Quantity Surveying Lecture

QUANTITY SURVEYING
Construction Estimates
LECTURE
4.10 Definition of Terms
Estimates; from its sense it is calculation, not so exact, maybe a little higher or a
little lower. This process is always use in our daily life, say estimated time of arrival
from a place running at a certain speed, is an estimates. Working a certain job to
complete the project at an average speed is also an estimate. But in Engineering it
is exact, computed according to plans and specifications. It is also calculated but
precise that follow some steps and formulas in mathematics. In Civil Engineering
Profession it is the estimation of the materials, labor and other expenses for the
completion of a certain project.
Engineering Estimates; not only civil engineer uses estimates, other field of
engineering also uses this tool for calculation for number of days in the completion
of projects and the amount of expenses; irrigation facilities in Agricultural
Engineering, electrical installations in Electrical Engineering, design of
machineries in Mechanical Engineering, formulating chemical solutions for
Chemical Engineering, and other field of engineering.
Construction Project Plan; are shop drawings that represent the project to be
constructed. From this plan, construction estimate was derived and prepared. A
plan consists of the following stages; the beauty, CE Drafting; the strength,
structural; plumbing and sanitary; electrical and mechanical installations (for
buildings where escalator, elevator, fire-fighting accessories and power house) is
needed.
Quantity Take Off – the computed quantity of each item in a project.

Bill of Materials – list of materials needed per item in a project.
Cost Estimates – the amount of each piece of material in each item.
For Gross Cost – the actual cost of the project and composed of the following:
a. Material cost
b. Labor cost
c. Equipment utilization cost
d. Direct cost, the sum of a, b & c.
e. Indirect cost, certain percentage amount of material cost.
f. Total cost – the amount of direct cost-plus overhead cost.
Overhead Cost (Indirect Cost) – an occurred or additional estimated amount

intended for:
a. Supervision – 3 to 5% of direct cost
b. Permits – 3 to 5% of direct cost
c. Contractors profit – 10 to 15% of direct cost. For government project, the
allowable profit is 10%.
d. Contingencies – 3 to 5% of direct cost
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4.11 Common Conversion of Units Most Use in Estimates (in this man-
ual/book)
Linear Measures
1 foot (ft.) = 12 inches (in.) = 30.48 centimeters (cm.)
1 inch (in.) = 2.54 centimeters (cm.)
1 meter (m.) = 3.28 feet (ft.) = 39.36 inches = 1.10 yards
1 mile (mi.) = 1.68 kilometers (km.) = 1,680 meters
10 millimeters (mm.) = 1 centimeters (cm.)
10 centimeters = 1 decimeter (dm.)
10 decimeters = 1 meter (m.)
10 meters = 1 decameter (D.m)
10 decameters = 1 hectometer (H.m)
10 hectometers = 1 kilometers (km.)
Weight and Liquid Measures

1 kilograms (kg.) = 2.24 pounds (lb.)
1 gallon (gal.) = 3.96 litters (li.)
1 cubic meter (m3) = 1,000 litters
The above values could be used for estimate or convert values.

➢ To convert smaller values to bigger one, multiply the given values by the
conversion amount.
➢ To convert bigger values to smaller, divide the given value by the conversion
amount.
Example Problem 4.1:

The source of aggregates from the project site is 58 miles. Calculate the distance
in kilometers.
Solution:
1 mile = 1.68 km ; bigger to smaller, multiply.
Distance = 58 miles × 1.68 km./mile = 97.44 km. Ans//.

A road excavation is 120 x 1012 cubic millimeters. Determine the costs of
excavation if 1 cubic meter is Php 300.
Solution:
From conversion, 1,000 mm = 1 meter
𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟
Thus; Cost = 120 x 1012 mm. x (1000 𝑚𝑚)³= 120 x 103 cu. m. = 120,000 cu. m.
Cost = 120,000 cu. m. x Php 300 = Php 36,000,00.00

A painter is required to paint a wall using 5 gallons of paint. In the area where
the project was located only litters were sold. Determine how many litters and the
cost of paint needed, if 1 liter is Php 186.00.
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Solution:
From conversion, 1 ga. = 3.96 litters
No. of litters = 5 ga. × 3.96 litters/gal. = 19.8 say 20 litters
Costs = 20 liters x Php 186.00 = Php 3,720.00
4.20 Labor and Equipment Capacity
The following amount or capacity was formulated by the author in the actual
implementation of projects when he was a Project Engineer and a Contractor, with
the aid of the book, “Fundamentals of Construction Estimating, Third Edition, by
David Pratt”, Chapter 10 – Pricing Excavation and Backfill page 231. The amount
each hour or day could be divided to the computed volume or area, to determine
the actual days of completion.
A. For capacity of laborers:
The following values is useful for earth works estimates considering man days.
1. Excavation; A laborer can excavate 1.60 cubic meters per day.
2. Backfill with compaction; Capacity of one labor is 1.40 cubic meters per day.
3. To fill filling materials with compaction is 1.40 cubic meters per day.
B. For Equipment Capacity; common equipment used in civil

engineering projects.
1. Dump Trucks – an equipment used to haul materials: aggregates and

filling materials. Although it can be used for other purposes; in mobilization,
man power of this equipment is a driver and driver’s helper.
Six wheelers truck – capacity is 6 cubic meters per truck load.

Ten wheelers truck – capacity is 12 cubic meters per truck load.
To calculate number of trucks required for hauling operations, take the

following minimum values:
Time to off-load truck (or dump) = 5 minutes

Average speed of travel, if loaded = 30 kilometers/hr.
Average speed of travel, unloaded = 65 kilometers/hr.
Unloading time = [Distance to dump ÷ Ave. speed of travel, loaded] + 5 min.
Loading time = Truck capacity ÷ Pay loader output
Number of trucks needed = [Unloading time ÷ Loading time] + 1
2. Pay Loader – an equipment used for loading, especially to dump trucks –

to load aggregates and filling materials. Manpower is heavy equipment
operator and operator’s helper.
For capacity of different sizes of buckets:

4.30 cu. m. bucket capacity pay loader – 40 cu. m. per hour.
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3. Plate Compactor – small capacity vibrator held by light equipment

operator, driven by 3 – 6 horse power generator to compact small scale
filling materials. Capacity to compact is 2 cubic meters per day. This
equipment is classified as Light Equipment.
4. Bull or Track Dozer – an equipment use to excavate horizontally,

especially in road construction. Grubbing of trees is also the work of this
equipment. Man power of this equipment is operator and operator’s helper.
Capacity of the equipment to excavate is 49cu.m per hour.
5. Road Grader – an equipment use for grading of flat surface, spreading

and levelling hauled materials or aggregates to be ready for compaction, in
road constructions.
For capacity:
Grading – 790 square meters per hour.
Spreading and levelling of aggregates = 26 cubic meters per hour.
6. Water Truck – an equipment driven by a driver accompanied by his helper

to water the area before compaction. The capacity of this equipment to do
the job for the purpose is 890 sq. meters per hour.
7. Road Compactor/Vibrator – this is for compaction and is used after the

water truck had watered the area. Man power of this equipment is Heavy
equipment operator and operator’s helper. Capacity of this equipment is 30
cubic meter per hour.
8. Backhoe – an equipment use for excavation. It is operated by an operator

with a helper.
For capacity:
For 0.75 cu. m. capacity = 20 cu. m./hr.
For 0.50 cu. m. capacity = 14 cu. m./hr.

In a road construction, sub-base course is 3,400 cubic meters and base course
is 3,600 cubic meters. Determine the number of days of hauling if 3 six wheelers
trucks deliver each 10 trips a day while the 3 ten wheelers trucks used has 9 trips
each day. Determine also the number of days of spreading if two road graders are
used.
Solution:
For 6 wheelers dump trucks = 3 trucks × 6 m3 / truck × 10/day = 180 m3/day
For 10 wheelers dump trucks = 3 trucks × 12 m3 / truck × 9/day = 324 m3/day
Total = 504 m3/day
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For spreading = 2 graders × 26 m3 / hr. × 8hrs./day = 416 cu. m./day
For total number of cubic meters = 3,400 m3 + 3,600 m3 = 7,000 cu. m.
For total number of days hauling = 7,000 m3 ÷ 504 m3/day = 13.88 say 14 days
For total number of days spreading = 7,000 m3 ÷ 416 m3/day = 16.83 say 17 days

Using minimum values in hauling operation of dump trucks, determine the
number of ten wheelers dump trucks to haul 7,000 cubic meters filling materials
for 10 kilometers hauling distance.
Solution:
Distance = 10 kilometers
Ten wheelers capacity = 12 cu. m./haul
Total cubic meters filling materials = 7,000 cu.m.
Capacity of ten wheelers truck = 12cu.m.
For unloading time = [Distance ÷ Truck speed] + 5 minutes
= [(10 km. × 60min./hr) ÷ 25 km/hr] + [5 min.]
= 24 min. + 5min. =29 mins.
For loading time = Truck capacity ÷ Pay loader output
= [12 cu. m. ÷ 40 cu. m./hr] × 60 min./hr.
= 18 minutes/truck
Number of trucks needed = [Unloading time ÷ Loading time] + 1
= [29 min. ÷ 18 min./truck] + 1
= 2.61 say 3 ten wheelers truck
In problem number 5, compute the number of days hauling if three ten wheelers
dump truck are used. Determine also the equipment rental cost if one ten-wheeler
dump truck is Php 14,400.00/day.
Solution:
Total filling materials = 7,000 cu. m.
For travel time (round trip) = Unloading time + Travel back + Loading time
= 29 min. + [(10 km × 60 min/hr) ÷ 65 km./hr]
= 29 min. + (9.23 min say 10 min) + 18 mm.
= 57 min. say 1 hour per round trip
For total trips = 7,000 cu.m. ÷ 12 cu.m./truck/trip (3 trucks) = 195 trips
For total number of trips each day = 3(1 trip/hr)(8 hrs/day) = 24 trips/day
For total number of days = Total trips ÷ Number of trips each day
= 195 trips ÷ 24 trips/day = 8.125 say 8.5 days
For equipment rental costs:
= 3(8.5 days) (Php 14,400/day) = Php 367,200 Ans.//

In a building construction, filling materials for ground floor is 196 cu. m.
Determine the number of days for the three laborers to finish filling and
compacting.
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Solution:
A laborer can fill and compact 1.40 cu.m / day
Number of days = 196 m3 ÷ 3(1.40 cu.m./day) = 46.67 say 47 days Ans.//

A 2 kilometers road with a width of 8 meters contains 1,930 cubic meters
gravel pave is to be compacted. Determine how long a road roller/vibrator and a
water truck can complete the work?
Solution:
Length = 2km. × 1,000m/km. = 2,000 m ; Width = 8 meters ; Volume = 1,930 m3
Area (A) = 8 m × 2,000 m. = 16,000 m2
Capacity of Road Roller/Vibrator = 30 cu.m./hour × 8 hours/day = 192 cu.m./day
Number of days to complete the work:

For roller/vibrator = 1,930 cu.m. ÷ 192 cu.m./day = 10.10 days
Therefore; the work can be finished for 10.5 days Ans.//
4.21 Problems/Exercises 4.1
1. A concrete water tank has an inner capacity of 3.5 cubic meters. How many
litters does this tank contains?
2. An FM Radio tower is made up 4 inches diameter schedule 40 galvanized iron
pipe. If the tower is 120 feet high, what is the diameter and height of the pipe
in metric measurements?
3. A bridge embankment is 5,280 cubic meters. Determine how many ten
wheelers truck is needed if number of hauling is limited to 44 trips only.
4. A three storey building has a ground floor area of 1,800 square meters and will
be constructed in a hilly elevation. The area needs to be flatted before lay out,
where 1,620 cubic meters will be removed, and the volume of footings
excavation is 980 cubic meters. Determine the number of days a bull dozer can
excavate and flat the area, and number of days a back hoe can complete the
footings excavation. Determine also the amount paid for the equipment’s used
if bull dozer is Php 2,500 per hour and back hoe is Php 1,400 per hour.
5. A 5 kilometers road is to be constructed. To have an even elevation. 1,600,00
cubic centimeters cut and 1,300,00 cubic centimeters filled was estimated.
Determine the number of days a bull dozer can complete the project. Determine
the waste and the number of days of a two six wheelers truck can removed these
waste if four trips each could be made in one day.
4.30 SITE WORKS
Site works; includes soil analysis of the site where project is to be constructed. But
analysis was done first before the design to determine footing sizes. After the project
bidding and mobilization of the project site, site works being consider in the
estimates are: bunk house construction; perimeter fencing for building structure
projects; clearing and grubbing; staking and lay out. Staking for road constructions,
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is placing of stakes with a horizontal line connected by an arrow downward,
indicating cut while arrow upward indicates fill for each elevations of fill and cut,
during construction surveys. The stake is place every 20 meters stationing. For lay
out, sometimes focuses to building constructions. This is setting of batter boards
where measurements are placed and transferred to ground surface for the actual
measurements of the building to be constructed.
Earthworks in engineering sense are works in soil or earth, like excavation,

backfill, filling materials and compaction.
➢ Excavation is digging in earth for canals, foundations, sewer, sewerage and
other works embedded in earth.
➢ Backfill is the process of filling back the earth in the excavated portion after
the structure was placed or built in it.
➢ Filling materials are added earth fill or gravel fill to low or deep portion of
ground grade to level at the intended elevation.
Example; In the ground flooring of the building, filling materials are added
and compacted before constructing the slab to elevate on ground level for
flood purposes. If gravel fill is use as filling materials, it is more effective if it
possesses some earth to act as binder.
➢ Compaction is the strengthening of backfill and filling materials for the

purpose of having a stable foundation for the structure to be built on it. In
compaction water is the biggest factor to attain a strength foundation.
4.31 Estimating Site works
Site work is for most used in building structures, bridges, road constructions and
other civil engineering projects.
A. Bunk house – a temporary structure intended for field office, temporary shelter
for key personnel and for safe keeping of materials to be used in the construction.
It is estimated separately according to plan. But sometimes during bidding, the
unit indicated in bidding estimate forms is lot. If the given unit is lot, total cost
estimate is indicated.
B. Clearing and Grubbing – by the used of bull dozer, the floor area of building
is cleared for trees shrubs and then levelled. It is estimated in cubic meters, then
divide the capacity of bull dozer to determine the number of days and multiply
the equipment rental cost for the co0st estimates.
The floor area of the building is 50 meters × 30 meters with shrubs and small
fruit trees. The average excavation to flat the ground is 1 meter. Find the amount of
clearing and excavation if bull dozer rental is Php 21,200/day.
Solution:
Volume if clearing and excavation; V = 50m × 30m × 1m = 1,500 cu. m.
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Capacity of bull dozer = 49 cu. m./hr × 8 working hours/day = 332 cu. m./day
Total Number Days = 1,500 cu. m. ÷ 332 cu. m./day = 4.5 days
For Total Cost = 4.5 days × Php 21,200/day = Php 95,400 Ans//
C. Perimeter Fencing – Enclosing the construction area with fence, to free from
obstruction and by standers during construction. The fence has temporary post of
any kind, stated in plans and specifications including each distances. The cover or
fence is of sufficient height to protect naked eyes to see the construction site, and of
any kind of material. Sawali in the locale Palawan area is most suitable to use since
the purchase is low and easy to install, some use tarpaulins.
If there is still space outside foundations, it is erected 3 meters or more to
permit working area. Gates should be provided for pedestrian and for equipment for
materials deliveries, and bunk house should also be inside the fence. It is estimated
by direct counting for post and areas or linear meter for cover.

