BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 4

SPECIFICATION AND
ESTIMATE
WHY ESTIMATE
➢ Construction Cost Estimate is an approximate of the probable cost of a
project.
➢ Cost estimates will help dictate the scope of work of the project during the
Pre-design phase, Design phase, Bidding phase and Construction phase
enabling the Owner and the Architect to come up with a realizable project.

The type of estimate to be prepared as well as the accuracy of an estimate depends

upon the following:
➢ Information available
➢ Time available
➢ Intended use of the estimate

Estimates related to both the overall budget and to the preliminary allocations of
budget to the various system are periodically prepared. These cost estimates are
successfully revised and refined as working drawings for each system are
developed. Estimating is the basis of financial control, planning and procurement
of resources throughout the project. An accurate estimate can also help the
contractor in a successful tender.
An accurate estimate is helpful in four keys of activity:
• Planning
• Financing
• Tendering
• Constructing

PLANNING – Planning a contract includes studying the project resources such as casn,
labour, materials and equipment. The project duration, project cost are
determined based on the results of the estimate. Planning facilitates:
• Timely ordering of project resources
• Project control
• Preparation of cash flow analysis

FINANCING – There are several outside sources that contractors can use to help with
its cash management aside from their working capital. The principal source is the
bank loan or bankdraft. When preparing loan request, an estimate of the financial
requirements at the different stages of the project shall be submitted to the
Instituion lending the money.
 Tendering – Contractors compete to be awarded the contract. The more accurate
the estimate, the better the contractor’s chances of winning the contract and
executing it successfully. A good tender sum is the lowest possible and still allows
the project to be executed with a reasonable profit margin. The tender sum
consist of the following components:

Example: Proposal for the provision and installation of a Dry Ceiling System

DIRECT COST INDIRECT COST TAXES TENDER SUM

Material Cost – 450,000.00 Overhead (5% of DC)- Total DC & IC –
Labor Cost - 135,000.00 29,500 708,000.00 750,480.00
Cost of Equipment – Profit (15% of DC) – VAT (6% of DC + IC)
5,000.00 88,500.00 = 42,480.00
TOTAL DC – 590,000.00 TOTAL IC – 118,000.00
CONSTRUCTING – During construction the contractor’s target is to follow the project
cost and duration. This means controlling and programming the expenditures as
well as the physical progress of work. The estimates on materials, labor and
equipment are regularly monitored and compared to the original cost.
Expenditures and incoming payments are compared with those predicted in the
cash flow analysis, which was also based in data from the estimating stage.
GENERAL ESTIMATING GUIDELINES
▪ Do not round-off quantities until the final summary.
▪ Mark drawings with different colors as items are taken off.
▪ Keep similar items together, different items separate.
▪ Identify location and drawing numbers to aid in future checking for
completeness
▪ Measure or list everything on the drawings or mentioned in the
specifications.
▪ Use indicated dimensions rather that dimensions measured off directly
from drawings.
▪ It may be necessary to list not called for to make the job complete.
▪ Be alert for notes on plans such as:
- Not to scale
- Changes in scale throughout the drawings
- Reduced size drawings
- Discrepancies between the specifications and the drawings
▪ Develop a consistent pattern of performing an estimate, for example:
- Start the quantity take-off at the lower floor and move to the next
higher floor.
- Proceed from the main section of the building to the wings.
- Proceed from south to north or vice versa, clockwise, or
counterclockwise.
- Take-off floor quantities first, elevations next, then detail drawings.
▪ List all gross dimensions that can be either used again for different
quantities, or used as a rough check of other quantities for verification
(exterior perimeter, gross floor area, individual floor areas, etc.)
▪ Utilize design symmetry or repetition (repetitive floor, repetitive wings,
symmetrical design around the center line, similar room, layouts, etc.)
NOTE: Extreme caution is needed here so as not to omit or
duplicate as area.
▪ Do not convert until the final total is obtained. For instance, when
estimating reinforcing bars, take off itemized units according to bas size,
then summarize and convert to kilos or tons.
▪ When figuring alternates, it is best to total all items involved in the basic
system, then total item involved in the alternates. Thus you work with
positive numbers in all cases. When adds and deducts are used, it is
often confusing whether to add or subtract a portion of an item,
especially on a complicated or involved alternate.
COST ESTIMATE STAGES
The method of cost estimating varies with the stage of development of the
project.
BUDGETARY ESTIMATE – This estimate is prepared in response to
demonstrated need. Accordingly, it should best be related to square
meter to be built, number of people to be served, units to be
reproduced, or functions to be accomplished. The best source is prior
experience. The Architect must build up his own data from every
project that he builds aside from what is available in the industry.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN ESTIMATE – At the schematic and design phase the

