Core Notes

Chapter 1:

Quantities

Faculty: FACULTY OF ENGINEERING &TECHNOLOGY

Department: DEPARTMENT OFCIVIL ENGINEERING

Course: DIPLOMA: ENGINEERING: CIVIL

Title: DOCUMENTATION: ECDOC1A

Compiled By: APA BARNARD

Year: Semester 1 - 2021

 DOCUMENTATION I - ECDOC1A
Chapter 1
Reference: Syllabus Guide – Section 1: Quantities
Syllabus Guide: Measurement of quantities and compilation of list of quantities
for civil works as applied to:
1.1 Site Investigation
1.2 Site Clearance
1.3 Earthworks (excavations, filling, mass haul)
1.4 Excavations for structural foundations and civil services
1.5 Piling
1.6 Shuttering, scaffolding and falsework
1.7 Concrete
1.8 Reinforcement
1.9 Structural steel work
1.10 Structural timber
1.11 Brickwork and masonry
1.12 Rail track work
1.13 Roads
1.14 Undefined items.

Literature: A huge variety of literature exist for this ‘topic’. In compiling

these ‘notes’ the following references have been used and
copied:
 Civil Engineering Quantities 1990: The South African
Institution of Civil Engineers1.
 Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement –
South African Edition (CESMM3): Institution of Civil
Engineers2.
 CIDB Practice Note #213.

Assignment: Consult the VUT Library for the publications listed, and search
for other relevant publications.

1
Students must buy this publication, and will work directly from it.
2
Students need to access this publication at the library.
3
Students must download this publication from the CIDB website.
Notes:

Introduction:

These notes deal with the topic of “Quantities” in two parts. The first part deals with
actual ‘taking off’ of quantities, while the second part deals with the format in which
quantities are presented in order to make the information the bill of quantities
provides more useful. For the first part, the publication, Civil Engineering Quantities
19904 will be used, and for the second part, the publication, Civil Engineering
Standard Method of Measurement (CESMM3) 5

Part 1: BoQ:

For Part 1: BoQ the student must download CIDB Practice Note #21 from the CIDB
Website.
CIDB Practice Note #21 deals with the Bill of Quantities (BoQ), under the following
headings:

 What is your BoQ ?

 Why use a BoQ ?
 Pricing a BoQ ?
 Evaluating of tenders where a BoQ forms the basis for price.
 Submitting a BoQ with a tender.

The student needs to learn the content of this Practice Note under these headings,
be able to list and discuss the issue.

Part 2: Taking-off Quantities:

The “Civil Engineering Quantities 1990 is a guide for determining and using
quantities for civil engineering construction contracts for use by undergraduates, by
graduates in training for registration and by Professional Engineers as a reference
and companion to: SABS 1200 Standardized Specifications, Part 4 of SABS 0120,
Typical Schedule of Quantities, and General Conditions of Contract 1982.”

Quantities must be taken off in a logical, concise and methodical order and
manner and recorded in a retrievable and checkable form. In achieving this, a
set of principles and conventions will (must) be used. Learning and applying
these principles and conventions correctly forms the core of what is required
from the student – it is not a matter of getting the correct answer (correct
calculation).

This part of the syllabus requires that the definitions, principles and convention of
calculating quantities must be learned and then be demonstrated by the application

4
Civil Engineering Quantities 1990: A Guide for Determining and Using Quantities for Civil Engineering and
Construction Contracts - The South African Institution of Civil Engineers.
5
Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement – South African Edition (CESMM3) – Institution of Civil
Engineers.
thereof in terms of the engineering elements listed – site investigation, site
clearance, earthworks, etc.
The student is going to work directly from the book: Civil Engineering Quantities.

Part 3: Bill of Quantities format:

The Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (CESMM3) states in its

foreword:

“The use of bills of quantities on construction contracts permits three important

objectives to be achieved, these being:

 Tenderers are provided with adequate information regarding the extent of the
work required to enable them to accurately and confidently prepare tenderers
which my readily be compared with other tenders.
 Employers can pre-determine with a high degree of accuracy the costs of
contracts and the impact of possible variation to the works.
 A sound basis is provided for the valuation of work carried out of any stage of
contract.

