SPECIFICATION

ARCH341
INTRODUCTION

Specifications are the part of contract documents

which describe the nature and the class of work,
materials to be used, workmanship etc. and is very
important for the execution. The cost of a work depends
much on the specifications. Specifications should be
clear, and there should not be any ambiguity.

Specification depends on the nature of work, the

purpose for which the work is required, material
strength, material availability, quality of materials
etc.

SPECIFICATION AND ESTIMATION ARCH341

INTRODUCTION
ESSENTIAL PART OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTS:
Agreements
Conditions of contractor
Drawings
Specification
Addenda

PURPOSE OF GIVING SPECIFICATION:

The cost of an unit quantity of work is governed by its
specifications.
Specification of a work is required to describe the quality
and quantity of different materials required for a
construction work and is one of the essential contract
documents.

SPECIFICATION AND ESTIMATION ARCH341

PURPOSE
Specification of a work serves as a guide to a
supervising staff of a contractor as well as to
the owner to execute the work to their
satisfaction.
A work is carried out according to its specification
and the contractor is paid for the same. Any
change in specification changes the tendered
rate.
As the rate of work is based on the specification, a
contractor can calculate the rates of various items
of works in tender with his procurement rates of
materials and labour. Thus tender rate without
specification of works is baseless, incomplete
and invalid.
SPECIFICATION AND ESTIMATION ARCH341
TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
General Specifications
Detailed Specifications

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Nature and class of works and names of materials
used should be described.
Only a brief description of each and every item is
given, which is useful for estimating the project.
They do not include cost, quantities or drawn
information & need to be read alongside other
information such as quantities, schedules and
drawings.
General specification do not form a part of contract
SPECIFICATION AND ESTIMATION ARCH341
document.
TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS
Nature and class of works and names of materials
used should be described.
Detailed specifications form a part of a contract
document.
Specify the qualities, quantities and proportions of
materials and the method of preparation and
execution for a particular item of works in a
project.
Detailed specifications of the different items of the
work are prepared separately and they describe
what the work should be and how they shall be
executed.
While writing
SPECIFICATION ANDthe detailed specifications, the ARCH341
ESTIMATION same
TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
General Provision
Technical Provision
Standard Specification

General Provision
These are general specification of the contract.
Technical Provision
Specify the quality of the final product and the
inspections and test which should be conducted
during construction. They are of the following types:
Specifications for materials and workmanship,
Specification for performance
Specification for proprietary commodities.
SPECIFICATION AND ESTIMATION ARCH341
TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
Standard Specification
Most of the item of work are usually standardized
which are numbered serially. While writing the
contract bond, only serial numbers of the
standard specification are written. It saves lots of
time, labour and stationary expenditure. The
specification for these common works become same
so it is needless to write such common specification
repeatedly in the specification part of a tender
paper. Instead of writing such specification, they are
referred to the departmental standard
specification.
FEATURES
FEATURES OF WELL WRITTEN SPECIFICATION

Clear, concise and technically correct.

Clauses of specifications should be arranged in the
same order in which the work will be carried out.
Do not use ambiguous words that could lead to
misinterpretation.
Specifications are written using simple words in
short and easy to understand sentences.
Use technically correct terms, no Slang or Field
Words.
Do not explain or provide reasons for any
requirement.
FEATURES
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRAWING &
SPECIFICATION

Drawings Identify Materials

Specifications Describe materials
Drawings and specifications are Complementary
in Private work - Specification govern in many
Public projects.
SEQUENCE OF SPECIFICATION
CONTENTS
Description of Manpower(Workmans
Material hip)
Types & Sizes Method of construction
Ingredient Ratio Inspection of work
Mixing method of Surface Preparation
concrete & mortar Surface Compaction &
Treatment required curing
before use, if any Procedure of every
Machinery item
Equipment's, tools and plants required
MATERIALS
BRICKS
SAND
CONCRETE
BRICKWORK/MASONARY+PLASTERING
POINTING
LIME/WHITE LIME
MORTAR
1. CEMENT MORTAR
A. PROPORTION
. the proportion of cement and sand be specified,
may be of 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5 and 1:6.
. Cement shall be Portland cement* of standard
specifications
. Sand shall be clean and free from dust, dirt and
organic matters and shall not contain more than
4% silt.
. Fine local sand may be used which shall pass
through screen having 9 meshes per sq cm (64
meshes per sq in).
. Fineness modulus of sand shall not be less than
10.
MORTAR
B. MIXING
Cement and sand shall be measured with boxes to have
the required proportion, sand spread out on the
platform and required quantity of cement spread on the
top of sand and the whole mixed dry.
Formed roughly into a hollow cone shape and water
added slowly and gradually by a can, and the whole
mixed thoroughly to have a uniform colour and
consistency.
Quantity of water should not exceed 30Litre/bag of
cement.
For mechanical mixer, first add 5-10% of water in the
mixer and then sand and cement in the required
proportion shall be added. Mixing will be continued until
the mix becomes uniform in colour and consistency.

