9/23/23, 1:07 PM Thumb Rules For Civil Engineering

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Thumb Rules for Civil Engineering

By Bhushan Mahajan

Post Contents
Thumb Rules For Civil Site Engineers
Thumb Rules for Civil Engineering In Construction
1. Thumb Rule for Concrete Volume
2. Thumb Rule for Steel Quantity for Slab, Beams, Footings & Columns
3. Percentage of Steel in Structural Members
4. Thumb Rules For Shuttering Work
5. Battens Quantity Calculation
6. Thumb Rule for Cement, Sand, Coarse Aggregate Quantity Calculations
7. Thumb Rules For Civil Engineers for Brickwork
8. Thumb Rules For Cement Masonry Quantity
8. Thumb Rules Plastering Quantity
9. Thumb Rules In Building Construction Cost
Thumb rules for construction cost
1000 Sqft House average cost of construction Thumb Rule
FAQs
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How do you calculate the steel-by-thumb rule?
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What is a good rule of thumb?

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What is the basic knowledge of civil engineering?
What is the thumb rule to determine beam depth?
Thumb Rules For Civil Site Engineer pdf
Thumb Rules for Civil Engineering

Thumb Rules For Civil Site Engineers

Thumb Rules For Civil Engineering is essential for any civil engineer, Site engineer, or civil supervisor. They play a crucial role
while taking quick decisions on-site. There is some civil engineering basic knowledge that every civil engineer must know.

The thumb rule for construction helps you in finding out the solution using a simple mathematical formula and make smart
decisions whenever needed.

But, while using these thumb rules, you must remember that the thumb rule never gives exact or accurate results, you just
have used them for approximate results.

Thumb Rules For Civil Engineers

There is a number of Thumb Rule For Civil Engineers that we used in construction work. So, the following are some most
frequently used Thumb rules on the Construction site.

The Thumb rule method is an approximate & comparing method. In thumb rules and the units are not the same when we
compare to get the results. So, ignore units while performing the thumb rule.

Read More: Tips for Civil Site Engineers

Thumb
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The thumb rules in civil engineering are as follows,

1. Thumb Rule for Concrete Volume

The volume of concrete required = 0.038 m3/square feet area

Example:- If Plan Area = 40 x 20 = 800 Sq. m.

So, for the plan area of 800 Sq. m. the area the total volume of concrete required.

= 800 x 0.038m3 = 30.4m3

2. Thumb Rule for Steel Quantity for Slab, Beams, Footings & Columns

Following are some important thumb rules for steel calculation for slab, beam, column, and footings.

Steel required in residential buildings = 4.5 Kgs – 4.75 Kgs / sq. Ft.

Steel required For Commercial buildings = 5.0 Kgs-5.50 Kgs/Sq. Ft.

You can also use BN Datta recommendations for the more accurate result,

The following recommendations Thumb Rules For Civil Engineering are given in B N Datta for the Steel quantity used in
different members of the building.

Read More: 12 Roles and Responsibilities of Civil Site Engineer Pdf

3. Percentage of Steel in Structural Members

Following are thumb rules for reinforcement in concrete members,

1) Slab – 1% of the total volume of concrete (Slab steel calculation thumb rule)
2) Beam – 2% of the total volume of concrete
3) Column – 2.5% of total volume of concrete
4) Footings – 0.8% of the total volume of concrete

Example:

How to calculate the steel quantity of slab having the Length, width, and depth of the slab is 5m x 4m x 0.15m

Step 1: Calculate
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The Total Volume of Concrete for the given Slab = 5 x 4 x 0.15

= 3m3

Step 2: Calculate The Steel Quantity Using the Formula:

As per the guidelines given in the BN Dutta reference book the steel quantity of the slab is 1% of the total volume of concrete
utilized.

A thumb rule to estimate the Steel quantity of the above slab = Volume of Concrete x Density of Steel x % of Steel of the
Member

Steel weight required for above slab = 3 x 7850 x 0.01 = 235Kgs

For accurate estimation, you can refer to Bar Bending Schedule

Read More: Civil Calculator (Civil Engineering Calculator)

4. Thumb Rules For Shuttering Work

Shuttering costs are taken as 15-18% of the total construction of the building. Shuttering work is done to bring the concrete
into Shape. The Thumb rule to estimate the shuttering required is 6 times the quantity of concrete or 2.4 times the Plinth area.

