Published by: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
Scope:
This part specifies the method of measurement for plain and reinforced cement concrete works (excluding precast, prestressed, and special concretes which are covered separately).
1. Scope
- Applies to all concrete works in building and civil engineering (plain & reinforced).
- Covers measurement of cast-in-situ concrete, formwork, centering, shuttering, finishing, and reinforcement (though reinforcement is usually covered in Part 5, steel).
2. Units of Measurement
- Concrete works (PCC, RCC): measured in cubic metres (m³).
- Formwork (shuttering/centering): measured in square metres (m²).
- Finish to exposed concrete surfaces (fair face finish, bush hammering, etc.): measured in square metres (m²).
3. Classification of Concrete
1. Based on Ingredients & Composition
- Plain Cement Concrete (PCC)
- Definition: Concrete made with cement, sand, and coarse aggregates without reinforcement.
- Use: Levelling courses, bedding for foundations, flooring underlayers.
- Example: PCC 1:4:8 under footing.
- Measurement: Measured in cubic metres (m³) — deductions for openings >0.1 m².
- Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC)
- Definition: Concrete with steel reinforcement bars, wires, or mesh to take tensile stresses.
- Use: Slabs, beams, columns, foundations, retaining walls.
- Example: RCC M25 for beam-slab construction.
- Measurement: Concrete and reinforcement measured separately (as per IS 1200, reinforcement is excluded from RCC volume).
- Prestressed Concrete
- Definition: Concrete in which steel tendons are stressed before or after casting to counteract tensile stresses.
- Use: Bridges, flyovers, long-span beams, precast members.
- Example: Pre-tensioned beams, PSC girders.
- Measurement: Generally by volume; tendons/wires measured separately.
2. Based on Grade of Concrete
- Nominal Mix Concrete (for small works, non-structural)
- M5, M7.5, M10, M15, M20 (cement:sand:aggregate in fixed proportion).
- Example: M10 for PCC bed, M15 for flooring.
- Design Mix Concrete (for structural & large works, mix designed in lab)
- M25, M30, M35, M40 and above.
- Example: M25 for residential slabs, M35 for bridges, M50+ for high-rise.
3. Based on Density
- Lightweight Concrete
- Density: 300–1800 kg/m³.
- Made with lightweight aggregates (pumice, cinder, expanded clay).
- Used for non-load-bearing walls, insulation.
- Normal Weight Concrete
- Density: 2200–2600 kg/m³.
- Made with natural aggregates (crushed stone, gravel).
- Used for most structural works (slabs, beams, columns).
- Heavyweight Concrete
- Density: 3000–5000 kg/m³.
- Made with barytes, hematite, or steel chips.
- Used in nuclear plants, radiation shielding.
4. Based on Purpose & Application
- Mass Concrete – Foundations, dams, retaining walls.
- Structural Concrete – Beams, slabs, columns, frames.
- Decorative Concrete – Exposed finish, terrazzo, stamped concrete.
- High-Performance Concrete (HPC) – High strength, durability, self-compacting (SCC), fibre-reinforced.
5. Based on Method of Placement
- In-situ Concrete – Cast in place at site.
- Precast Concrete – Cast at factory/yards and transported.
- Precast Prestressed Concrete – Used for bridges, sleepers, panels.
6. Based on Measurement Considerations
- Concrete in Foundation/Footings – Measured separately from superstructure.
- Concrete in Superstructure – RCC in slabs, beams, columns measured by volume.
- Deductions:
- For openings >0.1 m².
- For columns, walls, pipes, and other embedded items
4. Method of Measurement
1. Units of Measurement
- Concrete → measured in cubic metre (m³).
- Precast concrete units → measured by number, length, area, or volume as specified.
- Reinforcement steel → measured separately by weight (kg/tonne).
- Formwork → measured separately by area (m²).
2. Classification of Concrete for Measurement
Concrete works are classified and measured separately under headings like:
- Plain Cement Concrete (PCC)
- In foundations, flooring, bedding, etc.
- Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC)
- In footings, beams, slabs, columns, walls, etc.
- Prestressed Concrete
- In girders, precast units, bridges.
