This document provides guidance on measuring reinforced concrete frame structures. It discusses measuring the components of framed structures including columns, beams, and slabs. For columns, it describes measuring concrete, formwork, and reinforcement, including main bars and links. For beams, it discusses measuring concrete, formwork, and reinforcement like main bars and stirrups. For slabs, it outlines measuring concrete, formwork to soffit and edges, and reinforcement, noting different classifications. Expansion joints are also addressed. The document emphasizes adhering to measurement principles and understanding reinforcement layouts before taking off quantities.

1. REINFORCED
CONCRETE FRAME
STRUCTURE
Tantish Kamaruddin,PhD
UTM Skudai, Malaysia

2. MEASUREMENT OF RC
FRAMED STRUCTURE
Framed concrete structure in building consists of the
following components:
1. Columns/Stiffeners
2. Floor/Roof beams
3. Floor/Roof Slab
2

3. COLUMNS
■ Items to be measured:
a. Concrete to column (VRC Grade 20 –30,
etc)
b. Formwork to sides of columns
c. Reinforcement
i) Main bar
ii) Links
3

4. COLUMNS
■ Measurement of the items above are similar to
the principles of measurements of column
stumps.
■ For the purpose of measurement, the height of
column is taken from the upper surface of
ground beam (upper surface of column stump)
to the upper surface of the floor/roof beams
above.
4

5. ■ Starter bar must be added at (41d) from the
column height (if the measurement was not appeared in
drawings, however, this is not common with CAD drawings
provided nowadays).
■ Link bend formula (6d) for each bend x 4
(with bend cannot less than 900 angle), 4x6d
■ Note: Stirrups will end only at beam length.
Not in intersection area which only links will
be available in that area.
5

6. Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
Vibrated reinforced concrete
Grade 25 as described:
Columns m3
0.80
0.80
3.15
6
TK
Clause F3.1 &
F3.15
2.02
2
L
W
D TK
ALWAYS ADHERE TO
THIS PRINCIPLES OF
MEASUREMENT RULE

7. b. Formwork
■ Formwork is measured to sides of columns.
■ Formwork to column is measured in SQUARE
METRE (F.15.1 and F.15.4 and F.10.3).
7

8. 8
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
Sawn formwork Grade C timber as described
to:
Sides of columns
0.80
3.15
4
TK
m2
Clause (F.15.1 and F.15.4 and F.10.3)
TK
10.08
10

9. c. Reinforcement
■ Reinforcement to columns shall be measures in m which
later be converted to kg.
■ Consisting of two(2) types:
i) Main bars ( High tensile). (F8.4)-according to elements
ii) Links (Mild steel). (F8.3)
9

10. 10
Study
reinforceme
nt layouts
according to
your building
technology
textbooks!

11. 11
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/372250725434898988/

12. 12
Link/stirrup
s
Main bars (check
diameter)

13. Measurement of links-
do this calculation on your side
cast.
■ Length of ONE link:
4/300
less 4/25 100 (cover)
1,100
add 4/6d (24d) 144 (say 6mm)
1,244
(4/6d also acceptable in links/stirrups bends which is equivalent to
24d)
(Ahmad Abdullah;2012)
13

14. Number of links in columns:
■ Assuming the height of column= 3.00 m
Centre to centre of links = 150 mm c/c
No. of link = 3,000 + 1
150
= 21 nos
14

15. Measurement of main bar
■ The length of main bar are measured based on the height
of column together with all laps and bends.
■ Normally, there are four(4) main bars in a columns and
high tensile steel are used.
15

16. 16

17. 17

18. 18
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
20mm Diameter high tensile
reinforcement as described to:
Columns
3.60
5
TK
m
C5 (at 5
location),
marks
according
to grid in
drawings
TK
3.60
Convert to kg
after finish
measuring all
20mm dia for
columns

