School of Arts, Design, Architecture:
Quantity Surveying and Construction BSc (Hons)
ARCH2077: Methods of Measurement
Module Guide
Tutors:
Outline
Building on Level 4 studies this module will cover the measurement and quantification of items
of building works, to gain a practical understanding of how construction costs can be
controlled at the pre-contract, contract and post contract stages, and how the principle of
life- cycle costing works. You will study the appropriate software used by the profession and
its relationship to BIM methodologies to give practical experience in the use of the technology
Aims
The module is expected to develop your abilities in incorporating the key aspects in the
practices of Quantity Surveying, including measurement and quantification of items of building
works. The module provide learners with skills and knowledge in develop their understanding of
the underpinning concepts, process and techniques that support the effective management
of cost during pre-contract/ tender stages of a project. The module also aims to develop skills
through documenting findings in a recognised format using conventional and computerised
approaches such as BIM and Cost X or similar that meet set standards in the AEC industry.
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Learning Outcomes
You will be assessed against the Module’s learning outcomes; the tasks/
assignments required to complete this module map onto the learning
outcomes. If you successfully complete the tasks/ assignments, you will
achieve the learning outcomes and pass the Module. The learning outcomes
are as follows:
1) Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of quantification and
standard methods of measurement
2) Demonstrate a knowledge of the main sources of information relating to
cost and the management of expenditure at the various contract stages
3) Demonstrate knowledge of traditional taking off of quantities and
methodologies of cost advice including general tender documentation
and bills of quantity
4) Demonstrate an understanding of the new software available for
quantification including Cost X
5) Be able to document and produce reports of clear cost advice, working
independently and as part of the professional construction team
The learning outcomes are the criteria you are being assessed against; you
have to demonstrate you have met all learning outcomes to succeed in this
Module.
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Assignments, submissions, and assessment
The Module requires students to complete and submit two Assignments (module
components):
Assignment Brief 1
Task 1
A contracting company (Totally Construct Ltd) based in
Leicester has received an invitation to tender for a proposed
development of a private estate of 3000 flats. The company
intends to subcontract the construction of the flyover using
‘design and build’ procurement method.
Task: You are a Chartered Quantity Surveyor working for
Totally Construct Ltd. You are required to advise the
company’s top management by clearly identifying and
explaining:
a) the procedure for tender preparation including key
phases, relevant timelines, and activities to be
undertaken;
b) the key documents needed for the tendering process and
their functions;
c) the team of professionals to be involved in the tender
preparation and their roles in improving the chances of
tender success.
Task 2 You have been provided with the following drawings and information:
A drawing “Fig 1” showing plan of a double wall fencing and
drawing “Fig 2” showing the section for the foundation.
You are required to undertake the following tasks and prepare
relevant documentation in relation to the
following tasks for submission as a report to the client’s
representative. All measurement works to
produce the Bill of Quantities should be in accordance with New
Rules of Measurement 2 (NRM 2).
a) Take-off all necessary items required for the
construction of the fence
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b) Produce a Bill of Quantities for Task 2a
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Task MARKING CRITERIA Overall
Task 1a Accurate and coherent appraisal of the tender
preparation process and activities to be undertaken.
Must be applied to the scenario. To include a flow chart
of the process and relevant
Timelines
20%
Task 1b Accurate and coherent appraisal of the key
documents to be produced and their functions. These
must be suitably justified.
15%
Task 1c Accurate and coherent appraisal of the composition of
the tender preparation team and their roles. Must be
suitably justified.
15%
Task 2 a Correct Take off List and layout, waste calculations and
quantities, booking and descriptions 25%
Task 2 b Correct Bill layout and headings, quantities, Description and booking
25%
Total 100%
Assignment Brief 2
Drawing Figure 1 show the site and pile foundation layout of a land to be developed at
10 Bridge Road, Leicester, LE7 9SE. The site is currently enclosed around the perimeter by
Bridge road, Queensway, a 2m high brick fence with concrete posts, and a small stream.
The layout shows site dimensions obtained and recorded on site. Three chain lines record
the offset dimensions as follows:
• Chain line A-D is 50 m long with offsets recorded every 10m parallel to the Bridge
road;
• Chain line D-C is 60 m long with offsets recorded every 10m parallel to the fence;
• Chain line B-C is 50 m long with offsets recorded which is parallel to the stream.
