Different types of thumb rules for determining the total construction cost of the building

This construction video tutorial is very useful for site engineer. In this video, one can learn how to determine the construction cost of the entire building as well as the required quantities of materials on the basis of thumb rules.

Given below the quantity and rates of materials per square feet :-

* Steel = 3 to 5 kg 
* Cement = 0.5 bags 
* RMC or ready mix concrete = 0.05 m3 
* Block = 12.5 Nos/m2 
* Electrical cost = Rs. 133 
* Plumbing cost = Rs. 126 
* Fire fighting cost = Rs. 40 
* External development = Rs. 94.5 
* Civil work structure = Rs. 751.25 
* Finishing work = Rs. 467.50

Suppose, the length of the plot is given as 20 feet

The breadth of the plot is given as 30 feet

So, the size of the plot = Length x Breadth = 20 x 30 = 600 square feet

The requirement of steel (5 kg/sq.ft) = 5 x 600 = 3000 kg = 3 Tonne

It includes 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm dia steel. The rate of 8 mm is Rs. 45/kg, 10 mm is Rs. 44/kg, 12 mm is Rs. 48/kg etc.

So, the quantity of steel = rate x steel kg

The requirement of cement (0.5 bag/sq.ft) = 0.5 x 600 = 300 bags. The cost of 1 bag is Rs. 200 (approx).

The total cost of cement = 300 x 200 = Rs. 600

The requirement of RMC alias ready mix concrete (0.05 m3/sq.ft) = 0.05 x 600 = 30 m3 cement

The cost of electricity (Rs. 133/sq.ft) = 133 x 600 = Rs. 79,800

The cost of plumbing (Rs. 126/sq.ft) = 126 x 600 = Rs. 75,600

The cost of fire alarm (Rs. 40/sq.ft) = 40 x 600 = Rs. 24,000

The construction cost with labor (Rs. 751/sq.ft) = 751 x 600 = Rs. 4,50,600

The cost of finishing work (Rs. 467/sq.ft) = 467 x 600 = Rs. 2,80,200

In finishing work interior part, exterior part and paintings are included.

To gather knowledge on other types of thumb rules, go through the following video tutorial.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Units of measurement used in surveying & construction works

Unit of measurement is also known as the International System of Units, or SI. Units of measure in the metric system. The units of length or linear size are derived from the metre. They comprise of the kilometre (km) that is 1000 meters, the centimetre (cm), and the millimetre (mm) which is 1/1000th of a meter.

A unit of measurement refers to a specific magnitude of a quantity, described and approved by convention or by law, that is used as a standard for measurement of the same kind of quantity.

Any other quantity of that type can be stated as a multiple of the unit of measurement. As for instance, a length is a physical quantity.

Standard unit of measurement :-

Type - U.S. Unit - Metric Unit
Length - Inches, Feet, Yards, Miles - Millimeters, Centimeters, Meters, Kilometers
Weight - Ounces, Pounds - Grams, Kilograms
Time - Seconds, Minutes, Hours - Seconds, Minutes, Hours
Volume - Ounces, Gallons - Milliliters, Liters

Given below, the details of measurements which are utilized in surveying and construction works :-

For construction work: feet, inches, fractions of inches (m, mm)
For most surveys: feet, tenths, hundredths, thousandths (m, mm)

For National Geodetic Survey (NGS) control surveys: meters, 0.1, 0.01, 0.001 m

The following equivalents are used frequently :-

1 meter=39.37 in =3.2808 ft
1 rod =1 pole=1 perch=16.5ft(5.029 m)
1 engineer’s chain =100 ft =100 links (30.48 m)
1 Gunter’s chain= 66 ft (20.11 m) =100

Gunter’s links(lk)=4 rods=0.020 km
1 acre=100,000 sq (Gunter’s) links=43,560ft2 = 160 rods2 =10 sq (Gunter’s) chains=4046.87m2 = 0.4047 ha
1 rood=1011.5 m2 =40 rods2
1 ha= 10,000 m2 =107,639.10 ft2 = 2.471 acres
1 arpent=about 0.85 acre, or length of side of 1 square arpent (varies) (about 3439.1 m2)

