CHAPTER 8

STONE MASONRY AND PRECAST BLOCK MASONRY WORK

Notes: -
1. Rates Include-
(a) Lead up to 100 m for all materials for all Items.
(b) Cost of all materials including water.
(c) All lifts for all Items unless otherwise specified.
(b) Cost of mixing cement mortar.
(c) Cost of curing
(d) Rates are for stones other than. Black trap, basalt or granite.
2. The rates for stone masonry in superstructure include the cost of
scaffolding.
3. Work in foundation and plinth.- For purpose of measurement of masonry
work in foundations and plinths it shall be determined as follows:-
(a) For building – masonry work below ground floor level or 1.2 m. above
average ground level which ever is lower.
(b) For abutments, piers and retaining walls of culverts, bridges, walls of
reservoirs, septic tanks, basement and other similar works up to 1.5 m
above top of foundation concrete.
4. Work in superstructure:-
(a) For all works above the level specified in 3 (a) and 3(b) above.
(b) For compound wall , parapet wall over retaining wall- Entire work above
the average ground level.
5. Masonry - For masonry works up to 15 m height -
(a) Classification of masonry-
i. Plain ashlar- Every stone shall be cut to the required size and shape,
chisel dressed on all beds and joints so as to be free from bushings,
dressed surface shall not show a depth of gap of more than 3 mm from
straight edge placed on it. The exposed faces and joints, 6 mm from
the face shall be fine tooled so that a straight edge can be laid along
the face of the stone in contact with every point. All visible angles and
edges shall be true and square and free from chippings. The corner
stones (quions) shall be dressed and perpendicular.
ii. Ashlar rough tooled: -The dressing of stone blocks shall be similar to
plain ashlar except that face exposed in view shall have fine chisel
draft 2.5 cm wide round the edges and shall be rough tooled between
the draft such that the dressed surface shall not deviate more than 3
mm from the straight edge placed over it.
 iii. Ashlar rock(quarried) faced :- The dressing of stone blocks in case of
ashlar rock shall be similar to Ashlar rough tooled except that the
exposed faces of the stone between the drafts shall be left rough as
the stone comes from the quarry , but no rock face or bushing shall
project mpre than 7.5 cm from place of drafts.
iv. Squared rubble masonry coursed (first sort):- Face stone shall be
hammer dressed on all beds and joints so as to give them
approximately rectangular shape. These shall be square on all joints
and beds. The bed joints shall be chisel drafted for at least 8 cm back
from the face and for the side joints at least 4 cm. No portion of the
dressed surface shall show a depth of gap more than 6 mm from a
straight edge placed on ft. The remaining portion of the surfaces shall
not project above the chisel dressed bed and side joints. The bushing
on the face shall not be more than 4 cm on an exposed face.
v. Squared rubble masonry coursed (second sort):- AJI requirements are
the same as for coursed rubbled masonry (first sort) except that no
portion of dressed surface of joints shall show a depressions of more
than 10 mm (as against 6 mm for first sort) from the straight edge
placed against the dressed surface.
vi. Hammer dressed coursed rubble masonry- Face stone shall be
hammer dressed on all beds and joints, so as to give them
approximately rectangular shape. The bed and side joints shall be
hammer dressed for 75 mm from the face. The bushing on the face
shall not be more than 4 cm on an exposed face.
vii. Random rubble or uncoursed masonry- Stones used for uncoursed or
random rubble masonry work shall be hammer dressed on the sides
and bed in such a way as to close up with the adjacent stone in
masonry work as strongly as possible. The face of stones shall be so
dressed that bushing on the exposed face shall not project by more
than 4 cm from the general wall surface.
(b) Bond stones:- Through bond stones shall be provided in walls up to 60 cm
thick and in case of walls above 60 cm thickness, a set of two or more bond
stones overlapping each other by at least 1 5 cm shall be provided in line
from face to back. Each bond stone or a set of bond stones shall be provided
at 1.5 m to 1.8 m apart clear in each course. The bond stones shall be
staggered in successive courses and marked for identification.
(c) Plum stones(Pin- header): Pin header or plum stones shall be provided in
hearting at about 1.8 m interval ( both across and along). They shall run
through the height of at least two courses. Their position shall be staggered in
successive courses.
