Published by: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
Comprehensive handbook with IS clauses explained, examples, illustrations, BOQ samples, deductions, case studies, checklists, and practical applications.
Section 1 – Introduction
- Purpose of IS 1200.
- Importance of standard methods of measurement.
- Role of earthwork in civil engineering projects.
- Problems before standardization (contract disputes, over/under payments).
- How IS 1200 Part 1 solves them.
Section 2 – Scope & Definitions
- Scope of IS 1200 Part 1.
- Key terms explained: earthwork, excavation, filling, backfilling, embankment, lead, lift, setting out.
- Distinction between measurement and rate analysis.
Section 3 – Units of Measurement
- Cubic metre (m³) for volume.
- Square metre (m²) for surface excavation.
- Metre (m) for linear measurements.
- Tonne (t) for special cases (rock disposal).
- Why cubic metre is universal for earthwork.
Section 4 – Classification of Earthwork
4.1 Purpose of Classification
- To standardize how different types of soil and rock are recognized.
- To ensure accurate measurement & payment for earthwork.
- To avoid disputes between contractor and client regarding what type of strata is excavated.
- To help in deciding rate analysis (labour, machinery, explosives, etc.).
- To act as a technical reference for site engineers, billing engineers, and surveyors.
4.2 Categories of Earthwork
1. Ordinary Soil
- Definition:
Soil that can be excavated with normal tools like spades, shovels, and picks without requiring blasting or heavy machinery.
Examples:- Topsoil with roots
- Sand
- Loose or soft clay
- Silt
- Loamy soil
- Tools Required:
- Spade, shovel, hoe, pickaxe, crowbar
- Wheelbarrow / pan for carrying
- Small JCB (if large-scale)
- Site Examples:
- Excavation for foundations of residential buildings in agricultural land.
- Trenching for drainage lines in sandy areas.
- Roadwork subgrade preparation in loose soil.
- Measurement Rule:
- Volume = Length × Breadth × Depth (before and after excavation check).
- Payment is based on bank volume (before loosening).
2. Hard Soil
- Definition:
Soils that are more compact and require more effort to excavate than ordinary soil, but still do not require blasting.
Examples:- Compacted clay
- Kankar (calcareous nodules in clay)
- Moorum (disintegrated rock mixed with clay)
- Gravel or compact sand
- Tools Required:
- Pickaxe, crowbar, iron rammer
- Manual labour with spades + mechanical excavators
- Sometimes pneumatic tools
- Site Examples:
- Road cutting in laterite/murum areas.
- Foundation trenches in semi-urban compacted ground.
- Excavation for underground tanks in mixed clay + gravel strata.
- Special Note:
Excavation takes 20–40% more effort compared to ordinary soil → Rate is higher.
3. Ordinary Rock
- Definition:
Rock or boulders that are:- Not decomposed enough to be classified as soil.
- Removable without blasting (can be excavated by mechanical breakers, crowbars, wedges, chisels).
- Weathered rock
- Shale
- Soft laterite
- Decomposed granite
- Tools Required:
- Hammer, chisels, wedges
- Crowbars, pickaxes
- Pneumatic rock breakers (for faster removal)
- Site Examples:
- Basement excavation in weathered granite zones.
- Cutting for roads in soft lateritic strata.
- Canal excavation where decomposed rock is found.
- Measurement:
Paid separately from soil → Rate includes extra effort and tools.
4. Hard Rock (Requiring Blasting)
- Definition:
Rock that is massive, intact, and cannot be removed without blasting.
Examples:- Granite
- Basalt
- Dolerite
- Quartzite
- Tools & Equipment Required:
- Drill rods, compressors, jackhammers
- Explosives (gelignite, ANFO, detonators)
- Safety gear (helmets, mats, sandbags for controlled blasting)
- Excavators for loading blasted rock
- Site Examples:
- Road cutting in hilly terrain (e.g., NH projects in rocky regions).
- Dam foundation excavation in massive granite.
- Metro tunneling through basalt.
- Measurement Notes:
- Blasting logs must be recorded.
- Quantity measured in bank volume (pre-blast).
- Extra charges if controlled blasting is specified.
5. Hard Rock (Requiring Chiseling / Wedging, but Without Blasting)
- Definition:
Rock too hard to be classified as ordinary rock, but where blasting is not allowed (due to urban areas, vibration restrictions, or safety reasons).- Removal done by chiseling, wedging, pneumatic breakers.
- Examples:
- Dense granite near hospitals or heritage structures.
