SPECIFICATIONS

Dr. Lokeshappa B
Associate Professor
DoS-Civil Engineering
University BDT College of Engineering
Davangere- 5770 04
 Specification
• A specification is a statement of particulars
• A scientific and technical assemblage of data regarding
quality and quantity of materials and workmanship is
conveyed in a separate contract document is known as
“Specification”.
• Construction specifications may be define as written
instructions distinguishing and describing in detail the
construction work to be under taken.
 Necessity of Specification
• The cost of an unit quantity of work is governed
by its specification
• To determine the quantity and quality of material
requirement
• To specify the workmanship and the method of
doing work.
• Tender document without specification is a
baseless.
• To specify the tools, equipments and plants to be
engaged for a work and enables to produce them
beforehand.
Forming of Specification (Paragraphs)

Specifications for materials

Combination of materials
Preliminary work prior to construction
Installation of materials
Tests if any
Clearing in completion
Schedules if any
Mode of measurements
 Specification

General Specification Standard Specification

 General Specification
• Nature and class of work which are used in
various items of works are described.
• Only a brief description of each and every item is
given.
• Useful for shorter specifications
• Do not form a part of contract document.
 Detailed Specification
• This form a part of contract document
• Describes about the quantity, quality, method of
preparation and execution of a work
• Physical, chemical and electrical tests are
mentioned if necessary.
• Types of equipments and machinery and special
equipments are described.
• The method and duration of protection of finished
works as required are mentioned
 Standard Specifications
• Drawn up by an engineering department and
printed to serve as a standard guide to department
• Save valuable time, labour, stationary expenditure
and eliminates the scope of deviations and
mistakes during preparations of huge number of
tenders.
• Specifications of common works are made
standard.
• Departments like C.P.W.D., P.W.D., M.E.S.,
Irrigation and Waterways and Railway
Departments have their standard specifications.
 Special Specifications

• These are drawn up by the Engineer-in-charge.

• The specifications which cannot be covered
under departmental standard specifications are
considered for the special specifications
• These are approved and included in the tender
paper under a heading “Special Specifications”
 Open Specifications
• State both physical and chemical properties.
• Doesn’t describe the workmanship to be achieved
during the construction.
• Documentation of information on the products
such as steel, cement, pipes, valves, vires, paints,
bricks etc. are made.
Advantages
• No Restrictions – short supply of works wont suffer
the progress of works
• Local manufactures can take the advantage.
• Materials can be procured at more competitive rate.
• The quality of the material is standardized, as a result
private parties may express their interest.
 Contnd…
Dis-Advantages
• Frequent checking is necessary which delays the
procurement order of a new manufacture.
• Interest for further improvements of the quality of the
materials is hampered.
• Maintenance of the quality of products cannot be
achieved throughout the supply period.
 Specification of Excavation
Levels
• Contractor shall notify the engineer to take the levels
well before the ground is disturbed.
• The average ground is disturbed
• The average ground level shall be worked out and used
as the datum from which all levels shall be measured.
Length Width and Depth
• the excavations shall be carried out to the lengths,
widths and depths as shown on the drawings or as
directed by the engineer
• If the depth of excavations exceeds the limits, the extra
depth may be filled with concrete with contractor’s cost
Unsound Ground
• If the patches or bad ground is found tat the bottom of
the foundation, the contractor shall bring that to
engineer’s notice and excavate up to further depth.
• Any additional excavation and concrete are required
shall be paid for, at the agreed rate.
Disposal of Excavated Materials
• Excavated materials shall not be disposed nearer than
1.5mts from the edge of the excavated trenches.
• This is ensure that the excavated material should not
fall back into the trench
• The rate of excavation is inclusive of lifting,
removing, sorting out of useful materials and stacking
them separately within the lead of 50m and lift 1.5m
Water in Excavation
• Water if met during the excavation, shall be dewatered
by the contractor and the trench is kept dry.
• Rate for the excavation includes the cost of pumping
and dewatering
• Special care shall be taken while pumping out water.