- Special Concrete
- Light-weight, high-density, self-compacting, mass concrete.
Each type should be measured separately, with grade/strength clearly stated (M15, M25, etc.).
3. Method of Measurement – General Rules
- Dimensions should be taken from drawings or as executed, correct to nearest 0.01 m (10 mm).
- Volume should be worked out in cubic metres, correct to 0.01 m³.
- No deductions are made for:
- Openings ≤ 0.1 m² in area.
- Volume of reinforcement, embedded fixtures, conduits.
- Construction joints.
- Deductions must be made for:
- Openings > 0.1 m².
- Pipes, ducts, and other voids larger than 100 mm in cross-section.
4. PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) Measurement
- Measured in m³ separately under headings such as:
- Foundation bed.
- Flooring bed.
- Levelling course.
- Thickness and area clearly stated in BOQ.
- Example entry:
- PCC 1:4:8 (M7.5) in foundation bed – m³.
5. RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) Measurement
- RCC measured in m³, excluding steel reinforcement.
- Formwork measured separately in m².
- Reinforcement measured separately in weight (kg/tonne).
- RCC classified by location:
- RCC in footings.
- RCC in beams.
- RCC in slabs.
- RCC in columns.
- RCC in lintels/chajjas/staircases.
Note:
- Volume worked out from outer dimensions.
- Deductions made for large openings/voids.
- Steel not deducted (volume negligible).
6. Precast Concrete Measurement
- Measured as per unit specified:
- By number (e.g., kerb stones).
- By length (e.g., pipes).
- By area (e.g., paving tiles).
- By volume (e.g., blocks).
- Handling, hoisting, fixing, jointing are included.
7. Prestressed Concrete
- Concrete volume measured separately in m³.
- Prestressing steel measured by weight (kg/tonne).
- Anchors, ducts, sheathing, grouting, etc., measured separately.
8. Formwork
- Measured in m² (area in contact with concrete).
- Classified separately for:
- Foundations.
- Columns.
- Slabs/soffits.
- Beams/sides.
- Staircases.
- Reuse not considered – each use is measured fresh.
9. Reinforcement Steel
- Measured separately in kg/tonne.
- Length measured, converted to weight using IS steel tables (dia × length × unit weight).
- Laps, hooks, bends included.
- Wastage allowed (usually 2–5%).
10. Special Considerations
- Mass Concrete (e.g., dams, retaining walls):
- Measured separately, classification noted.
- High-Strength / Light-Weight / Heavy-Weight Concrete:
- Classified & measured separately, with grade.
- Finishes (Trowel finish, sand finish, exposed aggregate):
- Included in rate, unless specified separately.
11. Example BOQ Items
- PCC 1:4:8 (M7.5) in foundation bed – m³.
- RCC M25 in beams, excluding formwork & reinforcement – m³.
- Formwork to beam sides – m².
- HYSD reinforcement steel – kg.
- Precast RCC cover slab – number.
✅ In summary:
- Concrete volume → measured in m³ (excluding steel).
- Formwork → measured in m².
- Steel reinforcement → measured in kg/tonne.
- Openings ≤0.1 m² → ignored.
- Openings >0.1 m² → deducted.
5. Deductions
- Deductions to be made for:
- Openings/voids > 0.1 m² in concrete.
- Volume of pipes, ducts, or recesses > 0.02 m³.
- No deduction for small embedded items (holdfasts, pipes <100 mm diameter).
6. Centering & Shuttering (Formwork)
- Formwork is measured separately from concrete.
- Classification:
- Vertical surfaces (columns, walls, beams sides).
- Horizontal surfaces (slabs, soffits, etc.).
- Curved surfaces.
7. Key Notes
- Reinforcement steel (RCC bars) is measured separately under IS 1200 Part 5.
- Concrete volume is always net in place after deductions.
- Mortar or plaster finish over concrete is not included — measured separately under plastering.
- Precast items are excluded here, covered in Part 9 (Precast Concrete).
8. Key Takeaways
- Concrete = m³, Formwork = m².
- Classify by grade/mix/location.
- Deductions for large voids only.
- Formwork always measured separately.
- Special finishes on concrete also measured separately.