spatial design has been committed to a plan and few elevations. There
should be a site plan available. Toa a large degree, this phase utilizes
square-meter costs, but parametric and modular costs can become
much mor practical. It is also possible to segregate certain areas and
provide detailed cost-breakdown analyses.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATE – The design development estimate is based
upon drawings which are an evolution of the schematic design drawings.
They are often a full size larger and therefore accurate quantity take-off is
possible. The spatial solution for the buildings has been completed, and so
the architectural and structural take-off is substantial accurate. At this
stage, the mechanical, electrical, heating and ventilating systems, are just
coming into focus. The estimating approach is usually combined, since a
quantity take-off is possible only for architectural and structural and
parametric or square-meter costs must be for the mechanical and
electrical systems.

CONTRACT DOCUMENTS ESTIMATE – At this stage of project development, a

tremendous amount of detail is in progress. Estimates can be made on
quantity take-off bases for all areas. The designer will be doing a quantity
survey type estimate, but once the drawings and specifications have been
released to the contractors, one of the principal methods of developing a
cost bid is to solicit firm price quotations from sub-contractors or suppliers
CONSTRUCTION AND BIDDING ESTIMATE – Estimates during the construction
are based on reality. The actual cost of work in place can be used as a
guidelines in estimating extra work or changes in scope. Quantity survey
methods are used by contractors in estimating the projected savings in
scope which would result from accepted value-incentive programs.

Estimating the cost of a project, or portion of a project is basically a two-step

process:
1. Defining the project component to which the cost can be applied.
Example:

Description of Work No. of Units Unit

Wood Doors (2.10 x .80) 2 Sets
Wall Painting 70 Sq.m.
 2. Assigning the unit cost in order to arrive at a component cost

Descriptio Quantity Material Cost Labor Total

n of Work No. of Unit Unit cost Total Cost Unit Cost Total Cost
Units
Wood 2 sets 4500 9000 1350 2700 11,700
Doors
(2.10 x
0.80)

Painting 20 Sq.m. 80 1600 24 480 2,080

(Exterior
Masonry)
TOTAL COST 13,780
ACTIVITY 1. Compute for the total cost of work describe below
Description of No of Units Unit Material Labor cost Sub-Total
Work Cost/unit (40% of the
Material Cost)
Concrete 50 Cu.m. 5,000.00
Works
Masonry Works 150 Sq.mts. 450.00
Reinforcement 1500 kgs 15.00
Plastering 300 Sq.mts. 130
Roofing 75 Ln.mts 350
Tile works 65 Sq.mts. 500
Doors 2 Pcs 2500
Windows 50 Sq.ft. 120
Ceiling 150 Sq.mts 350
TOTAL
Estimating procedures vary considerably from industry to industry and many
special approaches have been developed. The following is not all-inclusive
but does not describe the basic well-known approaches.

ESTIMATING BY USER UNITS METHODS

The facility to be designed or constructed is defined in terms of its capacity to
serve.
Example:
Hospital - Cost per bed
Hotel - Cost per bed
School - Cost per student population
Parking Structure - Cost per parking space

In some cases, using a agency which builds the same types of structure many
times has well-developed historical file on cost and use requirements. An
estimate developed on this type of data can be quite accurate.
ESTIMATING BY SQUARE METER METHOD
• Square meter cost are found by multiplying the area of space times a cost
factor. The cost factor is usually available from the historical cost file of past
projects. This is the method commonly used by Architects.

