SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications describe the nature and the class of the work, materials to be used in the
work, workmanship etc. and is very important for the execution of the work.

The cost of a work depends much on the specifications. Specifications should be clear.

• Types of Specifications

– General Specifications

– Detailed Specifications

General Specifications

• In general, specifications, nature and class of works and names of materials that should
be used are described. Only a brief description of each item is given.

• It is useful for estimating the project. The general specifications do not form a part of
contract document.

Detailed Specifications

• The detailed specifications form a part of a contract document.

• They specify the qualities, quantities and proportions of materials and the method of
preparation and execution for a particular item of works in a project.

• The detailed specifications of the different items of the work are prepared separately
and they describe what the work should be and how they shall be executed.
 • While writing the detailed specifications, the same order sequence as the work is to be
carried out is to be maintained.

Purpose of giving Specifications

• To describe the quality of different materials required for construction work.

• It enables the department, engineers, architect and contractor to define, procure and
check the material’s quality as per specifications.

• To specify the quality of workmanship and method of doing the same.

• Specifications are required to clarify the drawings.

• Specifications are helpful to the contractor in filling the rates of various items in the
tender.

• Specifications of a work serves as a guide to the supervising staff of the owner as well
as the contractor to execute the work to their satisfaction.

• Specifications are necessary to verify and check the strength of materials for a work.

• Specification is an essential contract document and is required for arbitration (dispute

between the contractor and owner) and court cases.

• Specification is necessary to specify the equipments, tools and plants to be engaged for
a work and thus enables to procure then before hand.

Specifications for RCC Construction

RCC Specifications

• Shuttering shall be done using seasoned wooden boards of thickness not less than
30mm.

• Surface contact with concrete shall be free from adhering grout, nails, splits and other
defects.

• All the joints are perfectly closed and lined up.

• The shuttering and framing is sufficiently braced.

• Nowadays timber shuttering is replaced by steel plates.

• All the props of approved sizes are supported on double wedges and when taken out,
these wedges are eased and not knocked out.

• The entire framework is removed after 21 days of curing without any shocks or
vibrations.

• All reinforcement bars conform IS specifications and are free from rust, grease oil etc.

• The steel grills are perfectly as per detailed specifications.

• The covers to concrete are perfectly maintained as per code.

• Bars of diameter beyond 25mm diameter are bent when red hot.

• The materials proportion should be as per the specifications of the concrete

Number of Cement bags required for a specific cement concrete ratios

• For cement concrete of ratio 1:1:2(1 cement:1sand/coarse sand:2graded stone

aggregate) require 11no bags of 50kg.

• For cement concrete of ratio 1:1.5:3 require 7.8no bags of 50kg.

• For cement concrete of ratio 1:2:4 require 6 no bags of 50kg.

• For cement concrete of ratio 1:3:6 require 4.25no bags of 50kg.

• For cement concrete of ratio 1:4:8 require 3.2 no bags of 50kg.

• For cement concrete of ratio 1:5:10 require 2.50 no bags of 50kg.

• For cement concrete of ratio 1:6:12 require 2.25 no bags of 50kg.

Specifications for Brick masonry in Cement Mortar

• Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together
by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves.

• The commonly used masonry units are brick, stone, concrete block and stabilized mud
blocks etc.,
• Masonry is generally a highly durable form of construction. Brick masonry construction
involves use of high quality materials in construction.

• Use of low grade materials in construction or mortar mix in inappropriate ratio can
affect the quality of construction.

• The bricks shall be of first class, regular in shape, size and colour.

• The bricks should be free from flaws, cracks and lumps of any kind.

• Shall have minimum crushing strength 10.5N/mm2 .

• The bricks shall not absorb the water more than one sixth of the weight of the brick.

• The sand used shall be medium coarse, clean, sharp, free from clay and other organic
matter.

• The cement used shall satisfy the requirement of Bureau of Indian Standard.

• The mortar is designated in specified proportion of cement and sand. The materials are
weighed or measured and mixed on watertight platform.

