Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Rate Analysis for Brick Masonry

Analyzing the rate for brick masonry can easily be calculated by referring the use of material, labor and required tools for the work. Not only that but also the transport cost of materials and tools should be considered along the costing. To evaluate a more precise figure for these types of construction work are mainly influenced by the field experience rather than the theoretical knowledge.


Use of Material

The materials use for brick masonry work are;
       1.      Bricks
       2.      Cement
       3.      Sand
       4.      Water


 Bricks


There are different sizes of bricks available in the construction market. Generally, the most commonly used type of brick is the Engineering brick which is in the size of 215mm in length, 102.5mm in width and 65mm in height. The bricks using for masonry work should be kept in a water tub for few minutes and then store them in clean place till the skin of the bricks get dried. Washing out bricks in water help removing unwanted sand and dust from the surface of the bricks. When the bricks are too dry, it will absorb the water contained in the mortar which is not healthy for the strength of the mortar bond in masonry work.   

Mortar

Mortar is the mix of cement, sand and water. The ratios of mixing of these elements can result; different strengths of the bond with an appropriate workmanship. The manufacturers specification and guidelines given for the cement must be referred and execute it accordingly to obtain the maximum expected quality and the strength. The sand using for the mortar should be cleaned and should not include oil and mud in it. Because, if the sand is not clean, the formation of the bond of cement and sand with water will not be formed properly and will lead a weak bond with the bricks. The water that is used to mix the mortar should be portable water if not it restricts the mortar bond to be formed properly due to the mud, dust particles and dirt.

Rate Analysis 

Assume we have to construct a 10m long and 3m high brick wall using Engineering bricks with the stretcher bond and the thickness of the mortar bond to be 10mm. The ratio of mixing the cement and sand for the mortar is 1:5. Since, the transportation cost of materials and tools cost various with the location, we will not consider about that in this analysis. Note that water is available at the site. 

   
Stretcher Bond
Rate Analysis for 90m2

First, let us find the area of the brick masonry work contains 4 bricks. The height and width can be calculated as follows.
Height = 10mm + 65mm + 10mm + 65mm 

            = 150mm

Width  = 10mm + 215mm + 10mm + 215mm

            = 450mm

Area of the unit = Width x Height

                          = 150mm x 450mm
                          = 67500mm2
                          = 0.0675 m2

Therefore Nr of bricks per 1m2 = (1 m2  / 0.0675 m2) x 4Nos

                                                   = 14.82 x 4 Nos
                                                   = 14.82 x 4 Nos
                                                   = 59.23 Nos

Hence, the required amount of bricks = 90 x 59.23
                                                             = 5330.70 Nos
Add 5 % Wastage for Bricks               = 266.54 Nos

Total Required bricks say                     = 5597.00 Nos


Now let's find the volume of mortar required for the above work.
Volume of mortar in a unit = (0.0675m2 x 0.1025m) - (4 x 0.215m x 0.1025m x 0.065m)
                                            = 0.007 - 0.005 m3
                                            = 0.002 m3
Therefore total required volume of mortar for the above job = 0.002m3 x (90m2 / 0.0675m2)
                                      Total Required Volume of Mortar   = 2.67 m3

After finding the required volume of mortar, we can calculate the required amount of cement, sand and water for the job. How to calculate the cement and sand quantity in mortar is explained here.  


Required amount of sand per 1m3 of mortar = (1.66 x 5) / (1+5)
                                                                       = 8.3 / 6
                                                                       = 1.38 m3

Therefore, Total Sand required for the job    = 1.38 x 2.67 m3
                                                                       = 3.69 m3

Required amount of Cement per 1m3 of mortar = [(1.66 x 1) / (1+5)] / 0.0347
                                                                             =  7.97 bags (50kg)

Therefore, Total number of cement bags required = 7.97 x 1.38
                                                                                = 10.90
                                                                   Say       = 11 Cement Bags 
                                                           
Cost of Material

         Bricks = 5597 Nos @ Rs.13 = Rs. 72,761.00

         Cement = 11 Bag @ Rs.900 = Rs.   9,900.00

         Sand      = 3.69 m3 @ Rs. 3800 Rs. 14,022.00

Total Cost of Material = Rs.72,761.00 + Rs.9,900.00 + Rs.14,022.00
                                     = Rs. 96,683.00

Labor Requirement 

Assume that 1 Mason and 1 helper required 8 hours to construct a 10m2 area of the brick wall, then we can calculate the required amount of labor hours for the above job. 

