The units of measurements for civil engineering works are mainly
categorised for their nature, shape and size and for making payments to
the contractor. The principle of units of measurements normally consists
the following:
a) Single units work like doors, windows, trusses etc., are expressed in
numbers.
b) Works consists linear measurements involve length like cornice,
fencing, hand rail, bands of specified width etc., are expressed in
running metres (RM)
c) Works consists areal surface measurements involve area like
plastering, white washing, partitions of specified thickness etc., and are
expressed in square meters (m2)
d) Works consists cubical contents which involve volume like earth work,
cement concrete, Masonry etc are expressed in Cubic metres.
Table below shows units of measurement of various items of
civil engineering works based on IS 1200.
.
Sl. Units of Units of
Particulars of item
No. measurement payment
1 Earthwork
1. Earthwork in excavation CUM Per CUM
2. Earthwork in filling in foundation trenches CUM Per CUM
3. Earth work in filling in plinth CUM Per CUM
2 Concrete
1. Lime concrete in foundation
2. Cement concrete in lintels
3. RCC in slab
4. Cement concrete or RCC in chujja, sunshade
5. Lean concrete in roof terracing (thickness
SQM Per SQM
specified)
6. Cement concrete bed CUM Per CUM
7. Reinforced concrete sunshade (specified width
CUM Per CUM
and height)
3 Damp proof course (DPC) – thickness mentioned SQM Per SQM
4 Brick work
1. Brickwork in foundation CUM Per CUM
2. Brickwork in plinth
3. Brickwork in super structure
4. Thin partition walls SQM Per SQM
5. Brickwork in arches CUM Per SQM
6. Reinforced brickwork CUM Per CUM
5 Stone work
1. Stone masonry CUM Per CUM
6 Wood work
1. Doors and windows frames or chaukhats,
CUM Per CUM
rafters, beams
2. Shutters of doors and windows (thickness
SQM Per SQM
specified)
3. Doors and windows fittings (like hinges, tower
Earch Per Each
bolts, sliding bolts, handles)
7 Steel work
1. Steel reinforcement bars etc in RCC and
Quintal Per Quintal
reinforced brick work
2. Bending, binding of steel reinforcement Quintal Per quintal
3. Rivets, bolts and nuts, anchor bolts, lewis bolts,
Quintal Per quintal
holding down bolts
4. Iron hold fasts
5. Iron railing (height and types specified)
6. Iron grills SQM Per SQM
8 Roofing
1. RCC and RB slab roof (excluding steel) CUM Per CUM
2. Lean concrete roof over and inclusive of tiles or
SQM Per SQM
brick or stone slab etc (thickness specified)
3. Centering and shuttering formwork SQM Per SQM
4. AC sheet roofing SQM Per SQM
9 Plastering, points and finishing
1. Plastering – cement or lime mortar (thickness
SQM Per SQM
and proportion specified)
2. Pointing SQM Per SQM
3. White washing, colour washing, cement
SQM Per SQM
washing, (number of coats specified)
4. Distempering (number of coats specified) SQM Per SQM
5. Painting, varnishing (number of coats specified) SQM Per SQM
10 Flooring
1. 25mm cement concrete over 75mm lime
SQM Per SQM
concrete floor (including lean concrete)
2. 25mm or 40mm cement concrete floor SQM Per SQM
3. Doors and window sills (CC or cement mortar
SQM Per SQM
plain)
11 Rain water pipe / plain pipe RM Per RM
12 Steel wooden truss Each Per each
13 Glass panels (supply) SQM Per SQM
14 Fixing of glass panels or cleaning Each Per Each
Note:
SQM = Square meter
CUM = Cubic meter
RM = Running meter
Methods for Measurement of civil engineering works:
The rules for measurement of each item are invariably described in IS –
1200. However some of the general rules are listed below:
1. Measurement shall be made for finished item of work and description
of each item shall include materials, transport, labour, fabrication tools
and plant and all types of overheads for finished the work in required
shape, size and specification.
2. In booking, the order shall be in sequence of length, breadth and
height or thickness.
3. All works shall be measured subject to the following tolerances.
Linear measurement shall be measured to the nearest 0.01m.
Areas shall be measured to the nearest 0.01 SQM
Cubic contents shall be worked out to the nearest 0.01 cum.
4. Same type of work under different conditions and nature shall be
measured separately under separate items.
5. The bill of quantities shall fully describe the materials, proportions,
workmanships and accurately represent the work to be executed.
6. In case of masonry (stone or brick) or structural concrete, the
categories shall be measured separately and the heights shall be
described as:
From foundation to plinth level
From plinth to first floor level
From first floor to second floor level and so on.
Read More: Units of Measurement and Payments for Civil Works