Method of measurement of building and civil engineering works, Part 5: formwork
1982 Edition

Overview of Scope (Clause 1.1):

• Defines the approach for measuring formwork when accounted for separately in construction and civil engineering.

Detailed Inclusions (Clause 3.1):

• Measurement encompasses edges, notchings, overlaps, sheathing battens, strutting, bolting, nailing, wedging, easing, striking, and removal.
• All supporting elements like struts, braces, wedges, mud sills, and piles are included.
• Fastening components such as bolts, wire ties, clamps, and nails are considered.
• Temporary and working scaffolds, ladders, and gangways are part of the measurement.
• Filleting for stop-chamfered or splayed edges up to 20 mm width.
• Temporary openings for activities like pouring, vibrating, and cleaning.
• Surface treatments such as oil dressing to prevent adhesion.
• Procedures such as raking or circular cutting are included.

Measurement Principles (Clause 6.6):

• Formwork on secondary beams measured up to main beam sides without deductions at intersections.
• Beam formwork measured up to column sides with no deductions at beam-column junctions.

Summary of Included Elements

This section ensures all formwork components and temporary elements are consistently measured as per the standard.

General Provisions (Clause 1.1 & 2.5):

• Measurement applies when formwork is assessed separately.
• Special conditions such as work under water, in liquid mud, foul positions, or tidal interruptions are to be measured distinctly.

Components Included (Clause 3.1):

• Edges, overlaps, notchings, battens, strutting, bolting, nailing, wedging, easing, striking, and dismantling.
• Supports including struts, braces, wedges, mud sills, and piles.
• Fasteners: bolts, wire ties, clamps, spreaders, nails.
• Working scaffolds, ladders, gangways.
• Filleting for stop-chamfered or splayed edges up to 20 mm wide.
• Temporary openings for pouring, vibrating, cleaning.
• Surface treatment with oil to prevent concrete adhesion.
• Raking and circular cuts.

Measurement Instructions (Clause 6.6):

• Secondary beam formwork measured to main beam sides without deductions.
• Beam formwork measured to column sides, no deductions at intersections.

Rounding Guidelines:

• Values rounded as per rules (details not included here).

Component Inclusion Summary

This section reinforces consistent and comprehensive measurement practices.

Components Overview (Clause 3.1):

• Edges and joints: including splayed edges, notchings, overlaps, sheathing battens.
• Supports: struts, braces, wedges, mud sills, piles.
• Fasteners: bolts, wire ties, clamps, nails.
• Access means: scaffolds, ladders, gangways.
• Filleting: stop-chamfered or splayed edges up to 20 mm.
• Temporary openings for pouring, vibration, and cleaning.
• Surface treatment: oil dressing to prevent adhesion.
• Cutting: raking or circular for shaping.

Measurement Specifications (Clauses 6.1 & 2.7):

• Unit of measurement: square meters (m²) representing actual concrete-contact surface.
• Measurements recorded separately for below and above ground/datum levels.
• The reference ground/datum level must be clearly specified.

Summary Table: Formwork Elements

This framework ensures safe, functional, and measurable formwork per the standard.

Classification Details (Clauses 3.1, 4.1, 5.1):

• Formwork encompasses sheathing, supports, fasteners, scaffolding, filleting, openings, oil dressing, and cutting.

Types by Contact Surface (Clause 4.1):

• Wrought timber (planed or sawn).
• Tongued and grooved boards.
• Plywood linings.
• Special linings for smooth, textured, or decorative concrete finishes.
• Steel sheeting or tubing.
• Slip form technique (extrusion method).

Classification by Location/Type for Measurement (Clause 5.1):

This classification facilitates precise measurement and billing.

Measurement Units and Booking Protocol (Clauses 1.1, 2.2, 2.4.1):

• Dimensions are to be recorded in meters with a precision of 0.01 m.
• The booking order of dimensions should be: Length → Breadth/Width → Height/Depth/Thickness.
• Applies specifically when formwork is measured separately.

Guidelines:

• Consistent measurement practices ensure clarity from estimation through payment.
• The measurement system must align with administrative and financial requirements while maintaining technical accuracy.

Dimension Booking Summary

This ensures uniform recording of formwork dimensions.

Measurement Methodology (Clauses 1.1, 6.1, 6.6):

• Measurement targets the surface area of formwork in contact with concrete.
• All faces including soffits, sides, and ends are included.
• Typical deductions for openings (doors, windows) are made.
• Measurements are recorded in square meters (m²).

Measurement Calculation:

[ \text{Formwork Surface Area} = \sum (\text{length} \times \text{height/width of each face}) ]

Measurement Rules:

• Include all edges and returns.
• Measure formwork for columns, beams, slabs, and walls separately.
• Thickness of formwork is not measured; only surface area counts.
• Allow for laps and joints as per site conditions.

Typical Measurement Units Table

This approach ensures precise and uniform measurement.

Measurement in Defined Stages (Clause 2.7):

• Work is measured in convenient stages based on vertical location:
  • Below the ground or datum level.
  • Above the ground or datum level.
• The ground/datum level must be clearly specified.

Measurement Practices:

• Dimensions recorded to the nearest 0.01 m.
• Separate measurements for formwork are maintained.
• Staged measurements facilitate progress tracking and payment.

Example Table for Staged Quantities

This method supports systematic measurement aligned with the standard.

Key Requirements (Clause 2.6):

• Bills of quantities should comprehensively describe materials and workmanship.
• Must accurately reflect the scope of work to be executed.

Formwork Classification and Measurement (Clause 5.1):

This ensures clarity and accuracy in cost estimation and tender documentation.

Rounding Principles (Clause 0.5 & IS 2:1960):

• Final measurements and calculations should be rounded according to IS 2:1960 rules.
• Maintain the number of significant figures as specified.
• For example, a measurement specified to two decimals should be rounded to two decimal places.

Precision (Clause 2.4.2):

• Areas recorded to the nearest 0.01 m².

Separate Measurements (Clause 2.5):

• Special site conditions such as underwater work require distinct measurement.

Summary Table for Rounding

Example:

If specified value is 12.30 m, and measured value is 12.345 m, the rounded value becomes 12.30 m.

This guarantees consistency in measurement reporting.

Included Components:

• Edges (splayed, overlaps, notchings), sheathing battens, strutting, bolting, nailing, wedging, easing, striking, and removal.
• Supports such as struts, braces, wedges, mud sills, and piles.
• Fastening elements including bolts, wire ties, clamps, nails, and spreaders.
• Working scaffolds, ladders, and gangways.
• Filleting for stop-chamfered or splayed edges up to 20 mm wide.
• Temporary openings for pouring, vibrating, and cleaning.
• Dressing with oil to avoid adhesion.
• Raking or circular cutting.

Measurement Rules (Clause 6.6):

• Formwork on secondary beams measured up to main beam sides; no deductions at intersections.
• Beam formwork measured up to column sides; no deductions at beam-column intersections.

Special Situations (Clause 2.5):

• Separate measurement required for work done:
  • In/under water
  • In liquid mud
  • In foul positions
  • Interrupted by tidal actions

Conceptual Measurement Formula:

[ \text{Total Formwork Area} = \sum (\text{Surface area including allowances for edges, openings, supports}) ]

Included Items Summary

This section clarifies comprehensive measurement including special cases.