Therefore required amount of Mason hours = (90 m2 / 10m2) x 8 Hrs
                                                                      = 72 Hrs
Required amount of unskilled/helper hours  = (90m2 / 10m2) x 8 Hrs
                                                                      = 72 Hrs

Labor Cost

Mason = 72hr x Rs.190/hr 
            = Rs.13,680.00
Helper = 72hr x Rs.140/hr
            = Rs.10,080.00

Total Cost of Labor =  Rs.13,680.00 + Rs.10,080.00
                                 = Rs.23,760.00

Assume Tools & Equipment Cost is 3% of total labor cost = Rs.712.80

Hence the Total Basic Cost of the above Job = Rs.96,683.00 + Rs.23,760.00 + Rs.712.80
                                                                        = Rs. 121,155.80

Rate for the above work without OH & Profit per 1m2 = Rs.121,155.80 / 90 m2

                                                            Rate per 1m2       = Rs.1346.18
                             

Note: These calculations are only applicable for brick walls in stretcher bond with the standard Engineering bricks.



Sunday, September 21, 2014

CALCULATION OF CEMENT AND SAND QUANTITY IN MORTAR

CALCULATION OF CEMENT AND SAND  QUANTITY IN MORTAR

In the building construction, we use cement mortar for civil works from the foundation up to the roof top.


Ex: Rubble Masonry, Brick Masonry, Plastering, etc.

The proportion of mixing of cement and sand will vary depend on the application of the particular work. Therefore, contractors must know what should be the mixing ratio according to the BOQ and specifications. If not required quality and strength will not be there with construction work.





Now let's go for the quantity of cement and sand calculation in mortar for 1 Cu of dry volume.


Assume that for 1 Cu of dry volume required 1.33 Cu of cement and 1.33 Cu of sand of wet volume. Which means to create a 1 Cu of a dry mortar volume is required 1.66 Cu of a wet mortar volume.


Shall take the proportion of cement and sand is 1:X


Therefore required volume of sand can be calculated from bellow equation;




Sand Quantity in Cement Mortar

Required Cement bags (50kg) can be calculated from bellow equation. 




Cement Quantity in Cement mortar


Note: Units are should be in Cu


Example: 


1. Calculate the required amount of cement and sand for 3.2 Cu of mortar in 1:5 mix.













    

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

How to Select an appropriate Air-Conditioning System for a Building

Select an Appropriate  Air-Conditioning System for a Building 

When we choose an appropriate air-conditioning system for a building there are particular factors to be concerned of as follows.
  • - Type of the Building
  • - Economical Feasibility
  • - Likelihood Pollution of Air in the Particular Building Space
  • - Exact Covering Volume of Particular Spaces
  • - Maximum Expected Number of People for the Particular Space
  • -Maximum Expected heat can be generated in the Particular Space
  • -Reliability of Repairing and Maintenance    
What is Air-Conditioning?

It is the process of cleaning the air around and maintain the temperature in a particular place. The air-conditioners used to make a very pleasant and comfortable atmosphere for the dwellings. It also provides a healthy environment for users.

Why We need Air-conditioning?

We all know climates are changed and people are struggling to work under these conditions. Imagine if we have to work under the temperature of 32-40 degrees of celsius? how it would have been feeling? It is really scary even to think about it. isn't it? So we all need a better air-conditioning system to survive under these conditions and work without any problem. Therefore, the answer is to keep a comfortable and healthy atmosphere inside than actual blistering climate outside.