Shoring
• the rate for excavation shall include the cost of all
shoring, timbering, dewatering etc.
• It is the duty of the contractor to provide the timber
materials for shoring.
Refilling
• All space between the foundation masonry or concrete
and the sides of excavations must be refilled to the
original surface with approved materials.
• Filling shall be done in layers of 15cm in thickness,
watered and rammed.
Measurement
• Measurement shall be taken in accordance with the
procedure specified in “standard mode of
measurements for building work” – IS:1200-1965.
for excavation
• The unit of measurement shall be m3.
 Specification for concrete
Cement
• Ordinary Portland cement shall conform to specification
for ordinary rapid – hardening and low heat Portland
cement.(IS:269) latest version.
• It shall be of make and quality approved by the engineer
Fine Aggregate
• Shall be natural sand and obtained from river bed and
conform to IS:383-1952, IS-1959 and BIS 650
• Sand shall be clean, hard, strong, durable, free from
organic matter, must, clay, shale, alkali, salts, soft or
flaky particles.
• Sand shall be washed if contains more than 5% of clay,
dust or silt.
• The fineness modulus shall be range between 2.6 to 3.6
Coarse Aggregate
• Shall consist of crushed stone and shall be hard, strong,
durable and clean.
• The coarse aggregate shall be graded between 6mm
and 40mm (20mm in case of R.C.C. work).
• Grading test shall be carried out as indicated in IS:383
and IS:456 at the cost of contractor.
Water
• Shall be clean and reasonably free from injurious
quantities of deleterious materials such as oils, acids,
alkalis, salts and vegetable growth.
• Generally potable water is used for mixing and curing.
Proportion:
• Well graded mix shall be prepared to give dense and
workable concrete.
• It shall attain minimum strength after 28 day of curing.
Testing of Concrete:
• Testing of concrete shall be done in accordance with IS
code (456 – 62)
• Workability of the fresh concrete is tested to achieve the
specified compressive strength of the concrete.
Mixing:
a. Mechanical Mixing:
• Coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and then the cement
is put into drum.
• Gradually water is added to while drum is in motion.
b. Hand Mixing:
• Mixing shall be done in masonry platform or any
water tight platform
• Mix shall be turned three times in dry condition and
three times after adding water.
Strength of Concrete:

Concrete Mix Compressive Strength in kg/cm2

7 Days 28 Days
1:1:2 210 316

1:1:2 195 290

1 : 1: 3 175 265

1:2:4 140 210

Laying of Concrete :
• Surface of excavation shall be cleaned well before the
laying.
• Concrete is placed in position, rammed, vibrated and
finished within 30 minutes.
• For successive layer the upper layer shall be laid before
the lower layer is set.
Moulds and Centering:
• Moulds should be durable and strong enough to bear
the working loads without appreciable movement.
• All joint shall be water tight.
Curing:
• Fresh concrete shall be protected against the
inclamencies of water and covered with wet gunny
bags.
• After final setting, concrete is cured for not less than 14
days

Mode of Measurement:
• Measurement is done in accordance with standard
mode of measurements for building works (IS : 1200 -
1965).
• The unit of measurement shall be m3.
 Specification for Reinforcement
Steel :
M.S. Reinforcement or tor shall conform to IS : 432 and
relevant part of IS : 456.
Cleaning of Steel:
All reinforcement shall be thoroughly cleaned of rust,
dust, scale, oil and dirt before being assembled.
Bending :
All steel work shall be bent cold to the shape and
dimension shown on the drawings by the gradual and
uniform application of force.
Placing in Position:
• Reinforcing steel shall be bent correctly spaced and
secured in in position by approved wire and shall not
be displaced in any way after being fixed, concrete
blocks shall be used to provide the specified cover.
• Concreting shall not be commenced until the
reinforcement has been inspected and approved by the
engineer.
Tests:
The contractor shall produce the test certificate of the
manufacturer. If necessary, tests shall be carried out
according to IS : 223- 1950.
Measurement as per IS:1200-1965.
Measurement shall be as per IS:1200 and the unit of
measurement shall be quintal or tonne.
 Specification for Brick Work
Bricks:
• Bricks shall be of uniform size (190mm X 90mm X
90mm), table moulded with sand and thoroughly
burnt and not over-burnt.
• Bricks shall have plane rectangular faces with parallel
sides and sharp, straight right angled edges.
• Bricks shall be free from lumps, laminations and
cracks.
• They shall give clear metallic sound when struck.
• On saturation the weight shall not increase more than
20% when soaked for 24 hours. (IS:1077)
• Crushing strength of brick shall not be less than 4
Cement:
Ordinary Portland cement shall conform to specification
for ordinary rapid – hardening and low heat Portland
cement.(IS:269)
Sand:
• Shall be natural and obtained from river bed and
conform to IS:383
• Sand shall be clean, hard, strong, durable, free from
organic matter, must, clay, shale, alkali, salts, soft or
flaky particles.
Sand shall be washed if contains more than 5% of clay,
dust or silt.
Water:
Portable water shall be used for mixing mortar.
Proportion:
Cement and sand shall be mixed in proportion by
volume.
Mixing:
a. Mechanical Mixing:
• Fine aggregate and then the cement is put into drum.
• Gradually water is added to while drum is in motion.
• Drum is rotated for the duration of 2 min.
b. Hand Mixing:
• Mixing shall be done in masonry platform or any
water tight platform
• Mix shall be turned three times in dry condition and
three times after adding water
 Specification for uncoursed Rubble Masonry
Building Stone
• Shall be of the best quality obtained from the quarries
approved by the Engineer.
• Shall be tough, hard, sound, durable and of uniform
color and free from flaws, veins, skin, oil, dirt,
impressions and other defects.
• When immersed in water for 24 hours, shall not
absorb water more than 5% of its dry weight.