By

Samantha Nemeny

Last Updated Sep 30, 2026

By

Samantha Nemeny

Concrete: It’s the key building block of nearly every structure’s foundation — and it’s the world's most widely used building material.

For most head contractors, understanding how to assess concrete safety, strength, and durability is crucial. One of the main ways that happens is through a concrete inspection.

Concrete inspections test that concrete on a project matches the specifications in the design plan and is going to be safe, strong, and durable over time. Passing the concrete inspection is required for most other parts of construction to commence, so delays can result in the project falling behind, money being lost, or the site becoming unsafe.

The Basics of Concrete Inspections

Inspections are usually done by a third-party company that specialises in concrete. The inspector will be onsite for the duration of the pour to collect samples and oversee logistics, including monitoring formwork, verifying design specs, and problem-solving if the concrete doesn’t perform as expected. The head contractor is often responsible for hiring the inspector, though it can also be done by the principal or someone acting on their behalf.

When a building is being designed, concrete is selected based on a number of factors, including the building’s size, how it will be used, local building regulations, and environmental elements the concrete will have to endure.

Strength in concrete refers to how much pressure it can endure, which is measured in megapascals (MPa). Each type has a strength grade it is expected to be able to handle after a certain amount of curing time.

In Australia the framework is set by three standards. AS 1379 covers the specification and supply of concrete, the AS 1012 series sets out the methods of testing, and AS 3600 governs concrete structures. Together they define what is specified, how it is tested, and what the result has to satisfy. Most of the time, a concrete inspection is a series of strength tests done on concrete over time, most commonly in a process called cylinder tests.

What Happens During a Concrete Inspection

Concrete inspections start when a concrete truck arrives on the site. Samples from each truck are poured into cylinders, which are often made of single-use plastic for large projects that require many samples or, for smaller-scale projects, reusable steel or cast-iron. Most inspections require at least three cylinders from each truck. Australian specifications commonly require that sampling and testing be carried out by a laboratory accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). It is worth checking this before the pour rather than after.

These samples are tested to see how the concrete will handle the type of pressure it is expected to face. Because concrete cures and strengthens as it dries, tests are usually done at a minimum of three different times after pouring. Testing commonly occurs around day 7, 14, 28 or 56. The test on day 28 is often considered the defining test.

Quality and Safety

It’s a good habit for contractors to conduct regular safety and quality control inspections before, during, and after concrete is poured. On most projects this is formalised through an Inspection and Test Plan (ITP), which sets out each inspection, who carries it out and what it is checked against. Critical stages are nominated as hold points: work cannot proceed past them until the inspection has been signed off. A pre-pour hold point is the most common example, and missing one is a programme problem as much as a quality one.

For example, before the pour, it’s good to check things such as the placement and size of reinforcement, formwork, or the placement and size of sleeves and openings. After the pour, contractors should continue to monitor the appearance of concrete, looking for cracking, creeping, or slab curling.

Closeout

By the time closeout rolls around, most of the concrete work should have been completed. However, concrete work can sometimes be included as a defect item. At this late phase, issues are usually treated like one-off problems that need to be addressed before closeout can be complete.

Consider approvals & affidavits

Before building, a contractor will often submit the list of materials and work plans they have developed based on the original building design. This is received by the building’s designers or engineers, who will usually respond with confirmation or any issues. 

Know which standards and specifications apply

Requirements come from three places: the National Construction Code, the Australian Standards it references, and the project specification itself. On government work the relevant state road or water authority specification usually adds its own requirements for sampling frequency, traceability and hold points — and these differ between states, so a specification that applied on your last job may not apply on this one.

Conduct pre-install meetings

A pre-install meeting should cover all critical information about the job and the inspection. Who is in attendance depends on the project, but people commonly included would be the project manager, the foreman or site manager and possibly the designer.

Information covered might include the pour schedule, the scope of work, where concrete is and isn’t going, and verifying the type of material being used. Some pre-install meetings will include a specific checklist to ensure everyone is covered.

For example, Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia publishes guidance on concrete testing and quality assurance as part of its Guide to Concrete Construction.

Failing an Inspection

Failing a concrete inspection can make it very difficult to complete a project on time. The head contractor is usually responsible for making sure a solution is found and implemented, even if the issue wasn’t caused by them. Possible solutions could be as simple as grouting, pouring more concrete and dowelling it in, or adding additional reinforcement.

Ask specialist contractors, such as mechanical, electrical, or plumbing, to check that plans, formwork, and placements of sleeves or openings reflect their needs.

Written by

Samantha Nemeny

36 articles

Sam has spent a decade in content marketing, with eight years focused on Australia’s construction industry. She has a knack for making complex ideas easy to understand, turning industry jargon into clear, engaging stories. With a background in SEO and marketing, she’s spent the past four years at Procore, helping industry professionals navigate the world of construction with content that’s both insightful and easy to digest.

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