• Bricks before laying shall be thoroughly soaked in water.

• The bricks laid truly horizontal in course with frogs upwards.

• The brickwork shall be raised 1m in height at a strength allround the building.

• Only fresh mortar within ½ hour for cement mortar, the time of adding water shall be
used.

• During rains, no brickwork is carried out when special arrangements are made.

• The brickwork shall be kept wet for at least 10 days.

Specifications for Coursed Rubble Stone (CRS) Masonry

• Masonry is affected by the use of low grade materials that is in case of stone masonry,
use of low grade stones, improperly cut stones, chipped off stones etc.

• The mortar mix should follow a specific standard for the proper bonding between the
joints of Course Rubble Masonry.
• Therefore, specifications have to be given for the materials used, the laying technique,
Bond, Quoins and curing – for the ultimate strengthening of the final masonry work.

• Material Specifications

• Stone shall be hard, sound, free from decay and weathering. Stones with porous matter
or with boulder skin shall be rejected.

• The size of stones shall not be less than 15cm in any direction.

• Cement and sand for cement mortar or lime and surkhi for lime mortar shall be of
standard specification.

• Laying Technique specified

• All the stones shall be thoroughly wetted before laying.

• Every course of stone shall be hammer dressed and laid truly horizontal and every
vertical joint shall be truly vertical.

• Faces shall be accurately squared and each face joint shall be dressed at right angles.

• The face stones shall be laid in alternate headers and stretchers fashion.

• The masonry shall be carried up regularly and true to plumb.

• The thickness of joints shall not exceed 12mm.

• Bond or through stones

• The stones going through in the walls shall be well distributed by arranging them in a
staggered fashion in successive courses.

• The intervals of through stones shall not be less than 1.5m in each course.

• For walls up to 60cm thickness, a through stone shall extend from one face of the wall
to the other.

• Laying of Quoins

• Corner stones or quoins shall be dressed to correct angle.

• The quoins shall be laid with header and stretcher in alternate layers.

• Curing Method
• The work shall be protected from rain or sun while it is green.

• At the end of the day’s work, the top surface of the walls shall be kept flooded so that
it acquires the required strength.

• The masonry shall be kept moist on all the faces for at least 7 days.

Specifications for Plain Cement Concrete (PCC)

• Plain Cement Concrete (PCC) is a construction material generally used as a binding

materials and is composed of cement, (commonly Portland Cement) and other
cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate (generally a coarse
aggregate made of gravels or crushed rocks such as limestone or granite, plus a fine
aggregate such as sand), water, and chemical admixtures.

• Specifications for Plain Cement Concrete (PCC)

• Materials Specifications

• Aggregate shall be of invert materials and should be clean, dense, hard, sound, durable,
non-absorbent and capable of developing good bond with mortar.

• Coarse aggregate shall be of hard broken stone of granite or similar stone, free from
dust, dirt and other foreign matters.

• The stone ballast shall be of 20mm size and smaller. All the coarse material should be
retained in a 5mm square mesh and should be well graded such that the voids do not
exceed 42%.

• Fine aggregate shall be of coarse sand consisting of hard, sharp and angular grains and
shall pass through a screen of 5mm square mesh.

• Sand shall be of standard specifications, clean and free from dust, dirt and organic
matter. Sea sand shall not be used.

• Cement shall be fresh Portland cement of standard ISI specifications and shall have
the required tensile and compressive stresses and fineness

• Water shall be clean and free from alkaline and acid matters and suitable for drinking
purposes.

• Proportion Specifications
• 1:2:4 (cement : sand : stone ballast) by volume when specified. Minimum compressive
strength of concrete of 1:2:4 proportion shall be 140 kg/cm2 in 7 days.

• Hand mixing

• Mixing shall be done on masonry platform or sheet iron tray.

• Machine mixing

• Stone ballast, sand and cement shall be put into cement concrete mixer to have the
required proportions.

• Slump

• Regular slump test should be carried out to control the addition of water and to maintain
the required consistency.

