According to standard methods of measurement used in civil engineering estimation, the volume of work items (e.g., earthwork, concrete) shall be recorded correct to the nearest which value?

Introduction / Context:
Measurement precision directly influences cost accuracy, reconciliation, and audit trails in project billing. Standard methods of measurement prescribe how finely lengths, areas, and volumes should be recorded to balance practicality with accuracy across drawings, site conditions, and material variability.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We refer to typical public-works/IS measurement practice.
• Item type: volumetric work such as excavation, backfilling, or concrete.
• Units: cubic metres (cum).

Concept / Approach:
Common civil engineering practice records: length to 0.01 m, area to 0.01 sqm, and volume to 0.01 cum. This precision is a practical compromise; it is tight enough for financial accuracy yet not excessively onerous for site measurement and documentation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify the measure of interest: volume for bulk items.2) Recall standard rounding: volume → 0.01 cum (two decimal places in cubic metres).3) Conclude that measurements should be entered and rounded to the nearest 0.01 cum for payment and records.

Verification / Alternative check:
Check against departmental SOR prefaces or IS measurement codes; most specify the same precision trio (length 0.01 m, area 0.01 sqm, volume 0.01 cum).

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 cum: Coarser than standard and may distort small works.
• 0.05 “sum”: Not a recognized volumetric precision and includes a typographical inconsistency.

Common Pitfalls:

• Mixing unit precisions between length/area/volume.
• Over-rounding interim measurements, causing cumulative errors.

Final Answer:
0.01 cum.