Bills of quantities will more effectively achieve the foregoing objectives if they:

 reflect the nature of the work proposed and the circumstances under which it
will be executed;
 are prepared in a standard manner for all contracts; and
 are brief and simple to use while still being itemised in sufficient detail to
distinguish between different classes of work, and between work of the same
nature carried out in differing circumstances and locations.6 “

CESSM3 further states that it seeks to attain these objectives in principal by the use
of the Work Classification –

a) how work is to be divided into separate items in the Bill of Quantities;

b) the information to be given in item descriptions;
c) the units in which the quantities against each item are to be expressed; and
d) how the work is to be measured for the purpose of calculating quantities.

In terms of the CESSM3 WORK CLASSIFICATION is done in terms of “Classes”,

starting with Class A: General Items; Class C: Geotechnical and other specialist
processes; Class D: Demolition and site clearance; Class E: Earthworks; etc.

Each of these Classes indicates what is included under this particular item, and what
is excluded. For instance:

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Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement – South African Edition (CESMM3) – Institution of Civil
Engineers.
Class R: Roads and pavings

Includes: Sub-base, base and surfacing of roads and other paved areas
Kerbing
Traffic signs and markings

Excludes: Earthworks (included in Class E)

Processing of sub-base, base and surfacing of roads, runways and
other paved areas and the variation in surfacing quantities if Class R is
expressly required.
Drainage (included in Classes I, J, K, and L)
Fences and gates (included in Class X)
Maintenance of roads and pavings.

The WORK CLASSIFICATION of each of these Classes, is then presented under the
following headings:

 First Division
 Second Division
 Third Division
 Measurement Rules
 Definition Rules Coverage Rules, and
 Additional Description Rules.

Two examples are copied from CESSM3 to illustrate this:

1. Class E: Earthworks - Annexure 1

2. Class F: In Situ Concrete - Annexure 2.
 Annexure 1.
7
Class E: Earthworks

Includes: Excavation, dredging, filling, compaction, disposal and landscaping

Excludes: Excavation for:

diaphragm walls and ground anchorages
trenches for pipes, ducts and metal culverts
manholes, trenches and ditches, pipe headings, thrust boring and pipe
jacking, and pipe jointing
piles
foundations for traffic signs
tunnels, shafts, headings and other subterranean cavities
foundations for fences and gates
Reinstatement following pipe laying.

ADDITIONAL
FIRST SECOND THIRD MEASUREMENT DEFINITION COVERAGE
DESCRIPTION
DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION RULES RULES RULES
RULES
M1 In accordance D1 Excavation
with paragraph other than in
5.19 the quantities topsoil or artificial
of earthworks shall hand material is
be computed net classified as:
using dimensions Soft:
from the Drawings Rock:
with no allowance a) Intermediate:
for bulking, b) Hard rock:
shrinkage or c) Boulder class
waste. A:
Where boundaries d) Boulder class
between different B:
materials are not
shown on the
Drawings,
measurement shall
be made on Site.
1 Excavation 1 Topsoil M2 The D2 Excavated C1 Items for A1 The location
by dredging m3 2 Material other commencing material shall be excavation and limits of
2 Excavation than topsoil, surface adopted in deemed to be shall be excavation by
for cuttings m3 rock or artificial the preparation of material other deemed to dredging shall
3 Excavation hand material 1 Maximum the Bill of than topsoil, rock include be stated in item
for foundations 3 Rock Type: depth: Quantities shall be or artificial hard upholding descriptions
m3 not adopted for the material unless sides of where its extent
4 General Intermediate exceeding measurement of otherwise stated excavation, would otherwise
excavation m3 Hard rock 0.25m the completed in item additional be uncertain.
Boulder class A 2 0.25 – 0.5 work. descriptions. excavation to A2 Item
Boulder class B m M3 Excavation D3 Excavation in provide descriptions for
4 Stated 3 0.5 – 1 m classed as by or under an working space excavation
artificial hard 4 1–2m dredging in the Bill embankment, and removal of below a body of
material 5 2–5m of Quantities shall executed prior to dead services. open water
exposed at the 6 5 – 10 m be measured as by placing of fill, C2 Except if identified in the
Commencing 7 10 – 15 m dredging shall be classed overburden in Pricing
Surface 8 stated irrespective of the as excavation for class EA is Assumptions in
5 Stated exceeding 15 method of cuttings. expressly accordance with
artificial hand m excavation D4 Excavation included, items paragraph 5.21
material not adopted by the from within for excavation shall identify the
exposed at the Contractor. borrow pits shall within borrow body of water.
Commencing M4 Measurement be classed as pits shall be A3 The location
Surface of excavation by general deemed to and limits of
dredging shall be excavation. include excavation for