1 statute mi=5280 ft=1609.35 m
1 mi2 = 640 acres (258.94 ha)
1 nautical mi (U.S.)= 6080.27 ft= 1853.248 m
1 fathom=6 ft (1.829 m)
1 cubit=18 in (0.457 m)
1 degree=0.01745 rad=60 min =3600 s
sin 1 =0.01745241
1 rad = 57.30 degree

For more information, go through the following link www.onlinecivilforum.com

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Online demonstration of QuickSuite 4.0 – A robust software for structural engineer

IES has developed QuickSuite 4.0, a powerful software for perfect structural design.

This product is comprised of four standalone tools which range from QuickRWall, QuickFooting, QuickMasonry, and QuickConcreteWall. These products can be set up collectively or any single product can be chosen for downloading as per your choice.

QuickRWall: QuickRWall is mostly recognized among structural engineers for designing retaining wall efficiently. It will facilitate the structural engineers to create superior quality wall design in quickest possible time. The reports are supported with full equations and intermediate data is instantly accessible for full checking. QuickRWall contains good graphical interface and very user-friendly.

Wall Configurations:

• Cantilever Retaining Walls
• Gravity Retaining Walls (ACI Chapter 22)
• Restrained Walls, Basement Walls, Propped Cantilevers
• Tapered (Battered) or Stepped

Wall Materials:

• Concrete,
• Masonry
• Mixed Concrete & Masonry

QuickConcreteWall: QuickConcreteWall is specifically designed for reinforced concrete shear walls and is considered as a handy tool for detailing a concrete wall depending on in-plane forces.

Complicated ACI interaction checks are accomplished instantly while adjusting design parameters and observe the results. Complete rebar detailing is provided in a productivity-quick format.

QuickFooting: Concrete spread footing (single column pad), is imported from VisualAnalysis. Design and examine reinforced concrete footings under a single column devoid of creating a complicated analysis model of the building.

It provides the following advantages :-

• Will verify different types of footings simultaneously (for worst case).
• Automatic sizing and detailing (optional).
• Advanced handling of biaxial loading
• Offset pedestal from footing center
• Checks footing, pedestal, and interface.
• Stability checks: Bearing pressure (net & gross), overturning, sliding, and uplift.
• Complete units flexibility.
• Perfect estimation of bearing pressure under biaxial loading.

QuickMasonry: It is an individual tool of masonry components that can deal with several structural components inside a single project file. The QuickMasonry "Project Management" tool is utilized to design a entire series of lintels and walls, for a single building in one project file, by adhering to the most updated masonry design specifications as well as a series of remarkable features.

The software deals with the following masonry components :-

• Lintels
• Bearing Walls
• Panel Walls (loads out of plane)
• Shear Walls
• Pilasters
• Columns
• Beams

Go through the following video to view the online demonstration of the software.

To download the software, go through the following link cesdb.com

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Duties of a Construction Manager

Construction sites are risky and full of responsibilities and as a construction manager, it is his responsibility to set and keep right schedules, auditing finances and keeping eye on everyone about their work and needs. The manager has to make sure about the workers that the workplace is free of safety hazards and work with different working relationships in a job site.

And for securing it properly, the managers need to overlook and lead a range of building projects from start to end. Construction works on the design between the smaller renovation and remodeling jobs for larger commercial projects such as office buildings, hospitals and schools.

In America it is seen that nearly 75% of the construction managers are free contractors and hired by various clients in need of managers with definite work experience. The number of that kind of clients are increasing and demanding an educational background for their managers included a bachelor’s degree in the related field.

Difference between Construction Manager and General Contractor: Though both the terms are generally used interchangeably, they have specific differences. Generally the construction managers are associated in a given project from start to end, help their clients with basic planning with the selection of the project’s general contractor and architect. Construction managers sometimes serve in a separate capacity as the general contractor. In other hand a general contractor is responsible to provide all kinds of material, labor, engineering vehicles and tools and services which are crucial for the construction of the project. They hire professional subcontractors for doing all or parts of the construction work.

