Fahison
Widely Spaced Stirrups
High- Cause:
- Saving on steel or rushing.
- Impact:
- Weak beam and cracks under load.
Stage 1: Formwork & RebarTie Beam Inspection
Tie Beam Inspection
Ground Beams
Tie beams are ground beams that connect the footings to each other and carry the ground floor walls. We take handover of the rebar, then the formwork, then the cover spacers and cleanliness before the pour. And if you are dealing with the contractor directly, we sit down with them before work starts and set the plan.
From 700 AED
2–3Hours per Inspection
3+1Inspections + Pre-Planning
- Specialised Engineers
- Photo Report
- All Emirates
Tie Beam ChecksIllustration
Rebar hidden after pourStirrups
What Is Tie Beam Inspection?
Tie beams (ground beams) are the beams that connect the footings to each other below ground level, prevent them from moving, and carry the ground floor walls. The tie beam inspection is an engineering visit before the pour, in which our engineers check that the rebar and formwork are executed according to the structural drawing.
The inspection matters because tie beam mistakes are buried underground: widely spaced stirrups, weak rebar anchorage at the columns, or rebar without concrete cover that rusts with moisture. They later show up as cracks in walls and floors.
Pre-Planning and the Three Inspections
Start with planning with the contractor before work begins, then the inspections in order before the pour. You can request each service on its own.
Before the Formwork & Rebar Contractor
Pre-Planning with the Formwork & Rebar Contractor
For: Owners who deal directly with subcontractors (owner-builders).
When: Before the Formwork & Rebar Contractor starts work.
Our engineers meet the formwork and rebar contractor on site before work begins to align standards, explain quality requirements and agree on the correct method of execution, so you avoid common mistakes and guesswork from the start.
What Do We Agree on with the Contractor?
Acceptance Criteria
We explain to the contractor how their work will be accepted, before they start.
Structural Drawing
Reviewing beam dimensions and bar diameters with the contractor.
Rebar and Stirrups
Laps, stirrup spacing and anchorage at columns.
Levels
Top of tie beam level relative to the floor.
Cover Spacers
Spacer thickness and positions under the rebar and on the sides.
Inspection Schedule
When we come back for handover before each step, and before the pour.
What Does Pre-Planning Prevent?
Guesswork
Every contractor does things their own way if you haven't agreed on standards.
Breaking Out After the Pour
A structural mistake after the pour means costly breaking out or strengthening.
Disputes With the Contractor
Requirements are clear and agreed before work starts, not after.
Inspection 1 of 3
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Rebar Handover
When: After the tie beam rebar and stirrups are installed.
The rebar is what ties the footings together and carries the walls, and after the pour it disappears underground. We check it before the formwork.
Key Items We Inspect
Bar Diameters
Top and bottom reinforcement according to the drawing.
Stirrups
Diameters, spacing and closer spacing at columns.
Laps
Lap lengths and locations.
Anchorage at Columns
Rebar extending into the columns and footings.
Spacing
Spacing between bars and its consistency.
Rebar Cleanliness
Free of excessive rust, oil and dirt.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Weak Anchorage at Columns
High- Cause:
- Short bars that do not extend into the column.
- Impact:
- Beam separating from the column over time.
Bar Diameter Smaller Than the Drawing
High- Cause:
- Misreading the drawing or cost-cutting.
- Impact:
- A beam that cannot carry the required loads.
Inspection 2 of 3
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Formwork Handover
When: After the formwork around the tie beams is installed.
The formwork sets the beam's dimensions, level and alignment. Any mistake in it shows in the concrete after the pour.
Key Items We Inspect
Beam Dimensions
Width and depth according to the drawing.
Axes and Alignment
Beams straight between footings.
Levels
Top of tie beam level.
Fixing and Support
Panels fixed firmly enough to withstand the pour.
Tight Joints
No gaps between the panels.
Verticality
Formwork sides plumb.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Incorrect Level
Medium- Cause:
- Level not set before the pour.
- Impact:
- Problems with floor and wall levels.
Poorly Supported Formwork
High- Cause:
- Insufficient props.
- Impact:
- Beam bulging during the pour.
Gaps Between Panels
Medium- Cause:
- Damaged panels or loose installation.
- Impact:
- Mix water leakage and honeycombing.
Inspection 3 of 3
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Cover Spacers and Cleanliness
When: Immediately before the tie beam pour.
The last chance before the pour. Cover spacers protect the rebar from soil moisture, and the beams must be clean of any debris.
Key Items We Inspect
Cover Spacers Under Rebar
Presence, distribution and thickness.
Side Cover Spacers
Distance between the rebar and the formwork sides.
Beam Cleanliness
Free of dust, debris and wood offcuts.
Rebar Stability
Rebar tied and not moving during the pour.
Final Axes
A final check before the pour.
Previous Observations
Confirming that rebar and formwork observations have been rectified.
Most Common Problems at This Stage
Rebar Without Cover Spacers
High- Cause:
- Negligence or shortage of spacers.
- Impact:
- Exposed rebar rusts with soil moisture.
Debris Inside the Beams
Medium- Cause:
- Not cleaned before the pour.
- Impact:
- Weaker concrete in those areas.
Rebar Moving During the Pour
Medium- Cause:
- Poor tying.
- Impact:
- Uneven concrete cover.
Equipment We Use
From the Fahison equipment featured on our home page.
Tape MeasureSpirit Level
Tips Before the Inspection
To help you get more out of the visit.
Do
- Request the rebar inspection before the contractor installs the formwork.
- Book all 3 inspections if you want full coverage before the pour.
- Have the structural drawings available on site.
Avoid
- Pouring before the rebar and formwork are inspected.
- Accepting changes to bar diameters without consulting the structural engineer.
- Leaving rebar in contact with the soil without spacers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tie Beam Inspection.
What is a tie beam?
Ground beams that connect the footings to each other, carry the ground floor walls and prevent the footings from moving.
What is pre-planning?
An on-site session with the formwork and rebar contractor before they start, where we agree on quality standards, method of execution and inspection dates. Suitable for owners dealing with subcontractors directly, from AED 500.
Do I have to book all three inspections?
No, you can book any one of them on its own. But all three together cover the whole item before the pour.
How long does the inspection take?
2 to 3 hours.
How much does a tie beam inspection cost?
From AED 700.
Inspections in the Same Stage
Formwork & Rebar.
Has Tie Beam Work Started?
Book the rebar inspection before the formwork goes up, and we'll arrange the visit time with you.