(d) Joints:- The maximum thickness of joints shall be 6 mm for various types
of ashlar masonry, 10 mm for squared rubble masonry coursed ( first sort) ,
15 mm for squared rubble masonry (second sort), 20 mm for hammer
 dressed coursed rubble masonry and 35 mm for random rubble uncoursed
masonry.
(6) Masonry- For masonry works having height above 15 m (height means
structural height above lowest foundation level and is applicable for entire
length of dam and other massive structures):-
(a) Face masonry:- Face stones shall be hammer dressed on face and one
line chisel dressed (finishing given to the stone face with no portion of it
projecting more than 1 0 mm from the straight edge laid along the face of
the stone) on bed, top and sides for 75 mm from the face batter. The
bushing on the faces of the stones shall not project more than 4 CM.
(b)Coursed rubble masonry- Face stones shall be hammer dressed on face,
sides and bed for 75 mm with the course normal to the face batter. The
bushing on the faces of the stones shall not project more than 4 cm.
(c) Random rubble masonry-The hearting is of random rubble work.
7. Stone block masonry-(a) Stone masonry blocks of size 29x19x14 cm actual
(30x20x15 cm nominal) shall be precast in cement concrete 1:3:6 with stone
ballast of maximum size 20 mm and stone 5 to 15 cms in size. The quantity
of stone pieces to be used in a block shall be about 55% by volume. Blocks
of 1/3rd and 2/3rd of above size shall be used for bond purpose. The
minimum average compressive strength of block shall be 5 N/mm2.
(b)The blocks shall be cast as follows:-
(i) Apply oil (grease and kerosene oil 1:4 ratio on casting platform and place
the moulds in row.
(ii) Arrange large size stones 12 cm in size or so inside the mould. Generally
two or three stones will be laid.
(iii) Fill up the gaps between the stone pieces on the lower portion of the
mould up to a height of about 5 cm with cement concrete of mix 1:4:8 and
compact by trowel. The cement concrete should have a lower water
cement ratio so as to give a stiff mix.
(iv) Fill up in remaining portion by placing 60 to 75 mm pieces in gaps and
again pour the same concrete mix up to top and compact by roding and
tamping.
(v) The demoulding is done after 3 to 4 minutes of casting the block by putting
a wooden piece on top of the block cast and pulling the mould up.
(vi) The next day of casting, the blocks are turned upside down and stone
texture kept exposed. The blocks are remixed and cured with water for 7
days and air dried for 21 days before using in masonry.
(c) Mortar- Cement mortar 1:6 shall be used.
(d) Laying-The blocks shall be slightly wetted before or during laying in the
wall 1/3rd and 2/3rd size blocks shall be used for completing the bond.
 The thickness of joints shall be 1 cm and R shall be ensured that all
horizontal and vertical joints are completely filled with mortar without any
void left in masonry.
8. Measurements- (i) Dimensions shall be measured correct to the nearest
cm. The area shall be calculated in sqm correct to two places of decimal
and cubical contents in cum correct to two places of decimal.
(ii) No deduction or addition shall be made for the following-
(a) Ends of dissimilar materials (that is joists, beams, lintels, posts, girders,
rafters, purlins, trusses, corbels, steps, etc.) up to 0.1 sq. m in section.
(b) Opening up to 0.1 sqm in area (in calculating area of an opening any
separate lintels or sills shall be included with the size of opening but end
portions of lintel shall be excluded and extra width of rebated reveals, K
any, shall also be excluded).
(c) Cement concrete blocks for hold fasts, holding down bolts and the like.
(d) lron fixtures such as wall tie, pipes upto300 mm dia and hold fasts of
doors and windows.
9. The payment for polygonal rubble walling shall be admissible as per the
rates for Item No. 806.
10. (a) Where specifications of face masonry differ from those of hearting, rate of
face masonry will be payable as per actual width limited up to 60 cm from
the face.
(b) Double face masonry shall be payable for actual width or up to 60 cm,
whichever is less, for each side.
11. (a) The stones for masonry shall be hard, durable tough, sound and clean.
They should be free from decay, weathered faces, soft seams, adhering
coating, sand holes,veins,flaws,cracks,stains and other defects and shall
have ,as far as possible,uniform colour and texture. Stones not uniform in
colour,textureand/or with stains may be permitted after proper tests.