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Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (South African Edition) CESMM3 - Institution of Civil
Engineers
 made from removal and foundations
sounding unless replacement of shall be stated
otherwise stated. overburden in items
M5 An item shall and unsuitable descriptions
be given for each material. where the limits
separate stage of would otherwise
excavation where be uncertain.
separate stages in Excavation
the conduct of the around pile
Works are shafts and for
expressly required. underpinning
M6 The volume shall each be so
measured for the described and
excavation of a classed as
structure for excavation for
foundation shall be foundations.
the volume which A4 The
is to be either Commencement
occupied by Surface shall be
vertical above any identified in the
part of the description of
structure or each item for
foundation. work involving
M7 The volume excavation for
measured for which the
excavation below a Commencement
body of open water Surface is not
shall be the the Original
volume below Surface. The
water when the Excavated
water surface is at Surface shall be
the level (or the identified in the
higher level of description of
fluctuation if each item for
applicable) shown work involving
on the drawing to excavation for
which reference is which the
given in the Pricing Excavated
Assumptions in Surface is not
accordance with the Final
paragraph 5.21. Surface.
M8 An isolated A5 Item
volume of artificial descriptions for
hard material or excavation
hard rock within borrow
occurring within pits shall so
other material to state.
be excavated shall A6 Item
not be measured descriptions
separately unless shall identify
its volume exceeds separately
1 m3 except that excavation
the minimum which is
volume shall be expressly
0.25m3 where the required to be
net with of carried out by
excavation is less hand.
than 2 m.
M9 The volume
measured for
excavation within
borrow pits shall
be the net volume
measured for
filling.
5 Excavation 1 Trimming of 1 Topsoil M10 Trimming of D5 Disposal of A7 Item
ancillaries excavated 2 Material excavated excavated description for
surface other than surfaces shall be material shall be excavation
m2 topsoil, rock measured to deemed to be ancillaries in
2 Preparation of or artificial surfaces which are disposal off the connection with
excavated hard material to receive no Site unless excavation by
surface 3 Rock type: Permanent Works otherwise stated dredging shall
m2 whether trimming in the item be so described.
 3 Disposal of Intermediate is expressly descriptions. A8 Item
excavated 4 Hard required or not. D6 Trimming, descriptions for
material Rock M11Preparation of preparation, trimming of
m3 5 Boulder excavated disposal and excavated
4 Double class A surfaces shall be double handling surfaces and
handling of 6 Boulder measured to shall be deemed preparation of
excavated class B surfaces which are to be carried out excavated
material m3 7 Stated to receive upon material surfaces shall
artificial hard Permanent Works other than identify surfaces
material whether topsoil, rock or which are:
5 Dredging to preparation is artificial hand (a) Inclined at
remove silt expressly required material unless an angle of
m3 or not except otherwise stated 100-450 to
6 Excavation of surfaces which are in item the
material below to receive filling or descriptions. horizontal
the Final landscaping and (b) Inclined at
Surface and surfaces for which an angle of
replacement formwork is 450-900 to
with stated measured. the
material M12The volume of horizontal
m3 disposal of (c) Vertical.
7 Timber excavated material A9 Where
supports left in measured shall be material is for
m2 the difference disposal on the
8 Metal between the total Site the location
supports left in net volume of of the disposal
m2 excavation and the areas shall be
net volume of stated in the
excavated material item
used for filing. descriptions for
M13Double disposal of
handling of excavated
excavated material material.
shall be measured
only to the extent
that is expressly
required. The
volume measured
for double handling
shall be that of the
void formed in the
temporary
stockpile form
which the material
is removed.
M14Dredging to
remove silt shall
be measured only
to the extent that is
expressly required
that silt which
accumulates after
the Final Surface
has been reached
shall be removed.
M15 The area
measured for
timber or metal
supports left in
shall be the area of
supported surfaces
for which the
supports are
expressly require
to be left in.
6 Filling 1 To structures 1 Excavated M16Filling of D7Filling material C2 Items for A10The
m3 topsoil excavations shall be deemed filling shall be materials shall
2 Embankments 2 Imported around completed to be non- deemed to be identified in
m3 topsoil structures shall be selected include item
3 General 3 Non- measured only to excavated compaction. descriptions for
m3 selected the extent that the material other filling with
4 To stated excavated volume filled is than topsoil or imported