• Space Factor to be used in Estimating by Area: In order to arrive at an

accurate cost per square meter of a building spaces and its appendages
should be converted into their equivalent values in relation to the
predominant enclosed space.

Example: Office building – Unit Cost = 15,000 per sq.m.

General office space: 100sq.m. x 1.00 x 15,000 = 1,500.000
Stair 20sq.m. x 1.25 x 15,000 = 375,000
Toilet 15sq.m. x 2.0 x 15,000 = 450,000
AHU 12sq.m. x .70 x 15,000 = 126,000
TOTAL = 2,451,000.00
ACTIVITY 2. Compute for the total of the Auditorium Building
Unit Cost – 30,000.00 per sq.mt.

Description of space Area (sq.m.)

Auditorium 4,500.00
Office/s 250.00
Canopy Entrance 50.00
Lobby 150.00
Toilets 80.00
Stairs 50.00
Kitchenettes 25.00
Basement 1,000.00
AHU 80.00
Deck Terrace 450.00
SQUARE METER SIZE FACTOR
The Square Meter Size Factor for project is determined by dividing your project
area square meter by the typical project size for the particular building
type. With this factor, enter the Area Conversion Scale at the appropriate
Size Factor and determine the appropriate cost multiplier.
Example: Determine the cost per square meter for a 10,000 Sq.m. mid rise
apartment building
• Proposed building area = 10,000 sq.m. = 2.00
Typical size from (Table 3) = 5,000 sq.m.

• Enter Area conversion scale at 2.0 intersect curve, read horizontally the
appropriate cost multiplier of 0.97
• Size adjusted cost becomes 0.97 x coverage cost per square meter (table
2)
CUBIC METER METHOD
This approach is very similar to the square meter procedure except that the
cubage provides the basis for cost. The cubic meter method is normally
used in earthwork, civil construction and airconditioning.
There are two times when square meter and cubic meter are useful. The first is
in the schematic design stage when no details are available, when square
meter costs and cubic meter cost makes a useful starting point. The
second is after the bids are in and the costs can be worked back into their
appropriate units for information purposes. As soon as details become
available in the project design, the square meter or cubic meter approach
should be discontinued and the project priced by its particular
components.

Example: Excavation for Foundation

105lm (Total length) x 0.40 (width) x 0.60 (depth) = 25.20cu.m.
25.20cu.m. x P275.00/cu.m. = P6,930.00
ESTIMATING BY PARAMETRIC METHOD
This procedure involved identifying the major scope of work which make-up
the building and then applying costs to each system based upon data or
examples of similar buildings.
Example: Estimate of an Office Building: High Rise (35,000/sq.m.)
2%
2.50%
15% (700)
(875) 36% (12,600)
(5,250)
ARCHITECTURAL

STRUCTURAL

15% ELECTRICAL
(5,250)

MECHANICAL

SITEWORKS

OTHERS

PARAMETRIC METHOD
29%
(10,325)
ESTIMATING BY MODULAR COST
In a situation in which the project is made up of repetitious modules such as
housing units, apartments, hospitals rooms or suites accurate cost is
developed for one unit and extrapolated by the total number of units and
their characteristics.

Example:
10 units of socialized housing at 500,000/ house = 5,000,000.00

https://www.lumina.com.ph/property-
listing/model/10
COMBINED METHOD
The combined approach is used when the project is only partially defined. A
detailed bill of materials type take-off is performed for those portions which
are defined, and square meter cost are used for undefined systems. Most
usually, the square meter costs is applied to the electrical, mechanical and
plumbing sections of the building which are the last to be defined.
Example:

Construction Cost of a 27.00 sq.m. single detached studio unit

• Detailed architectural and structural plans and specifications are

available.
• Only the basic requirements are known for the electrical and plumbing
design.
Image from: Froilan Hong
Estimating Guide for
Architects
BIDDING
This approach involves furnishing description of a portion of the project to a
contractor of supplier specializing in that portion. The job then costed in the
form of a proposal to do the work. This approach can be used either
before the project is awarded or in developing costs for extra work.

