CMT3212 Measurement of Construction Works I

KIST Level 2/1

4.0 4.1

Measurement of Substructure Introduction

Substructure is a term used to indicate all supporting building work in the ground below a specific demarcation line, usually the damp proof course. The substructure therefore includes the following trades or work sections. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. SITE PREPARATION. EXCAVATION. DISPOSAL OF WATER. PLANKING AND STRUTTING. HARDCORE FILLING. PLAIN CONCRETE AND REINFORCED CONCRETE. 7. REINFORCEMENT. 8. FORMWORK. 9. PRECAST CONCRETE UNITS. 10. WALLING. 11. DPC. The above follow the order in which the items of work appear in the SMM. 4.2 Site Preparation 4.3

soil (vegetable soil) or if the vegetable soil is not preserved then the resultant excavation is measured as reduce level excavation either in m2 or m3 as per SMM D6. The oversite excavation must be completed before the measurement of excavation of trenches or pits of which the depth is calculated from this reduced level (also known as the commencing level of excavation). (3) Clearing the site of vegetation such as trees, bushes and scrub or hedges is measured in either square meters, enumerated or in linear metres depending on the convenient unit of measurement. Trees over 600 mm girth, and tree stumps (stating the girth) shall be enumerated. The girth is measured at a height of 1m from the ground (SMM D4 (a), (c), (d) and (e). Cutting down hedges is measured in linear metres (SMM D4 (b) while clearing the site of bushes is measured in square metres (SMM D4 (c). Excavation

Site preparation is one of the first operations carried out on a site. SMM clauses D2, D3 and D4 provide the rules for measurement of anti-termite treatment, preservation of vegetable soil and removal of trees, hedges, bushes and scrub and tree stumps. (1) Anti-termite treatment to sub-soil or filling is measured in square metres (SMM D2 (a)). The removal of termite nests shall be given as an item and the method of destruction of the termites stated. (2) Oversite excavation is measured to the extreme dimensions of the building including the splash apron. Excavating vegetable soil which is to be preserved shall be measured in square metres stating the average thickness (SMM D3). If there is no top
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In the measurement of excavations, it should be noted that the quantities are measured nett without addition or allowance for bulking and shrinking (SMM D5 (a)), and working space (SMM D5 (g)). Excavation is therefore measured to the shape shown on the drawings. Any working space required and any bulking of the soil will be included in the unit rate of the excavations by the estimators.

CMT3212 Measurement of Construction Works I

KIST Level 2/1

4.5

Hardcore Filling

Hardcore is either measured in m2 or m3 depending on whether or not it is more than 300 mm thick. Hardcore is measured as equal to the void to be filled (i.e between the walls).

Picture showing an excavated trench for foundation.

Excavating trenches to receive foundations is measured in cubic metres (SMM D9) stating the starting level and the depth in 1.5 m stages (SMM D5 (f). Excavating pits to receive bases shall be measured in cubic metres (SMM D10) stating the starting level and the depth as aforementioned. Earth backfilling and Surplus spoil shall each be given in cubic metres (SMM D15 (c) and (f) respectively. 4.4 Disposal of Water

Picture showing hardcore filling. Notice the hardcore is placed between the walls.

Keeping excavations free from water (i.e all water except spring or running water) shall be given as an item (SMM D18 (a). 4.5 Planking and Strutting

Hardcore less 300 mm thick is measured in m2 stating the thickness (SMM D20). 4.6 Plain and Reinforced Concrete

Picture showing upholding the surfaces of excavations.

Picture showing pouring foundations in trenches.

of

concrete

in

Planking and strutting to uphold the sides of excavations shall be measured as an item (SMM D19).

Plain in-situ concrete shall be given under an appropriate heading (SMM F2 (a)). Reinforced concrete shall be given under an appropriate heading (SMM F2 (b)).

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CMT3212 Measurement of Construction Works I

KIST Level 2/1

Generally for Concrete the following shall be included in the description SMM F1. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Kind and quality of materials for concrete. Any tests of the material. Any tests of the finished work. Composition and mix (or strength requirements) of the concrete. Any additives e.g. accelerators, retarders, waterproofing agents and the like.

Concrete in foundations is measured to the exact dimensions shown on the drawings. 4.7 Reinforcement

Concrete works are measured as follows:Item Foundations to columns, piers etc Ground beams Machine bases Beds over 300 mm thick Beds less than 300 mm thick Walls over 300 mm thick Walls less than 300 mm thick Suspended floors and roofs Beams and columns Steps and staircases Unit m3 m3 m3 m3 m2 m3 m2 m2 m3 m3

Bar reinforcement (measured as executed) including links, stirrups, binders, special spacers shall be measured in kg. Bends, hooks, tying wire, distance blocks and ordinary spacers shall be given in the description. In addition twisted bars or hightensile steel bars shall be so described (SMM F16).

Picture showing mesh fabric reinforcement and damp proof membrane before poring of surface concrete.

Concrete required to be consolidated by a particular method (e.g. mechanically tamped, vibrated) shall be so described.

Fabric reinforced shall be measured as to the area covered without giving allowance for laps. For fabric reinforcement, the mesh, the weight per 1 square metres and the minimum extent of side and end laps shall be described (SMM F17). 4.8 Formwork

Formwork shall be measured as the actual surfaces of the finished structure which require to be supported during the disposition of the concrete. Generally, formwork is measured in square metres except to the following surfaces:-

Picture showing formwork to columns and edges of slab and a complete surface bed.

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CMT3212 Measurement of Construction Works I

KIST Level 2/1

4.9

Edges and risers Edges of beds, roads, footpaths, suspended floors, landings, roof, risers of staircases etc shall be measured in linear metres in stages of 75 mm. Formwork to bands and cornices is measured in linear metres (SMM F22). Formwork to chases, mouldings etc ((SMM F23). Precast Concrete Units.

Generally, the following shall be given in the description (SMM F25). Kind, quality and size of reinforcement. (ii) Shape of cross-section of unit. (iii) Nature and extent of surface finish. (iv) Composition and mix of joining and bedding materials. (v) Method of fixing. 4.10 Walling (i)

Material, kind, type, finish and size of the blocks or blocks. Any requirements as to the stone and the quarry. Type of bond of the brickwork:o English bond, o Stretcher bond, o English Garden bond o Header bond o Flemish bond etc. Composition and mix of mortar for bedding and joining:1:3 Cement: sand 1:4 Cement: sand 1:5 Cement: sand 1:6 Cement: sand 1:1:6 Cement: lime: sand 1:2:9 Cement: lime: sand 4.11 DPC.

Particulars of the following shall be given (SMM G96): (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) Kind and quality of the dampproof materials. Gauge, thickness or substance (e.g. weight per square metre) of sheet material. Number of layers. Composition and mix of bedding material.

Examples of Descriptions are shown on Plate 3

Walling shall consist of bricks/blocks/stone laid in mortar e.g. Solid concrete blockwork. Hollow concrete blockwork. Natural stone. Brickwork

Walling shall be measured in square metres stating the thickness (SMM G4). Particulars of the following shall be given:27 | P a g e