Chapter 3

Sp e c i fi c a t i o n s,
An a l y si s o f R a t e s
a n d Te n d e rs.
 DISCUSSION:
Specifications
Importance
Types of Specifications:
General Specifications
Detailed Specifications
 Quantity Surveying

S p eci fi cati on s
Specification s

Specifications Describe the nature and

the class of the work, materials to be
used in the work, workmanship, etc.
 Specification s

When writing specifications you have to

attempt to express all the requirements
of the work clearly.
 Specification s

The clauses of the specifications should

be arranged in the same order in which
the work will be carried out.
 Specification s

The specifications are written in a

language so that they indicate what the
work should be, and words “shall be” or
“should be” are used.
 Quantity Surveying

Imp ortan ce O f
S p eci fi cati on s
Importance Of Specifications

The technical specifications are

needed to cover the qualitative
items of a project.
This is information that is not easily
shown on the drawings, which are
more quantitative in nature.
Importance Of Specifications

The cost of a work depends much

on the specifications.
Importance Of Specifications

From the study of specifications

one can easily understand the
nature of the work and what the
work shall be.
 Quantity Surveying

Typ es O f
S p eci fi cati on s
Types Of Specifications

Specifications are of two types:

 General Specifications
 Detailed Specifications
General Specifications

General specifications gives the nature

and class of the work and materials in
general terms.
General Specifications

It is a short description of different

parts of the work specifying materials,
proportions, qualities, etc.
General Specifications
General speci fi cat i ons
Illustration E xam pl es
Foundation and Plinth:
Foundation and plinth shall be of stone
work in 1:3 cement mortar over cement
concrete in 1:4:8
General speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Damp proof Course:
D.P.C. shall be 2.5cm thick cement concrete
1:1.5:3, mixed with one kg of impermo per bag
of cement or other standard water proofing
material as specified and painted with two coats
of bitumen.
General speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Flooring:
living room and dinning room floors shall be of
mosaic. Bathroom and WC floors and dado shall
be of mosaic. Floors of Bedrooms shall be
colored and polished.
 Quantity Surveying

Detailed
Specifications
Detailed Specifications

The detailed specifications is a detailed

description and expresses the
requirements in detail.
 Detailed speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Earthwork in Excavation in foundation:
Excavation- Foundation trenches shall be dug out
to the exact width of foundation concrete and the
sides shall be vertical. If the soil is not good and
does not permit vertical sides, the sides should
be sloped back or protected with timber shoring.
Detailed speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Excavated earth shall not be placed with in 1m
of the edge of the trench.
 Detailed speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Finish of trench- the bottom of foundation
trenches shall be perfectly levelled both
longitudinally and transversely and the sides of
the trench shall be dressed perfectly vertical
from the bottom up to the least thickness of
loose concrete so that concrete may be laid to
the exact width per design.
Detailed speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
The bed of the trench shall be lightly watered
and well rammed.
Excess digging if done through mistake shall be
filled with concrete at the expense of the
contractor.
Detailed speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Foundation concrete shall not be laid before the
inspection and approval of the trench by the
engineer in charge.
Detailed speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Findings- Any treasure and valuables or
materials found during the excavation, shall be
property of the government.
Detailed speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Trench Filling – After the concrete has been laid
masonry has been constructed the remaining
portion of the trenches and shall be filled up
with earth in layers of 15cm and watered and
well rammed.
Detailed speci fi cat i ons
Il lustration E xam pl es
Measurement – the measurement of excavation
shall be in cum.
Detailed speci fi cat i ons

For more Examples to be familiar with detailed

specifications please refer to these hand books:
1. Dutta, B.N., Estimating and Costing in Civil
Engineering Theory and Practice
2. Jimmie Hinze, Construction Contracts
Thanks!
Any
Questions