More Questions from Estimating and Costing

In building measurement, brick walls are measured in square metres (area measurement) when the wall thickness is which of the following?

Civil Engineering Estimating and Costing Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
  • A
    10 cm
  • B
    15 cm
  • C
    20 cm
  • D
    None of these.

Answer

Correct Answer: 10 cm

Explanation

Introduction / Context:Measurement units for brickwork depend on thickness. Thin partitions are area-measured; full-thickness walls are volume-measured. This convention aligns the unit of measurement with how cost scales (per area for thin work, per volume for thick work).

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Standard brickwork thicknesses: half-brick ≈ 10 cm, three-quarter ≈ 15 cm, full-brick ≈ 20–23 cm (nominal).
  • Payment unit changes from Sq m to Cu m as thickness increases.

Concept / Approach:Half-brick (about 100 mm) partitions are treated as areal items because their thickness is a single leaf and the principal driver of cost is covered area. Thicker walls are measured in cubic metres since material consumption scales with volume.

Step-by-Step Solution:1) Identify thickness = 10 cm ⇒ half-brick wall.2) Apply area measurement convention for partitions/half-brick walls.3) Conclude: 10 cm thickness → Sq m measurement.

Verification / Alternative check:Methods of measurement and SORs list 'Half-brick masonry in cement mortar' with unit Sq m, confirming practice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • 15 cm, 20 cm: Usually measured in Cu m as they approach or exceed one-brick thickness.
  • None of these: Incorrect because 10 cm is the standard threshold for Sq m measurement.

Common Pitfalls:

  • Measuring a 115 mm (nominal) partition in Cu m, leading to rate mismatches.
  • Ignoring plaster thickness when computing wall areas (plaster measured separately).

Final Answer:10 cm.

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