Example: An invitation to bid for the provision and installation of the door
system for an office building. Doors shall be hollow metal, 38mm thk,
painted: duco finish. Include locksets:
a. 10 sets of 2.10m x 0.80m.
b. 5 sets of 2.10m x 0.90m.
DETAILED ESTIMATES BY QUANTITY TAKE-OFF METHOD
This is the description of a complete take-off of all materials in the project. Unit
prices are applied to each type of material and the results extended and
summed up to provide a total cost. This method is widely regarded as the
most accurate in estimating.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

➢ Develop the construction estimate in three separate but interlocking parts:
o Take-off
o Pricing
o Sub-Bids

➢ Before starting to take-off the quantities for estimate, attend to some

preliminary chores if the estimate is to go on with the minimum of difficulty.
Prerequisite to estimate
o Complete set of Construction Drawings
o Complete set of Technical Specification
o Project Site Examination and Inventory
o Others

Note: The more detailed these items are, the more accurate the estimate
become.

THE QUANTITY TAKE-OFF (QUANTITY SURVEY)

▪ Every construction estimated is based on a quantity survey. This is the
extraction from the drawings and specifications of all the labor and
materials required for the structure. An estimator must be able to work
accurately, quickly and methodically in preparing the quantity take-off.
There are many “tricks of the trade” that will save time, reduce errors and
improve accuracy; there are no shortcuts, however, that can be taken at
the expense of accuracy.
▪ Before starting to take-off the quantities, examine the drawings. Take a
quick look through the entire set of drawings for an idea of the following:
o Layout, type of building
o Number of floors
o General design
o Order of the drawings
This quick look takes only a few minutes, yet many little things will stick in
your mind and save you time later.
▪ There are three basic rules for taking off quantities:
o Measure everything as it shows. Take-off quantities as it shows on the
drawings.
o Do the take-off on everything that you can see. Do not deliberately
leave out anything. You will undoubtedly make mistakes, we all do, but
in order to reduce the possibility of error and so minimize the risk inherent
in any bid, do the take-off on all items you can see.
o If it is different, keep it separate: Separate items will require different unit
prices (e.g. separate slabs on fill from suspended slabs).
ORDER OF THE QUANTITY TAKE-OFF
• Study the floor plan carefully. On the floor plans, number the spaces,
moving clockwise from the upper left hand corner. Designate each wall
with a letter, also moving in a clockwise direction.
• Prepare a specification take-off, for each space, to summarize data from
plans and specifications. One sheet pre space.
• Proceed with the take-off in definite pattern not only by trade but also by
item within each trade. Compute roof separately.
o Concrete - Substructure
- Superstructure
- Finishes
o Masonry - Exterior
- Interior
o Carpentry - Rough
o Finishing Trades -
o Excavation - Building
o Sitework, Alternates and others
• Refer to quantity specific quantity take-off procedures. Jot down
calculations.
• Summarize quantities on long pad
• Recapitulate quantity take-off and enter in corresponding column in a form

REPAIR AND REMODELLING

The cost for repair and remodeling work must be modified due to the following
factors that may be present in any given repair and remodeling project.
• Equipment usage curtailment due to the physical limitations of the project,
with only hand-operated equipment being used.
• Increased requirement for shoring and bracing to hold up the building while
structural changes are being made and to allow for temporary storage of
construction materials and above grade floors.
• Material handling becomes more costly due to having to move within the
confines of an enclosed building. For multi-storey construction, low capacity
elevators and stairwells may be the only access to the upper floors.
• Large amount of cutting and patching and attempting to match the
existing construction is required. It is often more economical to remove
entire walls rather than create many new door and window openings. This
sort of trade-off has to be carefully analyzed.
• Cost of protection of completed work is increased since the usual
sequences of construction usually cannot be accomplished.
• Economies of scale usually associated with new construction may not be
present. A small quantities of components must be custom fabricated due
to job requirements. The unit costs will naturally increase. Also, if only small
work areas are available at a given time, job scheduling between trades
becomes difficult and sub-contractor quotations may reflect the excessive
start-up and shut down phases of the job.
• Work may have to be done on other than normal shifts mad may have to
be done around existing production facility which has to stay in production
during the course of the repair and remodeling.
• Dust and noise protection of adjoining non-construction area can involve
substantial special protection and alter usual construction methods.
• Job may be delayed due to unexpected conditions discovered during
demolition or removal. These delays increase construction costs.
• Piping and ductwork runs may not be as for new construction. Wiring may have
to be snaked through walls and floors.
• Watching “existing construction” may be impossible because materials may no
longer be manufactured. Substitutions may be expensive.
• Weather protection of existing structure requires additional temporary structures
to protect building at openings.
• On small projects, because of local conditions, it may be necessary to pay a
tradesman for a minimum of four hours for task that is completed in one hour.

