Part 1: Introduction to Quantity Surveying

Quantity surveying is an assessment of the cost based on certain rates of materials and labour. An
estimate should be realistic assessment should be made on actual conditions of market. Estimation
is undoubtedly one or the most important aspects of a construction project. A good estimation saves
the expenditure to a great extent and ensures optimum use of materials. Estimation is very much
technical. It requires good knowledge on structural design, properly or engineering materials and
essentially practical experience.

Quantity Surveyor: A quantity surveyor is a professional within the construction industry

concerned with cost, procurement and contracts.

Procurement: Procurement is the process of preparing for the implementation of a project.

Essentials in a good Quantity Surveyor: What are the essentials in a good Quantity Surveyor? He
must be able to describe clearly in proper unambiguous language the requirement of the Architect
and so arrange his bill of quantities (BoQ) that the Builder can quickly, easily and accurately arrive
at the estimated cost or the work. The Quantity Surveyor must have a sound knowledge or building
materials and construction and or customs prevailing in the trade. He must be accurate in his work
and calculations.

1.1 Study of Drawings

It would be extremely premature if an attempt were to be made at the taking on: immediately on
receipt of the drawings. Much has to be accomplished before proceeding to take out quantities from
the drawings. Many errors can be avoided if the following steps are taken before entertaining any
thought of taking off:

(1) Look over the drawings and attempt to visualize the work entitled.
(2) Study the, are in agreement with one another.
(3) Check drawings carefully to see that plans, elevations, sections and details, if any the dimensions
on the drawings to make sure that each overall dimension agrees with the total room dimensions. If
serious errors arc discovered, the architect should be informed; but if the discrepancy is due to the
result of slight arithmetical error, the drawings should be corrected.
(4) If the dimensions do not exist in some places, then it is always better to write them in. These
missing dimensions should be worked out from other dimensions, as far as possible, scaling them
from the drawing being the last resort.
1.2 Bill of Quantities (BoQ)
When one wants to buy a table, he asks the cabinet maker as to what is would cost. The cabinet
maker before giving the cost would like to know the detailed specification of the table, i.e., its size,
length, breadth, height, design, type of timber and the finish required. Once the specification is
known the cabinet maker will give the value of the table by working out cost of materials and labor
required and adding his overhead and profit. Similarly, a prospective building owner wants to know
before placing the order that what the cost or his building would be. In order to work out the east of
a building, detailed quantities have to be worked out in accordance with the requirement of the
Standard Method of measurement and price by the Builder. These quantities when collected together
into a bill, form a bill of quantities. The advantages of a bill or quantities are as follows:

(1) It forms a common basis for competitive tendering which is necessary to obtain a reasonable
value tor consideration.
(2) It forms in itself a basis of rates for measured work which can be used in the contract for valuation
of variations and final account.
(3) It is used in building operations for the completion of interim payments.

The following points are essential in the production of good bill of quantities:

