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Understanding the Quantities in Reinforced Concrete Construction

Constructing structures with reinforced concrete involves various components like foundations, columns, beams, slabs, and pedestals. To determine the actual construction cost and make payments to contractors, it is crucial to measure these components accurately. This article provides comprehensive guidelines and formulas for measuring the quantities of different reinforced concrete works.

Measurement Guidelines

When measuring reinforced concrete works, adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Decimal Rounding: Quantities should be rounded off to the nearest two decimals.
  2. Individual Measurement: Concrete in structural members, such as columns, beams, and slabs, must be measured separately.
  3. No Deductions for the Following:
    • Openings up to 0.1 m²
    • Volume occupied by reinforcement
    • Volume occupied by pipes, conduits, sheathing, etc., not exceeding 100 cm² each in cross-section
    • Moulds, drips moulding, chamfers, splays rounded or covered angles, beds, grooves, and rebates up to 10 cm in girth.

Measurement of Concrete in Footings

For calculating the volume of concrete in footings, different formulas are used depending on the shape:

  • Rectangular and Square Footings: Volume = Length x Breadth x Depth
  • Trapezoidal Footings: Volume is calculated in two parts – Rectangular and Trapezoidal. The total volume is the sum of these two.
    • Rectangular Volume: Length x Breadth x Depth
    • Trapezoidal Volume: H3(A1+A2+A1+A2)
    • where A1 and A2 are the areas of top and bottom rectangles, and H is the depth of the footing.

Measurement of Concrete in Columns

Columns are measured in two parts:

  1. From the top of the column base to the underside of the first-floor slab.
  2. From the top of the floor slab to the underside of the floor slab above. For columns in flat slabs, include the flare of the column for measurement.

Measurement of Concrete in Beams

Beams are measured from face to face of columns and include haunches, if any, between columns and beams. The depth of beams is measured from the bottom of the slab to the bottom of the beam, except for inverted beams, where it is measured from the top of the slab to the top of the beam.

Calculation of Concrete in RCC Footings, Columns, and Beams

The calculation involves determining the volume of concrete for each component based on the provided formulas.

Measurement of Concrete in Pedestals

Pedestals are measured from the top of the footing to the top/bottom of the plinth beam, depending on site conditions. If measured up to the bottom of the plinth beam, ground floor columns can be measured from the bottom of the plinth beam to the underside of the slab. The height of the pedestal is determined from the levels of the footing and plinth beam, crosschecked with the site conditions.

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