• A slump of 7.5cm to 10cm may be allowed for building work.

• Formwork

• Formwork centering and shuttering shall be provided as required as per the standard
specification before laying concrete to confine to support or to keep the concrete in
position.

• The inner surface of shuttering shall be oiled to prevent concrete sticking to it.

• Laying Technique

• Concrete shall be laid gently (not thrown) in layers not exceeding 15cm and compacted
by pinning with rods and tamping with wooden tampers or with mechanical vibrating
machine until a dense concrete is obtained.

• Curing Method

• After about two hours of laying of concrete, when the concrete has begun to harden, it
shall be kept damp by covering with wet gunny bags or wet sand for 24 hours.
 ANALYSIS OF RATES
• In order to determine the rate of a particular item, the factors affecting the rate of that
item are studied carefully and then finally a rate is decided for that item.

• This process of determining the rates of an item is termed as analysis of rates or rate
analysis.

The rate of particular item of work depends on the following:

1. Specifications of works and material about their quality, proportion and constructional
operation method.

2. Quantity of materials and their costs.

3. Cost of labours and their wages.

4. Location of site of work and the distances from source and conveyance charges.

5. Overhead and establishment charges

6. Profit

Cost of materials at source and at site of construction: The costs of materials are
taken as delivered at site inclusive of the transport local taxes and other charges.

Purpose of Analysis of rates:

1. To work out the actual cost of per unit of the items.

2. To work out the economical use of materials and processes in completing the particulars
item.

3. To work out the cost of extra items which are not provided in the contract bond, but are
to be done as per the directions of the department.

4. To revise the schedule of rates due to increase in the cost of material and labour or due
to change in technique.

• Cost of labour -types of labour, standard schedule of rates:

• The labour can be classified in to

1) Skilled – 1st class

 2) Skilled – 2nd Class

3) Unskilled

• The labour charges can be obtained from the standard schedule of rates 30% of the
skilled labour provided in the data may be taken as Ist class, remaining 70% as II class.

• The rates of materials for Government works are fixed by the superintendent Engineer
for his circle every year and approved by the Board of Chief Engineers. These rates are
incorporated in the standard schedule of rates.

• Lead statement: The distance between the source of availability of material and
construction site is known as "Lead " and is expected in Km.

• The cost of conveyance of material depends on lead.

Factors Affecting Rate Analysis :

1. Materials required for Rate Analysis :

• Almost in every type of construction materials are the major part.

• About 50 % of the total cost of any work is due to the materials itself.

• Hence it is very much important that the cost of the materials should be exactly found
out.

• Market surveys should be conducted to analyse the exact cost of each and every
material required for the construction.

• The quantity of the materials either more or less, both effects the rate analysis. Hence
one should maintain proper quantity of the materials on the site.

2. Labour :

• The number of the labours required for the execution of the work should be properly
calculated.

• Selection of the labours should be done according to their categories like skilled, semi-
skilled and unskilled and the payment of the labours should also be decided according
to their class.
 • About 30 % of the total cost of the work is due to the cost of labours.

3. Item Specification :

• The specification of the items indicates the proportion of materials, the process and the
method of the work.

• If superior and high quality material is issued then definitely the cost of the materials
will be higher.

4. Tools and Plants :

• In every type of construction work different types of tools and plants are required.

• It is the duty of the estimator to decide whether buying or hiring of tools and plants will
be more economical.

• It is decided on various factors such as duration of work, number of labours, budget of

work, type of work etc.

• If special type of instruments are used in the execution of work then the cost of the
construction will be increased.

5. Overhead Charges :

• Overhead charges mainly includes expenses of office, labour welfare, material testing,
water supply, electrification, depreciation amount etc.

• This is usually considered as 2-5 % of the total cost of the work.

6. Contractor’s Profit :

• Normally 10 % of the overall cost of the work is considered to be contractor’s profit.

7. location of the Work :

• If the location of the site is in the remote areas then it will be very difficult to execute
the work.

• Transportation charges increases as labours have to be transported to the location and

the cost of labours also varies as the location is far away from their residence.