- Basalt excavation inside city limits.
- Tools Required:
- Hammer, wedges, chisels
- Pneumatic breakers
- Mechanical excavators
- Site Examples:
- Metro tunneling near urban settlements (no blasting zones).
- Excavation for high-rise basements in core city zones.
- Measurement Notes:
Rate is higher than blasting excavation due to more labour and time.
6. Disintegrated Rock / Moorum
- Definition:
- Rock that has weathered/disintegrated but is harder than soil.
- Requires picks, crowbars, sometimes mechanical excavators.
- Known locally as murum (lateritic soil with stone particles).
- Tools Required:
- Pickaxe, crowbars
- Small excavators
- No explosives required
- Site Examples:
- Road embankment filling in murum-rich areas.
- House foundations in lateritic zones.
7. Mixed Soils / Mixed Strata
- Definition:
Cases where excavation consists of layers of different materials (soil + murum + rock). - Measurement Rules:
- Each strata should be measured separately by classification.
- If measurement is not possible (due to mixing during excavation), payment is made based on visual joint inspection records.
- If dispute arises → Engineer-in-Charge’s classification is final.
- Site Examples:
- Foundation excavation where topsoil → murum → hard rock sequence occurs.
- Road cuttings through alternating soil and weathered rock.
4.3 Practical Thumb Rules for QS/Engineers
- Ordinary soil excavation rate ≈ 0.8–1.2 m³ per labour/day.
- Hard soil excavation rate ≈ 0.5–0.8 m³ per labour/day.
- Rock excavation (without blasting) ≈ 0.2–0.3 m³ per labour/day.
- Blasting productivity = 10–12 m³ rock per day per crew.
- For BOQ: Separate line items must be included for each classification.
Section 5 – Method of Measurement
- General principles of measurement.
- Volume calculation (L × B × D).
- Centre line method for trenches.
- Block method for pits.
- Lead and lift calculation with diagrams.
- Step-by-step examples with BOQ entries.
Section 6 – Lead and Lift
- Lead definition, intervals (initial 50 m, subsequent 50 m).
- Lift definition, intervals (initial 1.5 m, subsequent 1.5 m).
- Earth disposal rules.
- Worked-out numerical examples:
- Excavation depth 4.5 m.
- Disposal at 200 m away.
- How to record in BOQ with sample item descriptions.
Section 7 – Deductions & Additions
- Deductions for small pits (<10 m²).
- No deduction for narrow trenches (<0.3 m wide).
- No deduction for voids <0.5 m³.
- Additions for shoring, strutting, dewatering.
- Practical site disputes & solutions.
Section 8 – Special Provisions
- Blasting rules and safety.
- Dewatering (when payable separately).
- Rock excavation with/without blasting.
- Replacement of unsuitable soil.
- Protection of nearby structures.
Section 9 – Practical Measurement Rules
- Checklist for site engineers before measurement.
- Common mistakes in earthwork measurement.
- Thumb rules linked to IS clauses.
- Differences between IS 1200 and CPWD/State PWD SOR.
- Best practices for joint measurements with contractors.
Section 10 – BOQ Item Formation
- How to write BOQ descriptions correctly.
- Examples:
- “Earthwork in excavation by mechanical means (Hydraulic excavator)/manual means over areas exceeding 30 cm in depth, 1.5 m width….”
- Filling in plinth with excavated soil.
- Backfilling around foundations.
- Sample BOQ sheets (10+ examples).
- Cross-referencing with SOR (CPWD/KSR/PWD).
Section 11 – Worked-Out Examples
- Example 1: Building foundation excavation.
- Example 2: Road embankment.
- Example 3: Canal excavation.
- Example 4: Hill cutting for road.
- Example 5: Underground tank excavation.
- Each with step-by-step measurements, lead/lift, deductions, and BOQ entries.
Section 12 – Case Studies & Disputes
- Dispute: Soil measured in loose vs. compacted condition.
- Dispute: Lead calculation in irregular terrain.
- Arbitration case references.
- Lessons learned.
Section 13 – Integration with Rate Analysis
- Linking measurement with rate analysis.
- Cost impact of lead & lift.
- Soil classification & rate differences.
- Role in tendering & billing.
Section 14 – Quick Reference Tables
- Table of classification.
- Table of units.
- Table of lead & lift intervals.
- Deduction rules.
- BOQ description formats.
Section 15 – Summary & Key Takeaways
- Bullet-pointed summary.
- Golden rules for QS.
- Quick recall checklist.