(b) Stones For Random Rubble Masonry - The size of the stone shall be
normally vary from 0.05 to 0.01 cum. No stone larger than the maximum
specified size of 0.05 cum. should be used (in general). The stones shall
be taken from quarries approved from the geological and engineer in
charge consideration. The stone shall weigh less than 25 Kg. The stones
used in hearting shall be roughly cubical in shape. No stones weighing
between 75Kg. and 150 Kg. shall be less than 225 mm in any direction
and no stone weighing between 25Kg. and 75 Kg. shall be less than 150
mm in any direction.
(c) Spalls with minimum dimension of 200 mm to 100mm shall be used to
wedge in to thick mortar spaces. They shall not normally exceed 10% of
the volume of stone masonry.
10. The following Indian Standards may be referred to:
 I.S. No. Title
1129-1972 Recommendation for dressing of material, building
stones (first revision) (Reaffirmed 2003)
1597-1992 Code of practice for construction of stone
masonry(Reaffirmed 2007)
1597 (Part-I)- Code of Practice for construction of stone masonry-
1992 Rubble stone masonry. (Reaffirmed 2007)
1597 (Part-II)- Code of practice for construction of stone masonry-
1967 Ashlar masonry.
2116-1980 Sand for masonry mortar(Reaffirmed 2002)
2185-Pt.-I-2005 Hollow and solid concrete blocks (second revision)
2185-Pt.-II- Hollow and solid light weight concrete blocks(first
1983 revision) (Reaffirmed 2005)
2250-1981 Preparation & use of masonry mortars. (Reaffirmed
2000)
8605-1977 Code of practice for construction for masonry in
dams. (Reaffirmed 1998)
9394-1979 Specification for stone lintels(Reaffirmed 2003)
11216-1985 Permeability test for masonry during and after
construction.

Item No. Item Unit Rate Remark

801 Plain ashlar masonry in
superstructure in-
(a) Cement mortar 1:2 cum 4404.00
(b) Cement mortar 1:3 cum 4234.00
(c) Cement mortar 1:4 cum 4155.00
(d) Cement mortar 1:5 cum 4105.00
(e) Cement mortar 1:6 cum 4064.00
(f) Cement mortar 1:8 cum 4026.00
802 Labour only for dressing of stones cum 2041.00
for plain ashlar masonry.
803 Labour only for plain ashlar
masonry in superstructure
including labour for scaffolding
dressing, making mortar and
curing for :
Item No. Item Unit Rate Remark
Item 801 (a) to 801 (f) cum 3279.00
804 Deduct from item 801 to 803 for cum 506.00
ashlar rough-tooled masonry.
805 Deduct from item 801 to 803 for cum 766.00
ashlar rock (quarried) faced
masonry.
806 Squared rubble masonry coursed
(first sort) in superstructure in :
(a) Cement mortar 1:2 cum 3098.00
(b) Cement mortar 1:3 cum 2604.00
(c) Cement mortar 1:4 cum 2366.00
(d) Cement mortar 1:5 cum 2223.00
(e) Cement mortar 1:6 cum 2106.00
(f) Cement mortar 1:8 cum 1989.00
807 Labour only for squared rubble
masonry coursed (first sort) in
superstructure including labour for
scaffolding, dressing, making
mortar and curing for-
Item 806 (a) to 806 (f) cum 993.00
808 Squared rubble masonry coursed
(second sort) in superstructure in-
(a) Cement mortar 1:2 cum 2978.00
(b) Cement mortar 1:3 cum 2479.00
(c) Cement mortar 1:4 cum 2245.00
(d) Cement mortar 1:5 cum 2098.00
(e) Cement mortar 1:6 cum 1985.00
(f) Cement mortar 1:8 cum 1868.00
809 Labour only for squared rubble
masonry coursed (second sort) in
superstructure including labour for
scaffolding, dressing, making
mortar and curing for.