8. Miscellaneous :
 • Adverse climatic conditions, Completion period of work are also considered to effect
the rate analysis. As the effects caused by this directly reflects into rate analysis.

Types of construction project cost

• Any construction project consists of direct and indirect costs which forms the total costs
and expenses resulting from the use of principal components for implementing
construction projects.

Different classification of construction project costs and their features are

explained below.

Types of Construction Project Costs

• Before moving into the main classification of project costs, some of the specific costs
encountered in construction projects are explained below.

1. Fixed Cost

• This is defined as the cost spent once for a particular point of time. The purchase of
equipment, machinery etc comes under fixed cost assets.

2. Time-Related Cost

• Time-related cost is the cost spend for a particular activity for a given duration. The
cost spent on wages, equipment and building rents etc comes under this category.

3. Quantity -Proportional Cost

• This type of cost will vary based on the quantities. Materials costs are examples of
quantity-proportional costs.

Major classification of construction projects costs are:

• Project direct costs

• Project Indirect Costs

• Total Project Cost = Project Direct Costs + Project Indirect Costs

• Direct Costs of Construction Project

• The costs and expenses that are accountable directly on a facility, function or product
are called as direct costs.
 • In construction projects, the direct costs are the cost incurred on labor, material,
equipment etc.

• These costs for a construction project are developed as estimates by means of detailed
analysis of the contract activities, construction method, the site conditions, and
resources.

Indirect Costs of Construction Project

• The costs, unlike direct costs, is not directly accountable for a particular facility,
product or function.

• Indirect costs can be either variable or fixed. The main sections coming under indirect
costs are personnel costs, security costs, and administration costs.

• These costs do not have a direct connection with the construction project.

The indirect cost can be classified as:

• Project Overhead Costs

• General Overhead Costs

1. Project Overhead Costs

• In a construction project, the cost of some of the items cannot be directly allocated for
a specific activity.

• Most of the site related costs come under this section and are categorized as project
overhead costs.

• Project overhead costs can either be fixed or time-related costs.

• Different costs coming under overhead costs are the costs of stores, safety facilities,
workshops, offices, staffs and parking facilities.

• The overhead cost is estimated by a detailed analysis of the site-related activities and
their cost. Hence an accurate cost estimate is obtained.

• Most of the companies make use of forms and checklist developed by them to estimate
these costs.

• The site overhead costs account for 5 to 15% of the total project costs.
2. General Overhead Costs

• The general overhead costs cannot be directly charged for a specific project.

• These form the costs that are used to support the overall activities of the company.

• The general overhead costs will include the cost of the design engineers, expenses of
head-office, cost of directors and managers, schedulers etc.

• The general overhead expense and cost are found reasonable through continuous
monitoring of the company expenses.

• The general overhead costs account for 2 to 5 % of the contract direct costs.
Example 1

Cement concreting foundation bed of 1:4:8

Assume quantity = 10m3

Dry volume of cement concrete = 10+ (50/100) ×10 = 15m3

Given proportion =1:4:8=13

Quantity of cement = (15/ (1+4+8) ×1=1.15m3

1m3= 30 bags of cement

Therefore, 1.15×30=34.6=35 bags

Quantity of sand = (15/ (1+4+8) ×4 =4.6m3

Quantity of coarse aggregate = (15/ (1+4+8) ×8 =9.23m3

Total of material & labours = 30013+6650 = 36663

Add 2% of water charges= (2/100) × 36663 = 734

Add 3% of miscellaneous charges= (3/100) × 36663 =1099

 Add 10% of contractor profit= (10/100) ×36663= 3666

Grand total = 36663 +734+1099+3666

= 42162

Therefore 1m3 = 4216Rs

Example 2

First class brick work in cement mortar 1:6 in super structure.