A proposed three storey building has a ground floor are of 50 m × 30 meters and
will be enclosed by a perimeter fence using 2.5 m. width × 15.0 m. length (per roll)
sawali. It is pinned at post by 5 cm. × 2.5 m bamboo slat nailed with 4 pieces 5 cm.
umbrella nails. The temporary post is around lumber 12.7 cm. in diameter (average
lower dimension), distance at 2.5 meters on centers (m. o. c.) with 2” × 3” upper and
lower horizontal braces, and 1 diagonal at each post. The perimeter fence is set back
from the proposed walls by; 15 meters from 50 meters frontage and 5 meters at back, 5
meters each at right and left side elevations. Determine materials costs if sawali is Php
650 per roll, 5 cm × 2.5 m. bamboo slat is Php 1.50/pc., 12.7 cm. round lumber is Php
165/pc. And 5 cm. umbrella nails is Php 115/kg while common wire nails is Php 80,
lumber costs Php 38/bd. ft. Determine also the total fencing cost, (earth works not
included), if labor cost is 40% of material cost.
Solution:
Note 1. In computing for number of pieces of post per terminal distances, add 1 to the
computed number of pieces since considered distance is inner one.
For one kilogram of 5 cm. umbrella nails, there are 28 pieces.

For Perimeter: P = [30 + (15 + 5)]2 + [50 + (5 + 5)]2 = 220 linear meters
For sawali: 220 m ÷ 15m/roll = 14.67 say 15 rolls × Php 650/roll = Php 9,750.00
For post:
At front and rear: 50 + 10 = [60 meters ÷ 2.50 meters/pc.] = [24 + 1]2 = 50 pcs.
At sides: [30 + (15 + 5)]2 = 100 meters ÷ 2.5 meters/pc. = 40 pcs.
At cost: 50 + 40 = 90 pcs. × Php 165/pc. = Php 14,850.00
For bamboo slat:

Number of pieces: 90 posts, therefore 90 pcs. – 5 cm × 2.5 meters
For cost: 90 pcs × 1.5/pc. = Php 135.00
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For umbrella nails: 90 pcs. × 4 pcs. = 360 pcs ÷ 28pcs./kg. = 12.85 say 13 kgs.
For cost: 13 kgs. × Php 115.00 = Php 1,495.00
For lumber braces: Post distances is 2.5 m × 3.28 ft./m. = 8.2 ft. say 10 ft.
At front and rear: [24 + 24 pcs.]2 = 96 pcs. – 2” × 3” × 10’ ÷ 12/bd. ft. = 480 bd. ft.
At two sides: [20 + 20 pcs.]2 = 80 pcs. – 2” × 3” × 10’ ÷ 12/bd. ft. = 450 bd. ft.
For cost: 480 bd. ft. + 450 bd. ft. = 930 bd. ft. × Php 38/bd.ft. = Php 35,340.00
For common wire nails: One kilogram can be utilized to 95 bd. ft. (including wastage)
For kilograms of cwnails: 930 bd. ft. ÷ 95 bd. ft./kg. = 9.79 say 10 kgs.
For costs of cwnails: 10 kgs. × Php 80/kg. = Php 800.00
For total cost of materials: Php 9,750.00 + 14,850.00 + 135.00 + 1,495.00 +

35,340.00 + 800.00 Php 62,270.00 Ans//
For labor: Php 62,270.00 × 0.040 = Php 24,908.00
For total cost estimates: Php 62,270.00 + Php 24,908.00 = 87,178.00 Ans//
D. Laying Out; Lay out is the most important work, especially in building construction.
Actual shape and size of building starts in this phase. Before the lay out;
➢ Determine the orientation line.
Orientation line determines the position of the building’s frontage; if it could be
parallel to property line, or for most parallel to an existing road if there is road
near to the building site either at front or sides. After orientation line was
determined;
➢ Stake a strong material post where finished grade line could be placed
permanently during construction. In laying out big scale project, surveying
instruments is use while for small ones a level hose is preferably used by
carpenters;
➢ Lay out batter boards. “Batter board is a board, lumber, or any form of material
held in place by strong stakes or small post levelled at top where building
measurement is determined and transferred to ground”.
Outside the lay out building lines, away from proposed footing width, set the
batter board and place footings, columns and walls dimensions on it. Transfer
footings dimensions to ground surface for excavation.
• To estimate bigger scale lay out, number of days of surveying instrument and
surveyor times rental (unit is lot).
• To estimate laying out using batter boards; where board and post use is lumber,
the process is direct counting but lumber is express in board feet. Board feet is;
thickness (inches) × width (inches) × length (feet) divide 12 feet. For a strong
batter board, posts are spaced 2 meters and sledge hammer depth on earth.
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A 20 meters × 30 meters two storey building is to be laid out using 2” × 3” batter
boards with 2”× 4” × 5’ lumber posts distanced 2 meters on centers. Determine the total
board feet of lumber to be used if batter board is set 1.5 meters away from building lines
each four sides. Determine also the cost of lumber used if one board feet is Php 30.00,
of total number of days in completing the work if 3 carpenters at 370 pesos/day and 3
laborer for 270 pesos/ day do the job (neglect cost of nails) and total cost.
Solution:
Length at 30 meters: L = 30 + 1.5(2) = 33 meters

Length at 2o meters: W = 20 + 1.5(2) = 23 meters
For posts: @ 30 meters; N1 = 33 meters ÷ 2 meters/pc. = 16.5 say 17 + 1 = 18 pcs. @

20 meters;
N2 = 23 meters ÷ 2 meters/pc. = 11.5 say 12 pieces
For total number of posts: NT = 18(2) + 12(2) = 60 pcs.
For number of board feet: [2” × 4” × 5’ ÷ 12’] = 3.33(60) = 199.8 bd. ft.
For batter boards, use 12’ lumber; in meters = 12 feet ÷ 3.28 ft/m = 3.66 meters N=
[33 m + 23 m]2 ÷ 3.66 meters/pc = 31 pcs.
For number of board feet: [2” ×3” × 12’ ] ÷ 12 = 6 bd. ft./pc × 31 pcs. = 186 bd. ft.
For total board feet: 198.8 bd. ft. + 186 bd. ft. = 384.6 bd. ft. Ans//
For cost of lumber: 384.6 bd. ft × Php 30.00/bd. ft. = Php 11,538.00
Note: This book uses 40 % to 50 % labor cost.
For labor: 3 carpenters × Php 370.00 = 1,110.00

3 laborers × Php 270.00 = 810.00 : Total = Php 1,920.00
For number of days: Php 11,538.00 × 0.40 = Php 4,615.20 ÷ 1,920.00 = 2.4 say 2.5
days
For labor costs: 3 carpenters × 2.5 days × Php 370.00 = 2,775.00
3 laborers × 2.5 days × Php 270.00 = 2,025.00
Total – 4,800.00
For labor costs: Php 11,538.00 ÷ Php 4,800.00 = Php 16,338.00 Ans//
4.40 Estimating Earth Works

Earth works, are works on earth such as, for easier works, involve in this book as
excavations, backfilling and filling materials. This is concern of excavation,
backfilling and filling materials for building construction. This also includes road
construction for cut and fill. To cut; a bull dozer is used and also to fill nearby low
grade slope, and to haul excess materials pay loader and dump trucks are used. For
compaction, road roller/vibrator and Water truck.
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A. Excavation; is estimated by volume; V = depth (H) × width (W) × Length (L)
whose unit is express in cubic units, depending on the given unit in project plan.
This book uses meters, centimeters and millimeters since it is the most used unit
in construction in the Philippines.

Determine the volume of excavation of eight columns of a two-storey
residential building with dimensions of 1.40 meters depth, 1.25 meters square
width. The foundation has a 50 millimeters gravel bed. Determine also how long
three labourers can complete the work, and their total wags if one is paid Php
280.00.
Solution:
H = 1.4m + 1.05m = 1.45m ; W = 1.25m ; L = 1.25m
V = HWL = [(1.45m)(1.25)(1.25)]8 = 18.125 cu. m. Ans.//
For number of days : 3(1.60 cu.m/day) = 4.80 cu. m./day

18.125 𝑐𝑢. 𝑚.
𝑁 = 4.8𝑐𝑢. 𝑚. = 3.78 𝑠𝑎𝑦 4 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝐴𝑛𝑠.//
For total wages: TW = 3 labourers × 4 days × Php 280.00 = Php 3,360.00

A 51 centimeters diameter (outside dimension) reinforced concrete culvert pipe
(RCCP) is to be used as drainage for a 2 kilometers roadway. Determine the volume
of excavation where this RCCP could be laid. Determine also how many days to
complete the excavation if 0.75 cu. m. capacity backhoe is used. If backhoe rental is
19,800 per day, what is the cost of excavation?
Solution:
Taking for the minimum cover of RCCP, 0.30m:
H = 0.30m + 0.51m = 0.81m
L = 200m ; W = 0.51m
V = HWL = 0.81m × 2,000m × 0.51m = 826.20 cu. m. Ans.//
Number of days : Capacity of backhoe for one day = 15 cu.m./hr ×

8hrs./day = 260 cu. m./day
N = 826.20 cu. m. ÷ 260 cu. m./day = 6.88 say 7 days Ans.//
Excavation cost : 7 days × Php 19,800/day = Php 139,300.00 Ans.//

B. Backfill; the process of filling back the earth in the excavated portion after the
structure was placed of built in it. For small scale project, manpower is used while
for big scale project backhoe or road grader is used.

In example problem number 4, footing thickness is 0.30m and column size
is 0.30m × 0.30m. Determine; a) Volume of structure. b.) volume of backfill if
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20% compaction is used. c.) amount of backfill if 3 laborers is used with wages of
Php 380.00 per day.
Solution:
Volume of excavation: V = HWL = [(1.45m)(1.25m)(1.25m)]8 = 18.125 cu. m.
(a.) Volume of structure;
Volume of footings: V = 1.25m × 1.25m × 0.30m = 0.47(8) = 3.76 cu. m.
Volume of column: V = 0.30m × 0.30m × 1.10m = 0.10(8) = 0.80 cu. m.
H = 1.45 – 0.05 – 0.30 = 1.10m.
Total Volume: VT = 3.76 cu. m. + 0.80 cu. m. = 4.56 cu. m. Ans.//
(a) Volume of backfill:

Clear volume: V = 18.125 cu. m. – 4.56 cu. m. = 13.565 cu. m.
Volume of compaction: VC = 13.656 cu. m. × 0.20 = 2.713 cu. m.
Volume of backfill: VBF = 13.565 cu. m. + 2.713 cu. m.
= 16.28 cu. m. Ans.//
(b) Amount of backfill:
Capacity of laborer to backfill and compact is 1.40 cu. m./day
Number of days: 16.28 cu. m. ÷ 1.40 cu. m./day = 11.63 days say 12 days
Using 3 laborers: Number of days, N = 12 ÷ 3 = 4 days
For total amount: 3 laborers × 4 days × Php 280.10
= Php 3,360.00 Ans.//
C. Filling Materials; is a chosen material which consist of gravel and a

combination of earth (for compaction paste purposes) which is filled to an area
for the purpose of elevating elevations. It is hauled, spread and compacted;
hauling is done by dump trucks, spreading for small scale project is performed
by laborer, while for large ones is by the used of road grader.
And for compaction, it could be done by tampering or by plate compactor for
small scale project and road grader/vibrator for big scale construction. For
compaction, additional of 20 to 30% if filling materials is added. Water is
considered for compaction; for large scale construction, water truck is used.

Neglecting wall thickness and division walls, determine the volume of filling
materials of a 20 meters × 25 meters ground flooring is to be elevated by 50 cm.
If this volume is to be spreaded and compacted for 18 days; determine the
number of laborers needed if 25% for compaction is considered.
Solution:
For volume of fill: V = 20m × 25m × 0.50m = 250 cu. m.
For compaction: V = 250 cu. m. × 0.25 = 62.5 cu. m.
Total Volume of filling materials: VT = 250 cu. m. + 62.5 cu. m.
= 312.5 cu. m. Ans.//
Total Volume/labor in 18 days: capacity of 1 labor to spread and compact in
18 days = 1.4 cu. m./day × 18 days/labor
= 25.2 cu. m./labor
For number of laborers: N = 312.5 cu. m. ÷ 25.2 cu. m./laborer
= 12.4 say 15 laborers Ans./
LSG12
4.41 Problems/Exercises 4.2:
1. The floor area of a three-storey building is 45 meters × 35 meters to be constructed

at an even level ground, with shrubs and small fruit trees. The average excavation
to flat the ground is 0.90 meter. Find the volume of clearing and excavation and
total amount if bull dozer rental is Php 21,500/day.
2. A proposed three storey building has a ground floor area of 40m × 30 meters and
will be enclosed by a perimeter fence using 6.35 mm thick plywood (plywood size
1.22m × 2.44m). The proposed perimeter fence is measured from outside wall of
building to be constructed by; 17 meters from 40 meters frontage and 5 meters at
the back, 5 meters each at right and left side elevations. Determine the total pieces
of plywood to cover the perimeter fence with height of 2.44 meters and total cost
if a plywood cost Php 280.00
3. A 25 meters × 35 meters two storey building is to be laid out using 2” × 3” batter

boards with 2” × 4” × 5’ lumber posts distanced 2 meters on centers. Determine
the total board feet of lumber to be used if batter board is set 1.5 meters away from
building lines of each four sides. Find the item cost if lumber is Php 35.00,
common wire nails is 28.00 and labor is 4 carpenters at 380 pesos/day, 4 laborers
for 280 pesos/day to do the job. Used 45% labor cost of materials.
4. Determine the volume of excavation of ten columns of a three-storey commercial

building with dimensions of 2.30 meters depth, 1.60 meters square width. The
foundation has a 50 millimeters gravel bed. Determine also how long five laborers
can complete the work, and their total wages if one is paid Php 350.00.
5. In problem number 4, footing thickness is 0.40m and column size is 0.35m x