19. 19
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
6mm Diameter mild steel reinforcement
as described to:
Links to columns
0.80
21
TK
m
Assuming the height of column= 3.00
m
Centre to centre of links = 150 mm c/c
No. of link = 3000 + 1
150
= 21 nos
5
84.00
Convert to kg
after finish
measuring all
6mm dia for
columns

20. FLOOR BEAM/ROOF BEAM
Items to be measured:
a. Concrete to floor/roof beams
■ Uses Vibrated Reinforced Concrete Grade 20 etc.
■ Measurement of concrete in beams is in CUBIC METRE
(volume) in accordance to F.3.1 and F.3.14.
■ Length is measured between the columns.
20

21. How to measure beam
length?
21
Column
Beam
Length of beam is taken between
columns

22. 22
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
Vibrated reinforced concrete Grade 25
as described:
Upper floor/roof beams
5.00
0.45
0.45
TK
m3
Clause F3.2, F3.14
L
W
D
Take note on the
arrangement of
dimension
placement,
arrangement
differs from
columns to beams

23. b. Formwork
■ Formwork are required at both sides and soffit of the
beam since it is suspended.
■ F.14.1 Formwork to sides and soffit of beam is measured
in SQUARE METRE according to the following
classification:
a. Horizontal
b. Sloping not exc. 150 from horizontal
c. Sloping over 150 from horizontal
23

24. b. Formwork
■ F.14.3 Formwork to secondary beam shall be measured up
to the sides of main beams but NO DEDUCTION shall be
made from the formwork of the main beam where the
secondary beam intersects it.
■ F.14.4 Formwork to beam which intersect with column
shall be measured up to them on all sides. (stop at end of
columns)
24

25. 25
https://gharpedia.com/things-check-before-
concreting-beam-slab/

26. 26
https://www.sgmedhat.com/en/product-list/modular-
formwork-system/beam-and-slam-formwork

27. 27
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
Sawn formwork Grade C timber as described:
To sides and soffit of floor/roof
beam
5.00
0.45
TK
m2
Clause F14.1

28. c. Reinforcement
i) Main bar – high tensile steel
■ Top main bar
■ Bottom main bar
ii) Stirrups – mild steel
■ Measurement of main bar and stirrups in floor/roof beams
are similar to the principles of measurement of
reinforcement in ground beams.
28

29. MEASUREMENT OF CONCRETE
SUSPENDED SLAB
Items to be measured:
a. Concrete to suspended floor slab.
b. Formwork
i) To soffit of slab
ii) To edge of slab ( not associated to beams)
iii) To top of slab ( exc. 150 from horizontal)
c. Reinforcement
d. Expansion joint (if any)
29

30. Concrete to floor slab
■ Uses vibrated reinforced concrete Grade 20 etc.
■ Measured in CUBIC METRE which shall include thickening
but excludes upstands stating the thickness according to
F.2.1. (F.3.1 and F.3.9 ).
30

31. Concrete to upper floor
slab
■ If the slab is laid sloping, this shall be stated in the
description according to:
i) Sloping not exceeding 150 from horizontal
ii) Sloping over 150 from horizontal ( Refer F.1.7 )
■ Usually the measurement to find the area of slab is taken
ACROSS THE BEAM.
31

32. 32
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
Vibrated reinforced concrete Grade 25 as
described to:
Suspended floor slab exceeding 100
mm not exceeding 150 mm thick
25.00
10.00
0.15
TK
m3
Clause F.3.1 &
F.3.9
L
W
D

33. 33
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
Vibrated reinforced concrete Grade 25 as
described to:
Suspended floor slab exceeding 100
mm not exceeding 150 mm thick laid
sloping not exc. 150
25.00
10.00
0.15
TK
m3
Clause F.3.1 & F.3.14

34. Concrete to floor slab
Formwork
■ Formwork to soffit of slab is measured in SQUARE METRE and
classified as follows (F.12.1 ):
a. Horizontal
b. Sloping not exceeding 150 from horizontal
c. Sloping over 150 from horizontal.
34

