Concrete slump test
  • Cube strength testing
  • Construction joint inspection
  • Surface finish inspection
  • Dimensional tolerance check

9. Safety

  • Compliance with IRC and MoRTH safety standards
  • PPE: helmet, shoes, gloves, jacket, safety belt
  • Secure working platforms and ladders
  • Inspection of pumps and lifting equipment
  • Barricading and signage at work zones
  • Adequate lighting for night work
  • Traffic diversion where required
ITP for Pier / Abutment Shaft Construction

Inspection & Test Plan (ITP)

Pier / Abutment Shaft Construction Works (RCC Bridge Works)

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Legend:
H = Hold Point (Work cannot proceed without approval)
W = Witness Point (Engineer may witness)
R = Review/Record verification

1. Setting Out & Survey Works

ActivityInspection RequirementReferenceResponsibilityType
Verification of centerline & coordinatesCheck against approved drawingsGFC DrawingsContractor / EngineerH
Level & TBM confirmationBenchmark validationSurvey SOPSurveyor / EngineerW
Staking of pier/abutment locationAccuracy of layout (tolerance check)IRC SP-13EngineerH

2. Excavation / Foundation Works

ActivityInspection RequirementReferenceResponsibilityType
Excavation level & dimensionsAs per drawing limitsGFC DrawingsEngineerH
Soil bearing strata verificationGeotechnical confirmationGeotech ReportEngineer / GeotechH
Blinding concreteThickness & level checkSpecsEngineerW

3. Reinforcement Work

ActivityInspection RequirementReferenceResponsibilityType
BBS approvalBar cutting & bending verificationApproved DrawingsEngineerH
Reinforcement placementSpacing, cover, lap lengthIRC:112EngineerW
Final cage inspectionBefore shuttering closureGFC DrawingsEngineerH

4. Formwork / Shuttering

ActivityInspection RequirementReferenceResponsibilityType
Formwork design approvalStructural stability checkIS 14687EngineerH
Erection & alignmentVerticality & leakage controlMethod StatementEngineerW
Final shuttering approvalPre-pour inspectionQA/QCEngineerH

5. Concreting Works

ActivityInspection RequirementReferenceResponsibilityType
Concrete mix designApproval of design mixIRC / MORTHEngineerH
Slump testWorkability checkIS 1199QA/QCW
Cube casting7 & 28 day strength testIS 516QA/QCW
Concrete pouring approvalPre-pour clearanceMethod StatementEngineerH

6. Curing & Finishing

ActivityInspection RequirementReferenceResponsibilityType
Curing methodWater/compound curingSpecsEngineerW
Minimum curing period7–14 days complianceIRCEngineerR
Surface finishingHoneycomb inspectionQA/QCEngineerW

7. Final Inspection

ActivityInspection RequirementReferenceResponsibilityType
Dimensional checkVerticality & alignmentGFC DrawingsEngineerH
Surface inspectionNo cracks/honeycombingQA/QCEngineerW
As-built documentationFinal record submissionQA SystemContractorH
Summary:
Hold Points: Layout approval, foundation approval, reinforcement inspection, shuttering approval, pre-pour clearance, final inspection
Witness Points: Survey checks, reinforcement placement, testing, concreting, curing