0.35m. Determine; (a) volume of structure. (b) volume of backfill if 20%
compaction is used. (c) amount of backfill if 3 laborers is used with wages of Php
280.00 per day.
6. Neglecting wall thickness and division walls, determine the volume of filling
materials if a 40 meters × 35 meters ground flooring is to be elevated by 40
centimeters. If these volumes are to be spreaded and compacted for 20 days,
determine the number of laborers needed if 25% for compaction is considered.
Find also the cost of 1 cubic meter of filling materials if its cost Php. 800.00.
4.50 Concrete Works

Concrete, is a stone like materials made from mixtures of cement, sand, gravel
and water. It maybe plain or reinforced; plain posses no reinforcement, example
concrete pavement for roads, while reinforced concrete are those with reinforcing
steel bars embedded properly and bind by concrete to resist compression and
tension forces in beams, footings, slabs and other reinforced structures.
Aggregates, occupies about 70 to 75% of the volume of hardened mass and

remaining 25 to 30% consists of hardened cement paste. It is classified into:
LSG13
A.) Fine Aggregates or Sand that passes through number 4 sieve or about 6mm
in size and
B.) Coarse Aggregates or Gravel with maximum size of 25mm or by
requirements that it shall easily fit into the forms and between the reinforcing bars.
Water, for concrete used it should be clean and free from injurious amount of oil,
acid, alkali, organic matter or other deleterious substance. Salt water and sea water
should be avoided. It should be equal to be 15% that of cement, by weight, or 4 to 6
gallons for every one bag of 40 kilograms cement.
Cement, is made by mixing and burning or clinking to incipient fusion of two

materials, one composes principally of lime and the other being a clayey argillaceous
materials containing silica, alumina and iron. After burning, the clinker is finely
pulverized. Types of cements are:
A.) Portland cement, needs two weeks to reach sufficient strength so that forms
of beams and slabs could be removed. It reaches the designed strength in 28 days.
B.) Highly early strength cement, needs 3 to 7 days to reach sufficient strength
and the design strength could be attained in 20 days.
C.) Pozzolan cement, needs 20 days to sufficient strength and the design strength
could be attained in 35 days.
Cement most used in the Philippines is 40 kilograms. This is the size most produce
in cement plants.
Concrete Vibrator, an equipment driven by 3 horsepower generator with steel

rod at the end potion that vibrates to compact and stabilized new poured concrete
mixture in forms. Also used to vibrate new poured concrete for roads and bridges,
and other structures where concrete is used. Held and operated by light equipment
operator (concrete vibrator operator).
Plate concrete vibrator, a vibrator with even plates driven by a small generator
most by 3 horsepower install above the pates. It used to slide above concrete
mixture placed in two longitudinal forms of a road concreting to have and even and
fine finished at top. Held and operated by two concrete vibrator operators
positioned at its end.
One bagger concrete mixer, a light equipment that mixed one bag of cement
and its equivalent proportion of sand, gravel and water (4 gallons per bag). The
equivalent of 1 bag mixture tank that is place in heavy steel frame and driven by at
least 9 horsepower generator rotates and mixed the concrete thoroughly before
pouring to forms. It is operated by light equipment operator. The capacity per hour
is dependent on the labour force. Its average capacity is 25 bags mixture per hour.
Transit mixer, a concrete mixer tank with capacity of 53 bags mixture is mounted
to a truck that drives the mixing process and deliver it to project site from batching
plant.
LSG14
1.51 The Concrete
This stone like material plays a big rule in the construction of roads, bridges,
ports, dams and structure where strength or stresses is present. Concrete is a
comprehension in nature and when used to structure where bending stresses is
present reinforcing bars are added to resist these stresses.
1.52 Estimate of Concrete

Concrete is estimated by volume; take each structural parts of a structure and
compute the volume separately then take the summation. In building construction,
parts where concrete is used are; footings, columns, beams, slabs, stairs (for
building more than one storey) poured concrete walls, roof decks, rails and railings,
parapet (if needed) and canopy.
To compute for volume; Volume, V = thickness (t) × width (w) × height (h) or
length (l)
Illustration 1.
A building has 16 rectangular footings; with width of 1.20 meters, length of
1.50 meters and thickness of 0.40 meters. Find the total volume of concrete needed.
Solution:
V= t × w × h = [1.20 m × 1.50 m × 0.40 m]16 = 11.52 cu. m.
Illustration 2.
A common floor beams in a three storey building has a dimension of 0.20 m
× 0.30 m × 5.0 m. Compute for the total volume of concrete needed.
Solution:
V = thickness (t) × height (h) × length (l)
V = 0.20 m × 0.30 m × 5.0 m= 0.30 cu. m.
VT = 16(0.30. cu. m.) = 4.80 cu. m.
Illustration 3.
An 8.0 m × 10.0 m two storey building is surrounded by footing beam with size
of 0.20 m width and thickness of 0.30 m. The surrounding columns are 8 pieces of
0.30 m × 0.30 meters. Determine the volume needed to construct these footing
beams.
Solution:
Perimeter, P = 2(8.0 m) + 2(10.0 m) = 36.0 m
Occupied by column = 8(0.30 m) = 2.40 meters
Total length of footing beam, TL = 36.0 m – 2.40 m = 33.6 m
Vol. of footing beams, V = THL = (0.20 m)(0.30 m)(33.6 m) = 2.02 cu. m.
4.43 Concrete Proportion

The proportion refer to the mixture of cement, sand, gravel, to form the
concrete. A clean sand is the requirement to use for concreting, and it is advise to
use S-1 for all concrete structures. Most common sizes of gravel are G-1 sand and
¾ size use in concreting. G-1 is use for concrete pavements, foundations of
LSG15
structure, piles, columns and slabs on fill while ¾ gravel are requirements for
beams and slabs, but G-1 could also be utilized in slabs depending on the clearances
of top and bottom bars for two way slab.
The following ratios in table 3.1 was formulated during the time when the
author is in the construction business. The table could be used by multiplying the
given constants by the computed volume of the concrete. This gives the number of
bags needed, the cubic meters of sand and that of gravel. Water in other estimates
book is not included, but remember it is a pay item. For construction, it is needed
since from the water meter if the constructor ask for water, the owner charge what
is added to their consumption. If water is taken from a clean river, equipment
rentals should be charge. In one bag of 40 kilograms cement, 4 gallons of water is
needed for one bag concrete class AA mixture. Add one gallon for every class
mixture. Then compute to litters, 4 litters for one gallon and there are 1,000 litters
in 1 cubic meter.
Table 4.10: Proportioning of Cement – Aggregates Ratio
40 50
Sand Gravel
Class kilograms kilograms
Proportion Cubic Cubic
Mixture Cement Cement
Meters Meters
(bags) (bags)
AA 1:2:3 9 7 0.44 0.86
A 1:2:4 8 6 0.46 0.88
B 1 : 2.5 : 5 7 5 0.48 0.90
C 1:3:6 6 4 0.50 1.00

There are 10 columns in a one storey building with height of 3.80meters from
footing to bottom of beam. Compute for the number of bags of cement, cubic meters
of sand and gravel if the size of columns is 0.25m × 0.25m, using class a mixture.
Determine also the cost if cement is Php 250.00, sand is Php 1,200.00 and gravel
is Php 1,100.00.
Solution:
Volume, V = width × length × height = 0.25 × 0.25 × 3.80m = 0.24 cu. m.
VT = 0.24m × 10 columns = 2.4 cu. m.
For Cement; Number of bags = 2.4 cu. m. × 8 bags/cu. m.
= 19.2 say 20 bags Ans.//
Costs = 20 bags × Php 250.00 = Php 5,000.00
For Sand; Number of cu. m. = 2.4 cu. m. × 0.46 = 1.104 say 1.5 cu. m.
Costs = 1.5 cu. m. × Php 1,200.00 = Php 1,800.00
For gravel; Number of cu. m. = 2.4 cu. m. × 0.88

= 2.122 say 2.5 cu. m. Ans.//
Costs = 2.5 cu. m. × Php 1,100.00 = Php 2,750.00
LSG16
For Total Costs, C1 = Php 5,000.00 + Php 1,800.00 + Php 2,750.00
= 9,550.00 Ans.//
4.44 Reinforcement on Concrete

Corrugated reinforcing steel bars are most used as reinforcement for
concrete. Concrete is a compression or compressive material, while reinforcement
or reinforcing bars are tensile. Markings are provided to steel reinforcing bars,
identifying the name of the manufacturer (bearing its initials), bar size, grade of bar
and used say N = for fillet, A = for axle and Rail Sign = for rail roads. These markings
are place on steel bars body length, and could be easily seen. These markings are
useful to construction supervisor in identifying the bars they are purchasing for the
project.
From fundamentals of construction Estimating, third Edition, by: David Pratt,
page 265: Reinforcing steel for concrete includes welded wire mesh and reinforcing
bars. Welded mesh is purchased in mats or rolls delivered to site for placing.
Commonly use in slab on fill and concrete walls.
For costs; cost of material plus cost of delivery to site. The cost of supplying and
placing reinforcing steel bars, includes the following:
A.) The shop drawings – are final drawing before actual construction. This drawing
shows the structure, its materials needed and its specifications.
B.) The raw steel bars – are the fabricated form in size, not yet cut and fabricated.
C.) Cost of handling, cutting, bending and fabrications, and identifying (tagging)
rebars in the fabrication site.
D.) The costs in transporting bars to the project site.
E.) The costs of spacers, chairs, saddles and ties used in the installation of rebars.
F.) Labour costs for installations; the actual installation costs of the delivered
fabricated reinforcing bars.
4.45 Nominal Sectional Area and Unit Weight of Reinforcing Bars

Table 3.2 below shows the number designation, diameter sizes, nominal sectional
area and unit weight per meter. These were taken from the Philippines Standard for
reinforcing bars. Most estimates are presented in kilograms in each diameter, just
multiply each kilograms in the required length of bar then divide the result to the
total kilograms given.
Table 4.2 Philippines Standard for Reinforcing Bars
Nominal
Number Diameter in Diameter in Unit Weight
Sectional in
Designation mm inches in kg/m
mm2
#2 6 ¼ 28.27 0.222
#3 10 3/8 78.54 0.616
#4 12 ½ 113.10 0.888
#5 16 5/8 201.20 1.579
LSG17
#6 20 ¾ 314.20 2.466
#7 22 7/8 385.28 3.021
#8 25 1 491.90 3.854
#9 28 1 - 1/8 615.75 4.833
#10 32 1 - 1/4 804.25 6.313
#11 38 1 - 3/8 1,017.90 7.991
#12 40 1 - 1/2 1,109.12 8.550
4.46 Standard Hooks of Reinforcement

Hook is needed for estimating to determine the length of cut of reinforcing bar in
any form of structure. To determine length of cut, say in footing (one way), length
minus 2 times required concrete cover, plus 2 times required hook. For rectangular
beams; for stirrups, take the perimeter of the structure minus perimeter of concrete
cover plus 2 times required hook. For square or rectangular columns; procedure for
lateral ties is the same as stirrups of rectangular beam.
Standard Hooks of Reinforcement (from National Structural Code of the

Philippines)
1.) 180° bend plus 4 × diameter of bar extension but not less than 65 mm at free
end. This bend is use mostly for footing steel reinforcing bars.
2.) 90° bend plus 12 × diameter of bar extension at free end. This hook is for the
foot of column reinforcing bars which is tied to footing bars.
3.) For 16 mm Ø bar and smaller, 90° bend plus 6 × diameter of bar extension at
free end.
4.) 20mm Ø and 25mm Ø bar, 90° bend plus 12 × diameter of bar extension at free
end.
5.) 25mm Ø bar and smaller, 135° bend plus 6 × diameter of bar extension at free
end. This bend is for lateral ties and stirrups.

Find the length of 10mm Ø stirrups needed for a 20cm × 30cm rectangular
beam. Use 40mm concrete cover.
Solution:
Length for perimeter (Lp) = 2(20 – 0.4cm) + 2(30 – 0.4cm) = 98.4cm
Length of 135° hook (H) = 6(10mmØ) = 60 mm extension
Total extension = 2 × 60mm = 120mm extension
Total Length (T) = 98.4cm + 0.12cm = 98.52cm say 98.55cm Ans.//
Note: Perimeter of beam is P = 2[20cm + 30cm] = 100cm or 1.0meter and the

commercial size of bar is 6.0 meters. To lessen for cutting, used TL = 1.0m
LSG18
4.47 Standard Concrete Cover for Reinforcing Bars
Concrete cover is the protection of reinforcing bars, it is the distance from the
face of the concrete to the outside dimension of reinforcing bars, but for bottom bars
especially in footings and slabs, it is sometimes measured from center of bar to face
of concrete.
Standard Concrete Cover (from National Structural Code of the Philippines)
1. For concrete cast and permanently exposed to earth, such as footings, minimum
concrete cover is 75mm.
2. For concrete member exposed to weather, 40mm to 50mm.
3. For slab walls and joists, minimum covering is 20mm.
4. For beams and columns, minimum covering is 40mm.
5. For bundle bars, the minimum cover shall be equal to the equivalent diameter of
the bundle, but need not be greater than 50mm, except for concrete cast
permanently expose to earth, the minimum cover shall be 75mm.