MORTAR
2. LIME/WHITE LIME MORTAR
Shall consist of freshly slaked* white lime and
surkhi or sand of proportion 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 as
specified.
Should be slaked at the site of work, and screened
thorough a sieve of 9 meshes/sq cm (64 meshes/
sq in.), before mixing.
Shall be free from ashes and organic matters.
Ingredients shall be first dry mixed by measuring
with boxes to have the required proportions, and
then mixed by grinding in masonry mortar mill for
not less than 180 revolution by adding water to
give a uniform plastic mix.
Mortar for the days work shall be mixed and used
MORTAR
PROPERTIES OF MORTAR
Should be capable of developing good adhesion with
the building units such as bricks, stones etc.
Should be capable of developing the designed
stresses.
Should be capable of resisting penetration of rain
water.
Should be cheap and durable.
Should be easily workable.
Should not affect the durability of materials with
which it comes into contact.
Should set quickly so that speed in construction may
be achieved.
The joints formed by mortar should not develop
SURKHI
Shall be made from fully burnt bricks but not
over burnt bricks.
Shall not contain any impurities to adversely
affect hardening, strength, durability or
appearance.
Shall be ground fine and after grinding, shall be
screened thorough sieve of 25 meshes/sq cm (144
meshes/ sq in) and residue on the screen shall be
rejected.
Maximum quantities of clay, fine silt, fine dust and
organic impurities in surkhi shall not exceed 5% by
weight.
Staked on hard surface or brick platform and
protected from earth, dirt, foreign matters, rain
MATERIALS
1. WATER
Used for mixing & curing shall be clean & free from
injurious qualities of alkaline, acids, oils, salts,
sugar, organic materials, vegetables growth or
other substance.
Potable water considered satisfactory for mixing.
PH value should be minimum 6.
Shall not produce any stain on the surface.
Sea water shall not be used for mixing & curing.
Water from each source shall be tested before the
commencement of the work and thereafter once in
every three months till the completion of the work.
MATERIALS
2. CEMENT
The cement used shall be any of the following Grade
& the type selected should be appropriate for the
intended use:
33 Grade ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS
269.
43 Grade ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS
8112.
53 Grade ordinary Portland cement conforming to IS
12269.
Rapid hardening Portland cement conforming to IS
804.
Portland slag cement conforming to IS 455.
Portland pozzolana cement (Fly Ash based)
MATERIALS
2.1 Compressive Strength

2.2 Setting Time

Vicat's Apparatusmethod: (IS 4031)
used to find out the consistency, initial setting time and
final setting time of the cement.
to find out the amount of water to be added to the
cement to form a cement paste of normal consistency.
Initial setting Time: Not less than 30 mins.
Final setting Time: Not less than 600 mins.
MATERIALS
3. FINE AGGREGATE
An aggregate most of which passes through
4.75mm IS Sieve.
Shall consist of natural sand, crushed stone sand,
crushed gravel sand, stone dust, marvel dust, fly
ash, broken brick.
Shall be hard, durable, clean & free from adherent
coatings, organic matter and shall not contain
impurities to cause corrosion.
Coarse sand should be either river sand or pit sand;
or combination of the two.
Sea sand shall not be used.