All of the above areas can contribute to increased costs for a repair and
remodeling project. Each of the above factors should be considered in the
planning, bidding and construction stage in order to minimize the increased costs
associated with repair and remodeling jobs.
 FORMULA - AREA

https://www.cuemath.com/geometric-area-formula/
 FORMULA - VOLUME

https://www.cuemath.com/volume-formulas/
CONCRETE
PLAIN AND REINFORCE CONCRETE
Concrete is either Plain or Reinforced. By definition, Plain concrete is an
artificial stone as a result of mixing cement, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates
and water. The conglomeration of these materials producing a solid mass is called
concrete.
Reinforced Concrete on the other hand, is a concrete with reinforcement
properly embedded in such a manner that the two materials act together in
resisting forces.

The different Types of Concrete Used in Construction are:

1. The ordinary Portland cement.
2. The Rapid Hardening Portland Cement which is preferred when high early
strength concrete is desired.
3. The Blast Furnace or Sulfate Cement used on concrete structures designed to
resist chemical attack.
4. The Low Heat Portland Cement used for massive section designed to reduce
the heat of hydration.
5. The Portland Pozzolan Cement with allow hardening characteristics concrete.
6. The High Alumina Cement
The High Alumina Cement is sometimes called aluminous cement or cement
fundu. Its chemical composition is different from that of Portland cement for
having predominant alumina oxide content of at least 32% by weight. The
alumina lime is within the limit of 0.85% to 1.30%.
This type of cement has a very high rate of strength development compared
with the ordinary Portland cement. Aside from its rapid hardening properties, it
can resist chemical attack by sulfate and weak acids including sea water. It can
also withstand prolonged exposure to high temperature of more than 1,000ºC.
Alumina cement however, is not advisable for mixing with other types of cement.
THE MAIN COMPOSITION OF CEMENT AREA
1.60 To 65.0% Lime
18.0 To 25.0% Silica
3.0 To 8.0% Alumina
3.0 To 5.0 Iron oxide
2.0 To 5.0% Magnesia
1.0 To 5.0% Sulfur trioxide

AGGREGATES
Aggregates for concrete works are classified into two:
1. Coarse Aggregate such as crushed stone, crushed gravel or natural gravel
with particles retained on a 5mm sieve.
2. Fine Aggregate such as crushed stone, crushed gravel, sand or natural sand
with particles passing on a 5mm sieve.
 SIZE OF AGGREGATES.- For coarse aggregate (gravel), the maximum nominal
size varies from 40, 20, 14 or 10mm diameter. The choice from the above sizes
depends upon the dimensions of the concrete member more particularly, the
spacing of the steel bars reinforcement or as specified.
Good practice demand that the maximum size of coarse aggregate(gravel)
should not exceed 25% of the minimum thickness of the member structure nor
exceed the clear distance between the reinforcing bars and the form.
The coarse aggregate should be small enough for the concrete mixture
to flow smoothly around the reinforcement. This is referred to as workability
of concrete.