Determine the length of reinforcing bars needed in a two storey building with a
dimension of 1.2m × 1.2m × 0.30m. Use 16mm Ø reinforcing bars.
Solution:
Concrete Cover (CC) = 2(75mm) = 150mm
Length of hook, 180° bend (LH) = 4d = 4(16) = 64, use 65(2) = 130mm
Length of Reinforcing bar = 1.2m - 0.15m = 1.05m + 0.130m = 1.18m
Note: 1.18m is almost 1.2 meter, to facilitate faster estimation, you can use direct cut
of footing width or length for 16mm & 20mm Ø reinforcing bars.
Therefore; TL = 1.20 meters Ans.//
4.48 Estimation of Reinforcing Bars in each Part of Structure

Reinforcing bars in most part of a structure is estimated by direct counting in the
plan, and the application of simple mathematics. Concrete cover for steel
reinforcement is deducted and hook is added to the length needed in each
reinforcement.
4.50 For Footing Estimates

Footing maybe; a square, a rectangular, a cantilever, a combined, a mat or footing
on piles which supports column or columns. Footing is exposed to earth except
footings on piles which is exposed to weather has a concrete cover of 75mm and
40mm, respectively.
To Estimate;
1.) Count the number of bars seen in plan, but if only distances is given divide the
length or width by the given distance plus one, for the number of footing bars in
one side then add bars for width and length for total bars cut in each footing. For
square footing, number of bars for one side times 2.
LSG19
Illustration 4:
A 1.2m × 1.2m square footing is reinforced with 16mm Ø RSB at 0.20m o.c. both
ways. How many cut bars are needed in this footing?
Solution:
1.2
Number of bars, N = 0.20 + 1 = (6 + 1)2 = 14pcs.
2.) To determine length of bars in each direction (length and width), Length (TL) =
Length (L) – concrete cover (cc) + length of hook
Illustration 2:
A rectangular footing has a length of 1.40meters and width of 1.2 meters, has 12mm
Ø reinforcement of 8 and 7 pieces, respectively. Calculate the required length (TL) of
reinforcements in each side.
Solution:
Footing is exposed to earth; concrete cover, CC = 75mm. The required hook
for 180° is 4d. Hook for footing is 180° requirement.
For length, TL = 1.40m – 2(0.075m) + 2[4(0.012)] = 1.35 meters or
= 1,400mm – 2(75mm) + 2[4(12mm)] = 1,350mm.
For width, TL = 1.20m – 2(0.075m) + 2[4(0.012m)] = 1.15 meters or
= 1,200mm – 2(75mm) + 2[4(12mm)] = 1,150mm
3.) To determine number of pieces of reinforcing bar needed in one direction, the actual
length of bar (Lb = 6m, 7.5m, 9cm, etc) to be used divided by total length of cut bar
(TL) of #2, result is the number of pieces per bar.
Illustration 3:
In illustration 2, determine the total number of 12mm Ø × 6.0m reinforcing
bar needed.
Solution:
For length; 8pcs. at 1.35 meters length, and for width; 7pcs at 1.15 meters.
6.0 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
For length, number of pieces per br = = 4.44 pcs. or use 4 pcs/bar
1.35𝑚/𝑝𝑐
8 𝑝𝑐𝑠
Number of rebars needed = 4.44 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 1.8 say 2 pcs.
8 𝑝𝑐𝑠
= 4 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2 pcs – 12mm Ø × 6m RSB
6.0 𝑚
For width, number of pieces per bar = 1.15𝑚/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 5.22pcs. or use 5pcs/bar
7 𝑝𝑐𝑠
Number of rebars needed = 5.22 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 1.34 say 2pcs.
7 𝑝𝑐𝑠
= 5 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 1.4 say 2 pcs
For total number of rebars = 2 + 2 = 4pcs. – 12mm Ø × 6.0m Reinforcing bars
LSG20
A two storey building has 8 – 1.50meters square footing with 8pcs 16mm Ø
reinforcing bars both ways. Determine the number of steel bars needed (6m in
length), number of bags of cement, sand, gravel. Determine also the cost of
reinforcing bar needed if one bar can purchased at Php 260.00.
Solution:
a.) Compute for length of steel bars needed;
TL = 1.50m – 2(0.075m) + 2(0.065m) = 1.48m
Note: From standard hook, 180° minimum is 65mm, and 4(16) is 64mm.
6 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
b.) Number of pieces per bar = 1.48 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 4.05 pcs. say 4 pcs/bar
8 𝑝𝑐𝑠
c.) Number of rebars needed = 4 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2(2 – both ways) = 4pcs
= 4pcs/footing × 8 footings = 32pcs – 16mm Ø RSB
d.) For costs = 32pcs × Php 260.00/pc. = Php 8,320.00 Ans.//

Five footings of a three storey building is located in the property line of the lot.
These footings should be cantilevered, with a measurement of 1.10m × 1.90m
reinforced with 20mm Ø spaced each at 0.25 meters on centers. Find total number
of steel bars needed and the total cost if on bar is Php 320.00.
Solution:
a.) Compute for length of steel bars needed;
For width: TL = 1.10m – 2(0.075m) + 2[4(0.020m)] = 1.11m
For Length: TL = 1.90m – 2(0.075m) + 2[4(0.020m)] = 1.91m
b.) Compute for number of reinforcing bars in each side;

1.10 𝑚
For width: NW = 0.25 = 4.4 say 5 pcs + 1 = 6pcs.
1.90 𝑚
For length: NL = 0.25 = 7.6 say 8 pcs + 1 = 9pcs.
c.) Number of pieces per bar;
For width: Number of pieces = 1.11𝑚/𝑝𝑐. = 5.41pcs./bar
For length; Number of pieces = 1.91 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 3.14 pcs/bar
d.) Number of rebars needed;
6 𝑝𝑐𝑠.
For width: NW = 5.41 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 1.11 say 2 pcs. (5 footings) = 10pcs.
9 𝑝𝑐𝑠
For length: NL = 3.14 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 2.87 say 3 pcs (5 footings) = 15pcs.
e.) For total number of rebars to be used;
For total: NT = NW + NL = 10 + 15 = 25pcs. Ans.//
f.) For Reinforcing bars total costs;
Amount or Costs = 25pcs. × Php 320.00 = Php 8,000.00 Ans.//
LSG21
4.60 For Column Estimates
Columns are structure held by footings extended above natural ground level to
the required height of structure. For building structure, it is to roofing beam for one
storey, and floor beams for one or more stories. Consideration for concrete cover, it
is exposed to weather with a minimum of 40mm. including part submerged to earth.
A column has a lateral tie which hold the main bar vertically in place. Lateral ties are
properly distanced from footing to beam. Main vertical are estimated by direct
counting, while lateral ties uses mathematical tool.
To estimate;
1.) Count number of vertical bars seen in plan, segregate size if column has different
sizes of bar. For bar length, depth of footing plus height from natural grade line
to top of beam plus length of hook (hook is 90°)
Illustration 4:
A column bars of a two storey building is fixed to footing 1.5meters depth.
The height of the building from natural grade line to apex of the roof beam is 6.80m.
What will be the length of column main bars needed, if 16mm Ø is used?
Solution:
90° bend is 12(diameter of the bar).
2.) For lateral ties; concrete cover is exposed to weather, CC = 40mm. Take the
perimeter of reinforcing bar subtracting the concrete cover plus hook for the
length of cut bar or bar needed. To determine number of lateral ties, consider
distances in plan or height divided by distances.
Illustration 5:
A 400mm × 450mm rectangular column has 10mm Ø lateral ties spaced at
200mm. What is the length of lateral ties? How many lateral ties needed if
column height is 4.0meters?
Solution; CC = 40mm; spacing of lateral ties = 200mm; h = 4.0m; WC = 400mm;
LC = 450mm; RSB = 10mm Ø; hook is 135° = 6 × diameter of bar
a.) For length, TL = 2(400 – 40mm) + 2(450 – 40mm) + 6[2(10mm)]
= 720mm + 820 + 120mm = 1,660mm or 1.66m Ans.//
b.) For number of lateral ties, N = 0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐. = 20 + 1 = 21pcs. Ans.//
3.) For splice; splicing is used when designated length of reinforcing bar is shorter
than the length of structure. For column the splice consideration, 21 times
diameter of bar plus 150 millimeters.
Illustration 6:
In Illustration 4, the length of 16mm Ø bar is 8.492 meters. Determine the
length of splice and the total length of bar needed.
Solution:
a.) Length of splice, LS = 21 × db + 150 = 21(16mm) + 150 = 486mm Ans.//
b.) Length of bar needed, TL = 8.492m + 2(0.486m) = 9.464m Ans.//
LSG22
A 350mm square column has 8pcs. of 16mm Ø placed at corners and mid-side
of structure. 8 pieces of 12mm Ø bars are added between 16mm Ø bars. There are
20 columns which support a three storey building with 3.30 meters distances
between floor lines and 2.90 meters from third floor line to lowest portion of roof
beam. The building is elevated 0.70 meters from natural ground line has a depth
of 2.10 meters to footing bars. Consider 0.30m depth of floor beams and 0.25m for
roof beam.
Determine:
a.) Total number of main bars (12mm Ø and 16mm Ø).
b.) Total number of 10mm Ø lateral ties, if distances is 0.20m O.C.
c.) Total cost of column reinforcements for 10mm, 12mm & 16mm Ø, if each costs
are Php 126.00, 158.00 and 228.00, respectively.
Solution:
a.) hT = 3.30m(2) + (2.90 + 0.25) + 0.70m + 2.10m = 12.6 meters
For total length of steel bar = 12.60m + [21(0.016m) + 0.150m + 6(0.016) hook
(For 16mm Ø RSB) = 12.60m + 0.486 + 0.096 = 13.2 meters
→ Using 6.0 meters length RSB; there are 2 pieces plus 1.2 meters;
Thus, 1.0m plus splice length: 1.2m + 0.486m = 1.69 say 1.7m
6.0𝑚
Then, 1.7𝑚/𝑐𝑢𝑡 = 3.53 say 3 pcs. cut in 1 bar;
8(20)
Total number of bars in excess of 2 pieces = 3 = 53.33 say 54 pcs.
Total number of 16mm Ø = 2 × 8(20) + 54 pcs. = 374 pcs.
Therefore: 374 pcs. – 16mm Ø × 6.0m Reinforcing Bar Ans.//
For 12mm Ø main bars;
Total length of steel bar = 12.60m + [21(0.012) + 0.150m] + 6(0.012) hook
= 12.60m + 0.402 + 0.072 = 13.1 meters
→ Using 6.0 meters length RSB; there are 2 pieces plus 1.1 meter;
Thus, 1.0m plus splice length: 1.1m + 0.486m = 1.586 say 1.5m
6.0𝑚 8(20)
Then, 1.5𝑚/𝑐𝑢𝑡 = 4 pcs. cut in 1 bar; Total # of bars = 4 = 40 pcs.
Total number of 16mm Ø = 2 × 8(20) + 40pcs. = 360pcs.
Therefore: 360pcs. – 12mm Ø × 6.0m Reinforcing Bar Ans.//
b.) For lateral Ties:

H1 = 2.1m + 0.70m + (3.30 – 0.30 – beam) = 5.8 meters (for first floor)
5.8𝑚
Total number of ties = = 29pcs. + 1 = 30pcs. for one column
0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐.
= 30 pcs./column × 80 columns = 2,400 pcs.
H2 = 3.30m – 0.30m = 3.0 meters (height of second floor)
3.0𝑚
Total number of ties = 0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐. = 15 pcs. + 1 = 16pcs. for one column
H3 = 2.90 meters (height of third floor)
2.9𝑚
Total number of ties = 0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐. = 15pcs. + 1 = 16pcs for one column
LSG23
Total number of lateral ties = 2,400 pcs. + 2(1,280pcs.) = 4,960 pcs.
For total number of 10mm Ø × 6.0m lateral ties:
Total length, TL = 4(0.30m – 0.040) + 2[6(0.010m)] = 1.16m/pc.
6.0𝑚
Number of pieces per bar = 1.16 𝑚/𝑝𝑐. = 5.17 say 5 pcs./bar
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 4,960 𝑝𝑐𝑠.
Total bars = = 5 𝑝𝑐𝑠./𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 992 bars
𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑎𝑟
Therefore: Use 992 pcs. – 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 meters lateral ties Ans//

c.) Total costs of column reinforcement:
16 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m RSB – 374 pcs. x 228.00 = 85, 272.00
12 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m RSB – 360 pcs. x 158.00 = 56,880.00
10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m RSB – 992 pcs. x 126.00 = 124,992.00
Total = 267,144.00 Ans//
4.61 Spiral Columns
It is usually a circular column with circular stirrups reinforcement. Spirals refer
to the stirrups reinforcement in circle form like a spring of a notebook. According to
the National Structural Code of the Philippines, the minimum main reinforcement
shall be 6 pieces of 12 mm Ǿ spaced equally with in the circle section of the column.
The spirals shall be 10 mm Ǿ with a clear spacing of pitch of diameter of column/4
(Table 410.7.6.5.2, NSCP, Volume 1, 7th Edition, 2015) or shall be placed not more
than 150 mm. from points of bend (Section 410.7.6.4.2) i.e. pitch is the term used for
spacing of spirals.
To Estimates Spirals
This is estimated by direct counting; the main bars total length is taken by adding
splices and hooks. Let us take for the determination on the number of spirals needed
by the following:
𝐿𝑐
(a) Compute number of pitch per bar spacing; NP = 𝑆𝑝 + 1
Where: LC = clear length of column from top footing to lowest part of the beam
or distance between beams.
SP = spacing or pitch of spirals.
NP = total number of pitches spacing.
(b) Compute for the diameter of the core; core is the inner diameter form by spiral.
DC = D – 2(concrete cover); Concrete cover is 30 to 40 mm
(c) Compute circumference of core, then multiply the result in (a) and divide by the
length of bar use as spiral.
𝐶 𝑥 𝑁𝑝
n = 6.0𝑚 ; if RSB is 6.0 m
C = ΠDC
Illustration 7:
Find the number of steel bars needed for a 470 mm circular column with clear
length of 7.0 meters. Use 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m steel bars with pitch of 100 mm. on centers
and a concrete cover of 40 mm.
LSG24
Solution:
D = 470 mm = 0.47 m LC = 7.0 m
S = 100 mm = 0.1 m o. c. cc = 40 mm = 0.04 m
RSB = 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m
(a) For pitch of spirals:
𝐿𝑐 7.0 𝑚
NP = 𝑆𝑝 + 1 = 0.10 𝑚/𝑚𝑚 + 1 = 71 mm
(b) For diameter of the core:

DC = D – 2(cc) = 0.47 m – 2(0.04) = 0.39 m
(c) For number of stirrups needed:

𝛱𝐷𝑐 𝑥 𝑁𝑝 𝛱(0.39)(71)
TNS = = = 14.49 say 15 pcs. Ans//
6.0 6.0

A two storey building has 8 circular columns reinforced with 6 pieces of 16 mm Ǿ
x 6.0 meters RSB. The diameter of column is 0.35m with length from footing to lowest
portion of roof beam of 8.0m and thickness of second floor beam 0.35m. Spiral is 10
mm Ǿ x 6.0m that wrap main bars inside a concrete cover of 35mm, find total number
of reinforcements needed.
Solution:
NC = 8 columns Main bars = 6 pcs – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m
D = 0.35m Stirrups = 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0m
LC= 8.0m cc = 0.035m
S = 0.35m/4 = 0.0875 say 0.088mHook = 12db = 12(0.016m) = 0.192m
Splice = 21 x diameter of bar + 150 mm = 21(16m) + 150 = 486mm = 0.49m
(a) For main bars:

NM = 8(6 pcs.) = 48 pcs of main bars
EL = 8m – 6m = 2m + hook + 2(splice) = 2m + 0.192m + 2(0.49m) = 3.172m
Note: 3.172m is greater than one-half of 6.0m bar length, there use 1 pc.
There are 2 pcs in a straight reinforcement.
TNM = (6 pcs/column x 2)(8 columns) = 96 pcs. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m main bars.
Ans//
(b) For pitch of spiral:

𝐿𝑐 8.0 𝑚
PS = 𝑆 + 1 = 0.088 𝑚/𝑝𝑐𝑠 + 1 = 91.9 say 92 pcs.
(c) For diameter of core:

DC = D – 2(cc) = 0.35m – 2(0.035m) = 0.28m
(d) For total number of Spirals:

