Quantity Surveying Practice 1

Measuring substructure

3.1

ASMM: Rules Governing Measurement of

Substructure

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In this topic we will learn about rules governing the measurement of substructure
work.

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 Copyright Notice

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Please note

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 Introduction to Substructure and Foundations

A substructure is the entirety of the building

which is below the ground level and which
supports the superstructure.

A foundation of a building is a part of the

substructure that is in contact with the ground
and transmits the load of the building to the
ground.

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The term ‘substructure’ and ‘foundation’ are defined mainly from a functional
perspective.
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 Types of Foundations

• Strip
• Pad
• Raft
• Pile

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There are four basic types of foundations used in buildings; strip, pad, raft and pile.
For more details refer your Construction 1 lectures/learning tasks.
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 Construction work is measured in accordance to standard - ASSM

Students will need to obtain a copy of the ASMM

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Construction work is measured in accordance with the “Australian Standard Method

of Measurement of Building Works – Sixth Edition.
The normal abbreviation for this document is the “ASMM” and this will be used from
now on.
The document can be purchased on-line from the Australian Institute of Quantity
Surveyors. Students will need to obtain a copy of the ASMM (Sixth Edition).

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 ASMM

• Description

• Pricing by Builder’s estimator

• Deviations

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In general terms the ASMM tells the quantity surveyor what he has to include in the
description for a particular item of work. This will become clearer as we progress
through the measurement process of the various trades. A Builder’s estimator will
visit the site when preparing their prices to fully understand the extent of work. If
deemed necessary it is permissible to deviate from the ASMM but, when this is done,
a clause must be inserted in the BQ explaining how the measurement has taken place.
Refer to clause 2.2 of Section 1 of the ASMM.

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 Rules and Clauses

• Section 1 of the ASMM

• Clause 3 “Measurement”
• Clause 10 “Circular Work”

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The ASMM is, if you like, the “Bible” of building measurement. It is important that
students become familiar with Section 1 of the ASMM, called “Introduction, General
Rules and Recommendations”. The General Rules are applicable to all trades of the
ASMM. Of particular importance is Clause 3 “Measurement” and Clause 10 “Circular
Work”.
Clause 3 covers important information relating to measurement including when (and
when not) to make certain deductions from work measured.

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 Measurement Rules

It is important to refer to the “Measurement Rules” in each trade. These

rules cover things that must be taken into account in measurement and
descriptions and are applicable to all items included in a trade.

Study the “Measurement Rules for the “Groundworks” and “Concrete” in the ASMM
to understand what this is all about. Incidentally, Measurement Rules of the structural
trades require that work is given separately by levels. Have a look at Measurement
Rule M2 of the Concrete trade on Page 29 of the ASMM. This clause is normally only
applied to buildings over five storeys.

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 THE AUSTRALIAN STANDARD METHOD OF
MEASUREMENT

GROUNDWORK

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Let’s start looking at what the ASMM says about ground work

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 In Addition to the ASMM General Clauses the following Clauses Apply specifically to
“Section 4 – Groundworks”: -

Refer to Page 15 of the ASMM which covers “Groundworks”. The “Information to

be Included” is as follows:-

Clause 3 a) Samples
Clause 3 b) Tests
Clause 3 c) Keeping excavations free from water

The above items are given at the beginning (Preambles section) of the Bills of
Quantities for Groundworks. They are not normally inserted until transferring
items and quantities into the Bill of Quantities i.e. it is not essential to put them in
the take-off but they must be put into the BQ

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The items given as “Information to be Included” are, generally items that do not
involve measurement but must be included in the BQ. They are included in the
Preambles trade. The Preambles are general clauses that apply to the work and will
be dealt with later.

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Measurement and Prices

Each Trade in the ASMM has measurement

and prices clauses designated with a “P”.

These apply, as appropriate, to all of the

items measured within that trade.

This is the Measurement & Prices clause for

“Groundworks”.

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Each trade in the ASMM, also, has a section called “Measurement & Prices” this
explains what is deemed to be included in the measured items. Note should, also, be
made of the “Measurement Rules” given in the ASMM. These give guidance as to how
some measurement should take place and will be taken into account as we go
through measurement of the various trades.

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Clearing the site

Let’s start looking at the clauses

relevant to measuring the various
groundwork items.

The first item is clearing the site.

The site need to be cleared before any work start.

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ASMM Clause 4.1.1.1 on Page 15 covers the items relating to clearing the site
and tells us what must be included in the description and what the unit of
measurement is.

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This is a typical ASMM clause. In this case it covers clearing the site. We will learn how
to “read” the ASMM and see how to word our description when we prepare the bill
of quantities.