For example, if the concrete quantity is 0.5m3, then

Area of Shuttering is 0.5 x 6 = 3m2

Components of Shuttering

Shuttering Ply Quantity estimation

The Shuttering plate Ply, Battens, and Nails are components of Shuttering.

Suppose, The Shuttering Ply has a length, width & depth of 2.44 x 1.22 x 0.012

The No. of Shuttering Ply Sheets = 0.22 times of Shuttering

Suppose, the Shuttering Area = 3m

Then Ply required for shuttering = 0.22 x 3 = 0.66m2

5. Battens Quantity Calculation

Shuttering Batten usually has a length & width of 75mm x 40mm.

Batten Quantity = 19.82 x No. of Ply Sheets

If work requires 25 Ply sheets, the total quantity of Battens is 19.82 x 25 = 495 Battens

Nails & Binding Wire Quantity in Shuttering:

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2
75gms of Binding wire is used for every 1m of Shuttering.

The thumb rule for Shuttering oil estimation :

Shuttering oil is applied on the shuttering plate surface used to de-frame or de-assemble from the concrete easily.

Total required Shuttering oil = 0.065 x Total Area of Shuttering

(or)

For every 15m2 of shuttering 1 liter of shuttering oil is consumed.

Example :

If, total area of shuttering is 15 m2, then Shuttering oil Consumption = 0.065 x 15 = 0.975.

Read More: 17 Tips For How To Reduce Construction Cost

6. Thumb Rule for Cement, Sand, Coarse Aggregate Quantity Calculations

Note: 1 bag of cement = 50Kgs

Thumb rule for Cement required in Brickwork, Cement Masonry & Plastering work in construction

7. Thumb Rules For Civil Engineers for Brickwork

The following are Thumb Rules for civil engineering for brickwork and cement quantity calculations.

Brickwork for 1m3 Cement Qty in m3 Cement Qty in Bags

230 mm Brickwork 0.876m3 25.4 Bags

115 mm Brickwork 0.218m3 6.32 Bags

8. Thumb Rules For Cement Masonry Quantity

Cement Masonry Type & Mix Cement Qty in Bags Cement Qty in Kgs

200mm in Cement Masonry work

0.124Bags/m2 6.2Kgs/m2
of Ratio 1:6

150mm in Cement Masonry work

0.093Bags/m2 4.65Kgs/m2
of Ratio 1:6

200mm in Cement Masonry work

0.206Bags/m2 10.3Kgs/m2
of Ratio 1:4
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150mm in Cement Masonry work

0.144Bags/m2 7.2Kgs/m2
of Ratio 1:4

100mm in Cement Masonry work

0.103Bags/m2 5.15Kgs/m2
of Ratio 1:4

8. Thumb Rules Plastering Quantity

Type of Plastering Cement Qty in Bags Cement Qty in Kgs

Rough Plastering 0.09 Bags/m2 4. 5Kgs/m2

Internal Wall Plastering 0.09 Bags/m2 4.5 Kgs/m2

Duct Plastering 0.09 Bags/m2 4.5 Kgs/m2

External Wall plastering 0.175 Bags/m2 8.75 Kgs/m2

Stucco Plastering 0.175 Bags/m2 8.75 Kgs/m2

Lathen Plastering 0.55 Bags/m2 27.5 Kgs/m2

9. Thumb Rules In Building Construction Cost

The thumb rule for house construction cost is a rough estimation of the total cost of construction based on the built-up area of
the house. Typically, thumb rules are quick and easy to use but are not precise and may not take into account specific factors
that affect the actual cost of construction.

As an approximate guide, a common thumb rule for house construction cost is between Rs. 1500 to Rs. 2500 per square foot,
depending on factors such as the quality of materials used, location, design, and labour costs. This would mean that a 1000
square feet house may cost between Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs.

Below is a general thumb rule that can be used to estimate the building materials and work required for a given unit area of
construction.

