Estimating and Costing II

Unit 1 Introduction

1.1. Terms use in Earthwork in road construction

1.2. Method of estimating of road and restoration works
1.1. Terms use in Earthwork in road
construction
• The process of excavating the soil and filling the soil is called as a Earthwork. 
• Lead and Lift are most important terms in Earthwork and they are used for Rate Analysis.

LEAD:
Lead is defined as a horizontal straight practicable distance through which the earth can be carried or
transported from the source to the place of spreading and not necessarily the route exactly taken. The unit of
lead is 50 m. for a distance up to 50o m and if the deposition point is greater than normal distance then special
consideration should be made during payment.
LIFT:
Lift is measured from ground level. Excavation up to 1.5 m. below the ground level and depositing excavated
materials on the ground shall be included in the items of earthwork for various kinds of soil. Extra lift shall be
measured in unit of 1.5 m. or part thereof.
• 1 Lead = Earthwork is moved to a distance of 50m
• 1 Lift = Earthwork is lifted to a height or depth of 1.5m
• In the above, Earthwork refers to Excavation or Filling.
1.2. Method of estimating of road and
restoration works
The estimation of restoration work on a road is done as followings:
1. Analysis of the road condition should be carried out every year.
2. The data from the annual analysis is combined with other information such as
road classification, road surface type and average cost to restore the road to its
proper functioning condition.
3. Create the list of road repair based on the priorities and maintenance project
based on the most effective cost and timing of repair.
4. Develop preliminary cost estimate for each project based on historic cost per
lane.
5. Compare the preliminary cost estimate with estimated budget anount and
group the project into five year plan.
6. Revise the five year plan with project list from other organization
that may need to work on roadway. This saves time and money by
reducing the work load and enhancing the repair work.
7. Group the final list of road project into contract package.
8. Combine the contract package into group project within specific
geographic area and give chance to other local agencies to add their
own project to the packages.