𝛱𝐷𝑐 𝑥 𝑃𝑠 𝛱(0.28𝑚) 𝑥 92𝑝𝑐𝑠.
n= = = 13.5 say 14 pcs.
6.0 6.0𝑚
TNS = 14 pcs x 8 columns = 112 pcs – 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m Spiral
LSG25
Therefore use;
96 pcs. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m Main bars
112 pcs. – 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0m Spirals
4.70 For Beams and Girder Estimates

Beams are commonly considered as horizontally leveled structure if it supports floor
slabs; and sometimes inclined in an angle of inclination or in a curvature form that
supports slab of ramps of vehicles going to parking areas not in a ground level. It is
supported at each end by column or girder and this structure support or holds the
slab.
Girder is also a beam but quite bigger, it has the capacity to hold beams, especially
in bridges, high rise buildings and other structure subjected to bigger loadings.
Most common type of beam and girder used is a rectangular section since tensile and
compressive strength so with stress and strain is easier to balance.
Classifications of Beams
(a) Roof Beam – highest beam in a building structure which support trusses or roof
deck.
(b) Floor Beam – beams found in each story of a building that support or hold the
slab.
(c) Floor Slab beam –a beam found in the level of ground flooring which holds the
slab on fill. But in some cases, it is no longer needed.
(d) Grade Beam – a beam in the level of lowest elevation of the ground. The main
purpose of this beam is for earthquake stabilization of structure. But for buildings
with basements, this is omitted.
(e) Footing Beams – beams built on top of footings, or sometimes a little higher. This
structure maybe built at each column lines or at the perimeter of the building
depending on the structural analysis computation.
Reinforcing Bars Estimates
According to National Structural Code of the Philippines, a minimum beam main
rebar’s is four (4) pieces of 12 mm Ǿ reinforcing steel bar (RSB). And the minimum
stirrups are 10 mm Ǿ with a spacing of 100 millimeters on center (mm. o. c) tied by
# 16 galvanized iron (G.I) tie wire or welded in main bars. Stirrups held main bars in
place and carries shearing stresses at the face the beam. Stiffener is an additional bar
usually place between the top and bottom bars on both face of stirrups. But
sometimes it is a little bit higher or lower than the center. For bigger depth beams
two or three lines of stiffeners are place. The main purpose of stiffener is to stiffen
stirrups in places to increase stresses. The minimum size of stiffener is 2 pieces of 12
mm Ǿ reinforcing bars.
To estimates reinforcement
For main bars: This is done by direct counting; count the number of main bars in
plan and take sizes if the reinforcement have different diameters of bars. The length
LSG26
of bar needed is the clear span of beam plus the required hook. If the beam contains
anchor and tension bars; note the following:
(a) for anchor bars, it is that bar placed at the top portion near column or support for
anchor purposes; see plan for the length sometimes it is span over four (L/4) or
span over three (L/3) then add length of hooks.
(b) tension bars, it is that bar at the center of span added to bottom bars for additional
tensile strength, the length is at L/4 or L/3, according to plan, at both end
supports.
(c) for spliced bars, if a reinforcing bar used is shorter than that of the span, to cope
the actual length, another bar of the same diameter is splice and tied or welded
or by mechanical devices such as permanent grips.
For length of splice, Ls = 21 x diameter of bar + 150 mm
Illustration 8:
Find the length of main bars, anchor and tension bars of a beam with a span length
of 4.50 meters. Anchor bars are positioned at span over four from supports while
tension bar is between the L/4. All bars use are 16 mm Ǿ, main and anchor
reinforcement are hook at support.
Solution:
Main bars; LM = 4.50 m + 2[12 x 16mm] = 4.50 m + 2(0.192 m) = 4.9 meters Ans//
𝑆
Anchor bars; LA = 4 + hook → 12db + bend → 6db
LA = (4.50/4) + (12 x 16mm) + 6(16mm) = 1.12m + 0.192m + 0.10m = 1.41 m
Tension bars; The hook follows # 5 of Standard Hook of Reinforcement; 180® - 135®
= 45®
same position of hook.
𝑆
LT = 2 + 2(6db)
4.50 𝑚
L= + 2[6 x 16mm] = 2.25 m + 0.192 m= 2.44 m Ans//
2
For stirrups:
The concrete cover is 40 millimeters from face of beam to top of stirrups.
(a) Find the length of stirrups by; L = 2[w – 2cc] + 2[t – 2cc] + 2[6db]
Where; L = length of stirrups
W = width of beam
cc = concrete cover, which is equal to 0.04 meters
6db = hook of reinforcement; db is diameter of steel bar
Compute for number of cut per length of one bar (6m); n = 6 divided by computed
length of stirrups above.
(b) Find number of stirrups needed by dividing span of beam by the distances shown
in plan plus 1.
If in specification, near the supports, had a given distances not the regular
distance, i.e. 1 @ 0.05, 2 @ 0.10, 3 @ 0.15 m.o.c., consider the number of stirrups
and distances multiplied by two. Total number of stirrups 6 x 2 = 12 and distance
is 2[0.05 + 2(0.10) + 3(0.15)] = 1.4 meters. This distance is subtracted to the span
length, remaining distance is divided by given distances of stirrups and the result
is added to 10 pcs. Add the result of the last to first computation of stirrups.
LSG27
(c) Compute for the pieces of steel bars needed by dividing the result of (b) by n of (a)
above. The result is the number of steel bars needed for the beam.
Illustration 9:
A beam 0.25m x 0.35m in dimension has 5.0 meters of span length and is
reinforced by 16 mm Ǿ steel bars had a 10mm Ǿ stirrups space at 200 millimeters on
centers. Find number of bars needed for stirrups of the beam, if at supports, stirrups
are composed of 1 @ 0.05, 2 @ 0.10, 2 @ 0.15 and rest @ 0.20 meters on centers.
Solution:
(a) Find length of stirrups;
L = 2[w – 2cc] + 2[t – 2cc] + 2[6db]
L = 2[0.05m – 2(0.04m)]+ 2[0.35m – 2(0.04m)] + 2[6(0.01m)]
L = 0.34m + 0.54m + 0.12m = 1.00 m
NC = 6/1.0m = 6 pcs. ; number of cut per bar
(b) Find number of stirrups

At support: NS = 2[1 + 2 + 2] = 10 pcs.
DS = 2[0.05 + 2(0.10 + 0.15)] = 1.10m
Remaining distance; d = 5.0m – 1.1 m = 3.90m
3.90 𝑚
Remaining stirrups; nS = 0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐. = 19.5 say 20 pcs.
Total number of stirrups; TNS = 20 pcs. + 10 pcs. = 30 pcs.
(c) For number of pieces of steel bar

𝑇𝑁𝑠 30 𝑝𝑐𝑠
Total number of steel bars; TNB = = 6 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 5 pcs.
𝑁𝑐
Therefore: use 5 pcs. – 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0m stirrups for beam Ans//

There are ten beams in a roof deck with a dimension of 0.30m x 0.45m x 7.0m.
measured from face of columns. Top reinforcements 3 pieces with 2 pieces 16 mm Ǿ
anchor placed in between main bars measured L/4 from support. Bottom
reinforcement is 4 pieces with one piece tension bar of the same diameter and two
lines of stiffeners are place in between the top and bottom main bars. Stirrup used is
10 mm Ǿ, with 1 @ 0.05, 3 @ 0.10, rest @ 0.20 m. o. c. at supports. Using 20 mm Ǿ
x 7.50 meters, 12mm Ǿ x 6.0 meters and 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 meters, main bars, stiffener
and stirrups, respectively, find total number of each sizes of steel bars needed.
Assume all bars are anchored in support except stirrups.
Solution:
Beam dimension: w = 0.30 m t = 0.45 m L = 7.0 m
Top bars: Main bars; 3 pcs. – 20 mm Ǿ x 7.50 m
Bottom bars: Main bars; 4 pcs. – 20 mm Ǿ x 7.50 m
Anchor bars; 2 pcs. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m
Tension; 1 pc. – 20 mm Ǿ x 7.50 m
Stirrups: 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m with 1 @ 0.05, 3 @ 0.10, rest @ 0.20m.o.c.
Stiffener bars: 4 pcs. – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m
LSG28
Number of beams: 10 pieces
(a) For top and bottom bars:

LM = S + 2[12db] = 7.0 m + 2[ 12(20 mm)]= 7.0 m + 0.48 = 7.48 m
Number of main, NM = 3 pcs. + 4 pcs. = 7 pcs. – 20 mm Ǿ x 7.50 m main bars
Total number of main bars: TNM = 7(10) = 70 pcs
Therefore: use 70 pcs – 20 mm Ǿ x 7.5 m for main bars
(b) For anchor bar:

𝑆
LA = 4 + hook → 12db + bend → 6db
7.0 𝑚
LA = 4 + 12(16 mm) + 6(16 mm) = 1.75 m + 0.192 m + 0.10 m= 2.04 m
Number of cut per bar:
𝐿𝑏𝑎𝑟 6.0 𝑚
Nc = 𝐿𝑎 = 2.04 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 2.94pcs. ; use 3 pcs.per bar
Total number of anchor bars:
NA = (2 pcs./beam)(10 beams) = 20 pcs.
Total number of steel bars:
𝑁𝑎 20 𝑝𝑐𝑠.
TNA = 𝑁𝑐 = 3 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 6.67, say 7 pcs.
Therefore: use, 7 pcs. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m for Anchor bars.
(c) For tension bars:

𝑆 7.0 𝑚
LTB = 2 + 2(6db) = 2 + 2[6(20 mm)] = 3.5 m + 0.24 m = 3.74 m
Number cut per bar:
7.50 𝑚
NC = 3.74 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 .= 2 pcs. per bar
Total number of tension bars = 10 pcs.
10.0 𝑝𝑐𝑠.
TNT = 2 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 5 pcs.
Therefore: use, 5 pcs. – 20 mm Ǿ x 7.50 m for tension bar
(d) For stiffener:

For length of stiffener: 4 pcs. are used for stiffener
LS = Span length + splice length → 2[(21db) + 150 mm] + hook → 2[12db]
hook
LS = 7 m + 2[21(12 mm) + 150 mm] + 2[6(12 mm)]
LS= 7 m + 0.804 m + 0.144 = 7.65 m
For additional length to 6.0 m length of steel bars: LA = 7.95 m – 6.0 m
= 1.95 m
Number of bar per cut:
6.0 𝑚
NC = 1.95 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 3 pcs per bar
4 𝑝𝑐𝑠
For additional length = 3 = 1.33 pc.Say 2 pcs.
Total number of stiffener:
NT = 10(4 + 2) = 60 pcs.
Therefore: use 60 pcs. – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m for stiffeners
LSG29
(e) For stirrups:
From specifications: 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m with 1 @ 0.05, 3 @ 0.10, rest @ 0.20
m.o.c.
Find length of stirrups;
L = 2[w – 2cc] + 2[t – 2cc] + 2[6db]
L = 2[0.3 m – 2(0.04m)] + 2[0.45 m – 2(0.04m)] + 2[6(0.01m)]
L = 0.34m + 0.54m + 0.12m = 1.00 m
Number of cut per bar:
6.0 𝑚
n = 1 = 6 pcs. per bar
Find number of stirrups
At support: NS = 2[1 + 3] = 8 pcs.
DS = 2[0.05 + 3(0.10)]] = 0.70m
Remaining distance; d = 7.0m – 0.70m = 6.30m
6.30 𝑚
Remaining stirrups; rS = 0.20𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 31.5 say 32 pcs.
Total number of stirrups; TS = 32 pcs. + 8 pcs. = 40 pcs.
Total number of rebar’s for stirrups:
𝑇𝑠 40 𝑝𝑐𝑠.
TNS = 𝑛 = 6 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 6.67 say 7 pcs. (10) = 70 pcs.
Therefore: use 70 pcs. – 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m for stirrups
(f) Total number of each sizes of steel bars: Ans//

For 20 mm Ǿ x 7.5 m -- (70 + 5) = 75 pcs. – main and tension bars
For 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m --- = 7 pcs. – anchor bars
For 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m --- = 60 pcs. – stiffeners
For 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m --- = 70 pcs. – stirrups
4.80 For Slab Reinforcement Estimates
Slab, is a structure composed of large flat plates build in horizontal level in each
storey supported by reinforced concrete beams, columns, walls, steel beams or by
the ground.
Types of Slabs:
(a) One–way slab, a type of slab where the longer span if divided by the shorter
span the answer is greater than two or the shorter span is lesser the half of the
longer span. In this type, only the longer span is considered to be held by beams
or supports. The smallest main reinforcement is 12 mm Ǿ which is parallel to
its support and could either be all straight the bar perpendicular to main is the
temperature bar and should not be lesser than 10 mm Ǿ.
(b) Two-way slab, a type if the longer span divided by the shorter the answer is
lesser than 2. The support surrounds’ this slab, with smallest main
reinforcements of 12 mm Ǿ and are placed both ways but in two layers, the
bottom and top bars. The bottom bars are continuous to the supports, but top
bars have folds or cut in between a continuous at mid span.
LSG30
(c) Slab on fill, this type is built above compacted filling materials. This is the
ground slab, with a minimum reinforcement of 12 mm Ǿ and is considered as
temperature bars on both ways.
Note: Temperature bars should always be lesser than main bars.
4.81 Reinforcing Bars Estimates

(A) For One–Way Slab:
This is estimated by direct counting, considering hooks, splices and bends
which are added to the length of bars. To estimate, take the following
procedures.
(a) Compute the length of reinforcement for main bars plus two hooks, if not
continuous, add number of splices if continuous. If plan contains bend bars,
add two bends provision.
Lm = L + 2(12db) ----- for discontinuous
Lm = L + 2(12db) + NS[21(diameter of bar) + 150 mm] ----- if continuous
𝐿𝑚
Nm = 6 𝑜𝑟 7.5
Where:
6.0 or 7.5 = length of bar use
Lm = total length of bar needed in one straight reinforcement.
L = given span length.
db = diameter of bar used.
NS = Number of splices.
Note: (1) If bar is greater than needed, compute for number of cut per length
of bar used, NC = length of cut bars; NC = Length of bar/Length of cut bar.
(b) Compute for length of temperature bars needed

Lt = S + 2(12db) ; S = span of temperature bars
𝐿𝑡
TNT = 6 𝑜𝑟 7.5
(c) Compute for number of pieces of main and temperature bars: span divide
spacing.
𝑆 𝐿
Nm= 𝑠 + 1 ; NT = 𝑠 + 1
Where:
Nm = number of pieces of main bars
NT = number of pieces of temperature bars
L = span length of longer side
S = span length of shorter side
s = spacing of rebar’s
(d) Compute for number of main and temperature bars needed.