(1) A good knowledge of building construction as without this the correct interpretation of the
drawings would not be possible.
(2) Accuracy and neatness in measuring and setting out.
(3) A thorough knowledge of writing descriptions in concise and clear language which will translate
the drawings into words.
1.3 What is Specification?
A Specification is a special description or a particular subject. An engineering specification contains
detailed description or all workmanship and materials which are required to complete an engineering
project in accordance with its drawings and details. The technical drawings of a structure will show,
the proportions and relative positions of the various components of the structure. It is not often
possible to furnish the information on the drawings, regarding the quality or materials to be used
and the quality of workmanship to be achieved during construction, due to shortage of space. This
data regarding the materials and workmanship is conveyed in a separate contract document, which
is known as the "specifications" for the work. Thus, the drawings with the specifications “will
completely define the structure”. The “specification” is furnished separately along with the drawings
and is an essential part of all engineering contracts.
1.4 Necessity of Specifications
The necessities of specifications are as follows:
(a) The cost of unit quantity of work is governed by its specification.
(b) Specifications of a work are required to describe the quality and quantity or different materials
required for a construction work and is one of the essential contract documents. Thus, a contractor
can make a program to procure the materials required for a project and the owner can check the
quality of materials conforming to the specification avoiding dispute with the contractor.
(c) This also specifies the workmanship and the method of doing the work. Thus, specification of a
work serves as a guide to the supervising staff of the contractor as well as to the owner to execute
the work to their satisfaction.
(d) A work is carried according to its specification and the contractor is paid for the same. Any
change in specification changes the tendered rate.
(e) As the rate or a work is based on specification, a contractor can calculate the rates of various
items of works in a tender with his procurement rates of materials and labour. Thus tender paper
without specifications of works is baseless, incomplete and invalid.
(f) Specification is necessary to specify equipment, tools and plants to be engaged for a work and
thus enables to procure them beforehand.
(g) The necessity of specification is to verify and check the strength of materials for a work involved
in a project.
(h) Specification is an essential contract document and required for arbitration of court cases
1.5 Main Items of Works of Building:
As per ASTM UNIFORMAT II Classification for Building Elements (ASTM E1557-09, 2015),
the main items of works of building are:
1. Earthwork: Earthwork in excavation and earthwork taken out accurately under different items
2. Concrete in Foundation: Foundation concrete consists of lime concrete or weak/lean cement
concrete. The proportion of cement concrete In foundation may be 1: 4: 8 or 1: 5: 10.
3. Brick Flat Soling: When the soil is soil or bad.' one layer of dry brick or stone soling is applied
below the foundation concrete. This soling layer is computed in square units specifying the
thickness.
4. Damp Proof Course: DPC usually of 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick rich cement concrete 1: 1.5:3 or 2 cm
(.75 inch) thick rich cement mortar 1 :2, mixed with standard water proofing material, is provided
at the plinth level to full width of plinth wall and the quantities are computed in square units. It
is not provided at veranda openings.
5. Masonry: Foundation and plinth masonry is taken under one item, and masonry in superstructure
is taken under a separate item. In storied building, the masonry in each storey is tabulated
separately. Proper deductions arc made for openings as doors, windows, lintels etc. Arch
masonry work is taken out separately.
6. Arch Masonry Works: Masonry work in arches is calculated in cubic units separately by
multiplying the mean length of the arch by the thickness of the: arch and by the breadth of the
wall.
7. Lintels over Openings: Length of lintel is equal to the clear span plus two i hearings. If the
dimension of bearing is not given, the bearing may be taken as 1 same as the thickness of lintel
with a minimum of 12 cm. (4.50 inch).
8. RCC & RB Work: The quantities in roof or floor slab, in beams, lintels, columns, foundations
are calculated in cubic units exclusive of steel: reinforcements and its bending but inclusive of
centering and shuttering and fixing and binding reinforcement in position. The reinforcement
including its bending is taken up separately under steel works. For this purpose, 0.6% to 1 % of
RCC by volume may be taken for steel.
9. Flooring and Roofing:
 Ground Floor: The base lime concrete and floor finishing of CC or stone or marble or mosaic etc.
are usually taken as one job or one item and the quantity is 'calculated in square units. The length and
breadth are the inside dimensions from wall to wall of superstructure.
(i) lst floor, 2nd floor etc.: Supporting structure is taken separately in cubic units as RCC and
the nom finishing is taken separately in sq units as 2.5 cm or 4 cm (1 inch) or 1.5 inch) CC
or marble, mosaic etc.
10. Plastering and Pointing: Plastering usually 0.5 inch thick s calculated in square metres. While
deducting, the following rules are generally followed:
 For small openings up to 0.5 sq. m (5 sq. ft) no deduction is made and at the same time no
additions are made for jambs, soffits and of sills of these openings.
 For opening exceeding 0.5 sq. m (5 sq. ft) but not exceeding 3 sq m (30 sq. ft) deduction is
made for one face only and the other lace is allowed for jambs, soffits and sills which are not
taken into account separately.
 For opening above 3 sq. m (30 sq. It) deduction is made for both faces of the opening, and
the jambs, soffits and sills are taken into account and added.
Plastering in ceiling usually of 12 mm (1/2 inch) thick and is computed in sq. m units under a separate
head.
11. Doors and Windows: (i) Chowkhat or Frame
(ii) Door and Window Shutters
12. Iron Work: Computed in Kg. or Quintal
13. White Washing or Colour Washing or Distempering: The quantities are computed in square units
and are usually same as for plastering. The inside is usually white-washed and the outside is
usually color-washed. The number of coals should be mentioned in the item.
14. Painting: Painting or Varnishing of doors and windows are computed in square meters, the
dimension should be taken for outer dimensions of the chowkhat i.e. the outer dimensions of
doors and windows. Painting is usually done in two or three coats, usually over a coat of priming.

