© The College of Estate Management 2014

Paper 1430V4-0

Earthworks and concrete work

Contents

Aim and learning outcomes

1. Introduction

2. Earthworks
2.1 Excavations
2.2 Excavation ancillaries
2.3 Filling

3. Concrete work
3.1 Generally
3.2 In-situ concrete
3.3 Concrete ancillaries

4. Example of measurement

5. Example of bar bending schedule

Self-Assessment Questions

Drawing D0050: Twin Box Culvert

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Aim
 To reinforce the need for and purposes to be served by the quantitative analysis
of civil engineering work and its influence on the approach to measurement,
form and preparation of the process.

Learning outcomes
After studying this paper you should be able to:

 Prepare a quantitative analysis for building works.

 Understand the Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement, including

the application of measurement for components of constant cross section and
the like.

 Understand the measurement in current use and the influence it may have on
pricing.
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1 Introduction
The CESMM4 Work Classes of Earthworks (Class E), In-situ Concrete work (Class
F) and Concrete Ancillaries (Class G) will be considered in this paper.

Most civil engineering contracts contain extensive groundworks and large concrete
structures; few contain little or no such work. It follows that these are some of the
most used and important classes in the Standard Method.

The rules in the method are quite suitable for use for the measurement of foundations
of buildings associated with civil engineering works, with road and bridge contracts,
and with petrochemical works containing excavations and concrete bases and
structures.

After a general look at both types of work, a small example will be considered in
more detail.

2 Earthworks
2.1 Excavations
Class E of CESMM4 includes most forms of excavation, dredging, filling and
landscaping. It does not include excavation in connection with pipes, sewers,
manholes, tunnels, piling, gate and fence foundations, diaphragm walls or site
investigation. The earthworks in connection with these types of work are dealt with in
the appropriate Work Classes.

The net measurement of excavation is deemed to include excavating, upholding the

sides of the excavation, allowances for working space, and keeping it free from water.
The material to be excavated is deemed to be natural material other than rock or
topsoil, unless otherwise stated in item descriptions. If the material is rock, artificial
hard material or topsoil it must be described separately. A definition of rock must be
included in the preamble, and if artificial hard material is to be excavated, then its
nature must also be stated in the description.

Isolated volumes of rock or artificial hard material not exceeding one cubic metre are
not required to be measured separately, unless the work is in narrow trenches (less
than 2m wide) where the minimum size for measurement is reduced to 0.25 cubic
metre.

Where excavation is carried out below the level of open bodies of water such as
streams, lakes or the sea, this must be stated in the description. Where the upper
surface of the water may vary, such as by tidal action or seasonal movement, the level
in question is the highest level that can be expected.
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FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

Clause 5.22 of CESMM4 requires that the commencing surface shall be identified, in
accordance with clauses 1.10 and 1.11, in the description of each item for work
involving excavation, boring or driving for which the commencing surface is not also
the original surface. The following definitions are given:

 Original surface means the surface of the ground before any work has been
carried out.
 Final surface means the surface indicated on the drawings to which
excavation is to be carried out.
 Commencing surface means, in relation to an item or group of items in the
bill of quantities, the surface of the ground before any work covered by the
item or items has been carried out.
 Excavated surface means, in relation to an item or group of items in the bill of
quantities, the surface to which excavation included in the work covered by the
item or items is to be carried out.

So when a group of items is to be carried out as one excavation, even if it is through

differing materials and therefore measured separately, the commencing surfaces and
excavated surfaces that are the same as the original and final surfaces of that group
should not be identified. In addition, the maximum depth for the whole group of items
will be the total maximum depth of the excavation, as shown in Figure 3.
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FIGURE 3

The excavation shown is one open hole. No intermediate surfaces should be identified
and all items measured should be described as ‘maximum depth: 10–15m’.

Where a separate excavation is required, intermediate surfaces should be identified

and new depth ranges used, as shown in Figure 4.

FIGURE 4

In this example all items in the excavation to 11m – topsoil, natural material etc. –
will have the excavated surface identified, as it is not the final surface, and all will be
described as ‘maximum depth 10–15m’. The pit or trench below 11m will have its
commencing surface identified, as it is not the original surface, and will be described
as ‘maximum depth 1–2m’.
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2.2 Excavation ancillaries

Finishing excavated surfaces may require some explanation

Preparing surfaces of excavation to receive permanent work is measured under

concrete bases but not under hardcore filling (Rule M11). It is also measured to the
sides of trenches, pits etc., where the Engineer expressly requires that in-situ concrete
is to be placed against an excavated surface – see Rule A8 in Class F.