TNM = nm x Nm----- Total number of rebar’s needed
TNT = nT x NT ------ Total number of temperature bars needed
LSG31
Illustration 10:
A slab 2.0m x 5.0m is to be reinforced by 12 mm Ǿ main bars spaced 150
mm on centers and 10 mm Ǿ temperature bars at 250 mm o. c. Find numbers of
12 and 10 mm Ǿ steel reinforcement.
Solution:
S = 2.0m L = 5.0m
Main bar = 12mm Ǿ Temp bars = 10mm Ǿ
sm = 150mm = 0.15m st = 250mm = 0.25 mm
(a) Compute for total length of reinforcement:

For main bars;
Lm = longer span +hook → 12db
Lm = 5.0 m + 2[12(12)] = 5.0m + 0.29m = 5.29m
Therefore: use, LB = 6.0 meters length of a commercial bar
nm= 1 bar
For temperature bars:
Lt = 2.0m + 2[12(10)] = 2.0m + 0.24 = 2.24m
Number of cut per bar: using 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0m
6,0 𝑚 6.0
NC = 𝐿𝑡 = 2.24 = 2.67m say 2 pcs/bar
(b) Compute for number of main bars.

𝑆 2.0 𝑚
Nm = 𝑆𝑚 + 1 = 0.15 + 1 = 13.33 say 14 pcs.
TNm = Nm x nm = 14 pcs x 1 bar = 14
Therefore: use 14 pcs. – 12 mm Ǿ x 6,0 m for main bars. Ans//
(c) Compute for number of Temperature bars:

𝑆 5.0 𝑚
Nt = 𝑠 + 1 = 0.25 + 1=21 pcs.
21 𝑝𝑐𝑠
TNT = = 10.5 say 11 pcs.
2 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟
Therefore: Use 11 pcs. - 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0m for temperature bars. Ans/

A pathway in the second floor of a two storey building is composed of 3 panels
of slab 2.70m x 6.0m. This 3 panels one way slab is supported by a continuous
beams at both ends along long span and at short span, it is also supported by beams
at both ends and at intermediate (at line 6 and 12 meters) is a lintel beams. This
floor slab is reinforced by 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m along long span spaced 140 millimeters
on center which are anchored at both ends. The main bars are bend every other bar
at L/4 both ways. The temperature bars which is perpendicular to main is 12 mm
Ǿ x 6.0m at 260 millimeters on centers. Find the cost of each bar if 16 mm Ǿ cost
Php 320.00 while 12 mm Ǿ is Php 260.00.
Solution:
S = 2.70m L = 6.0m
Main bar = 16mm Ǿ x 6.0m Temp bars = 10mm Ǿ x 6.0m
LSG32
sM = 140mm = 0.14m sT = 260mm = 0.26 mm
C16 = Php 320.00 C12 = Php 260.00

For main bars;
Lm= 3(6.0m) + 2(12db) + [(21 x db) + 150 mm]
Lm= 18.0m + 2[12(16)] + {3[21(16)] + 150 mm} = 18.0m + 0.384m + 1.46m
Lm= 19.84m ---- straight bars
Number of 6.0m length bar
19.84 𝑚
NB = 6.0 𝑚/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 3.31 pcs. say 4pcs – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m for straight bars
Bend main bars;
Lmb= 3S + splice → 6[(21db) + 150 mm] + hook → 2[12db] hook + bend →
2(6db)
Lmb = 3(6.0 m) + 6[21(16 mm) + 150 mm] + 2[12(16 mm)] + 2[6(16 mm)]
Lmb = 18.0m + 2.92m + 0.384m + 0.192m
Lmb = 21.5 m
Number of 6.0m length bar
21.5 𝑚
NBb= 6.0 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 3.58 say 4 pcs. –16 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m for bend bars
For temperature bars:

LB = 2.70m + 2[12(12)] = 2.70m + 0.29 = 2.99m say 3 pcs/bar
Number of cut per bar: using 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m
6.0 𝑚
NC = 3 = 2 pcs/bar
(b) Compute for number of main bars.
𝑆 2.70𝑚
NM = 𝑠𝑚 + 1 = 0.14 𝑚/𝑝𝑐. + 1 = 20.3 say 21 pcs.
NM = 21 pcs ---- For total number of main bars
For bend bars;
2.70 𝑚
S/4 = 4 = 0.68 m; and S/2 = 0.68 x 2 = 1.36m
1.36 𝑚
NMb= = 10 pcs – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m
0.14 𝑚/𝑝𝑐
TNMb = 10 pcs. x 4 bars = 40 pcs
Therefore: Use 40 pcs. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m --- main bend bars
For straight bars;
NMs = NM – NMb = 21 pcs – 10 pcs = 11 pcs.
TNMS = 11 pcs x 4 bars = 44 pcs.
Therefore: Use 44 pcs. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m --- main straight bars
(c) Compute for number of Temperature bars:

𝐿 6.0 𝑚
Nt = 𝑆𝑡 + 1 = 0.26 + 1 = 24 pcs.
𝑁𝑡 24 𝑝𝑐𝑠
TNT= = = 12 pcs. (3 spans) = 36 pcs.
𝑁𝑐 2 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟
Therefore: Use 36 pcs. - 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m for temperature bars. Ans//
LSG33
(d) For cost of each bar:
Main bars; 16 mm Ǿ x 6.om – 84 pcs. x Php 320.00 = Php 26,880.00 Ans//
Temperature bars; 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0 – 36 pcs. x Php 260.00 = Php 9,360.00 Ans//
(B) For Two Way Slab

The procedure in one-way slab will be applied but in two-way slab, top and
bottom bars will be considered and mid span bars which measures L/2 at both
ways. Remember that the perimeter is surrounded by support, it could be
continuous or discontinuous, just consider end supports to have hooks in
anchor. If length of span is greater than length of reinforcing bar used, add the
splice to length of bar, it always happen in continuous slab.

A two-way slab with dimensions of 6.50m x 14.0mare supported at each end
and at center of 14.0m span by beam. The slab is reinforced at the bottom by 16
mm Ǿ x 6.0m at 200 millimeters on centers, and at the top 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m
spaced at 150 mm. o. c. where alternate bars are bend at mid span at both ways.
Determine number of top and bottom bars needed.
Solution:
L = 14.0m S = 5.50m
sT = 150mm = 0.15m sB = 200mm = 0.20m
Top bars = 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m Bottom bars = 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m

For top bars; @ 14.0m, -- (2 span)– continuous
Lm= L + splice → 4[(21db) + 150 mm] + hook → 2[12db] hook
Lm = L + 4[21db + 150 mm] + 2(12db)
Lm = 14.0mm + 4[21(12mm) + 150 mm] + + 2[12(12)] = 14.0m + 1.61m +
0.29m
Lm = 15.9 say 16.0m --- for straight bars
16.0 𝑚
nm = 6.0 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 2.67 say 3 bars
Therefore: use 3 pcs. – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m main top bars @ 14.0 m span
For top bend bars @ 14.0m
Lmb= 3S + splice → 4[(21db) + 150 mm] + hook → 2[12db] hook + bend →
2(6db)
Lmb = L + 4[(21 x db) + 150]+ 2(12db) + 2(6db)
Lmb = 14.0m + 2[12(12) + 4[21(12) + 150mm] +2[6(12)]
Lmb= 14.0m + 0.29m + 1.61m + 0.144m = 16.10m
16.10 𝑚
nmb = 6.0 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 2.68 say 3 bars
Therefore: use 3 pcs. – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m main top bend bars @ 14.0 m span
For top bars @ 5.50m
Lm = 5.5m + 2[12 x 12] = 5.5m + 0.29m = 5.79m; use 6.0m. – for straight
bars ; nm = 1 bar
Therefore: use 1 pc. – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m main top bar @ 5.50 m span
LSG34
Lmb = 5.5m + 2[12 x 12] + 2[6(12)]= 5.934 say 6.0m
nmb = 1 bar
Therefore: use 1 pc. – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m main top bend bars @ 5.50 m span
For bottom bars; @ 14.0m

LB= 14.0m + 2[12(16) + 4[21(16) + 150mm]) = 14.0m + 0.384 + 1.944m
LB = 16.33m
16.33 𝑚
nB = 6.0 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 2.72 say 3 bars
Therefore: use 3 pcs. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m main bottom bars @ 14.0 m span
For bottom bars @ 5.5m
LB = 5.5m + 2[12 x 12] = 5.5m + 0.29m = 5.79m; use 6.0m.
nB = 1 bar
Therefore: use 1 pc. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0 m main bottom bars @ 5.50 m span
(b) Compute for number of rebar’s:
For top bars @ 14.0m
𝑆 5.50 𝑚
Nm = 𝑠𝑡 + 1 = 0.15 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 + 1 = 37.67 38 say pcs.
5.50 𝑚 2.75 𝑚
Mid span = 2 = 0.15 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 18.333 say 19 pcs.;
Bend is alternate: Thus; Nmb = 19/2 = 9.5 say 10 pcs
For top straight bars @ 14.0m
Nms = 38 pcs. – 10 pcs. = 28 pcs.
For top bars @ 5.50m; consider 1 span and multiply by 2:
7.0 𝑚
NT = 0.15 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 + 1 = 47.67 say 48 pcs.(2) = 96 pcs.
For top bend @ 5.50m
7.0 𝑚 3.5 𝑚
Mid span = 2 = 0.15 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 = 23.33 say 24 pcs.
24 𝑝𝑐𝑠.
Alternate bend: Nmb = 2 = 12 pcs.(2) = 24 pcs.
For straight bars @ 5.50m
Nms = 96 pcs. – 24 pcs. = 72 pcs.
𝑆 5.50 𝑚
NB = 𝑆𝑏 + 1 = 0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 + 1 = 27.5 say 28 pcs.
𝐿 14.0 𝑚
NB = 𝑆𝑏 + 1 = 0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 + 1 = 71 pcs.
(c) Compute for number of top bars needed:

nT = (Nms x nm) = 28 pcs x 3bars = 84 pcs.
nT = (Nmb x nmb) =10 pcs x 3 bars = 30 pcs.
nT = (Nms x nmb) = 72 pcs x 1 bar = 72 pcs.
nT= (Nms x nB) = 24 pcs x 1 bar = 24 pcs.
LSG35
For total number of top bars
n = 84 + 30 + 72 + 24 = 210 pcs.
Therefore: use 210 pcs – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m for top bars Ans//
(d) Compute for number of bottom bars

nB = NB x nB = 28 pcs. x 3 bars = 84 pcs.
nB = NB + nB = 71 pcs. x 1 bar = 71 pcs.
Therefore: use 155 pcs. – 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m for bottom bars Ans//
4.82 For Slab On Fill

This is the lowest slab in a building without basement. Called slab on fill
because it is build on top of a well compacted filling materials, the highest portion
of this structure is the finished floor line (FFL). The minimum thickness
requirement of slab on fill is 100 millimeters. And the reinforcement is called
temperature bars having a minimum size of 12 mm Ǿ steel bar with a least spacing
of 200 millimeters on centers and a maximum spacing of 600 millimeters at both
ways.
The reinforcement is estimated by direct counting; span length divided by given
spacing plus one. If reinforcing bar is shorter than the span length, splice length
provision and anchors at both ends is added to bar length. Concrete mixture is
estimated by volume and mixing factors in classes of cement – aggregates
proportion are multiplied. Commonly used concrete mixture for this structure is
class B, unless specified.
Example Problem 29:

A concrete slab will be constructed in a well compacted o.60 meters filling
materials. Its dimension is 0.10 x 7.0 x 9.0m reinforced with 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0meters
reinforcing bar spaced at 200 millimeters at bothways. Compute the costs of
construction using the following prices: (a) cement = Php 260.00/bag; (b) 12 mm
Ǿ x 6.0m RSB = Php 170.00/pc; (c) sand = Php 1,400.00/cu. m; (d) G-1 gravel =
Php 1,300.00/cu. m; (e) # 16 G. I. tie wire = Php 75.00/kg; (f) water =
Php140.00/cu. meter. Use 40 % of material cost for labor.
Solution:
(a) For concrete:
V = hlw = (0.10m)(7.0m)(9.0m) = 6.3 cu. m.
Cement = 6.3 cu. m x 7 bags/cu. m = 44.1 say 45 bags x Php 260.00
= Php 11,700.00
Sand = 6.3 cu. m x 0.48 = 3.024 say 3.50 cu. m x Php 1,400.00
= Php 4,900.00
Gravel = 6.3 cu.m x 0.90 = 5.67 sa 6.0 cu. m x Php 1,300.00
= Php 7.800.00
Water = 45 bags x 6 gallons/bag = 270 gallons x 4 liters/gal
𝑐𝑢.𝑚.
= 1,080 liters x 1,000 𝑙𝑖𝑡 = 1.08 cu. m. x Php 140.00/cu. m.
= Php 151.20
LSG36
(b) For reinforcing bars:
@ 9.0m span length:
𝑆 7.0 𝑚
Nm = 𝑠 + 1 = 0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 + 1 = 36 pcs.
Total length of bar: using 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m RSB
Lm = 9.0m + 2[21(12 mm) + 150 mm] + 2[12 x 12 mm]
Lm = 9.0m + 0.654m + 0.288m = 9.942m
Number of cut bars:
NC = 9.942m – 6.0m = 3.942m
Thus; half-length of 6.0m bar is 3.0m and lesser than 3.942m, used two bars
for a 9.0m Span length.
For total number of bars @ 9.0m span:
nT = 36 x 2 = 72 pcs – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m RSB x Php 170.00/pc.
= Php 12,240.00
@ 7.0m span:
𝐿 9.0 𝑚
Nm = 𝑠 + 1 = 0.20 𝑚/𝑝𝑐 + 1 = 46 pcs.
Total length of bar: using 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m RSB
Lm = 7.0m + 2[21(12 mm) + 150 mm] + 2[12 x 12 mm]
Lm = 7.0m + 0.654m + 0.288m = 7.942m
Number of cut bars:
NC = 7.942m – 6.0m = 1.942m
6.0 𝑚
NC = 1.92 = 3.125 say 3 pcs/bar
Note: In span 9.0m there is an exist of 6.0m – 3.942m = 2.058m of 36 pcs,
just consider 46 – 36 = 10 pcs.
For number of additional bar:
10
Nm = 3 𝑝𝑐𝑠/𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 3.33 say 4 pcs – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m
For total number of rebar’s @ 7.0m:
nT = 46 pcs. + 4 = 48 pcs – 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m RSB xPhp 170.00/pc.
= Php 8,160.00
(c) For Galvanized Iron Tie Wire:

36 𝑥 46 𝑥 0.30
G. I. = = 9.37 say 9.50 kgs x Php 75.00/kgs = Php 712.50
53
(d) For construction costs:

Material costs: Php11,700.00 + 4,900.00 + 7,800.00 + 12,240.00 +
8,160.00 + 712.50 = Php 151.20
MC = Php 45,663.70
Labor costs: Php45,663.70 x 0.40 = PHP 18,265.50