R.C.C.
1. STEEL
Steel reinforcement bars shall be of mild steel or
deformed steel of standard specifications and shall
be free from corrosion, loose rust scales, oil, grease,
paint etc.
Shall be round and capable of being bent without
fracture.
Bars shall be hooked and bent accurately and
placed in position as per design and drawing and
bound together tight with 20 S.W.G. annealed steel
wire at their point of intersection.
Joints in the bar should be avoided as far as
possible, when joints have to be made an overlap of
40 times dia of the bar shall be given with proper
R.C.C.
While concreting steel bars shall be given side and
bottom cover of concrete by placing precast cover
blocks underneath of 1:2 cement mortar 2.5 cm x
2.5 cm in section and thickness of specified cover,
4-5 cm (1.5-2) for beam and 1 -2 cm (1/2-3/4)
for slab.
2. CENTERING & SHUTTERING
Shall be made with timber or steel plate close and
tight to prevent leakage or mortar, with necessary
props, bracings and wedges.
No plastering should be made on the concrete
surface.
A coat of oil washing should be applied over the
shuttering or paper should be spread to have a
R.C.C.
Should not be removed before 14 days in general (4
days for R.C.C. columns, 10 days for roof slab, and
14 days for beams).
3. PROPORTION OF CEMENT CONCRETE
Shall be Of 1:2:4 proportions by volume for slabs,
beams and lintels, and 1:1-1/2:3 proportions for
columns unless otherwise specified.
4. MIXING
5. LAYING
Before laying the concrete, the shuttering shall be
clean, free from dust, dirt and other foreign matters.
Care should be taken that the time between mixing
and placing of concrete shall not exceeded 20 mins
so that the initial setting process is not interfered
R.C.C.
Number of Cement bags required for a
specific cement concrete ratios
For cement concrete of ratio 1:1:2(1
cement:1sand/coarse sand:2graded stone
aggregate) require 11no bags of 50kg.
For cement concrete of ratio 1:1.5:3 require 7.8no
bags of 50kg.
For cement concrete of ratio 1:2:4 require 6 no bags
of 50kg.
For cement concrete of ratio 1:3:6 require 4.25no
bags of 50kg.
For cement concrete of ratio 1:4:8 require 3.2 no
bags of 50kg.
For cement concrete of ratio 1:5:10 require 2.50 no
R.C.C.
During winters concreting shall not be done if the
temperature falls below 4 degree C.
Shall be compacted by mechanical vibrating machine
until a dense concrete is obtained.
Over vibration which will separate coarse aggregate from
concrete shall be avoided.
Structures exceeding 45 meters in length shall be
divided by one or more expansion joints.
6. CURING
7. FINISHING
If specified the exposed surface shall be plastered with
1:3 cement sand mortar not exceeding 6 mm thickness
and the plastering shall be applied immediately after
removal of the centring while the concrete is green.
R.C.C.
8. MEASURMENT
Measurement shall be taken in cu m (cu ft) for the
finished work and no deduction shall be made for
the volume of steel.
Steel reinforcement shall be measured under a
separate item in quintal(cwt).
Plastering, if any , shall not be included in the
measurement.
The rate for the R.C.C. work shall be for the
complete work excluding steel but including
centring and shuttering and all tools and all plants.
DAMP PROOF COURSE 2.5 cm
1. MATERIALS
Shall consist of cement, sand, and stone aggregate
of 1:1.5:3 proportion with 2% of cem seal or acco
proof or impermo by weight of cement.
Shall be applied at the plinth level in a horizontal
layer of 2.5 cm thickness.
Cement shall be fresh Portland cement of standard
specifications.
Sand shall be clean, coarse of 5 mm size and stone
aggregate shall be hard and rough of 20 mm size
well graded and free from dust and dirt.
DAMP PROOF COURSE 2.5 cm
2. MIXING
3. LAYING
4. CURING
Shall be cured by watering and kept wet for 7 days,
and the construction of wall above may be started.
The surface shall be cleaned and wetted before
masonry started.
5. PAINTING WITH ASPHALT
ESTIMATE
Method of approximating the probable cost of a
project before its construction.
Exact cost of a project is known after completion of
the project.
Cost estimate is prepared at various stages during
the life of a project on the basis of the information
available during the time of preparation of the
estimate.
An early estimate helps the owner to decide
whether the project is affordable within the
available budget, while satisfying the projects
objectives.
Technique that involves the hierarchical breakdown
of the project into different work elements at
ESTIMATE
For preparation of cost estimates, the estimator
performs quantity take-off to quantify each item of
work by reviewing the contract drawings and
specifications.
Before bidding for a project, the estimator of a
construction firm needs to determine the total cost
of the project in accordance with contract
documents consisting of drawings, specifications
and all other technical documents and
requirements.
The total project cost consists of two components
namely direct cost and indirect cost.
Direct cost includes cost of materials,
equipment and labour associated with each
ESTIMATE
The total project cost consists of two components
namely direct cost and indirect cost.
The material quantity take-off or the quantity of
materials for an item of work can be easily
calculated by using the information from contract
drawings and specifications.
In addition, the estimator has to add a certain
percentage for wastage of materials while
calculating the material cost.
The labour cost depends on the productivity of
labourers which vary with the nature of work.
The productivity of labourers depends on
various factors namely their skill, number of
working hours in a day, supervision, nature of
ESTIMATE
The total project cost consists of two components
namely direct cost and indirect cost.
The material quantity take-off or the quantity of
materials for an item of work can be easily
calculated by using the information from contract
drawings and specifications.
Direct cost includes cost of materials,
equipment and labour associated with each
item of work and also includes cost of
materials, equipment and labour associated
with each item of work and also includes cost
of subcontracted works.
Indirect costs are the costs which are not
associated with each item of work rather
ESTIMATE
Construction cost estimate is broadly classified
into two types approximate estimates and
detailed estimates.
The approximate estimates are prepared during
initial stages of the project life cycle.
Also known as preliminary, budget or order-of-
magnitude estimates and are prepared to
determine the preliminary cost of the project.
From the approximate cost estimates, the owner of
the project can be able to know whether the project
can be undertaken within the available budget.
There may be more than one design alternative for
a project depending on the location, site conditions,
type of structure etc..
ESTIMATE
Detailed estimates are prepared in accordance with the
complete set of contract documents.
Estimates during conceptual planning:
Prepared at the very initial stage i.e. during conceptual
planning stage of a project.
Based on little information and on broad parameters
namely size of the project, location and job site conditions
and the expected construction quality of project as a whole.
Size of the project may be expressed in terms of its
capacity namely number of rooms for a hostel, number of
beds for a hospital, length (km) of a highway etc.
Prepared to establish the preliminary budget of the project
and accordingly project funding can be arranged. The
degree of accuracy of this estimate is lowest among
all the estimates those are prepared during various
stages of a project.
ESTIMATE
Estimates during schematic design:
During this phase of the project, the cost estimate is
prepared on the basis of preliminary design information
along with required schematic documents.
Architect may incorporate different design alternatives and
the cost estimate is prepared for these design alternatives
by the estimators depending on the available information.
Cost estimates of different design alternatives are reviewed
keeping in view the project scope and budget and the
acceptable alternative(s) selected in this phase is analysed
in a detailed manner in the next phase of the project.
Cost estimate is prepared by calculating the cost of major
project elements by unit pricing from the available
preliminary design information.
Subcontractors or material suppliers may be asked to
furnish information while pricing the major project
ESTIMATE
As the cost estimate is prepared using preliminary design
information, a contingency may be added in the estimate
to accommodate for the unknown design details. With the
improved scope of the project, the expected degree of
accuracy in this estimate is more as compared to
that in conceptual estimate.