• Assume quantity = 10m3

• (80% brick 20% mortar)

• Quantity of bricks = (80/100)×10=8m3

• W.K.T size of brick = 0.2m×0.1m×0.1m

• No of bricks = 8/(0.2×0.1×0.1)=4000no

• Add 15% wastage/breakage =15/100×4000=600no

• Total no of bricks=4000+600=4600no

• Cement mortar =(20/100)×10=2m3

• Add 30% more (shrinkage allowance) =30/100×2+2=2.6m3

• Quantity of cement=2.6/6+1×1=0.37m3

• 1m3= 30 bags of cement

• Therefore, 0.37×30=11.14=12 bags

• Fine aggregate = 2.6/(6+1)×6=2.23m3

 • Total of material & labours = 30219 +10000 = 40219

• Add 2% of water charges= (2/100)×40219 = 804.38

• Add 3% of miscellaneous charges= (3/100)×40219 =1206.57

• Add 10% of contractor profit= (10/100)×40219= 4021.9

• Grand total = 40219 +804.38+1206.57+4021.9

= 46251.85

Therefore 1m3 = 4625.18Rs

Example 3

• Earthwork in excavation in foundation including filling in trenches up to 30m lead and

1.5m lift

• Assume 100m3 of work

 • Total of material & labours =0 +12450 = 12450

• Add 10% of contractor profit=(10/100)×12450= 1245

• Grand total = 12450 +1245 =13695

Therefore cost per m3 = (13695/100) = 136.95Rs

Example 4

Plaster work in cement mortar 1:6.