Responsibilities of a Construction Manager: A construction manager has to perform certain tasks or responsibilities like:

Quality management: Sometimes some contractors and subcontractors need to involve in construction projects. Most importantly a construction manager has to ensure the quality work of everyone without cutting any corners.

Quality management: It is important to keep an estimate of the cost and a good construction manager will always works on the costs and makes the needful adjustments if any unexpected complications or issues become arise.

Safety management: It is important to keep the capability for identifying and eliminating possible safety hazards in th4e job site for everyone’s good.

Contract administration: A good contractor need to take care that every arrangement as per the contract should be met and the involved parties are also happy.

Besides all of these things, a construction manager has to keep involved all the parties and well informed during the whole project. It will include the client, the architect and contractor or sub contractor also and in case of any rising issue the manager has to take his position to deal with the things instantly.

Becoming a Construction Manager: A construction manager has to be involved in more things, than only reading blueprints or spot-checking the quality of the work that has done. A good manager must have knowledge about all kind of standard building codes and understand the importance of green culture. The managers have to be adept with the industry-specific software with a good working knowledge of all kinds of the job. As work experience is not enough, the managers should have a bachelor’s degree in construction science, civil engineering or construction management.

They also should keep knowledge over statistics, mathematics, and architecture and information technology with specialized training in designing and planning, enforcement of building codes, scheduling and cost estimation. They possess awesome communication skills with a leading capability of a diverse team where will be different people like from site workers to the client to the designers, architects and tradesman. As the construction site is a hazard place the managers need to have the ability to do multitask works.

For more information please visit thebalance.com

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co
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Demonstration of center line method

This is another useful presentation from Parag Pal. The video shows the detailed information on Center Line Method.

Center line method is specifically applied for walls of equivalent cross sections. Here, the total centre line length is multiplied with breadth and depth of relevant item to determine the total quantity at once.

After the cross walls or partitions or verandah walls are attached with main wall, the centre line length becomes curtailed by half of breadth for every junction.

Such junction or joints should be cautiously taken into consideration at the time of measuring total centre line length. The method generates most precise estimates rapidly.

Read more

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co

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ADAPT-Builder Suite – A useful construction software for designing conventionally reinforced concrete structures

ADAPT Corporation has developed ADAPT-Builder Suite that is used to make complete analysis of concrete buildings. This construction program is useful for General Structural Analysis, Analysis of Plates, Analysis of Frames, Analysis of Beams, Concrete Design, Analysis of Columns, Wind Loading, Foundations.

It contains Edge, Floor Pro and MAT etc. Edge makes analysis of complete building model for lateral and gravity load. Floor Pro is applied to make the comprehensive design of any concrete floor system with or without post-tensioning. MAT is used for producing the innovative design of foundations. There is also an optional column design module that provides support with a well-organized workflow for creating the cohesive design of vertical elements in a structure.

A robust and easily adoptable 3D finite element engine makes the Builder an exceptional construction software to perform the modeling and analysis of any concrete building efficiently.

Builder’s modules are compatible with an extensive range of international codes. Besides, they are well suited with simplified BIM workflows and can be easily incorporated with Revit Structure and other structural analysis packages.

To get more information, visit 

www.adaptsoft.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Watch The Live Demonstration Of SEMA Timber Construction Software

SEMA timber construction software is created on the basis of a modular structure and it is useful for small tradesman, carpenters and joiners, as well as by large-scale wood-working centres and manufacturers of pre-fabricated houses.

SEMA timber construction software can be applied for creating superior quality roofs and houses. It includes free floor layout plans and roof input options to simplify the process for creating the design of any timber construction.

There are an extensive database comprising interchangeable dynamic component libraries for generally applied timber and steel components together with several constructional details.

It is possible to generate company or project specific standards all through the design phase and save & use them for other projects.

SEMA comes with quick and smooth component definition with special processing and all the essential automatic features to compute the walls aptly.

Intermediate walls can either be generated as cogged log walls or like conventional walls involving timber-framed walls, lightweight walls etc. The adaptable corner macros simply fit to such mingled constructions.