Item 808(a) to 808 (f) cum 871.00
810 Hammer dressed coursed rubble
masonry in superstructure in -
(a) Cement mortar 1:2 cum 2890.00
(b) Cement mortar 1:3 cum 2393.00
(c) Cement mortar 1:4 cum 2159.00
(d) Cement mortar 1:5 cum 2011.00
(e) Cement mortar 1:6 cum 1898.00
(f) Cement mortar 1:8 cum 1781.00
Item No. Item Unit Rate Remark
811 Labour only for hammer dressed
coursed rubble masonry in super
structure including labour for
scaffolding, dressing, making
mortar and curing for -
Item 810(a) to 810 (f) cum 785.00
812 Uncoursed and random rubble
masonry in super structure in -
(a) Cement mortar 1:2 cum 2936.00
(b) Cement mortar 1:3 cum 2340.00
(c) Cement mortar 1:4 cum 2060.00
(d) Cement mortar 1:5 cum 1883.00
(e) Cement mortar 1:6 cum 1744.00
(f) Cement mortar 1:8 cum 1604.00
813 Labour only for uncoursed random
rubble masonry in superstructure
including labour for scaffolding,
dressing, making mortar and
curing-
Item 812 (a) to 812 (f) cum 533.00
814 Dry random rubble masonry. cum 600.00
815 Labour only for Item 814. cum 181.00
816 Face stone masonry in cement
mortar in superstructure
(a) Strength 14 N/ sq-mm cum 2819.00
(b) Strength 10.5 N/ sq-mm cum 2585.00
817 Coursed rubble masonry in cement
mortar in superstructure-
(a) Strength 14 N/ sq-mm cum 2611.00
(b) Strength 10.5 N/sq-mm cum 2378.00
(c) Strength 8 N/sq-mm cum 2230.00
818 Random rubble masonry in cement
mortar in superstructure-
(a) Strength 14 N/sq-mm cum 2516.00
(b) Strength 10.5 N/sq-mm cum 2238.00
(c) Strength 8 N/sq-mm cum 2060.00
819 Providing and fixing fine dressed cum 4645.00
cut stone lintels including setting in
cement mortar 1:3
820 Labour only for Item 819 including cum 1309.00
dressing.
Item No. Item Unit Rate Remark
821 Providing and fixing fine dressed cum 4101.00
cut stone copings, cornices string
courses and plinth courses
including setting in cement mortar
1:6
822 Labour only for Item 821 including cum 1675.00
dressing.
823 Stone block masonry with solid cum 3019.00
stone masonry blocks of approved
size pre cast in cement concrete
1:4:8 with graded stone ballast of
maximum size 20 mm, laid in
cement mortar 1:6 including form
work for pre casting, curing,
handling, hoisting etc. complete.
824 (a) Cost of pre cast solid stone cum 2286.00
masonry blocks only in item 823.
(b) Cost of Item 823 excluding cost cum 733.00
of pre cast solid stone masonry
blocks.
825 Labour only for-
(a) Item 824 (a) cum 555.00
(b) Item 824 (b) cum 438.00
826 Chisel dressed grooves in stone
for karries-
(a) Size 8 cm x 5 cm m 206.00
(b) Size 10 cm x 8 cm m 294.00
(c) Size 15 cm x 10 cm m 381.00
827 Deduct for stone masonry in plinth cum 63.00
and foundation (item 801, 806,
808, 810, 812, 816, 817, 818, 823
& 824 (b).
828 Deduct for labour only in plinth and cum 45.00
foundation (item 803, 807, 809,
811, 813 and 825 (b).
829 Extra rate for every additional floor cum 63.00
or every additional 3 m height or
part thereof for such works which
have no intermediate floor.
830 Extra rate for stone masonry cum 91.00
circular in plan, including walls, to
a mean radius not exceeding 6 m.
831 Extra rate for stone masonry in
well steining for depth-
(a) Up to 6 m cum 63.00
Item No. Item Unit Rate Remark
(b) Beyond 6 m to 12 m cum 94.00
(c) Beyond 12 m to 18 m cum 140.00
(d) Beyond 18 m to 24 m cum 211.00
(e) Beyond 24 m to 30 m cum 318.00
832 Extra rate for stone masonry in cum 134.00
square or rectangular pillars.
833 Extra rate for stone masonry in Cum 314.00
circular pillars.
834 Extra rate for black trap, basalt or
granite
(a)Item 801 to 803 and 806 to 818. Cum 40.00
(b)Item 823,824(a) and 825(a) Cum 39.00
835 Deduct from Item 823 and 824(a) Cum 278.00
for use of graded shingle or gravel.
836 Deduct from masonry for stones Cum 274.00
obtained from foundation
excavation and stones collected
from other source .
837 Cost of water for curing only and One cum. 58.00
included in item 801,806,808,810, of masonry
812 ,815,816, 817, 824(a) and
824(b).
838 Labour for curing only and included One cum. 65.00
in item 803,807,809,811, 813,815, of masonry
816,817 and 825.