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 Tree girth

It is important to note that if

trees are greater than 500 girth
ASMM Clause 4.1.1.2 applies
and their removal has to be
measured separately by
number.
Trees of girth equal to or less
than 500 girth are included with
the general item for clearing the
site which is measured in m2

Make sure that trees greater than 500 girth are measured separately.
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ASMM Clause 4.1.1.4 on Page 16 covers the items relating to removing the turf
or vegetable soil (known by most of us as top-soil)

Normally top-soil is kept on site as it is used for landscaping.

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This is the clause for removing the top-soil. It comes under Clause 4.1.1 (Siteworks).

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ASMM Clause 4.1.1.4 covers this item. Refer to Page 16 of the ASMM.

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This is the clause for removing the top-soil. It comes under Clause 4.1.1 (Siteworks)
and is measured in square metres.

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 ASMM Clause 4.1.2 covers surface excavation to reduce levels. Refer Page
16 of the ASMM

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Surface excavation to reduce levels is the excavation required to get to formation

level. Formation level being the level at the underside of the ground slab
construction. This depends on the RL (the level of the ground floor slab) and the
thickness of construction. A calculation is required to establish the formation level
and this is shown later in this tutorial. Surface excavation is measured in cubic metres
and the area involved has to be given in the description, in parenthesis (i.e. brackets).

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ASMM Clause 4.1.5 covers trench excavation. Refer Page 16 of the ASMM

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In a raft slab the required trench excavation is for ground beams (often called footing
beams). Ground beams are covered in clause 4.1.5.2. When we put the ground beams
into the BQ after measuring them we will see how to frame the description. Trench
excavation is measured in cubic metres.

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 ASMM Clause 4.1.6 covers any backfilling that may be required. Refer Page
17 of the ASMM

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Backfilling may be required to the trenches and this is measured in cubic metres. The
type of material has to be stated. This is normally excavated material.

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 ASMM Clause 4.1.7 covers the disposal of any surplus excavated material.
Refer Page 17 of the ASMM

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Any excavated material that is not required after backfilling or even filling to make up
levels has to be removed from the site. Normally it is up to the Builder to work out
where he will dispose of it. He may for instance want to use it as filling on another
project. If the specification state where the soil is to be disposed of this must be
included in the description or, perhaps, in a general Preamble. The unit of
measurement is cubic metres.

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ASMM Clause 4.1.11 covers the levelling and compaction of the formation level
ready for the hardcore bed. Refer Page 18 of the ASMM

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After the surface excavation is done the surface is then levelled and compacted to
receive the hardcore bed. This is normally done before any trenches are excavated.
The specification may describe the method of compaction required or the density to
which the ground must be compacted. The unit of measurement is square metres.
Clause 4.1.11.2 applies.

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ASMM Clause 4.1.12 covers the allowance that needs to be made for working
space and maintaining the face of the excavation. Refer Page 18 of the ASMM

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Working space is the extra width required for such things as, in the case of a raft slab,
the edge formwork. Maintaining the faces is an item that allows the builder to price
the risk related to the excavations collapsing. The builder can supply “planking and
strutting” to the faces of excavation to prevent collapse or take the risk of it collapsing
by not providing it. It is his choice. If he does not provide support and the excavations
collapse he has to made good the damage at no extra cost to the Client. The
maintaining faces item allows him, if he wants to, to put some money in his tender for
either the “planking and strutting” or the making good. In the case of basement
excavation the engineers may design special shoring in which case this is measured
under ASMM Clause 4.1.13.

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ASMM Clause 4.2.1.1 covers the hardcore base that is placed over the excavated
area ready for the concrete slab. Refer Page 19 of the ASMM

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Once again, if the method of compaction or the density required is given in the
specification these should be put into the description or included as a general
Preamble.

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ASMM Clause 4.2.1.6 covers the surface treatment of the hardcore base. Refer
Page 19 of the ASMM

The hardcore bed must be carefully prepared with an even surface. The
waterproofing membrane will be laid over it and it is important that the
membrane is not damaged which would result in dampness in the slab.

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This item refers specifically to the surface treatment of the hardcore bed. Do not
confuse it with the surface treatment of the surface excavation.

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ASMM Clause 4.3.2 covers the plastic membrane laid over the hardcore and
before the concrete is poured. In a raft slab it is, also, dressed down and around
the ground beams. Refer Page 20 of the ASMM.

The ASMM requires that the measurement of the membrane includes turn-ups
less than 500 in the general area.