• Assume quantity = 100m2

• Assume 12mm thickness of plaster then,

• Volume = Area×Thickness = 100×0.012 = 1.2 m3

• Add extra 30% for unevenness and 25% for wastage =1.2×(55/100)+1.2=1.86m3

• Quantity of cement=1.86/(1+6)×1=0.26m3

• 1m3= 30 bags of cement

• Therefore, 0.26×30=7.8=8 bags

• Fine aggregate = 1.86/(1+6)×6=1.59m3

 • Total of material & labours =4947 +10200 = 15147

• Add 2% of water charges=(2/100)×15147 = 302.94

• Add 3% of miscellaneous charges= (3/100)×15147 =454.41

• Add 10% of contractor profit=(10/100)×15147= 1514.7

• Grand total = 15147 +302.94+454.41+1514.7

=17419.05

Therefore 1m3 = (17419.05/100) = 174.19rs

Example 5

DPC in cement concrete 1:3:6, 50mm thick

• Assume quantity = 100m2

• The quantity of work = 100×0.05 = 5 m3

• Dry volume of cement concrete = 5+(50/100)×5 = 7.5m3

• Quantity of cement=7.5/(1+3+6)×1=0.75m3
• 1m3= 30 bags of cement

• Therefore, 0.75×30=22.5=23 bags

• Fine aggregate = 7.5/(1+3+6)×3=2.25m3

• Quantity of coarse aggregate =(7.5/(1+3+6)×6=4.5m3

• Quantity of damp proof material =1kg per 1 bag of cement

=23×1=23kg

• Total of material & labours =17285 +6500 = 23785

• Add 2% of water charges=(2/100)×23785 = 475.7

• Add 3% of miscellaneous charges= (3/100)×23785 =713.55

• Add 10% of contractor profit=(10/100)×23785= 2378.5

 • Grand total = 23785 +475.7+713.55+2378.5

=27352.75

Therefore 1m3 = (27352.75/100) = 273.52Rs

Example 6

RCC 1:2:4 for roof slab

• Assume quantity = 10m3

• Dry volume of cement concrete = 10+(50/100)×10 = 15m3

• Given proportion =1:2:4=7

• Quantity of cement = (15/(1+2+4)×1=2.14m3

• 1m3= 30 bags of cement

• Therefore, 2.14×30=64.2=65 bags

• Quantity of sand =(15/(1+2+4)×2=4.28m3

• Quantity of coarse aggregate =(15/(1+2+4)×4=8.56m3

Assume 1% of steel for the given proportion

Therefore quantity of steel required =(1/100) ×10= 0.1m3

• W.K.T density of steel = 7850kg/m3

• quantity of steel required = 0.1 × 7850=785kg

• Binding wire 1% of steel =785 ×(1/100) =7.85kg

 • Total of material & labours = 83607.65+18600= 102207.65

• Add 2% of water charges=(2/100)×102207.65 = 2044.153

• Add 3% of miscellaneous charges= (3/100)×102207.65 =3066.229

• Add 10% of contractor profit=(10/100)×102207.65= 10220.765

• Grand total = 102207.65 +2044.153+3066.229+10220.765

=117538.797

Therefore 1m3 = (117538.797/10) = 11753.87Rs

Example 7

Workout the quantity of materials required for 10m3 for random rubble masonry in
cement mortar 1:6

• Assume quantity = 1:6=7

• Quantity of stone including through stones and wastage, Add 25% extra to get total
volume of stone

• Volume of stone = (25/100)×10+10=12.5m3

• Volume of dry mortar =40% of volume=(40/100)×10=4m3

• Quantity of cement = (4/(1+6)×1=0.57m3

• 1m3= 30 bags of cement

• Therefore, 0.57×30=17.1=18bags

Quantity of sand =(4/(1+6)×6=3.42m3

• Total of material & labours = 25926+7800= 33726

• Add 2% of water charges=(2/100)×33726 = 674.52

 • Add 3% of miscellaneous charges= (3/100)×33726 =1011.78

• Add 10% of contractor profit=(10/100)×33726= 3372.6

• Grand total = 33726 +674.52+1011.78+3372.6

=38784.9

Therefore 1m3 = (111554.5/10) = 3878.49Rs

Example 8

2.5cm thick cement concrete flooring in CC 1:2:4

• Assume quantity = 100m2

• Quantity of work =100×0.025=2.5m3

• Dry volume of cement concrete = 2.5+(50/100)×2.5 =3.75m3

• Given proportion =1:2:4=7

• Quantity of cement = (3.75/(1+2+4)×1=0.53m3

• 1m3= 30 bags of cement

• Therefore, 0.53×30=15.9=16 +6 =22bags

• Additional 6 bags of cement is required for smooth ground finish

• Quantity of sand =(0.53/(1+2+4)×2=1.06m3

• Quantity of coarse aggregate =(0.53/(1+2+4)×4=2.12m3

 • Total of material & labours = 11078.8+10750= 21828.8

• Add 2% of water charges=(2/100)×21828.8 = 436.576

• Add 3% of miscellaneous charges= (3/100)×21828.8 =654.864

• Add 10% of contractor profit=(10/100)×21828.8= 2182.88

• Grand total = 21828.8 +436.576+654.864+2182.88

=25103.12

Therefore 1m2 = (25103.12/100) = 251.03Rs

Example 9

• Mosaic flooring over 5cm thick mortar of proportion 1:3

• Assume quantity = 100m2

• Size of mosaic tile= 25cm×25cm

• Area of one mosaic tile= 0.25×0.25=0.0625m2

• Number of mosaic tiles required for 100m2=100/0.0625=1600no

• Quantity of mortar required=100×0.05=5m3

• Quantity of mortar required for uneven surface (10% excess) to make the surface level
=5×(10/100)+5=5.5m3

• Quantity of dry material required(30% extra)= 5.5×(30/100)+5.5=7.15m3

• Given proportion =1:3=4

• Quantity of cement = (7.15/(1+3)×1=1.78m3

• 1m3= 30 bags of cement

• Therefore, 1.78×30=53.4=54bags

• Quantity of sand =(7.15/(1+3)×3=5.34m3

• Oxalic acid powder 1kg for 1m2

• Therefore 100m2=100kg

• Total of material & labours = 160382+11000= 171382

• Add 2% of water charges=(2/100)×171382 = 3427.64

• Add 3% of miscellaneous charges= (3/100)×171382 =5141.46

 • Add 10% of contractor profit=(10/100)×171382= 17138.2

• Grand total = 171382 +3427.64+5141.46+17138.2

=197089.3

Therefore 1m2 = (197089.3/100) = 1970.893Rs