Trimming excavated surfaces is measurable to any open excavation, such as sides and
bottom of open culverts which will not be covered by any permanent works, even if
this is not specified by the Engineer (Rule M10).

Item 54* of CESMM4, dealing with double handling of excavated material,

frequently causes problems or uncertainties for students. It is very rarely required by
the Engineer – and, according to Rule M13, the item is to be measured only when it is
expressly required by the Engineer. Any double-handling of excavated material
required by the contractor during the normal process of back-filling excavations with
such material must be allowed for in the contractor’s normal rates, either for
excavation of the works or for back-filling of the material as necessary. If the
contractor needs to move stockpiled excavated material to different locations around
the site, for whatever reason, the cost must be allowed for in the measured rates for
filling or disposal as mentioned previously. Only if the double-handling is expressly
required by the Engineer is it measurable.

The measurement of the double-handling item in the Standard Method does present
an unusual situation for the bill compiler and tenderer, in that the measurement of all
excavation, back-filling and/or disposal of excavated material is the net volume of the
void prior to excavation taking place, whereas the volume measured for double-
handling ‘shall be that of the void formed in the temporary stockpile from which the
material is removed’ (Rule M13). This means that such quantities do accurately
represent the net volume of material prior to its original excavation.

Note: For items E55 (Dredging to remove silt) to E58 (Metal supports left in) there
are no phrases available in the third division and so each item must be coded with ‘0’
in third division (E550 to E580).

2.3 Filling
Note that filling to beds the thickness of which is shown on the drawings or given in
the specification are measured in m², the actual thickness being stated in item
descriptions, in place of the words ‘To stated depth or thickness’.

This provision applies throughout any work where the words ‘To stated …….’
appears.
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3 Concrete work
3.1 Generally
Concrete work is generally covered by three classes:

 Class F: In-situ concrete

 Class G: Concrete ancillaries
 Class H: Precast concrete.

In this paper only the first two are being considered.

The in-situ concrete section is similar to the excavation section in that it does not
include in-situ concrete for drainage, pipework, piles, tunnels, shaft linings, gate and
fence foundations, diaphragm walls and capping boreholes. In addition it does not
include in-situ concrete for roads, pavings, kerbs and rail track foundations. In-situ
concrete for all these items is measured under other classes. Formwork,
reinforcement, joints, post-tensioned, pre-stressing and accessories for in-situ
concrete, except for those items excluded from Class F, are measured in Class G.

3.2 In-situ concrete

Separate items must be measured for the provision of concrete and the placing of
concrete. There are therefore separate items in the bill of quantities for the total
provision of each mix of concrete. The mixes are either Standard mix [F1**],
Designed mix [F2**, F3**], or Prescribed mix [F40*]. In all cases the type of cement
and size of aggregate is given from the alternatives in the third division.

Standard mixes are specified by their title from the second division which
correspond to strengths ranging from 7.5 to 25N/mm². Cements and aggregates are
selected from Table A.94, Section 4 of BS 8500. The uses currently assigned to the
mixes are as follows:

ST1 7.5N/mm² Non-structural

ST2 10N/mm² Blinding etc.
ST3 15N/mm² No uses assigned
ST4 20N/mm² Strip footings, foundations etc.
ST5 25N/mm² Ditto

Designed mixes are those for which the contractor is free to select the mix
proportions, provided the design strength is obtained, and the mixes require a more
comprehensive specification to comply with BS 8500 and Additional description rule
A1.

Prescribed mixes are those for which the mix proportions are defined by the
Engineer. Note that the grade of prescribed mixes is not required by CESMM and can
therefore be almost anything the Engineer prescribes.

Minimum deductions from the volume of concrete for voids and the like are set out in
Rules M1 and M2 and apply to both the provision and placing of in-situ concrete.

Placing of concrete is described as either ‘mass’ (unreinforced), reinforced or pre-

stressed. The ‘Note’ printed at the foot of page 40 of CESMM4 emphasises the great
significance of location to concrete placing costs. Location of placing should
therefore be stated in item descriptions in accordance with the provisions of Clause 5-
10.

