Measurement of concrete works is one of the most crucial tasks at any construction site. It should be conducted rigorously and very carefully as the measurements hold a very important place in the planning and execution of any civil engineering work. Right from the time of first estimates to the final completion and settlement of payments of the project, these measurements allow you to assess your work and prepare precise bills.
In order to avoid confusion between different parties or agencies involved in a construction project, it is important to establish the units of measurement and how the volumes of concrete in different structural elements in a structure will be estimated. The concrete work, at any construction site, is commonly measured in cubic meter or cubic feet, above or below the ground or datum level.
Measurement Stage
As per the Indian Standards, the work shall be measured under the following categories in convenient stages stating the height or depth:
- Below ground or datum level
- Above ground or datum level
How to Round Measurements of Various Concrete Works?
- Dimensions shall be measured to nearest 0.01 m except for the thickness of slab which shall be measured to nearest 0.005 m.
- Areas shall be worked out to nearest 0.01 square meter.
- Cubic contents need to be worked out to nearest 0.01 cubic meter.
Modes of Measurement for Different Concrete Works
Table 1 - Rules and Units of Measurement of Various Concrete Works in the Construction Site
| Concrete work | Rules of measurement | Units |
| Concrete in floor, paving, concrete mats | Below footings and plinth beams and lift shafts | Cubic meter, cubic feet |
| Footings | Up to bottom of pedestals | Cubic meter, cubic feet |
| Columns including pedestals and capitals | The height of plinth column is measured from top of footings to the top of plinth beam. Superstructure columns height measured from the top of plinth beams up to the top of upper slab height of subsequent superstructure columns measured from the top of the lower slab up to the top of the upper slab. | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
| Plinth beams and floor beams and tie beams | Their length is measured between face to face of supporting columns or beams and shall include haunches, if present. Beam depth is measured from top of the slab to the bottom of the beam. | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
| Slabs, cantilever slabs | The length and the breadth of this slab is calculated from the face of the beams. The area of columns shall be deducted. | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
| Staircase step, waist slab and stringer beam | Landing / Mid-landing slabs are measured along with slabs. | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
| Walls, parapets, fins and facia | - | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
| Chajjas | Being the product of their projected superficial areas excluding bearings when overhanging from the bottom of the beam multiplied by the average depth. When chhajjas bear on masonry, full bearing shall be considered. Whenever vertical fins and fascias are combined with chajjas, the chajjas shall be measured through. | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
| Lintels, mullions, bed-blocks, sills and copings | - | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
| Canopies | Being the products of projected superficial areas excluding bearings like beam / cantilever beam, and the average depth. Whenever vertical fins and facia are combined with canopies, the canopies shall be measured through. | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
| Vertical fins, facia, pardis and parapet walls | Being the product of clear area multiplied by the average thickness. | Cubic meter , cubic feet |
Work to be Measured Separately
There are certain conditions in which the executed work needs to be measured separately:
- Work in or underwater
- Work in liquid mud
- Work in or under foul positions
- Work under tides
- Work in snow
Read More: How to Estimate Concrete Costs?