Section 03.37.13 covers dry-mix and wet-mix shotcrete for structural, architectural, repair, and overhead applications. Shotcrete requires precise control of nozzle technique, lift sequencing, rebound removal, and substrate preparation, factors that influence encapsulation, bond, and long-term performance.The three-phase QAQC flow, Preparatory, Initial, and Follow-Up, ensures conditions are correct before shooting begins, validates proper technique at the first placement, and maintains consistent application as production continues.
With FTQ360, inspectors capture substrate photos, lift sequences, rebound-removal documentation, and temperature logs, creating an auditable record of shotcrete quality and performance.
You use this checklist from initial substrate preparation through curing. Preparatory steps confirm approved materials, mix designs, equipment setup, moisture conditioning, mockups, and nozzle-operator qualifications, controls that directly affect the root causes of laminations and poor bond.
During the Initial phase, inspectors verify the first nozzle technique, stand-off distance, lift thickness, rebound removal, and encapsulation of reinforcement.
The Follow-Up phase tracks ongoing shooting consistency, workability, curing, temperature, and substrate moisture, ensuring the early controls are maintained throughout production.
By completion, inspectors document surface finish, core recovery (when specified), curing duration, and repairs, creating a complete QAQC trail tied to each location or panel.
Shotcrete exhibits recurring field issues because nozzle technique, substrate condition, timing, and rebound management all converge during placement.
Most failures begin in the Preparatory and Initial phases, where equipment calibration, substrate moisture, and shoot-sequence control determine whether the material bonds and consolidates correctly.
The failure modes below link directly to FTQ360 checkpoints in all three phases.
Root cause: Placing subsequent lifts too soon over material that has not taken initial set, excessive stand-off distance, or shooting at an incorrect angle.
Field indicators: Layered separations, hollow-sounding zones, or core samples revealing weak plane lines.
FTQ360 Inspection: Preparatory-phase entries confirm mockup acceptance; Initial-phase timestamped lift-sequence logs and photos document proper setup; Follow-Up checks track lift timing and nozzle technique to prevent recurrence.
Root cause: Allowing rebound to remain behind reinforcing, in corners, or within deep sections.
Field indicators: Honeycombing, poor encapsulation around bars, or loose material in localized areas.
FTQ360 Inspection: Preparatory-phase equipment and crew coordination checks include rebound-removal plans; Initial-phase inspections document removal practices at the first lifts; Follow-Up observations track rebound-related defects by location.
Root cause: Dry, absorbent, dirty, or insufficiently roughened substrates; inadequate SSD condition.
Field indicators: Drummy or hollow areas, delamination at interface, or peeling edges when trimmed.
FTQ360 Inspection: Preparatory-phase substrate-prep photos and SSD verification establish baseline conditions; Initial-phase checks confirm surface moisture before shooting; Follow-Up logs detect recurring bond-loss areas across similar substrate types.
Root cause: Incorrect nozzle angle, sweeping too quickly, inconsistent stand-off distance, or poor access.
Field indicators: Rock pockets, coarse-aggregate streaks, uneven encapsulation of reinforcement.
FTQ360 Inspection: Initial-phase technique verification ensures correct angle/distance; Follow-Up entries document nozzle consistency, access constraints, and corrective actions.
Root cause: Uneven moisture retention, hot/dry ambient conditions, or delayed curing initiation.
Field indicators: Surface checking, map cracking, or shrinkage cracks forming during early curing.
FTQ360 Inspection: Preparatory-phase curing plans are logged; Initial-phase curing-start timestamps are recorded; Follow-Up entries track temperature logs and curing duration by panel.
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Prepare for success by verifying that personnel, materials, equipment, and documentation are ready for work to begin. Inspectors confirm approved mix designs, nozzle-operator certifications, mockup acceptance, equipment calibration, and air supply performance.
Substrates are cleaned, roughened, and brought to SSD condition based on manufacturer and mix requirements, controls directly tied to bond-failure and lamination risks.
Access paths, shooting sequences, and rebound-removal plans are reviewed, and environmental controls (wind, temperature, humidity) are in place.
FTQ360 captures these baseline conditions so the Initial phase begins from a known and verified starting point.
This phase confirms that work starts correctly. Inspectors observe the first nozzle technique, angle, distance, and sweeping motion, verifying equipment pressure, lift thickness, and adherence to mockup standards.
These checks directly counteract the failure modes associated with laminations, shadow zones, and rebound pockets. Substrates are rechecked for SSD condition, and photos document reinforcement encapsulation and substrate coverage.
Any deviations, such as insufficient build or nozzle instability, are corrected immediately so production work follows a validated standard.
This phase aims to keep work proceeding correctly. Inspectors monitor consistency of nozzle technique, access to congested reinforcement, uniform lift thickness, curing initiation, and ongoing environmental conditions.
These checks link directly to the indicators identified in the failure modes, rebound buildup, lift-timing drift, and bond-loss patterns.
FTQ360’s location-linked entries allow crews to detect recurring issues (e.g., weak pockets at corners or behind bars) and adjust shooting angles, lift sequencing, or curing practices before defects repeat across panels.
All of the work culminates with a final result; this phase ensures the completed installation meets project requirements.
Inspectors verify surface quality, trim lines, curing duration, and any specified testing such as core sampling or probe penetration.
Areas requiring patching are documented with photos and tied to specific lifts.
Final records, including lift-sequence logs, curing timestamps, environmental readings, and substrate preparation photos, are compiled in FTQ360 to create a defensible closeout package for acceptance.
ACI 506.2 – Specification for Shotcrete.
FTQ360 runs on tablets and phones (online or offline), allowing inspectors to capture photos and measurements at the point of work.
Required fields and conditional logic prevent skips and enforce holds. Time and user stamps maintain traceability, and lot/location tracking ties each reinforcement inspection to the pour or structural element.
Dashboards reveal patterns, such as recurring low cover or splice drift, so teams can correct issues before they propagate across floors or shear walls.
Prefer the FTQ360 in-app setup?
Open Checklist Setup → Library, search for the code and tap to clone the checklist.
Then tailor checkpoint templates to your requirements.
If your team still needs paper in select areas, you can print the PDF from the FTQ360 app, mark it up in the field, then transcribe results and attach photos later, just note that paper won’t enforce required fields, conditional logic, or holds like the app does.
For step-by-step help, visit support.ftq360.com.
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