Sr. No. Material/ Work Thumb Rule

1. Cement (bags) 0.43 bags / sq ft

2. Sand (cu.ft) 2.5 kg / sq ft

3. Aggregate (cu.ft) 1.20 cu ft / sq ft

4. Steel (kg) 1.34 cu ft / sq ft

5. Bricks (Nos.) 7.3 no / sq ft

6. Tiles (Nos.) 0.7 nos / sq ft

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8. Finishing Works ₹ 470/sq ft

9. Electrical Cost ₹ 250 /sq ft

10. Plumbing Cost ₹ 150 /sq ft

11. Fire Fighting Cost ₹ 45 /sq ft

12. Exterior Cost ₹ 94.5 / sq ft

Thumb Rule according to materials percentages,

Description Thumb rule (% of Total Cost)

Cement 14.4%

Sand 12.3%

Aggregate 7.4%

Steel 20.6%

Painting material 5.1%

Tiles 8%

Bricks 5.4%

Window 3%

Doors 4.4%

Plumbing 7.5%

Electrical 6.8%

Sanitary 4.1%

Thumb Rules For Construction Cost

The cost of construction can vary depending on the quality of materials and workmanship used. Below is an overview of the
average construction costs based on the quality of construction. This information can serve as a useful reference point for
estimating the costs of a building project.

Sr. No. Construction based on Quality Thumb Rule

1. Basic Quality Construction 1000 Rs./Sqft

2. Medium Quality Construction 1300 Rs./Sqft

3. High Quality Construction 1700 Rs./Sqft

1000 Sqft House Average Cost Of Construction Thumb Rule

Sr. No. Description of Work 1000 sq ft House Average Cost

1. Architectural Cost Rs. 12,500 Onwards

2. Brick wall Construction without RCC Rs. 700 per sqft

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4. Civil Construction Work Rs. 1400 per sqft

5. Electric and Plumbing Work Rs. 2400 per sqft

6. Raw Material Cost In Construction Rs. 8 Lakh Onwards

A common approach to estimating building costs is to use a thumb rule based on the percentage of the total project cost. This
method provides a rough estimate of the building cost and is often used as a starting point for budgeting purposes.

Sr. No. Work Cost

1. Excavation and Filling Earthwork 0.6%

2. Foundation Work 4.9%

3. DPC 1.2%

4. Brick work 32%

5. Roofing 22%

6. Flooring 5%

7. Doors and window 17%

8. Plastering 9%

9. White Washing 3%

10. Miscellaneous 5.5%

FAQs
How do you calculate the steel-by-thumb rule?

Following are Thumb Rules for reinforcement steel in concrete members,

1) Slab – 1% of the total volume of concrete (Slab steel calculation thumb rule)
2) Beam – 2% of the total volume of concrete
3) Column – 2.5% of the total volume of concrete
4) Footings – 0.8% of the total volume of concrete

What is a good rule of thumb?

The thumb Rule can be called a guideline, idea, or principle that helps you make quick decisions. “Arrive early” is an efficient
good Thumb Rule for most appointments. It referred to builders who frequently use their thumbs to estimate measurements. It
is a helpful rule even being inexact.

What is the basic knowledge of civil engineering?

BASIC THINGS CIVIL ENGINEERS SHOULD KNOW,

1. Lapping in reinforcement is not allowed for the bars having diameters more than 36 mm.
2. Steel Char maximum spacing is 1.00 m (or) 1 No per 1m2.
3. In steel dowels, a rod minimum of 12 mm diameter should be used.
4. Steel Chairs minimum of 12 mm diameter bars to be used.
5. Longitudinal reinforcement should not be less than 0.8% and more than 6% of gross C/S.
6. The minimum bars used for a square column are 4 No’s and 6 No’s for the circular column.
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The method for determining the width-depth ratio of reinforced concrete beams is not specifically given in codes. However, a
thumb rule can be used i.e taking depth that is two and a half to three times the beam’s width. For long-span beams, it is
generally economical to use deep and narrow sections.
Thumb Rules For Civil Site Engineer pdf

Thumb Rules For Civil Engineering pdf is essential for any civil engineer, Site engineer, or civil supervisor. They play a crucial
role while taking quick decisions on site. There is some civil engineering basic knowledge that every civil engineer must know.

Thumb Rules for Civil Engineering

Thumb rule requirement of standard materials and standard calculation in high raised building,
Steel =3 to 5 kg / sqft.
Cement =0.5bags/ sqft.
RMC =0.05 m3/sqft.
Block =12.5 nos /sqm.
Electrical cast = Rs 133/sqft.
Plumbing cost = Rs 126/sqft.
Fire fighting cost = Rs 40/sqft.
External development = Rs 94.5/sqft.

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