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It is normal to include the membrane to the sides and bottom of the ground beams in
the one item and describe the membrane as “ …to sides and bottom of ground beams
regardless as to the width. Clause 2.2 of Section 1 of the Standard Method allows for
deviation from the measurement required by it but this must be clearly stated in the
BQ.

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THE AUSTRALIAN STANDARD METHOD OF
MEASUREMENT

CONCRETE

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 In Addition to the ASMM General Clauses the following Clauses Apply specifically to
“Section 6 - Concrete”: -

Refer to Page 29 of the ASMM which covers “Concrete”. The “Information to be

Included” is as follows:-

Clause 3 a) Samples
Clause 3 b) Tests
Clause 3 c) Protecting and Curing

The above items are given at the beginning (Preambles section) of the Bill of
Quantities for Concrete. They are not normally inserted until transferring items
and quantities into the Bill of Quantities i.e. it is not essential to put them in the
take-off but they must be put into the BQ

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The items given as “Information to be Included” are, generally items that do not
involve measurement but must be included in the BQ. They are included in the
Preambles trade. The Preambles are general clauses that apply to the work.

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Measurement and Prices

This the “Measurement and Prices “ clause

for concrete

This clause applies, as appropriate, to all of

the items measured within the trade.

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It is, also, important to refer to the “Measurement Rules” applicable to the Concrete
trade.

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ASMM Clause 6.1.1.6 covers the concrete in ground beams. Refer Page 30 of the
ASMM.

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In a raft slab the footings are ground beams. Ground beams are, also, known as
“footing beams”. The unit of measurement is m3.

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ASMM Clause 6.1.2 covers the concrete in slabs. Refer Page 30 of the ASMM.

Measurement Rule M6 requires that descriptions, also, include what the concrete
is placed into.

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There are two main types of concrete slab. They are round slabs (obviously laid on the
ground, and suspended slabs which are laid on formwork and are, well. Suspended. A
first floor slab is a suspended slab. Refer to “Measurement Rule” M6 which covers
this.

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ASMM Clause 6.20 covers integral finishes of concrete in slabs. Refer Page 33 of
the ASMM.

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An integral finish is a finish that is carried out whilst the concrete is still wet. An
example would be troweling a slab to receive carpet.

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THE AUSTRALIAN STANDARD METHOD OF
MEASUREMENT

FORMWORK

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 Measurement and Prices

This the “Measurement and Prices “ clause

for formwork

This clause applies, as appropriate, to all of

the items measured within the trade.

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Remember that formwork is an expensive item and needs to be measured carefully.

Formwork is only measured to the “contact” area.

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ASMM Clause 7.1.12.1covers formwork to edges of concrete. Refer Page 37 of
the ASMM.

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Measurement Rule M2 relating to formwork requires that formwork equal to or less

than 250 wide or high is measured in linear metres. Over 250 wide or high it is
measured in square metres. Refer to the next slide.

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 Measurement Rule M2 relating to Formwork. Refer to page 35 of the ASMM

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Clause 2.2 allows for deviation from the ASMM but this must be stated and explained
in the BQ. Be aware of the difference when measuring formwork to columns and
beams.

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 End of Session

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This finishes the overview of rules governing the measurement of substructure work.
We have scanned through few sections of the ASMM that are relevant to
substructure. In our next session, you will apply these rules to measure groundwork
for a strip footing.

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Image references
All information, pictures and diagrams contained within this presentation are the property of UniSA or the Author unless otherwise
referenced below
Slide 1: Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works 6th Edition; Image sourced from: https://www.mbawa.com/product/australian-standard-method-of-
measurement-of-building-works-5th-edition/
Slide 3: Image © Homebuilding https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/homebuilding-assets/prodwebsite/content/uploads/2015/08/Groundworks-Substructure-sbs-
1.jpg
Slide 4: Image © https://image.slidesharecdn.com/chapter10-structureconstructionsagil-131112092928-phpapp02/95/chapter-10-structure-construction-20-
638.jpg?cb=1384248714
Slide 5: Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works 6th Edition; Image sourced from: https://www.mbawa.com/product/australian-standard-method-
of-measurement-of-building-works-5th-edition/
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Slide 13 : Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works 6th Edition; Image sourced from: https://www.mbawa.com/product/australian-standard-method-of-
measurement-of-building-works-5th-edition/
Slide 14 Image © https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5548/11409166015_639b95241e_b.jpg
Slide 15: Australian Standard Method of Measurement of Building Works 6th Edition; Image sourced from: https://www.mbawa.com/product/australian-standard-method-
of-measurement-of-building-works-5th-edition/
Slide 16 Image https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Forest_walk_in_Esen-Epam_%28Big_Tree%29.jpg/768px-Forest_walk_in_Esen-
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