It is obvious from the above that the total quantities measured for the provision of
concrete for all mixes must equate to the total quantities for the placing of concrete in
all situations measured under Class F.
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3.3 Concrete ancillaries

Formwork
Formwork is classified in the first division by the finish required to concrete.
Therefore, the formwork is described as either rough, fair finish, other stated finish or
stated surface features.

The second division requires a description of which plane the formwork is in or

whether it is curved to one or more radii. Table 1 shows the classification of plane
formwork according to its angle of inclination.

TABLE 1
Class Angle of inclination
to the vertical
Horizontal 85–90°
Sloping 10–85°
Battered 0–10°
Vertical 0°

Curved formwork is classified as follows:

1. To one radius in one plane, i.e. cylindrical, in which case only the one radius
has to be given in the description.
2. To one radius in two planes, i.e. spherical; again only one radius has to be
stated.
3. To varying radii, i.e. conical, in which case the maximum and minimum radii
are required in the description.

As in building, formwork is measured to all surfaces of in-situ concrete that require

temporary support during casting. This includes sides of concrete in excavations
unless specifically required to be cast against the excavated surface, or where the
excavated surface is inclined at an angle exceeding 45º to the vertical.

FIGURE 5 Formwork to concrete in excavations

If concrete is specifically required to be cast against earth faces and no formwork is

therefore measured, then the item measured for placing the concrete should have
additional description stating this (Class F – Rule A8).

Formwork is also required to upper surfaces of concrete inclined at an angle

exceeding 15º but not exceeding 80º to the horizontal. That exceeding 80º is classified
as ‘battered’, i.e. an angle of inclination 0–10º to the vertical.
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FIGURE 6 Classification of plane formwork (suspended concrete

structures)

Formwork is not measured to edges of blinding concrete unless it exceeds 200mm

thick.

Formwork is generally measured in square metres except where the width of the
formwork does not exceed 200mm. In this case it is measured linear. It is also
permissible to measure formwork to concrete components of constant cross-section
(normally be measured in square metres) in linear metres, provided that the principal
cross-sectional dimensions are stated and the component is uniquely identified by
giving its mark number, location or any other relevant information.

Formwork to small chases, projections, grooves, splays and the like which do not
exceed 0.01m² in cross-sectional area are also measured linear, without deduction of
the main area of formwork. These are described as ‘projections’ or ‘intrusions’ as
suitable, and may or may not carry additional description by virtue of clause 5.11 or
5.14 as thought necessary.

Chases, projections, grooves, splays and the like which exceed 0.01m² in cross-
sectional area will have formwork measured to each face of the projection or
intrusion, in accordance with the normal rules, and are also deducted from the general
formwork area.

In Figure 7, formwork to the nib, groove and splays are measured linear as
projections or intrusions as appropriate.

FIGURE 7 Projections and intrusions less than 0.01m² cross-sectional area

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Reinforcement
The scale and nature of civil engineering works is again reflected in the measurement
of reinforcement. The unit of measurement for bar reinforcement is the tonne, while
that for fabric reinforcement is the square metre. Subdivision is by type and size in
the case of bar reinforcement, and type and density in the case of fabric. Bar
reinforcement of 32mm diameter or greater is grouped together, and bars over 12m
long are required to be so described in stages of 3m, e.g. 12–15m, 15–18m.

When measuring reinforcement, separate items are not required for tying and
supporting reinforcement, but the mass of reinforcement measured shall include the
mass of steel supports to top reinforcement.

Joints
When measuring movement joints it can be seen from CESMM4 that the work is
measured in detail and each joint may comprise up to four or five separate items.
Some items are associated with the area of the joint (G61-4*), others are associated
with the length of some components in the joint (G5-7*) and dowels are enumerated.
Each type of joint, therefore, is measured in considerable detail and the only major
item which is deemed included (and not therefore measured separately) is the
formwork to surfaces of the joint (Rule C3).

Rule D8 makes it clear that where the whole surface area of a joint requires
formwork, it is classed as formed surface joint. Other joints are to be classed as
open surface joint.The in-situ reinforced concrete culvert shown on Drawing
CEM/RC/01 is designed to be cast in units, each approximately 7500mm long, and
has a requirement for either expansion or contraction joints between each unit.

Concrete accessories
The term ‘inserts’ includes all components cast or grouted into in-situ concrete except
reinforcement, structural metalwork, pre-stressing and jointing materials. Separate
items are not required for adapting formwork or boxing out for inserts.

‘Inserts’ will be taken to include the item itself as well as its casting in, cutting
formwork around etc. If this is not so and the insert is, say, measured in the
metalwork section, this should be stated in the description.