depth or material other also measured as hard rock, unless material.
 thickness than topsoil or excavation in otherwise stated A11Where
m2 hard rock accordance with in item different
4 Selected rule M6. description. compaction
excavated M17Where filling D8Filling material requirements
material other to form temporary shall be classed are specified for
than topsoil or roads is as excavated the same filling
hard rock subsequently hard rock only material they
5 Imported permitted in terms where the use of shall be stated
natural of the Contract for hard rock as in item
material other incorporation into filling at stated descriptions for
than topsoil or permanent filling locations is filling.
hard rock the volume placed expressly A12Where the
6 Excavated shall not be required. rate of
hard rock deducted from the D9Filling shall be deposition of
7 Imported measurement of classed as to filling material is
hard rock filling. stated depth or limited the
8 Imported M18Additional thickness where limitation shall
artificial filling necessitated material is be stated in item
material by settlement of or provided of descriptions for
penetration into uniform total filling.
underlying material compacted depth A13The
shall be measured or thickness such materials shall
only to the extent as in selected be identified in
that its depth subgrade layers, item
exceeds 75mm. drainage descriptions
M19The volume of blankets, filling to stated
imported filling topsoiling, depth or
material measured pitching and thickness.
shall be the beaching. Bulk A14Item
difference between filling shall not be descriptions for
the net volume of classed as to filling to stated
filling and the net stated depth or depth or
volume of thickness thickness shall
excavated material notwithstanding identify work
derived from work that it may be upon surfaces
within classes E compacted in which are;
and T used for separate layers (a) inclined at an
filing. of material of angle of 100-450
M20Where hard stated thickness. to the horizontal
rock filling is (b) inclined at an
deposited into soft angle of 450-900
areas the volume to the horizontal
shall be measured (c) vertical.
in the transport
vehicles at the
place of
deposition.
M21Where filling is
to be deposited
below water, and
the quantity cannot
be measured
satisfactorily by
any other means,
its volume shall be
measured in the
transport vehicles
at the place of
deposition.
7 Filing 1 Trimming if 1 Topsoil M22Trimming of D10 Trimming A15Item
ancillaries filled surfaces 2 Material filled surfaces shall and preparation descriptions for
m2 other than be measured to shall be deemed filling ancillaries
2 Preparation of topsoil, rock surfaces which are to be carried out shall identify
filled surfaces or artificial to receive no upon material work upon
m2 hard material Permanent Works other than surfaces which
3 Rock type: whether trimming topsoil, hard rock are:
Intermediate is expressly or artificial hard (a) inclined at an
4 Hard rock required or not. material unless angle of 100-450
5 Boulder M23Preparation of otherwise stated to the horizontal
class A filled surfaces shall in item (b) inclined at an
6 Boulder be measured to descriptions. angle of 450-900
class B surfaces which are to the horizontal
7 Stated to receive (c) vertical.
 artificial hard Permanent Works A16The type
material whether and grade of
preparation is material shall be
expressly required stated in item
or not except descriptions for
surfaces which are geotextiles.
to receive filling or
landscaping and
surfaces for which
formwork is
measured.
3 Geotextiles M24 The area of
m2 additional
geotextiles in laps
shall not be
measured.
8 Landscaping M25 The lengths C3 Items for A17 Where
of hedges landscaping turfing is pegged
7 Hedges, 1 Single measured shall be shall be or wired item
stated row their developed deemed to descriptions
lengths along include shall so state.
species, 2 Double centre lines. fertilizing, A18 Item
size and row trimming and descriptions for
preparation of turfing and grass
spacing surfaces seeding shall
m identify work
upon surfaces
which are
inclined at an
angle exceeding
100 to the
horizontal.
 Annexure 2.
Class F: In Situ Concrete8
Excludes: Excludes: In situ concrete for:
diaphragm walls
excavation ancillaries
granolithic and other applied finishes
drainage and pipework
pipes
piles
roads, pavings and kerbs
tunnel and shaft linings
foundations for fences and gates.
ADDITION
FIRST SECOND THIRD MEASUREMENT DEFINITION COVERAGE
DESCRIPT
DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION RULES RULES RULES
RULES
M1 The volume
of concrete
measured shall
include that
occupied by:
(a)
Reinforcement
and other metal
sections
(b) prestressing
components
(c) cast-in
components
each not
exceeding 0.1m3
in volume
(d) rebates,
grooves, throats,
fillets, chamfers
or internal splays
each not
exceeding
0.01m2 in cross-
sectional area
(e) pockets and
holes which are
defined as large
or small voids in
accordance with
rule D3 of class