The layout also shows the location of the Piles to be constructed on-site and the section
details for each pile is provided in drawing Figure 2
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Task 1 a) Take-off all necessary items required for the construction of the piling and pile caps including all necessary work items
for the complete works
b) Produce a Bill of Quantities for Task 1a
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Task 2
a) Another distinct function of the Quantity Surveyor is
measurement and quantification. Use the details in drawing
Figure 1 to calculate:
i) Area for Chain line A-D;
ii) Area for Chain line D-C
iii) Area for Chain line B-C
iv) Area ABCD
v) The total land area of the entire site
Use the most accurate method/formulae for your calculations.
Clearly label, detail, and justify the mathematical formulae you
have used within your area calculation(s), including full layout/
diagrams presented so logic and calculations can be clearly
followed and understood.
b) Determine a revised rate resulting from an Architect
Instruction that gave rise to a variation in the
groundwork items to which the contractor’s QS is
claiming for a new revised rate. The contractor inserted
a rate of £25/m2 for formwork to a retaining wall. The
quantity was 400m2 based on 10 bays 10m long x 4m
high. A variation order was issued reducing the
basement concrete wall to 6 bays after the shutter had
been ordered BUT before work commenced on site.
Determine the revised rate for the varied work. Allow
14% for profit and head office overheads. The
contractor has informed the QS that the pricing they
allowed for a purpose-built steel shutter 10m x 4m is at
a capital cost of £6500.
50%
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1500mm diameter Bored cast in place concrete pile. Concrete grade (30) 12 max aggregate.
Pile cast to 149.500 level.
Reinforcement
6 Nr 20mm diameter (2.466 kg/m) mild steel bars.10mm diameter (0.616 kg/m) binding
circular stirrups at 200mm centres from the bottom of the pile to 149.800 level.Allow
50mm for overlap in stirrups and allow 40mm for concrete cover.
PILE SECTION DETAILS
Drawing ref: Figure 2
Date: September, 2021
Drawn: LIO
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Marking Criteria
TASKS WITH ASSOCIATED INDICATIVE MARKING CRITERIA % mar k
Task 1 – Word processed Take-off and Bill of Quantities produced using NRM 2
a) Correct Take off List and layout, waste calculations and quantities, booking and descriptions
30%
b) Correct Bill layout and headings, quantities, Description and booking 20%
Task 2 – Quantification of total land area for site development
a) Correct individual and the total area of the site showing
appropriate mathematical formulae and justification of use,
logical layout, well- labelled diagram and detailed working for
each task (i-v).
30%
b) Correct layout, logical procedure and calculations for revised rate in
basement concrete wall
20%
Show all Workings to the solutions. Marks will be awarded for logical
approach, clarity and accuracy. A professional approach is required and
should be shown in the production of this work. Please consider; side
dimensions booked dimensions, descriptions. Does it make sense? Does it
look professional? Is there a bibliography/reference page? You should state
ALL assumptions clearly and should make very clear what sources of
information have been used.
NOTE; students who do not show detailed calculations, recorded in an
industry-appropriate fashion for the tasks will automatically be awarded a
fail grade for the entire task. Bibliography list to identify a full reading list
should be attached – a compulsory requirement
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Assignment 1 – 70% Coursework | Hand in date: 9th Feb 2022
Assignment 1 submission accounts for 70% of the grade awarded for this Module.
This is an individual work submission.
Assignment 2 – 30% Project | Hand in date: 4th May 2022
Assignment 2 submission accounts for 30% of the grade awarded for this Module.
This is an individual work submission.
Submission guidelines
The final submission is in a virtual portfolio format. The format will require
individual submissions of highly professional quality: we very much hope that
the Assignment you submit is something you are very proud of and choose
Hi Luisto present to prospective employers in order to secure graduate
employment.
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Assessment
Type of
assessment
Duration or
Volume?
Assessment
weighting %
Final
assessment Y/N
Minimum
threshold mark
%
Essential
component Y/N
Anonymously
marked Y/N
Coursework
70 N OPTO1
Project 30 Y OPTO1
Anonymous marking exemption codes: 1: Individually distinct work, 2: Reflection on development of own work 3: Presentation 4:
individually negotiated work 5: work placement/experience/assessment
Assessment Notes:
The coursework assignments comprise different exercises. These exercises would
involve evidencing critical evaluation, documentation, and presentation skills, and
outline strategic proposals.
Formative assessment via a series of tutorials and reviews will be offered to students
to give formative feedback on their coursework.
Timetable & submissions / key events
Refer to your online timetable. If you are unsure about any aspect of this
Module, contact the module leader:
Key submissions/ reviews and the indicative requirements of each are explained on the following
pages.