With our efficient master data technology and its sophisticated automatic features, All the layouts & drawings are instantly generated as per needs of the customer through superior master data technology and its automatic features.

SEMA provides a widespread collection of timber fasteners and brackets out of all eminent manufacturers with respect to the standard master data. All the related information for material evaluation is consolidated and the requisite processing of the components is automatically formed.

To deal with any complicated construction, there exist comprehensive libraries with adaptable 3D processing like cuts, notches, drillings and much more are accessible.

Your design gets better with pre-set plan layouts with separate title blocks. The printout is ’live’ from the 3D object as all the modifications are automatically updated in all views instantly.

View the following online demonstration

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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FreeCPM – A web based, easy to use online scheduling solution

FreeCPM is a web based, free, completely operative and strong CPM scheduling application toward the Construction Industry. This construction application can enhance construction schedule management process. FreeCPM facilitates several project members to access, interact, manage and create project schedules without any difficulty. The users can access FreeCPM through any device and transfer schedule information directly to the jobsite and at the same time transfer updated information directly from the jobsite, in real time.

FreeCPM can reduce project costs and enhance the ROI of any Construction Project

With FreeCPM, the construction team can remain on track by making updates automatically in real time.

To get more information on this newest scheduling application, visit www.freecpm.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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How to create your own concrete form with x-carve 3d carving machine & Easel software

This construction video shows detailed processes to build concrete form with the use of 3d carving machine x-carve and another supportive construction software called Easel. Easel is the all-encompassing software solution for 3D carving.

In simple term, concrete form is described as a solid barrier or mould in which the concrete is poured to retain concrete in proper position or pushes concrete to take on a definite shape. Wood concrete forms are mostly recognized for developing concrete slabs, patios, driveways, walkways etc.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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How To Estimate And Cost The Civil Engineering Projects With Excel

This youtube construction video is based on National Construction Estimator developed by Craftsman Book Company. The video covers the various topics like How to open Import Files in QuickBooks as well as estimate in QuickBooks, Proceed Billing in QuickBooks, Generating an Invoice, Jobs in QuickBooks, Undoing Errors, Reimbursing Bills by Cost Categories, Forming Payroll by Cost Category, Print Payroll Checks.

National Estimator refers to a construction estimating software program that offers the same functionality as a book. It is the software engine that is enriched with the Craftsman construction estimating databases.

Check out this construction video presented by Waseem Raja, a Professional Civil Engineer and Fellow Member of PSBTE. The construction video is based on how estimate and costing are done with the use of MS-Excel for the Civil Engineering Projects.

The following topics are covered in this construction video :-

• Comprehensive Estimate of I-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of L-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of T-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of F-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of E-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of H-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of U-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of O-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of D-Wall

• Comprehensive Estimate of 2-Rooms

In this video AutoCAD Civil 3D 2016 is used to provide 3D view of wall system.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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How National Construction Estimator Functions

This youtube construction video is based on National Construction Estimator developed by Craftsman Book Company. The video covers the various topics like How to open Import Files in QuickBooks as well as estimate in QuickBooks, Proceed Billing in QuickBooks, Generating an Invoice, Jobs in QuickBooks, Undoing Errors, Reimbursing Bills by Cost Categories, Forming Payroll by Cost Category, Print Payroll Checks.

National Estimator refers to a construction estimating software program that offers the same functionality as a book. It is the software engine that is enriched with the Craftsman construction estimating databases.

The users can acquire various construction items through costbook database of electronic index and scroll through an individual page. By exploring through the electronic index, the users can construction items rapidly by providing a keyword. There will be the index options. Select those options and you will be redirected to the page in the database for that construction item.

National Construction Estimator contains the following features :-

• Modify any price or quantity related to any construction material in the construction estimate window.

• Easily include new lines or even whole sections to the database.

• Arrange your own labor rates, overhead and profit.

• Put in your genuine construction material costs.

• Generate a specialized costbook database for each type of executable project like remodeling, bathroom remodels, kitchen remodels, insurance repair work, or change orders.