‘Inserts’ need additional description if they project from one or both concrete surfaces
or if they are totally within the concrete volume, as shown in Figure 8.
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FIGURE 8 Inserts – additional description

a) No additional description required b) Described as ‘projecting from one

surface’

c) Described as ‘projecting from both d) Described as ‘wholly within concrete

surface’ volume’
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4 Example of measurement
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5 Example of bar bending schedule

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Self-Assessment Questions
1. In the context of CESMM4, what is meant by the term ‘double handling’ in
respect of excavated material. How is the work dealt with in CESMM4, and do
you consider that there are any perceived difficulties or unusual features in
adopting this procedure?
2. Using Drawing No D0050, measure the items required for one expansion joint
and one contraction joint for the twin box culvert.
3. Using Drawing No D0050, describe how you would measure the reinforced
in-situ concrete and formwork for Sections 2 to 8 only of the culvert. From the
requirements given in Classes F & G of CESMM4, suggest any alternative
way(s) in which the concrete and formwork could be measured and state your
reasons for adopting the approach you suggest.

MODEL ANSWERS

Question 1
Double handling is only measured when expressly required (see Definition 1.6)

It is not applicable for normal filling and/or disposal of excavated material, where
multiple handling is deemed to be included. Double handling is only included by the
dictates of the specification or the order of the Engineer. All other movement of
excavated material around the site, whether due to site constraints or not, is a matter
for the contractor to allow for.

Rule M13 of Class E requires that the volume measured for double-handling shall be
that of the void formed in the stockpile, and so the volume calculated for the double-
handled material is to be used and an allowance will need to be made for the
difference in bulk when used as filling. The material in the stockpile, which has
already been the subject of bulking, will to some extent have self-weight compacted
for various reasons, e.g. type of material, duration of holding in stockpile, passage of
plant over the stockpile during placing of further spoil, and so the allowance used for
the BQ will therefore vary.

When the volume of the material for double-handling is calculated on site, the volume
of the stockpile will need to be measured both before and after the material has been
removed.
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Question 2: Twin box culvert

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Question 3

a. The way many surveyors experienced only in the measurement of building

work would approach this work would be to measure all the ‘components’ of
the concrete and formwork separately in detail. This approach makes the work
quite complicated, involving measurement of the following items:

In-situ Reinforced Concrete:

Base slab: Bases, footings, etc. – item F624
Sides: Walls – item F643
Division: Walls – item F642
Cover slab: Suspended slabs – item F634
Int’l splays: The volume of these triangular fillets must be added into
one or other of the foregoing items – but which ones would
be most appropriate?
Formwork:
Rough: Plane vertical (to outsides) – item G145
Fair finish: Plane vertical (to inside wall surfaces – item G245
Plane sloping (to upper surfaces of angle fillets) – item
G222.1
Plane horizontal (to soffit of cover slab) – item G215

This approach is quite lengthy, involving much detailed measurement and does
not really convey the type of work involved to assist the tenderer in pricing the
items.

b. CESMM4 makes special provision for measuring work of considerable length

and constant in design throughout the entire length of the unit. By adopting
items covered by F680 and G284, the whole of this work can be covered in
two or three measurable items:

Placing of concrete: ‘Reinforced; twin box culvert; each internal size 450 ×
2650mm, side wall thickness: 375mm; division
thickness: 300mm – F680.1 (Rule A10(a) (Cubic
metres)
Rough formwork: For concrete components of constant cross-section;
external sides of box culvert; 2750 wide – G184.1
(Linear metres)
Fair formwork: For concrete components of constant cross-section;
box culvert; internal dimensions 4500 × 2650; 150 ×
150 splayed internal angles – G284.1 (Linear metres)

The simplest and quickest way to measure the concrete work is to measure the
whole initially as a solid concrete block, deduct out the volume of the two
voids, and add back the volume of the internal angle fillets, being over-
measured as part of the ‘void’ deductions.

The formwork items are measured in linear metres. Use of these devices
covers all the work outlined on the drawings and gives the tenderer a much
better idea of what is involved in the work.

It would obviously be necessary to make minor adjustments for items like the
‘missing’ side in Section 2 of the culvert, but generally the approach given
above is quicker, simpler and follows exactly the requirements of CESMM4
for work of this nature.
 Replace this page with:

A3 Drawings: D0050

The Drawing reference number is in the top left hand corner.