KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Architecture program

SUBJECT: QUANTITY ESTIMATION

1 SUBJECT CODE: CIEG 342
YEAR: THIRD
SEMESTER: SIXTH
DATE: 14 May 2023
Chapter 5,6,7: Specification Quantity estimation
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023
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Specification
• Introduction
• Purpose of Specification,
• Types of Specification
• General and detailed Specification
• Importance of specification
• Things to be considered while writing specifications
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023
 3

What is the nature and class of the work

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

What about workmanship?
What type of material to be used in the work?
4 the execution of the work???

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

Can we estimate the cost of construction of structure just from the drawing?
5

ANSWER?????
What is the nature and class of the work

What type of material to be used in the work?

What about workmanship?

Can we estimate the cost of construction of structure just from the drawing?

the execution of the work???

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

 6 1. Introduction

• Specification describes
the nature and class of the work,
material to be used in the work and
workmanship etc.
• It is very important for the execution of the work.
• The cost of the work depends much on the specifications
• Specifications should be clear.
• From the specification one can easily understand the nature of the work and
what the work shall be?
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023
7 • The drawings of a building or structure
show the arrangement of the rooms and
various parts and the dimensions (length,
breadth and height, with very brief
description of different parts)
• Drawings do not furnish the detail of the Does these drawing informs about nature of work, material
and workmanship???
different items for the work, the quantity
of material, proportions of mortar and
workmanship which are described in
specifications
• Hence the combination of drawings and
specifications define completely the
structure
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023
8 2. Purpose of specifications
i. Specify the nature of work, nature of material and workmanship (enough
description of work so that contractor becomes fully ensured of the required
quality and quantity of material for procurement)
ii. Estimate the quantity and cost (it will be helpful to bidder to quote the rate of
items of work by studying the specification)
iii. To clarify the uncertainty (guideline to contractor to execute work and guideline
to supervisor to monitor the work)
iv. To identify the quality of materials
v. To identify the material properties
vi. To identify the types of workmanship used

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

9 Essential requirement of specification
1. subject matter
 Should be related to information required after the contract is given to a particular
contractor.
 The requirement which are to be enforced should only be included in the specifications.
2. Grammar
The style and tense should remain the same throughout
3. Selection of word
Unfamiliar words having more than one meaning should never be used in the specification
4. Accuracy:
Information should be complete and correct otherwise contractor may claim extra cost
due to damage caused to him by the misleading information supplied by the specifications
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023
 5. Practical limits and commercial size.
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Should be provided keeping in view the practical limitations of materials and
workmanship
Should specify use of commercial sizes and patterns of the materials

6. Fairness
Should be fair and should not be framed in such a way as to throw all the risks
on the shoulder of the contractor.

7. Simple and concise.

Should be short, simple and concise

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

11 Points to be included in specification

 Quality of materials
 Quantity of materials
 Methods of missing
 Construction methods
 Dimensions of works
 Methods of measurement and payment of works

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

 4. Types of specifications
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1. General specification/brief specification/functional
specification
2. Detailed specification
1. General specification:
o It gives the nature and class of the work and material in Different item of works e.g
general terms to be used in the various part of the work earthwork excavation, brick work,
PCC, RCC, plastering, painting,
(from foundation to superstructures) etc

o It is a short description of different parts of the work

specifying materials, proportions, qualities etc.
o General specifications give general idea of the whole
work or structure and are useful for preparation for
estimation
o It is used by estimators, planners/designers it does not
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

make part of the contract document during disputes

 General specification: Example for building
13

Brick work in Foundation and plinth:

shall be of 1st class brick in lime mortar or 1:6 cement mortar over lime concrete of
1:4:8 cement concrete
Damp proof course (DPC) :
DPC shall be 2.5 cm thick cement concrete
Brick work in Superstructure:
superstructure shall be of 1st class brickwork with lime mortar or 1:6 cement
mortar. Lintel over doors and windows shall be of RCC
Roofing:
Roof shall be of RCC slab with an insulation layer and lime concrete terracing
above, supported over joists or RCC beam as required. Height of room shall not be
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

