This document contains information about specifications for civil engineering projects, including: 1. It defines a specification as a detailed description of workmanship and materials required to complete an engineering project. Specifications are necessary to specify quality, quantity of materials, work methods, and are essential contract documents. 2. There are two main types of specifications - general specifications which provide a brief overview of materials and construction, and detailed specifications which provide complete information about materials, workmanship, testing, and measurement of work. 3. Examples of general specifications for first and second class buildings are given, outlining foundation, flooring, roofing, finishing, doors/windows, and other requirements at a high level.

1. Mr. Akash
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
DCE Darbhanga
Module-4
Specifications
Contract
Specification &
Estimation
Course Code- 011828P

2. Syllabus
 Specifications : Introduction, Object of specification, Types, General specification of
buildings

3. Specification
 A specification is a specific description of a particular subject. An engineering specification contains
detailed description of all workmanship and materials which are required to complete an engineering
project in accordance with its drawings and details.
Objective of Specification:
 The cost of a unit quantity of work is governed by its specification.
 Specification of work is required to specify the quality and quantity of different materials required in a
construction work and is one of the essential contract documents.
 This also specifies the workmanship and the method of doing work.
 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.
 The necessity of specification is to verify and check the strength of materials for a work involved in a
project.
 Specification is an essential contract document and is required for Arbitration or court cases.
 Specification is necessary to specify the equipment, tools and plants to be engaged for a work and thus
enables to procure them beforehand.

4. Principles of specifications
 Description of materials: The quality and size of materials required to do an item of work shall be fully
described for checking up at site according to the bindings provided in the specification.
 Workmanship: Complete description of workmanship, the method of mixing to the proportion, the method of
laying, preparation of base or surface, compaction, finishing and curing etc. specifically applicable to the item of
work shall be clearly stated in different clauses.
 Tools and plants: The tools and plants to be engaged to carry out a work shall be described. The method of
operation and by whom to be supplied shall be stated.
 Protection of new work: The method of protection of new works against damage or the method of curing if
required, the test of completed work if necessary shall be described in separate clauses
 Expression: While writing a specification endeavor shall be made to express the requirements of the
specification clearly and in concise form avoiding repetition and unusual words. The style of tense shall remain
same throughout.
 Clauses of specifications: As far as possible, the clauses shall be arranged in the order in which work shall be
carried out. This does not mean to follow the works according to the order of arrangements but it facilitates
reference. While framing clauses for quality of materials, workmanship, tools and plants etc. practical
possibilities shall be realized.

5. Type of Specification
There are two types of specifications
1. General Specifications
2. Detailed Specifications
General specifications
 In this type of specification, nature and class of works and names of materials that should be used are described.
 General specifications provide a very brief explanation about construction materials and construction work.
 These specifications are not a part of contract document. These specifications help about knowing the name of
different materials, their ratios, and quantities.
Detailed specifications
 Detailed specifications convey the requirements of project to contractor through a detailed explanation of materials
and work.
 It provides a complete knowledge about the construction material, workmanship of construction work, ratio of
different materials, mixing method, quantity of individual material, how to prepare the materials and conduct the
installation, different testing requirements to be followed and how work will be measured.
 Detailed specifications are a part of contract, that’s why it helps in understanding the contract.
 Detailed specifications should be written in a pattern which is to be followed during execution of work

6. General Specification of a First
Class Building
 Foundation and plinth: Brickwork in foundation and plinth shall be of first-class brick in cement or lime
mortar over cement or lime concrete
 Filling: Foundation trenches and plinth shall be filled up with local sand.
 Damp-proof course: D.P.C. shall be 2.5 cm thick cement concrete or 2 cm thick cement mortar with 5%
waterproof compound by weight of cement or other standard water-proofing material.
 Superstructure: Superstructure shall be of first-class brickwork in cement mortar
 Flooring: Mosaic flooring shall be provided on all the floors including the staircase.
 Roofing: The roof shall be 10 cm average thick lime terracing over it.
 Finishing: Inside and outside wall shall be 12 mm thick cement plastered. The inside of the drawing, dining and
bedrooms shall be distempered and remaining portions white-washed three coats. The outside shall be two coats
decorative waterproof cement coating.
 Doors and windows: Doors and windows frames shall be of seasoned teak wood and shutter of 3 cm thick teak
wood panelled. Brass fittings shall be provided. Doors and windows shall be varnished and French polish.
 Miscellaneous: Rain-water pipes shall be of asbestos cement or cast-iron, finished with paint. All sanitary,
water-supply and electrical fittings shall be of first-class materials.

7. General Specification of a Second
Class Building
 Foundation and plinth: The brickwork in foundation and plinth shall be of first class brick with lime mortar over lime
concrete
 Filling: Foundation trenches and plinth shall be filled up with earth
 Damp -proof course: D.P.C. shall be 2 cm thick cement mortar with 5% Pudlo (waterproof concrete) by weight of
cement or other standard water-proofing materials.
 Superstructure: Superstructure shall be 2nd class brickwork in mud mortar.
 Flooring: The flooring shall be 2.5 cm cement concrete over 7.5 cm lime concrete
 Roofing: The roof shall be flat terraced roof or R.B roof or jack arch roof.
 Finishing: The inside walls shall be plastered with lime or cement mortar, outside walls shall be pointed or plastered with
lime or cement mortar. Inside shall be white-washed three coats, and outside colour – washed two coats over one coat of
white-wash.
 Doors and windows: Doors and windows frames hall be of seasoned teak wood and shutters of 4.5 cm Shisham or
Deodar wood, panelled. They shall be fitted with iron fittings. Doors and windows shall be painted with two coats.
 Miscellaneous: Rain-water pipes shall be cast-iron. Electrification, sanitary and water supply fittings shall be of class B-
type.

8. THANKS