Electrification and Sanitary and Water Supply Works: For Sanitary and Water Supply Works 8%
and for electrification 8% of the estimated cost of the building works is usually provided in the
estimate.

Rates: Rates or different items in the estimate are the current rates for the completion of the items
of work which include supply of materials, transport, labour, scaffolding, overheads, contractor's
profit, taxes, etc. The rates are usually taken from the PWD Schedule of Rates.
1.6 What is Analysis of Rate?
The basis of arriving at a correct and reasonable rate per unit work or supply, for a particular item
following its specification and detailed survey of materials, labour, equipment, etc. as required for
the unit work and their prevailing rates may be called as an analysis of rate.
Or, Rate analysis of civil works or building works is the determination of cost of each construction
work per unit quantity.
1.7 Purpose of Rate Analysis
Main purposes of rate analysis are the following:-

(a) To determine the current rate per unit of an item at the locality.
(b) To examine the viability of rates offered by contractors.
(c) To calculate the quantity of materials and labour strength required for the project planning.
(d) To fix up labour contracts rates.

The price of an item of work is made up of the following components and a summation of these is
the rate per unit of an item.

(a) Cost of Materials

(b) Cost of Labour
(c) Cost or Equipments or Tools and Plants
(d) Cost of Overheads or Establishment Charges (including incidental)
(e) Profit

1.8 Factors affecting the Rate analysis:

The rate of an item of work mainly depends on the following factors:-

(1) Specification of the item which indicates the quality and proportion of materials, the method of
construction and protection of work.
(2) The present arte of materials for the item of work up to the worksite.
(3) Daily wages of different categories of labourer at the locality with their respective outputs. ;
(4) The range of lead and lift required for deposition of materials to carry out the item or work.
(5) Percentage charge of overheads which includes insurance and the possibility of theft or loss, etc.
(6) The, range of profit and availability of water in connection with the construction work.

Besides these the site condition, site organization and cost control during execution etc. should be
considered as these factors affect the cost per unit of work done at site.

Part 2: Reinforcement Estimation of a RCC Slab

2.1 Reinforcement used in the RCC

Two types of steel are used in RCC work. They are
 1. Plain round mild steel bar

2. Deformed bar

Figure 2.1: Typical Reinforcement

Designation and cross-section area of ASTM standard reinforcing bars are given below:

Table 2.1: Diameter and Nominal Cross-Section Area of ASTM Standard Reinforcing Bars

Bar No. Diameter (in) Nominal Area (in2 )

#3 3/8 0.11
#4 4/8 0.20
#5 5/8 0.31
#6 6/8 0.44
#7 7/8 0.60
#8 8/8 0.79
#9 9/8 1.00
#10 10/8 1.27
#11 11/8 1.56

2.2 Cover and Clear Cover in RCC

Cover: Refers to distance of outer concrete surface from C.G. of steel.

Clear cover: Refers to distance of outer concrete surface from edge of steel. Effective depth(d)
depth
Total

Cover

Clear cover

Figure 2.2: Cover and Clear cover in RCC

Reinforcement covering is necessary for the following reasons:

1. To protect reinforcement/steel from weathering effect i.e. corrosion

2. To protect from fire.

3. The need for adequate adhesion between the steel and concrete.
 4. The need to create cable and pipe channels without harming the reinforcement

According to the ACI code minimum cover should be maintained in all kind of RCC works. ACI
code provisions are given in the following table.

Table 2.2: ACI Code Provisions for Minimum Cover and Clear Cover

Beam/Column Slab
Clear cover 1.5 inch 0.75 inch
Cover 2.5 inch 1 inch

2.3 Reinforcement Hooks

In RCC work reinforcements are used in concrete to take tension. To achieve the good performance
i.e. strong bond between concrete and steel, hooks are provided at the ends of the all reinforcing bars
(especially in plain bars). Typical length of one hook is 9d b to 12db, where db is the diameter of the
hook bar.

Figure 2.3: Typical 90° hook

2.4 Type of Reinforcement Used in Slab
1. Straight bar [lies at bottom]

2. Cranked bar [lies top and bottom depending on cranking]

3. Extra top [lies at top]

 Figure 2.4: Typical Slab Reinforcement Pattern (straight & cranked bar).