THE PRINCIPLES OF CONCRETE MIXING

The purpose in mixing concrete is to select an optimum proportion of
cement, water and aggregates, to produce a concrete mixture that will
meet the following requirements
1. Workability 3. Durability
2. Strength
THE PRINCIPLES OF CONCRETE MIXING
The purpose in mixing concrete is to select an optimum proportion of cement,
water and aggregates, to produce a concrete mixture that will meet the following
requirements
1. Workability 3. Durability
2. Strength 4. Economy
The proportion that will be finally adopted in concrete mixing has to be
established by actual trial and adjustment processes to attain the desired strength
and quality of concrete required under the following procedures.
1. The water cement ratio is first determined at the very first hour of mixing to meet
the requirements of strength and durability.
2. The cement-aggregate ratio is then chosen and established to satisfy the
workability requirements. Workability, means the ability of the fresh concrete to
fill all the voids between the steel bars and the forms without necessarily
exerting much effort in tamping.
 Laboratory tests showed that the water-cement ratio is the most important
consideration in mixing because it determines not only the strength and durability
of the concrete but also the workability of the mixture.
Concrete mixtures in a paste form, is preferred than those mixture which are
flowing with water.

THE ACI REQUIREMENTS FOR CONCRETE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Fresh concrete shall be workable. Meaning, that fresh concrete could freely
flow around the reinforcement to fill all the voids inside the form.
2. That the hardened concrete shall be strong enough to carry the design load.
3. That, hardened concrete could withstand the conditions to which it is expected
to perform.
4. That, concrete should be economically produced.

CONCRETE MIXTURE MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS EITHER

a. Designed Mixture
b. Prescribed Mixture
 DESIGN MIXTURE. Where the contractor is responsible in establishing the mixture
proportion that will achieve the required strength and workability as specified in
the plan.
PRESCRIBED MIXTURE. Where the designing engineer specify the mixture
proportion. The contractor’s responsibility is only to provide a properly mixed
concrete containing the right proportions as prescribed in the plan.

CONCRETE PROPORTION
Proportioning concrete mixture is done in two different: by weight or by volume
method. The most common and convenient way is by the volume method using
the empty plastic bag of cement, or by a measuring box for sand and gravel.
Measuring the aggregates and water by weight is sometimes used in a concrete
batching plant for ready-mix concrete or as specified in the plan
MEASURING BOX
 Proportioning concrete by volume method had long been practiced in almost
all types of concrete construction. Time has proven it to be effective and
successful. However, on construction where space for materials stock piling and
mixing does not permit, ready-mixed concrete is the most practical solution.

In actual concreting and masonry work, there are several factors that might
affect the accuracy of the estimate. Some of which are enumerated as follows:
1. Inaccurate volume delivered aggregates which is very common. Delivery truck
should be measured to check if the volume of aggregates being delivered is
exactly as ordered.
2. Dumping of aggregates on uneven ground surface and grass area reduces the
net volume of aggregates.
3. Improper measuring of the aggregates during the mixing operation. This is
common practice when the work is on its momentum where laborers fails to
observe the right measuring of aggregates being delivered to the mixer.
4. The cement and fine aggregate for grouting concrete joints are mostly
overlooked in the estimating processes.
5. Cement waste due to reckless handling and hauling.
6. The pure cement powder used by mason in plastering operations to prevent
the plaster from sliding downward is not considered in estimating.
7. Pilferage of materials. This could be avoided with an effective system of
construction management.

ORDERING OF COARSE AGGREGATE MUST BE SPECIFIC AS TO:

1. Kind of gravel, either crushed stone or natural gravel from the creek.
2. The minimum and maximum size of the stone must be specified. It should be
free from mixed sand because sand is cheaper than gravel.
3. Natural gravel from the creek requires screening to obtain a well-graded
coarse aggregate. Take note that screening of aggregates means additional
cost of labor and reduction in the net usable volume of gravel.
EXAMPLE:
A concrete pavement measure .10m thick, 5m wide and 4m long. Determine
the quantity of cement(40kg) in bags, sand and gravel in cu.m. required using
class “C” mixture
SOLUTION:
1. Determine the volume of the propose pavement
Volume = Thickness x width x length
V = .10 x 4 x 5
V= 2.0cu.m.
2. Determine the number of bags of cement and cu.m. of sand and gravel
Cement: 2.0 x 6.0 = 12.0 bags
Sand: 2.0 X .50 = 1.0 cu.m.
Gravel: 2.0 X 1.0 = 2.0 cu.m.
QUIZ 1. Compute for the volume per components of the Foundation system and
create a summary of the number of bags of cement(40kg), volume of sand and
gravel for a class B concrete.