8
Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (South African Edition) CESMM3 - Institution of Civil
Engineers
 G
(f) joints or joint
components
between
adjacent volumes
of in situ
concrete.
M2 The volume
of concrete
measured shall
exclude that of
nibs or external
slays each not
exceeding
0.01m2 in cross-
sectional area.
Provision of 1 Grade: Cement to D1 Items for A1
Concrete 7.5 SANS provision of specificatio
1 Design MP 50197- concrete shall the con
mix a 1/EN 197- be classified mix
3
m 2 10 MPa 1 in accordance accordanc
3 15 MPa 1 9.5 mm with SANS with S
4 20 MPa aggregate 2001 – CC1. 2001 sha
5 25 MPa 2 13.2 mm D2 A mix stated in
6 30 MPa aggregate shall be description
7 35 MPa 3 19 mm classed as a provision
8 40 MPa aggregate prescribed concrete
4 37.5 mm mix or special unless a
aggregate mix where the reference
Other mix is stated
state specified in which
cement or SANS 2001 – specificatio
blend of CC1 or SANS given
cement 20012-CC2, elsewhere
and as relevant. the Contra
extender D3 A
5 9.5 mm concrete mix
aggregate shall be
6 13.2 mm classed as a
aggregate designed mix
7 19 mm where the
aggregate performance
8 37.5 mm is stated in
aggregate the Contract
Provision of 1 Grade 10 1 42.5 N and the mix
Concrete to or R proportions
2 SANS2001 cement are to be
Prescribed 2 Grade 15 with 19 selected by
mix to mm the
m3 SANS2001 aggregate Contractor.
3 Grade 20 2 32.5 N
to or R
SANS2001 cement
4 Grade 25 with 19
to mm
SANS2001 aggregate
5 Grade 30 3 42.5 N
to or R
SANS2001 cement
with 13
mm
aggregate
4 32.5 N
or R
cement
with 13
mm
aggregate
Provision of 1 No-fines
Concrete concrete–
3 Special to 38mm
mix aggregate
m3 2 No-fines
concrete –
to 19mm
aggregate
3 No-fines
concrete-
to 13mm
aggregate
4 No-fines
concrete-
clinker
aggregate
5 Breeze
concrete
All to
SANS2001-
CC1
Provision of
Concrete
4
Prescribed
mix
m3
5 Mass 1 Blinding 1 M3 Columns and D4 A2
m3 2 Bases, Thickness: piers integral with Prestressed description
6 footings, not a wall shall be concrete placing
Reinforced pile caps exceeding measured as part which is also concrete w
m3 and ground 150 mm of the wall, reinforced is expr
7 slabs 2 except where shall be required t
Prestressed 3 Thickness: expressly classes as placed ag
m3 Suspended not required to be prestressed an excav
slabs exceeding cast separately. concrete. surface (
4 Walls 150-300 M4 Beams D5 The than blin
mm integral with a thickness shall so st
3 slab shall be used for A3 The c
Thickness: measured as part classification sectional
not of the slab, of blinding dimension
exceeding except where shall be the special b
300-500 expressly minimum sections
mm required to be thickness. be stated
4 cast separately. D6 The items
Thickness: thickness description
exceeding used for except wh
500 mm classification beam typ
5 Columns 1 Cross- of ground mark nu
and piers sectional slabs, is stated
6 Beams area: suspended which
7 Casing to not slabs and dimension
metal exceeding wall shall given on
sections 0.03 m2 exclude the Drawings.
2 not additional A4
exceeding thickness of description
0.03- integral componen
0.1m2 beams, classed
3 not columns, other con
exceeding piers and forms
0.1- other identify
0.25m2 projections. componen
4 not D7 Concrete and in
exceeding in suspended one of
0.25-1m2 slabs and following:
5 walls less (a)
exceeding than 1 m wide principal
1m2 or long shall dimension
6 Special be classed as the con
beam concrete in componen
sections beams and (b) a type
8 Other columns mark numb
concrete respectively. of a concre
forms D8 Beams componen
shall be which prin
classed as dimension
special beam given on th
sections Drawings
where their (c) a state
cross-section locating a
profiles are concrete
rectangular or componen
approximately which prin
rectangular dimension
over less than given on th
4/5 of their Drawings.
length or
where they
are of box or
other
composite
section,