Types of Air-Conditioning Systems

Mainly air-conditioning systems can be divided into two categories as follows;

  1. Centralised air-conditioning
  2. De-centralised air-conditioning


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Concrete Mixing Designs and Material Requirement


Concrete Mixing Designs and Calculations for 1 Cu

Description
Unit
1:1 ½:3 (G25)
1:3:6 (G15)
1:2 ½:5
1:2:4 (G20)
1:1:3 (G30)
Quantity
Quantity
Quantity
Quantity
Quantity
Cement (50kg Bags)
Nr
23
13
14
18
31
Sand
Cu
0.47
0.53
0.6
0.5
0.44
Metal
Cu
0.82
0.92
0.9
0.88
0.76
Hire of Mixer
Day
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.333
Water
Gal
150
110
100
120
200
Skilled Labourer
Day
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.333
0.333
Unskilled Labourer
Day
2
2
2
2
2
Total for 1Cu of Concrete


















There are different types of concrete we use in construction depend on the strength we need to achieve in the particular application. In order to meet the required strength of the structure, it is necessary to change the proportion of mixing of concrete elements (cement, sand, metal and water). The above table shows the commonly used concrete mixing designs in construction. It also provides the Labour and Material requirement for each mixing design. With the given data collection in the table, we should be able to calculate the required amount of the material, labor and plant for each mixing design.




Material and Labour requirement for mixing (1:1 1/2: 3) G25 concrete

Mixing Concrete 1:1 ½:3 (3/4”) G25

Description
Unit
Quantity
Cement (50 kg Bags)
Nr
23
Sand
Cu
0.42
¾” Metal
Cu
0.82
Hire of Mixer
Day
0.333
Water
Gal
150
Skilled labourer
Day
0.333
Unskilled labourer
Day
2
Total



With the given information in the above table you will be able calculate unit rate for mixing concrete (1:1 ½:3) G25 by in putting particular market rates for each material and labour in your area. Once you established the unit rate you can estimate the total cost of G25 concrete work in your building or house or whatever the construction by unit rate multiplying with total quantity of work.

Note: When you do you calculation consider about the units. (Cu,Cum,etc.)




Calculation of material and labour requirement for rubble masonry incement mortar 1:5 in foundation

Random Rubble Masonry in Cement mortar 1:5 in foundation (1Cu)

Description
Unit
Quantity
6”-9” Rubble
Cu
1.3
Cement (50kg bags)
Nr
5
Sand
Cu
0.3
Water
Gal
100
Mason
Day
1
Unskilled labourer
Day
3
Total



Generally, to construct a rubble foundation, the materials required are rubble, cement, sand, and water. Mixing of cement and sand mortar ratio can be changed depending on the strength should obtain but the most frequently used ratio is 1:5 (cement:sand) mix, which we are going to discuss in this article.

In the above table, material and labour requirement for 1 Cube of rubble masonry work have been indicated based on the field experience and building schedules of rates. In this calculation, it is necessary to add 5-10% of wastage for sand. 

Ex:- Assume we have to construct a rubble foundation, which is 450mm in width, 600mm in height and which is 50m long. Assume water is available at the site. What are the material and amount of each material are we going to purchase to get the work done.

First, we need to calculate the total actual volume of rubble work.

 V = 0.45m x 0.6m x 50m
     = 13.5 m3
     = 4.77 cube 

According to table given,

Rubble = 4.77 x 1.3 Cube
             = 6.20 Cube

Cement = 4.77 x 5 Bags (50kg)
              = 23.85 Bags
              = 24 Bags

Sand = 4.77 x 0.3 Cube
         = 1.43 Cube

Add wastage 5% = 1.43 x 5%
                            = 0.07 Cube

Total Sand Requirement = 1.50 Cube

Therefore your Purchasing order should be;

Rubble = 6.20 Cu
Cement = 24 bags (50kg)
Sand = 1.50 Cu

Note: When we issue the payments for the labours, consider only the actual volume of rubble masonry and not the amount of purchasing of rubble.

Therefore, payment should be issued for labour for this work is 4.77 cu (Skilled labour days 4.77 and  unskilled labour days 14.31). 

Note: 1cube = 100 cu.ft = 2.83 cum


Typical Rubble Foundation Detail















Check Out the Rubble Masonry Calculator




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