35. Concrete to floor slab
■ Formwork to soffit of solid slab exceeding 200 mm thick
shall be measured separately in SQUARE METRE and the
thickness in stages of 100 mm ( F.12.2 ).
■ Formwork to upper sloping surfaces of slabs where more
than 150 from horizontal shall be measured in SQUARE
METRES (F.12.3 ).
35

36. Concrete to floor slab
Formwork to edges of slabs (not associated with
downstand beams or projecting eaves), shall be measured
in LINEAR METRE according the following categories
(F.12.5) :
■ Not exceeding 250 mm deep
■ 250 – 500 mm deep
Where exceeding 500 mm deep, the depth shall be
stated.
36

37. Concrete to floor slab
Formwork to ends and perimeter of openings exceeding
1.00m girth shall be measured in LINEAR METRE
according the following categories ( F.12.6):
– Not exceeding 250 mm wide
– 250 – 500 mm wide
Where exceeding 500 mm wide, the width shall be
stated.
37

38. Concrete to floor slab
Note:
■ F.10.9 Formwork to soffits or soffits of beams over 3.50 m
high shall be so described stating the height in further
stages of 1.50m.
■ If the soffit of floor slab exceeds 3.50m high then it is
subjected to this clause.
38

39. 39
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
Sawn formwork Grade C timber as
described to:
Soffit of suspended floor slab
exceeding 200 mm thick; exc. 3.50m
but not exc. 5.00m high
25.00
10.00
TK
m2
(Clause F.3.1, F10.9 &
F12.2)

40. Concrete to floor slab
Reinforcement
■ The type of reinforcement used in suspended slab are normally
high tensile bar reinforcement even though fabric
reinforcement can also be used.
■ F.8.4 Classification of bar reinforcement shall be as follows:
a. In foundation which shall include column bases (pad
foundation), ground beams, pile caps and the like.
b. In ground slab which shall include beds, roads, footpaths and
paving.
c. In suspended slab which shall include attached beams,
upstand, kerbs and lintels.
d. In walls which shall include columns.
40

41. Concrete to floor slab
■ Therefore based on F.8.4(c) , principally the
measurement of reinforcements in suspended slab should
be done together with the reinforcements for suspended
floor/roof beams.
■ Typical layout of reinforcement in suspended slab is as
shown in the following transparencies.
■ The most important thing to do before starting the
process of taking off is to understand the layout of the
reinforcements and if possible sketches of the layout be
made to avoid confusion due to the several layers of the
reinforcements.
41

42. Concrete to floor slab
■ Measurements if bar reinforcement follows the same
principles of other bar reinforcement according to:
i) Type of steel used
ii) Diameter of steel bar
42

43. Expansion joints
■ Expansion joint is sometimes incorporated
in the design of suspended slab for the
purpose for providing a mechanism to cater
for the expansion and compression of the
slab due to heat.
■ F.4.2 Designed joints including those
required to be a special profile or which
incorporate water stops, EXPANSION OR
COMPRESSION jointing materials which are
required in the formation of bays shall be
measured in LINEAR METRE.
43

44. 44
Project Element/Trade Slip No
Heading
Description: Unit
Quantity
Taker Off
Squaring
Chk. Squaring
Rate
Sundries:
Expansion joint, 25mm wide in 100mm thick slab filled
with and approved non-shrinking grout and pointed on
both sides with aluminium strip 20mm x 4mm thick
including all necessary formwork and any necessary
treatment to the reinforcement
21.00
TK
m
Clause F4.3
Length
8,000
add 7,000
add 6,000
21,000
Side Cast

45. Concrete to floor slab
■ Particulars of the following shall be stated in the
description:
i. Any necessary formwork.
ii. Treatment of reinforcement crossing the joint.
iii. Water stop, expansion or compression jointing and
pointing materials.
45

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