Estimates during design development:

Cost estimate is prepared on the basis of more detailed
design information and schematic documents.
With the improved level of information, the most of the
major project items namely volume of earthwork (m3),
volume of concrete (m3), weight of steel (tons) etc. can be
quantified and the cost estimate is prepared using the
known unit prices.
Detailed information from subcontractors or material
ESTIMATE
During this phase, all the identified major systems of the
project namely structural systems (reinforced concrete vs.
structural steel), masonry (clay brick units vs. concrete
masonry units), pile foundation (concrete pile vs. steel pile)
etc. are priced and then cost of each system is compared
with that obtained from past similar projects.
The project elements costing too high or too low as
compared to past data should be reviewed and accordingly
adjusted.
With the availability of detailed design information and
improved system definition, the expected degree of
accuracy in this estimate is higher as compared to
that in estimate prepared during schematic design
phase of the project.
ESTIMATE
Estimates during procurement:
During this phase of the project, the cost estimate is
prepared on the basis of complete set of contract
documents that defines the project.
The contractors bidding for the project prepare the cost
estimate in accordance with contract documents by taking
into consideration the estimated project duration.
The owner team also prepares the cost estimate to check
the accuracy of the bid prices quoted by the contractors
and negotiate a reasonable price with the contractor.
As this cost estimate is prepared in accordance with
complete set of contract documents of the project, the
degree of accuracy of this estimate is extremely
high.
Subcontractors or material suppliers may be asked to
furnish information while pricing the major project