Foundation Components
a. F1
b. F2
c. FTB
d. C1
e. C2

Summary of materials
a. Cement (40kg)
b. Sand (cu.m)
c. Gravel (cu.m.)
MASONRY
Concrete Hollow Blocks is popularly known as CHB. It is classified as load
bearing and non-bearing blocks. Load bearing blocks are those whose thickness
ranges from 15 to 20 centimeters and are used to carry load aside from its own
weight.
Non-bearing blocks on the other hand, are blocks intended for walls, partitions,
fences, dividers and the like carrying its own weight whose thickness ranges from 7
to 10 centimeters.
The standard hollow blocks has three void cells and two half cells at both ends
having a total of four. These hollow cells vary in sizes as there are different
manufacturers using different types of mold. Hence, it is recommended that
concrete hollow blocks with bigger cells be considered in estimating for a more
realistic result.
 In this study, what we want to know is the quantity of the materials needed for a
certain masonry work made of concrete hollow block generally comprises of the
following.
1. Concrete hollow blocks.
2. Cement and sand for block laying.
3. Cement, sand and gravel filler for the hollow core or cell.
4. Cement and the fine sand for plastering.
5. Cement, sand and gravel for foundation or footing
6. Reinforcing steel bars and
7. Tie wires

Estimating the materials for masonry work using hollow blocks could be done in
either of the following methods
1. By Fundamental methods
2. By the Area methods
EXAMPLE:
A concrete hollow blocks wall has a general dimension of 3.00m high by 4.00m
long. Determine the number of CHB, cement and sand required to construct the
wall.
SOLUTION 1 (By Fundamental Method)
1. Divide the height of the fence by the height of one block
3.00/.20 = 15 layers
2. Divide the length of the fence by the length of one block
4.00/.40 = 10 pieces
3. Multiply the result of step 1 by step 2
15 x 10 = 150 pieces

SOLUTION 2 (By the Area Method)

1. Area of the fence; 3.00 x 4.00 = 12 sq.m.
2. Multiply: 12.00sq.m. x 12.50 = 150 pieces
ESTIMATING CEMENT MORTAR
After knowing the number of blocks needed for a particular masonry work, the
next step is to find its work partner called cement mortar. Cement mortar is a
mixture of cement, sand and water. It is used as bonding materials in installing
masonry blocks and other various plastering work. In estimating cement mortar,
one has to consider the following items.
a. The mortar to be used in between the layer of CHB
b. The mortar filler for the hollow core or cell of the blocks. This filler could be pure
mortar or mortar with gravel for economy.
c. Fine screened sand for plastering.
QUANTITTY OF CEMENT AND SAND FOR CHAB PER SQUARE METER
COMPUTATION FOR MORTAR
1. Find the area of the wall
A = 3.00 x 4.00 = 12 sq.m.

2. Refer to the table along 10 x 20 x 40 CHB under class “B: mixture; multiply

Cement: 12 X .522 = 6.26 bags

Sand: 12 X .0435 = .522 cu.m.
CEMENT MORTAR FOR PLASTERING
Aside from the cement mortar for block laying, plastering is another item to
consider.
COMPUTATION FOR PLASTERING (Assume 16 mm thick)
1. Find the area of the wall (two sides)
A = 3.00 x 4.00 x 2.00 = 24 sq.m.

2. Solve for the cement and sand. Under 16mm thick plaster class “B” mixture,
multiply
Cement: 24 X .192 = 4.6 say 5 bags
Sand: 24 X .016 = .384 cu.m.
ACTIVITY:
Compute for the number of 6” CHB, bags of cement(40kg) and cu.mts. of sand
needed for mortar joint and plastering.
QUIZ:
Compute for the number of 6” CHB, bags of cement(40kg) and cu.mts. of sand
needed for mortar joint and plastering.
REINFORCEMENT