Cc = Php 45,663.70 + 18,265.50 = Php 63,929.20 Ans//
LSG37
4.90 Galvanized Iron Tie Wires
This is the G.I. tie wire which is used to tie lapping bars to make it permanently
in place and in tack. The total length of this material is53 meters in one kilogram,
and the cut considered per tie is 0.30m which is folded and tied to lapping bars.
This is estimated by multiplying the number of bars in one direction and the
number of crossing bars in other direction multiplied by 0.30 divided by 53.
Illustration 11:
In illustration number 10, there are 14 pcs. main bars and 21 pcs. temperature bars
will be bind together by # 16 G.I. tie wire. Find number of kilograms of tie wire
needed.
Solution:
(14 𝑝𝑐𝑠. 𝑥 21𝑝𝑐𝑠.)(0.30𝑚)
n= = 1.66 say 2 kgs.
53 𝑚.𝑝𝑐𝑠²/𝑘𝑔
Therefore: use 2 kgs- # 16 G. I. tie wires Ans//
4.91 Problems/Exercises 4.3:

1. Determine the construction costs of 9 footings if the dimension are thickness =
0.40m, width = 1.40m and length = 1.50m. This is reinforced by 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m
spaced at 0.2m at the shorter span and 0.25m at the longer span. Use the
following prices;
cement = Php 260.00, sand = Php 1450.00, gravel= Php 1,300.00,
16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m = Php 240.00, # 16 G.I. tie wire = Php 75.00,
water = Php 150.00/cu. m.
2. Consider problem 1 as the footings of two storey building with a square column
of 0.4m reinforced by 4 pcs 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m at corners and 4 pcs 12 mm Ǿ x
6.0m at mid areas. The depth of excavation is 1.50m with a gravel bed of 50
millimeters and a slab 100mm over a 0.40m compacted filling materials. Height
of building is 6.40m from finish floor line to top of roof beam with lateral ties of
10 mm Ǿ x 6.0m space, from bottom, 1 @ 0.05, 2 @ 0.10, 3 @ 0.15 and rest @
0.20 m.0.c. Find total direct cost of construction of these columns using given
prices at problem number 1, 12 mm Ǿ costs Php 180.00 and 10 mm Ǿ is 120.00.
3. An 8.0m x 8.0m two storey building has 9 columns aligned in three lines equally
distance at both ways. Measurement is center to center of each 0.30m x 0.30m
square column. Determine the materials quantity take off of a typical floor and
roof beams 0.25m width and 0.30m in thickness, reinforced with 16 mm Ǿ x
6.0m steel bars, 2 pcs main bars and 1 pc anchor at top, 2 pcs main and 1 pc
tension bars at bottom. A 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m stiffener is provided each opposite
face of beam thickness place at mid of top and bottom main bars. Stirrups are 10
mm Ǿ x 6.0m space 1 @ 0.05, 2 @ 0.10, 2 @ 0.15 m.o.c at each supports and rest
0.20 m.o.c. Reinforcement is continuous at mid column and hook at both ends,
including anchor bars. Use # 16 galvanizes iron tie wires.
LSG38
4. Using 20% indirect cost, 45% of material costs for labor and the following prices;
cement = Php 260.00, sand = Php 1450.00, gravel = Php 1,300.00, 16 mm Ǿ x
6.0m = Php 240.00, 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m = Php 180.00, 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0m = Php
120.00, # 16 G.I. tie wire = Php 75.00 and water = Php 150.00/cu. Compute for
total cost of a building with footings at problem 1 considering a depth of 1.48m
with a 50mm thickness of gravel bed. Beam details and size of the building in
problem 2. Columns are 0.30m x 0.30m with 4 pcs 16 mm Ǿ x 6.0m for corner
and 4 pcs 12 mm Ǿ x 6.0m mid bars, lateral ties is 10 mm Ǿ x 6.0m space, from
bottom and top of floor beam, 1 @ 0.05, 2 @ 0.10, 3 @ 0.15 and rest @ 0.20
m.0.c., height is 6.90 from natural grade line to top of roof beam. Provide footing
beam on top of footing following perimeter of building. For slab on fill follow
specifications at example problem 11. Consider specification of reinforcement of
a two-way slab in example number 10.
4.100 Masonry Works
Masonry is a material made of concrete, bricks, boulders and other common

materials commonly used as walls, interior or exterior, and also use for fencing. This
is pre – cast and delivered at project site for installations.
Kinds of Masonry
1. Bricks Masonry – bricks are fabricated clay or red mud, with a commercial
thickness of 75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm and 150 mm, available depths are 100 mm,
150 mm and 200 mm, while its lengths are 150 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm. This
material is laid by layer, placing concrete between layers and at its ends. 10 mm
Ǿ or 12 mm Ǿ reinforcing bars maybe added in a desired spacing for horizontal
and vertical bars tied by # 16 G.I. tie wires, to bear loads.
2. Concrete blocks – a fabricated blocks made of concrete mixtures in a desired size

provided that can be handled by one man during installation. A temperature bars
are included in the fabrication, a little longer than its width and length equivalent
to the space in between blocks during installation. During installation, these bars
are tied or welded together before placing concrete mixtures as its mortar.
3. Concrete Hollow Blocks – the common masonry material used in construction in

the Philippines, usually called CHB. The commercial thickness available are 75
mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm and 200 mm, its depth is 20 centimeters and
length of 40 centimeters. This block has three rectangular hollow holes equally
distant at its length and a groove at both ends where mortar is placed during the
layout. Hollow block is a non – bearing wall if lesser than 150 mm, while
considered as bearing wall if 150 mm and thicker. Temperature bars is added with
a maximum horizontal distance of every 3 layers of blocks and 60 centimeters
distances for vertical.
LSG39
4. Decorative Masonry Blocks – is fabricated blocks in different shapes, sizes, forms
and decorations. Blocks are sometimes an air ventilation, sunlight absorbent and
to add beauty in a wall. It is laid by placing concrete at the edges as mortar or
pastes.
5. Hollow core concrete walls – a pre – casted walls with a hollow longitudinal hole
having a length of floor level to lowest part of beam above or floor slab. This wall
is intended for inside partitions only.
6. Rubble concrete – a wall usually composed of 70% concrete and 30% boulders.
This is poured using forms and placing boulders in every concrete mixture. The
purpose is to reduce concrete mixture and of course cost. Vertical and horizontal
bars of 10 or 12 mm Ǿ reinforcement may be added for a desired spacing, to bear
loads.
7. Stone masonry – a wall which is composed of 30% concrete and 70% boulders.
After wall footing, boulders are laid horizontally at the same elevation taking the
biggest boulder as the highest, the smaller ones are properly arranged to the
elevation. Then concrete that serves as mortar is place above, at least 50 mm
thick. The procedure is repeated until wall is completed. The between boulders is
then inserted by concrete by concrete to have a flat and even surface. Horizontal
reinforcing bars of 10 mm or 12 mm can be added in between layers and a vertical
bar with spacing of 400 mm to 600 mm, for bearing walls.
4.110 Estimating Masonry Walls
4.111 Bricks Masonry and Concrete Blocks
These materials could be estimated by area or by volume:
a. By Area Method:
1. Compute the clear area of walls to be laid by bricks.
2. Compute for the face area of the bricks to be used.
3. Divide the area of 1 by the area of 2, the answer is the needed bricks.
4. In case of openings; such as doors, windows, air cone, etc.:
a. Compute area of each openings, take the sum.
b. Divide a by the face area of bricks
c. Subtract the quotient of b to #3 for the needed bricks.
Illustration 1:
A wall has a dimension of; width = 6.0 meters, height = 3.50 meters. This wall
has two windows with dimensions of; width = 1.80 meters, height = 1.60 meters and
two doors of width = 1.0meter, height = 2.10 meters. Determine the number of bricks
needed for the said wall if bricks dimensions are t = 100mm, w = 150mm and L =
150mm.
Solution:
LSG40
Area of wall; A = 6.0m x 3.50m = 21 m2
Area of bricks; A = 0.10m x 0.15m = 0.015 m2
21 𝑚²
Number of bricks; NT = = 1,400 pcs.
0.015 𝑚² /𝑝𝑐.
Area of doors; AD = 2[1.0m x 2.1m] = 4.2 m2
4.2 𝑚²
Number of bricks; ND = = 280 pcs.
0.015 𝑚² /𝑝𝑐.
Area of windows; AW = 2[1.8m x 1.6m] = 5.76 m2
5.76 𝑚²
Number of bricks; N= = 384 pcs.
0.015 𝑚² /𝑝𝑐.
Number of bricks needed; NC = 1,400 pcs. – [280 pcs. + 384 pcs.] = 736 pcs.
b. By Volume Method:
1. Compute the volume of walls where bricks will be laid.
2. Compute for the volume of one-piece brick to be used.
3. Divide the volume of #1 by #2, the answer is the needed bricks.
4. In case of openings; such as doors, windows, air cone, etc.:
a. Compute volume of each openings, take the sum.
b. Divide a by the volume of one brick.
c. Subtract the quotient of b to #3 for the needed bricks.
Illustration 2:
A fire wall with t = 0.15m, w = 12.0m and height h = 5.0m. will be constructed
using bricks. Determine how many pieces of bricks will be used if one-piece
measures; thickness = 0.15m, width = 0.15m and length = 0.15m.
Solution:
Volume of wall; V = 0.15m x 12.0m x 5.0m = 9 m3
Volume of bricks; V = 0.15m x 0.15m x 0.20m = 0.0045m3
9.0 𝑚²
Total number of bricks; NT = = 2,000 pcs.
0.0045 𝑚² /𝑝𝑐.
For Laying Out Bricks and Concrete Blocks
Take figure of illustration 2: t = 0.15m, w = 0.15m, l = 0.120m

1. Take area of t and w, multiplied by 2: A1 = 2[0.15m x 0.15m] = 0.045 m2
2. Take area of t and l, multiplied by 2: A2 = 2[0.15m x 0.20m] = 0.06 m2
3. Compute for volume of one piece: V = [A1+ A2] x 0.025m = 0.002625 m3
4. Compute for total volume of concrete:
VT = 2,000 pcs. x 0.002625 m3/pc. = 5.25 cu. m.
Note: Concrete mixture; 1 : 3 --- 1 bag cement to 3 construction box of fine sand.
5. For number of bags of cement; volume x 13 bags/cu. m.
6. Cement requirement = 13 bags/cu. m. x 5.25 cu. m. = 68.25 say 69 bags.
7. For cubic meter of fined sand; volume x 1.3
8. Fined sand = 1.3 x 5.25 cu. m. = 6.825 say 7 cu. m.
4.112 Concrete Hollow Blocks
LSG41
Concrete hollow blocks are estimated by direct counting or by area method that
will produce the same number of pieces.
a. By direct counting;
1. Take the length of the area to be laid by hollow blocks, in meters and divide
0.40m, the length of CHB.
2. Take the height of the wall and then divide by 0.20, the height of CHB.
3. Multiply result of a and b, answer is number of pieces needed.
Note: If wall is an irregular shape, take the average. For walls with doors, windows
and other openings, take the same procedure as above, then subtract the result to
the total number of pieces for the clear pieces.
Illustration:
A front wall has a dimension of; width = 4.0 meters, height = 3.50 meters. This
wall has one window with dimension of; width = 1.80 meters, height = 1.60 meters
and doors of width = 1.0meter, height = 2.10 meters. Determine the number of
concrete hollow blocks needed for the said wall.
Solution:
For total concrete hollow blocks:
3.50 𝑚
For height: Nh = 0.20 𝑚 = 17.5 say 18 pcs.
4.0 𝑚
For width: Nw = 0.40 𝑚 = 10 pcs.
For total number of pieces: NT = 18 x 10 = 180 pieces
2.10 𝑚
For door: nh = 0.20 𝑚 = 10.5 pcs.
1.0 𝑚
For width: nw = 0.40 𝑚 = 2.5 pcs.
For total number of pieces: ND = 10.5 x 2.5 = 26.25 say 27 pcs.
1.60 𝑚
For window: nh = 0.20 𝑚 = 8 pcs.
1.80 𝑚
For width: nw = 0.40 𝑚 = 4.5 pcs.
For total number of pieces: NW = 8 x 4.5 = 36 pcs.
For concrete hollow blocks needed: Nn = 180 pcs. – [36 + 27pcs.] = 117 pcs.
a. By area method:
There are 12.5 pieces of concrete hollow blocks per area, this include spillage.
Compute the area of wall where concrete hollow blocks will be laid, and multiply
the result by 12.5 and the product is the number of blocks desired. In case of
opening, such as windows, doors and others, take each area and this will be
subtracted to the computed total area then multiply 12.5 blocks per area.
Illustration:
A wall has a dimension of 3.20 x 15.0 meters. This wall has three windows
with dimension of 2.10 x 1.60 meters and three doors of width = 1.0-meter, height
LSG42
= 2.10 meters. Determine the number of concrete hollow blocks needed for the
said wall.
Solution:
For total area: AT = 3.20m x 15.0m = 48.0 sq. m.
For doors area: AD = 3[1.0m x 2.10m] = 6.0 sq. m.
For windows area: AW = 3[2.10m x 1.60m] = 10.08 sq. m.
For clear area: AC = 48 m2 – [6.0 + 10.08 m2] = 31.92 m2
For CHB needed: Nn = 31.92 m2 x 12.5 pcs/m2 = 399 pcs. Ans//
Concrete Hollow Blocks Laying
Mortar is the term use for concrete placed between layers and in hollow core or
cells. The thickness of mortar in between the layers of concrete hollow blocks is
estimated as 12 millimeters uniform thickness and to have a more efficient laying,
mixture of cement and sand is considered. Concrete hollow blocks had four concrete
hollow cores to be filled by concrete.
Procedure:
1. To find for number of CHB needed;
a. Compute area of wall: A = Length x Width
b. For openings on wall, compute also each area (total) and subtract to a.
c. Multiply clear area by 12.5, the answer is the number of CHB needed.
2. To find for cement needed for laying of concrete hollow blocks:

a. Divide the computed number of CHB in #1-c by:
25 for number of 100mm (4 inches) --- 1 bag can lay-out 25 pcs. CHB.
20 for number of 150mm (6 inches) --- 1 bag can lay-out 20 pcs. CHB.
3. To find for sand and gravel needed in laying out CHB: Mixture – 1:3:5
a. For sand: multiply total number of bags of cement needed by 3 and divide 36.
b. For Gravel: multiply number of bags of cement by 5 (3/4 gravel) divide 36.
4.113 Decorative Masonry Blocks

Most of this material has a commercial size of: thickness = 100 mm, width and
height = 200 mm. These are fabricated in different fabricated forms to serves as
decorations for walls and serves as opening for ventilation.
Method to determine number of pieces is; by Area Method:

1. Compute the clear area of walls to be laid by decorated blocks.
2. Compute for the face area of the block to be used.
3. Divide the area of 1 by the area of 2, the answer is the needed block.
For the Lay-out of Decorative Blocks
Follow procedures in laying out bricks and concrete blocks.
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4.114 Rubble Concrete
Procedure on how to Estimates Requirements:

1. Compute volume of masonry walls.
2. Volume x 0.30 = volume of boulders; This will be placed during popuring.
3. Volume x 0.70 = volume of concrete
4. To find for number of bags of cement needed = volume x 7 bags /m3.
4.115 Stone Masonry
Procedure on how to Estimates Requirements:

1. Compute volume of masonry walls.
2. Volume x 0.70 = volume of boulders.
3. Volume x 0.30 = volume of concrete.
4. To find for number of bags of cement needed = volume x 7 bags /m3.
Notes for Concrete and Masonry Works

Water is considered in the estimates, since it is also an expense. Consider a 4
gallons per bag of cement. Then convert gallon to cubic meters.
4.120 For Plastering masonry
Procedure to estimates materials:

1. Compute the area of wall (or structure) to be plastered, times 2 for inside and
outside walls.
2. Compute for volume: V = 2AW x 0.025. 0.025 is the thickness of plaster.
3. Using a mixture of 1:3:
a. Number of bags of cement = volume x 13 bags /cu. m.
b. Volume of screened fine sand = volume x 3 (construction box).
4.130 For Tile Works
Tiles are categories according to its used in the building parts/portion such as:
comfort rooms, wash areas, kitchen, laundry areas, gardens, floors and walls. For
comfort rooms and wash areas, unglazed tiles are used for flooring and glazed tiles
are for walls.
Materials considered in this section:

1. Of course, the tiles
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2. Sand and cement
3. Tile adhesive
4. Tile trim (the top, inside corner and outside corner)
5. Tile grout
Procedures in the materials estimates:

1. Compute the area of structure to be tilled.
2. Compute the area of tile to be used.
3. For number of pieces = area of #1 divide area of #2.
4. For installations:
a. Floor tiles:
• Compute for volume; V = Area of # 1 x thickness of toppings (say 16mm,
25mm or 37.5mm).
• Using 1:3 mixture: Number of cements = volume x 13
Cubic meter of sand = volume x 3 divide 36
• For tile adhesive; commercial quantity is 25 kilograms per bag.
Number of bags = Total area divide 4 square meters/bag.
• Tile grout; commercial quantity is 2 kilograms per bag.
Number of bags = Total number of tiles divide 26 pieces per bag.
b. Wall tiles
• Walls should be rough plastered finished.
• For tile adhesive; commercial quantity is 25 kilograms per bag.
Number of bags = Total area divide 4 square meters/bag.
• Tile grout; commercial quantity is 2 kilograms per bag.
Number of bags = Total number of tiles divide 26 pieces per bag.
• Tile trim: commercial length is 3 meters.
Measure total area where trim are needed divide 3 meters for the n umber
of tile trim.
4.140 Ceiling Works
Common materials used as ceiling board:

1. Marine plywood
2. Hard flex board
3. Lawanit board
4. Gypsum board
Materials most convenient for used as joist:

1. Lumber
2. Angle bars
3. Metal purring
Material considered in the Estimates:
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1. Wall-ceiling joist runner – it serves as the orientation lay-out of the ceiling
placed at the surrounding walls. This holds ceiling joist firmly at the side walls.
2. Ceiling joist – laid out materials that holds the ceiling board, distance 0.40
meters on centers (m. o. c.) at both ways.
3. Hangers – holds ceiling at each horizontal levelness, pinned at ceiling joist and
truss frames. Common distance/s is 2.0 meters for lumber and angle bars and
1.50 for metal purring.
4. Ceiling board; most size board is: thickness = 6 to 8mm, width = 1.22m, length
= 2.44 meters. Area considered = 2.977 square meters per piece.
5. Moldings – commercial length is 8 feet or 2.44 meters; available in different
forms, thickness and width to give beauty to ceiling corners and intersections.
Pinned in place by molding adhesive. Adhesive is 300 ml for 1 square meter.
6. Connectors:
a. For good lumber joists (2 “x 2” ceiling joists)
• Runner to CHB walls – 4” concrete nails
• Ceiling joist to ceiling joist, hungers and runners – 2” & 4” common wire
nails
• Ceiling board to joists – hard flex nails for hard flex board, 1” finishing
nails for marine plywood, 1-1/2 common wire nails for gypsum board and
lawanit board.
b. For angle bars (4.5mm x 25mm x 25mm) ceiling joist:
• Runner to CHB walls – 37.5mm talk screw
• Ceiling joist to ceiling joist, hungers and runners – welding rods
• Ceiling board to joists –25 mm metal screw or 3 x 25 mm blind rivets
c. For metal purring (2.5mm x 25mm x 25mm) ceiling joist:

• Runner to CHB walls – 37.5mm talk screw
• Ceiling joist, hungers and runners’ connectors – 3 x 25 mm blind rivets
• Ceiling board to joists –25 mm metal screw or 3 x 25 mm blind rivets
Procedures in Material Estimates:
Illustration: Compute for the materials needed of a 6.0 meters x 8.0 meters ceiling
with a 6mm x 1.22m x 2.44m marine plywood nailed at good lumber ceiling joist.
Walls are CHB with plain concrete finished.
1. For ceiling board:

Number of ceiling board = Total area of ceiling divided by 2.977 m2/pc.
N = [6m x 8m] ÷ 2.977 m2/pc = 16.12 say 17 pieces.
2. For Runner:
Length = 2[L + W] = 2[8 + 6m] = 28m x 3.28 ft./m = 91.84 ft.
Using 2” x 2” x 12’ lumber:
Number of pieces = 91.84 ft x 12 ft/pc = 7.65 say 8 pcs.
Therefore use; 8 pcs. – 2” x 2” x 12’ lumber ÷ 12 = 32 board feet.
LSG46
3. For Ceiling Joists:
@ 8.0-meter side: using 0.40 meters on centers joist

Number of joists = 8.0m ÷ 0.40 m/pc = 20 pieces
For length: L = 6.0m x 3.28 ft/m = 19.68 – 2 pieces of 20 ft lumber
Therefore use; 40 pcs. – 2” x 2” x 10’ lumber ÷ 12 = 133.33 board feet.
@ 6.0-meter side:
Number of joists = 6.0m ÷0.40 m/pc. = 15 pieces
For length: L = 8.0m x 3.26 ft/m = 26. 24 say 27 ft. take the even length
Use: 2 pcs of 14 ft length
Therefore use: 30 pcs – 2” x 2” x 14’ lumber ÷ 12 = 140 board feet.
4. For Hungers:
Distances; 2-meters both ways
@ 8.0 meters: N = [8.0m ÷ 2m/pc.] – 1 = 3
@ 6.0 meters: N = [6.0m ÷ 2m/pc.] – 1 = 2
Estimated length; average of 3 ft.
Number of hungers = 3 x 2 = 6 pieces; Use L = 6 ft.
Therefore use: 3 pcs – 2” x 2” x 6’ lumber = 6 board feet
5., For common wire, finishing and concrete nails:

Concrete Nails; 4 pieces per piece of lumber.
Number of Concrete nails = 8 x 4 = 32 pieces of 100 mm (4 inches)
• There are 18 pieces of 100mm concrete nails in one kilogram
Total kilograms = 32 pieces ÷ 18 pcs/kg. = 1.78 say 2 kilograms
Common Wire Nails; This is taken per number of board feet

• There are 84 board feet in 1 kilogram of any sized common wire nail or
finishing nails.
• Most used nails in ceiling is 50 mm or 2 inches, the 100 mm or 4 inches with
a small amount of 75 mm or 3 inches common wire nails, with 1 finishing
nail.
Total number of board feet used: 32 + 133.33 + 140 + 6 bd. ft. = 311.33 bd. ft.
Quantity of nails = 311.33 bd. ft. ÷ 84 bd. ft/kg. = 3.71 say 4 kilograms
Estimates needed nails:
0.5 kg – 1” finishing nails; 2 kgs. – 2”, 0.5 kg – 3”, 1 kg. – 4” common wire nails.
5. Moldings:
Length = P ÷ 2.44 meters/pc. = 2(8 + 6m) ÷2.44 m/pc. = 11.48 say 12 pieces.
Therefore use: 12 pcs. – 1” x 1” x 8’ quarter moon moldings.
Bill of Materials
17 pcs. – 6mm x 1.22m x 2.44m marine plywood for ceiling board.
32 bd. ft. – 8 pcs. – 2” x 2” x 12’ lumber for runner.
133.33 bd. ft. – 40 pcs. – 2” x 2” x 10’ lumber for ceiling joist.
140 bd. ft. – 30 pcs – 2” x 2” x 14’ lumber for ceiling joist.
6 bd. ft. – 3 pcs – 2” x 2” x 6’ lumber for hungers.
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12 pcs. – 1” x 1” x 8’ quarter moon moldings.
2 kgs. – 100 mm length concrete nails
2 kgs. – 50 mm length common wire nails.
1 kg – 100 mm length common wire nails.
0.5 kg. – 75 mm length common wire nails.
0.5 kg. – 25 mm length finishing nails.
4.150 Painting/Finishing Works

Paints and varnish are finishing materials and considered as finishing works in
a building construction. Before applying these finishing touches, surfaces to be
finished should be properly clean:
• For paint finished, those surface that are not properly flat are applied by glazing
putty of patching compound, thoroughly brushed by course paper before
applying first coating.
• For varnish finished, surface that will be varnished should also be flat and
leveled. To attained the flatness of the surface, it is applied thoroughly by stain
powder. Flattened by course paper before applying the first coating.
Classification of Paints
1. Flat wall Enamel – use first coating after flattening and smoothing of wood or
lumber
2. Quick Drying Enamel – the gloss pain for finishing wood or lumber.
3. Flat Latex (Acrylic) – an equivalent flat paint used in first coating of concrete
walls and structures.
4. Semi-gloss latex – those paints available in different color finished.
5. Gloss Latex – the shiny or gloss paint finish, most color is white.
Procedures in Material Estimates:

1. Compute for total area to be painted
a. For paints:
• Divide total area by 25 m2/gallon ---- first coating
• Divide total area by 27 m2/gallon ---- second coating
b. For glazing putty:
• Divide area where needed by 18 m2/gallon
c. For patching compound:
• Divide the area where needed by 3 m2/kg.
• Paint (flat wall for lumber and/or flat latex for concrete)
1 liter for 3 kilograms
d. Coarse paper:
• For pad; 2 square meters per pad
• For rolled: 2 square meters per 0.20m
e. For paint thinner: (for flat wall and enamel only)
• 4 gallons of paint per 1liter of thinner
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Bill of Materials for Painting
1. Paint brush (pcs.): with sizes of ½”, ¾”, 1”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 3” 4” and 5”.
2. Paint roller, (pcs.):
• with different formed of finished
• available sizes are: 2”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6” & 8”
3. Paint roller pan, (pcs.)
4. Coarse paper (#100), (pad or meter) or sanding paper plate, (pcs.) (for electric
sander)
5. Glazing putty (liter or gallon) or Patching compound, (kilograms)
6. Paints:
a. For wood or lumber:
• Flat wall enamel, (liter or gallon)
• Quick drying enamel, (liter or gallon)
• Paint thinner (bottle, liter or gallon)
b. Foe concrete:
• Flat latex
• Semi-gloss with different colors
• Gloss latex
For Varnish
Use only for wood (lumber) and plastics

Process of Estimates:
1. Compute area to be finished.
2. 1 liter covers 5 square meters
3. Stained covers 2 square meters per kilograms
Bill of Materials
1. Lacquer or varnish (liter or gallon)
2. Lacquer thinner (liter or gallon) --- 1 liter for 2 gallons
3. Stain (kilograms)
4. Paint brush, (pcs) – ½ “, ¾”, 1”, 2” & 3”
LSG49

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QUANTITY SURVEYING

4.10 Definition of Terms

Quantity Take Off – the computed quantity of each item in a project.

Overhead Cost (Indirect Cost) – an occurred or additional estimated amount

Weight and Liquid Measures

The above values could be used for estimate or convert values.

Example Problem 4.1:

Example Problem 4.2:

Example Problem 4.3:

4.20 Labor and Equipment Capacity

A. For capacity of laborers:

B. For Equipment Capacity; common equipment used in civil

1. Dump Trucks – an equipment used to haul materials: aggregates and

Six wheelers truck – capacity is 6 cubic meters per truck load.

To calculate number of trucks required for hauling operations, take the

Time to off-load truck (or dump) = 5 minutes

2. Pay Loader – an equipment used for loading, especially to dump trucks –

For capacity of different sizes of buckets:

3. Plate Compactor – small capacity vibrator held by light equipment

4. Bull or Track Dozer – an equipment use to excavate horizontally,

5. Road Grader – an equipment use for grading of flat surface, spreading

6. Water Truck – an equipment driven by a driver accompanied by his helper

7. Road Compactor/Vibrator – this is for compaction and is used after the

8. Backhoe – an equipment use for excavation. It is operated by an operator

Example Problem 4.4:

Example Problem 4.5:

Example Problem 4.7:

Example Problem 4.8:

Number of days to complete the work:

4.21 Problems/Exercises 4.1

4.30 SITE WORKS

Earthworks in engineering sense are works in soil or earth, like excavation,

➢ Compaction is the strengthening of backfill and filling materials for the

4.31 Estimating Site works

Example Problem 4.10:

For one kilogram of 5 cm. umbrella nails, there are 28 pieces.

For bamboo slat:

For total cost of materials: Php 9,750.00 + 14,850.00 + 135.00 + 1,495.00 +

For labor: Php 62,270.00 × 0.040 = Php 24,908.00

Length at 30 meters: L = 30 + 1.5(2) = 33 meters

For posts: @ 30 meters; N1 = 33 meters ÷ 2 meters/pc. = 16.5 say 17 + 1 = 18 pcs. @

For total number of posts: NT = 18(2) + 12(2) = 60 pcs.

For labor: 3 carpenters × Php 370.00 = 1,110.00

4.40 Estimating Earth Works

Example Problem 4.12:

For number of days : 3(1.60 cu.m/day) = 4.80 cu. m./day

For total wages: TW = 3 labourers × 4 days × Php 280.00 = Php 3,360.00

Example Problem 4.13:

Number of days : Capacity of backhoe for one day = 15 cu.m./hr ×

Excavation cost : 7 days × Php 19,800/day = Php 139,300.00 Ans.//

Example Problem 4.14:

(a) Volume of backfill:

C. Filling Materials; is a chosen material which consist of gravel and a

Example Problem 4.18:

1. The floor area of a three-storey building is 45 meters × 35 meters to be constructed

3. A 25 meters × 35 meters two storey building is to be laid out using 2” × 3” batter

4. Determine the volume of excavation of ten columns of a three-storey commercial

5. In problem number 4, footing thickness is 0.40m and column size is 0.35m x

4.50 Concrete Works