• Add the markup and profit according to your choice

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Intergraph SmartPlan Foundation 2014 - A useful construction program for plant information management

Intergraph SmartPlan Foundation 2014 is a useful construction program for plant information management. MEP engineers can use this construction software to access updated and organized engineering information instantly all through the project lifecycle.

The MEP engineers can securely obtain various plant informations together engineering designs, vendor data, purchase orders, RFQs, specification sheets, and all supplementary documents.

A modular set of user experiences is created on the basis of regular work processes to assure that legitimate, reliable, and superior-quality engineering data is allocated over the value chain and amid facility information systems.

Throughout the complete plant lifecycle, the users get the ability to develop quick and perfect design and operational decisions out of big and complicated data sets. SmartPlant Foundation is supported with the Intergraph information management solutions and it is considered as the globally recognized and extensively applied, industry-standard, engineering information management solution for the process, power, and marine industries.

Link for download

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Some Useful Guidelines for Concrete Slab Design in Visual Analysis 9.0

Jon Lovgren, the Engineer at Beaudette Consulting Engineers, Inc., has presented a useful construction video that shows how to create the design of a concrete slab with Visual Analysis 9.0, a powerful software for structural engineers. Learn the detailed design procedures toward both manual and auto-meshed plates, together with the definitions of the input parameters and general hazards and drawbacks of the procedure.

Visual Analysis is a construction program ideal for structural analysis and member design of standard beams, columns, frames, trusses and building models. With Visual Analysis the structural engineers can get key solutions for big or unusual structures effortlessly and rapidly.

This construction software is used to examine both lateral and gravity loads in a single model.

Visual Analysis simplify the process for developing models with sketching, DXF import, copy & paste, parametric formation of general components (frames, tanks, walls, bracing, floor systems, etc.), import from spreadsheet or other tools, and BIM. Blend materials in your models: steel, wood, concrete, cold-formed and aluminum.

To get more updates, visit this link

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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RCM ACI-Builder Is A Useful Construction Program For Structural Engineers

RCM ACI-Builder is the newest construction program for structural engineers. They can use this software to create the design of various types of reinforced concrete members in accordance with ACI318M-11 code.

By using this software the structural engineers can obtain comple detailed design output contain full cormulas and explanatory figures. This adaptable construction software can provide perfect guidance to the structural engineers to master ACI Code.

RCM ACI-Builder Design Software offers the following functionalities:-

A. Design of flexural members (Rectangular and T-Shape Sections):
A.1-Find out section characteristic under balance case, singly reinforced section & doubly reinforced section.
A.2-Work out area of steel on the basis of applied moment.
A.3-Compute moment as per allotted area of steel.
B. Design of Shear under following cases:
B.1- Members based on shear and flexure only.
B.2- Members based on shear and axial compression.
B.3- Members subject to shear and vital axial tension.
C. Design of combined shear and torsion under both cases of compatibility and equilibrium torsion.
D. Design of punching for prestressed and non-prestressed members containing all column geometry cases: interior, edge & corner columns.
E. Manage immediate and long term deflection for beams and slabs.
F. Design of corbels and brackets.
G. Manage flexural cracking in beams and one-way slabs.
H. Design of pile-caps with most general geometry cases: 2,3,4,5 & Strip-Pile Caps.
I. Design of isolated footings under eccentrically and concentrically case of loading

Image Courtesy : www.onlinecivil.net

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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SOFiSTiK Reinforcement Detailing 2016 – Tools and basic workflows

Be with the toolset and functionalities of SOFiSTiK Reinforcement Detailing 2016. Also learn how to generate the 2D reinforcement drawings for a concrete beam out of 3d models through Autodesk Revit.

With SOFiSTiK Reinforcement Detailing, it becomes easier to produce 2D reinforcement sheets from 3d models rapidly.

It contains software and set of families which can be adjusted to abide by the local or company standard. Formation of bar lists, bending schedule and cut lists for wire meshes are also contained.

The users can download a 30-days free trial version that can be updated to a single user license compatible with Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2016 for 549 USD (excluding tax).

Link for download SOFiSTiK Reinforcement Detailing

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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