less than 3.7 meter

 General specification: Example for building
14  Flooring: dining room floors shall be of mosaic (terrazzo). Bathroom floors shall
be of mosaic (terrazzo). Floor of bed rooms shall be colored and polished of 2.5
cm cement concrete over 7.5 cm lime concrete. Floors of other shall be 2.5 cm
cement concrete over 7.5 cm lime concrete polished.
vi. Finishing: Inside and outside wall shall be of 12mm cement lime plastered .Bed
room and dining inside shall be distempered, and others inside white washed 3
coats.
vii. Doors and windows: Chaukhats shall be seasoned teak wood. Shutters shall be
teak wood 4.3 cm thick paneled glazed or partly paneled and partly glazed as
required with additional wire gauge shutters. All fittings shall be of brass. Doors
and windows shall be varnished or painted two coats with high class enamel
paint over one coat of priming. Windows should be provided with iron grills.
viii.Miscellaneous: Rain water pipe of cast iron or of asbestos cement shall be
provided and finished painted. Building shall be provided with 1st class sanitary
water fittings and electrical installations.
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023
 2. Detailed specifications:
• It is detail descriptions and expresses the requirements in detail
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• It specifies the quality and quantity of materials, the proportion of mortar,
workmanship, the method of preparation, execution and the methods of
measurements in detail
• Detailed specifications of each item is prepared separately and describe how the
works should be and how they shall be executed and constructed
• The detailed specifications are arranged as far as possible in the same sequence of
order as the work is carried out
• Detailed specifications prepared properly are very helpful for the execution of work
• It is an important part of contract document
• Every engineering department prepares the detailed specifications of the various
items of work and get them printed in book form under the name “detailed
specifications”, when the work or a project is taken up the printed specifications are
referred Example
a. Specifications of building work civil work (DUDBC)
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE b. Standard specifications of road and bridge work (department of road) 5/14/2023
16 2. Detailed specifications:

 Detailed specification is further divided into

1. General Provisions: explains or interprets the parties, start time,
completing time of the building payment and procedure
2. Technical Provision : description of materials to be used, procedure to be
followed , test, procedures of construction , test inspection,

Detailed specification for Nepal :

a. Specifications of building work civil work (Department of urban development and
building construction)
b. Standard specifications of road and bridge work (department of road)
Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023
 2. Detailed specifications: Example for some important item
17 of works

A. Earthwork in excavation in foundation (DUDBC Building Specification)

• Foundation trench shall be dug to the exact width and depth and levels as
indicated in the drawings or to such lesser or greater extent as the Engineer may
advice.
• Sides of trenches shall be vertical. In case the soil does not permit vertical sides,
the Contractor shall protect side with timber shoring.
• Excavated earth shall not be placed within 1.5 meter of the edge of the trench.
• The Project Engineer may direct the Contractor to place excavated earth at a
particular site up to 30 meter away from the building.

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

 Contd….
18
 The bottom of the trench shall be perfectly levelled both longitudinally and
transversely.
 The bed shall be lightly watered and well rammed.
 Excess digging if done through mistake shall be filled with 1:4:8 concrete.
 Water, if any accumulated in the trench, shall be bailed out and all necessary
precaution taken to prevent surface water from entering the trench.
 Soft and defective spot in the trench shall be dug out and removed and filled
with concrete or materials prescribed by the Project Engineer.

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

Contd…
19
• If rocks or boulders are found during excavation, they should be removed and
the bed trench shall be levelled and made hard by consolidating the earth, at
no extra cost.
• Above mentioned items or any variation from the Bills of Quantities shall be
measured and valued by the Engineer as a variation.
• After the completion of foundation masonry, the remaining portion of the
trench not filled by masonry shall be filled up with earth in layers of 15cm,
watered and well-rammed.
• Such filling shall be free from rubbish, refuse matters, surplus earth, if any
shall be removed and site shall be levelled and dressed.

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

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A.Earthwork in excavation in foundation
• Trenches shall be measured as per drawings and rate shall be for complete
Work including trench filling, for 30 meter lead and 1.5 meter lift including all
tools and plants required for the completion of the work, removal of boulders,
side shoring, pumping, and filling in voids by mass concrete (1:4:8).

• No excavation or foundation work shall be filled in or covered up before the

inspection and approval of the Project Engineer.

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

 Earthwork in excavation in foundation
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 Measurement
• Measurement of all works will be made in m³.
• All required and accepted excavation shall be measured from its original position.
The volume shall be determined in cubic meters by average area method to be
computed from the original and final cross-sections of the completed works as
per the drawings or as directed by the Engineer. Where it is not practicable to use
the above method of measurement, the Engineer may use volumetric method or
any other method that in his opinion is best suited for accurate assessment.
 Payment
• Payment for work under these clauses will be made on the basis of contract unit
price indicated in the BOQ. The payment will be full and final compensation for all
material,
• labor, and equipment to complete the works as specified
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Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

 2. Detailed specifications:
 Go in detail of two specifications of Civil Work and Road and Bridge
of Nepal
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Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023

 2. Detailed specifications:
• Go in detail of two specifications of Civil Work and Road and Bridge
of Nepal
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While writing specification following points must be kept
in mind:

1. Use concise clearly ordered

2. It should give accurate and complete information in all respects
3. Use only suitable and desired words for exact meaning in the specifications
4. Practical limitation should be kept in mind while preparing specification
5. Specification document becomes legal document so use only concise words to avoid
confuse and ambiguity

Achitecture program, KU, rajuBHELE 5/14/2023