Rules for slab reinforcement distribution

1. Start with a straight bar and end with a straight bar

2. Cranked bars are in between straight bars.

3. Extra tops are in between cranked bar.

2.5 Meaning of Legends

 #3@ 6” c/c alternately cranked: #3 bars are distributed at bottom with a spacing 6”. First
bar should be straight and next bar should be cranked.

 2#3 extra top in between cranked: 2#3 bars are placed in between cranked bars at top
position on one side.

2.6 Length of a Cranked Bar

d
45
º
d

Figure 2.6: Length of a Cranked Bar

Length of straight reinforcement = L

Length of cranked reinforcement = (L– d – d) + d/cos45 +d/cos45

= (L– d – d) + 1.42d +1.42d

= L + 0.42d +0.42d

Length of cranked reinforcement = Length of straight bar + n (0.42d)

{Where, n= no. of cranked portion}

2.7 Number of Reinforcement (Alternately Cranked Distribution)

1. #3@ 6” c/c alt. ckd.

76 "

2"

30"

1'
6" 6"
1'

2"

Figure 2.8: Straight and Cranked Reinforcement Distribution

No of straight bars = (76” - 2” - 2”) /12 +1 = 6.16 ≈ 7 Nos. (Upper rounding)

No of cranked bars = No of straight bars - 1 = 7 - 1 = 6 Nos.

2. 2#3 extra top in between cranked
76 "

2"

30"

2"

Figure 2.9: Straight, Cranked and Extra Top Distribution

No of extra top (one side) = Space available for extra top x No

of extra top

= (No of cranked bar -1) x 2 = (6-1) x 2 = 10 Nos.

Table 2.3: Nominal Weight of the ASTM standard Reinforcing Bar

U.S. rebar size chart

Mass per unit length
Imperial Bar Size Metric Size (mm)
lb/ft (kg/m)
#3 10 0.376 0.561
#4 13 0.668 0.996
#5 16 1.043 1.556
#6 19 1.502 2.24
#7 22 2.044 3.049
#8 25 2.670 3.982
#9 29 3.400 5.071
#10 32 4.303 6.418
#11 36 5.313 7.924
#14 43 7.650 11.41
#18 57 13.60 20.284
2.8 Worked Out Problem

Figure 2.10: Reinforcement Detailing for a 5 inch Slab Supported on Masonry Wall
Reinforcement Estimation

Table 2.4: Calculation of Reinforcement Estimation for the Workout Problem

Total
Bar No. Length
Bar Length
Designation [rounded to upper 1] (ft)
(ft)
34′2-2 − 2" 50′ − 2" − 2" = 49.67′ 1738.33
#4 Straight + 1 = 35
12
4
#4 Cranked 35 − 1 = 34 49.67′ + 4𝑥0.42𝑥 ( ) = 50.23′ 1707.70
12
Long Direction

22′
#3 Extra top (34 − 1)𝑥2 = 66 1′ 9" − 2"+10" + = 9.75′ 643.50
3
22′ 22′
#4 Extra top (34 − 1)𝑥2 = 66 + 10" + = 15.5′ 1023
3 3
3 1
#3 Hook 66 𝑥 2 = 132 10 𝑥 𝑥 = 0.3125 55.04
8 12

(35 + 34 + 66)𝑥2 4 1
10 𝑥 𝑥 = 0.417
#4 Hook 112.59
= 270 8 12

50′ − 2" − 2"

#3 Straight + 1 = 76 34′2" − 2" − 2" = 33.83′ 2571.33
18
3
#3 Cranked 76 − 1 = 75 33.83′ + 4𝑥0.42𝑥 ( ) = 34.13′ 2558.49
12
′
Short Direction

20
#3 Extra top 75 − 1 = 74 1′9" − 2"+10" + = 9.08′ 672.16
3
′
20′
1 9" − 2"+9'+10" +
#4 Extra top 75 − 1 = 74 3 1338.16
= 18.08′
(76 + 75 + 74)𝑥2 3 1
10 𝑥 𝑥 = 0.3125
#3 Hook 140.62
= 450 8 12
4 1
#4 Hook 74 𝑥 2 = 148 10 𝑥 𝑥 = 0.417 61.716
8 12

Table 2.5: Calculation of Weight of Reinforcement Bars for the Workout Problem

Total Length Weight per unit Weight

Bar Designation
(ft) length (lb/ft) (lb)
#3 6642 0.376 2498
#4 5982 0.668 3996