Measurement of Construction Works IV (QSM551)

BASEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Building regulation A2 (4) defines basements as building floors placed at the bottom part of the building in relation
to ground earth surfaces level. It can be say that almost all-tall buildings have basement functioned as car parking
area. Basements also can be found for warehouses, showrooms and food courts.

There are about five techniques to construct a basement:

1. Open Cut and Cut and Cover (including temporary upholding sides of excavation)
2. Diaphragm Wall
3. Top and Down (which is by actual the diaphragm wall by building the substructure and the
superstructure simultaneously)
4. Contiguous Bored Pile Basement Wall
5. Steel Sheet Pile Retaining Wall

However, all the five techniques have quite the same elements in the construction of basement, that is:

1. Basement Excavation
2. Retaining Wall
3. Temporary Works (if any)
4. Piling
5. Lowest Basement Floor (such as raft foundation, pile caps, slabs, column stumps, ground beams,
and waterproofing)

It is important to distinguish between Basement elements and Substructure elements. The elements involved in the
construction of basement are listed above, and the elements involved in the construction of substructure are the items
inside the basement within the compartment of perimeter wall (retaining wall) and the lowest basement floor, such as
the followings:

1. Lift wall and structural internal wall

2. Column and stanchion
3. Beam and girder
4. Slab and ramp
5. Staircase

From the five techniques of basement construction and the five elements involved in the construction of basements,
it is seen that only the perimeter wall (retaining wall) differentiate one technique of basement construction from the
other, for the purpose of measurement. Basement excavation, temporary works, piling and lowest basement floor
basically have the same construction and have been discussed either in the previous Lecture Notes or in the earliest
syllabus.

In the case of perimeter wall (retaining wall) or we can call it basement wall. Temporary upholding sides of
excavation is normally given as a Provisional or Prime Cost Sum which unforeseen during the preparation of
document subjected to soil conditions and it is by actual a specialist works.

DIAPHRAGM WALLING
Section E of the Malaysian Standard Method of Building Measurement Second Edition deals with Piling and
Diaphragm Walling, whereas Clauses E.9 to E.12 deal specifically for Diaphragm Walls.

Basically, Clause E.12.1 of the Malaysian Standard Method of Building Measurement Second Edition, states that
items for work in diaphragm walls shall be grouped together under an appropriate heading. The heading will be
followed by the following parts of particulars:

1. Preamble Clauses
2. Plant
3. Bodies of Measurement

1
 Measurement of Construction Works IV (QSM551)

PREAMBLE CLAUSES

Clause E.10 of the Malaysian Standard Method of Building Measurement Second Edition deals with Preamble
Clauses, which states:

E.10 Soil Description

The nature of the ground shall be given in accordance with clause D.1.1

D.1.1 Particulars of the following shall be given

a. Ground water level and the date when it was established, hereinafter described as
the pre-contract water level. The ground water level shall be re-established at the
time the various excavation works are carried out and is described hereinafter as
the post contract water level. Where ground water levels are subject to periodic
changes due to tidal or similar effects they shall be so described and the average
of the mean high and low levels given.

b. Trial pits or bore holes stating their location.

c. Over or underground services.

Thus, the examples of the Preamble Clauses for Diaphragm Walls are as follows:

PLANT

Clause E.11 of the Malaysian Standard Measurement of Building Measurement Second Edition deals with plant,
which states:

E.11 Plant

1. An item shall be given for bringing to site and removing from site all plant required for
this section of work

2. An item shall be given for maintaining on site all plant required for this section of the
work

Thus, the examples of the description for plants are as follows:

2
 Measurement of Construction Works IV (QSM551)

BODIES OF MEASUREMENT

The related clauses in the Malaysian Standard Method of Building Measurement Second Edition for bodies of
measurement for Diaphragm Walls are as follows:

E.12 Diaphragm wall description

2. Excavation for diaphragm walls shall be given in cubic metres stating the thickness of the
wall and maximum depth. Details of support fluid shall be given in the description.

4. Excavation in rock and excavation in artificial hard material shall each be given
separately in cubic metres stating the nature of the anticipated strata and of the material.
Alternatively such work shall be given as extra over the excavation.

5. Disposal of excavated materials shall be given in cubic metres in accordance with clauses
D.18 and D.19

D.18 Disposal on site

Excavated materials to be deposited on site in permanent spoil heaps or spread

on site shall each be given in cubic metres stating any requirements for the
location of such deposits or the average distance from the excavation in metres
or kilometres

D.19 Disposal off site

Excavated materials to be removed from the site shall be given in cubic metres
and so described and the provision of a shoot, dump or tip including payment for
royalties, fees, levies and other charges shall be deemed to be included with the
items unless otherwise stated

6. Concrete in diaphragm walls shall be given in cubic metres stating the wall thickness and
the specification of the concrete mix. The depth use in calculation of volume shall be
measured from the levels specifically required. The volume of concrete measured shall
include that occupied by reinforcement, other metal sections, cast-in components each
less than 0.10m2 in volume, rebates, fillets and internal splays each less than 0.005m2 in
cross-sectional area and pockets and holes not exceeding 0.50m2 in cross-sectional area.

7. Trimming and cleaning the faces of diaphragm walls shall be given in square metres
stating the finish required.

8. Reinforcement for diaphragm walls shall be given in accordance with Section F. The
weight of reinforcement measured shall include the additional weight of stiffening, lifting
and supporting steel cast-in.

9. Waterproof joints in diaphragm walls if specifically required shall be fully described and
given as an item.

10. Guide walls for diaphragm walls shall be given in metres measured as the length of
diaphragm wall constructed and stating any limitations on the design and construction of
the guide walls.

11. Preparing the tops of walls and reinforcement to receive cappings shall be given in metres
stating the thickness.

12. Ancillary work in connection with diaphragm walling shall be given as follows:

3
 Measurement of Construction Works IV (QSM551)

a. Preparing cast in pockets or chases at junction shall be given in metres or

alternatively as an item stating the details required. Removal of formwork and
preparing cast in reinforcement shall be deemed to be included with the item.

b. Removal of guide walls shall be given in metres stating the limitation on method
of disposal. Removal of guide walls is deemed to include disposal.

EXPLANATION ON QUANTITIES

The related clauses in the Malaysian Standard Method of Building Measurement Second Edition for explanation on
quantities for diaphragm walling are as follows:

E.12 Diaphragm wall description

3. The volume of excavation shall be calculated from the nominal lengths and depths of the
walls. The depths shall be taken from the level at which the work of excavation is
expected to begin and in accordance with clause E.3. Additional excavation to
accommodate guide walls or to provide working space and disposal of material so
excavated shall be deemed to be included.

E.3 Starting levels

1. The levels from which the work is expected to begin and from which
measurements have been taken shall be stated. Irregular ground shall be so
described.

4
 Measurement of Construction Works IV (QSM551)

MEASUREMENT OF BASEMENT WORKS

Clauses Description Unit

BILL NO. 1 - BASEMENT WORKS (ALL PROVISIONAL)

E2 Preambles Clauses

D1.1a Ground water level

Ground water level was established at 3.00m below existing ground level on 7th
September, 2001 which shall be designated at the pre-contract water level -

D1.1b Trial pits/bore holes

Three numbers bore holes were sunk in positions shown on the location drawings -

D1.1c Existing services

Telephone cables cross over the site of a height of 10.00m on the North side of the site
as shown on the location drawing -

Basement excavation

D.12.5 Excavating basements and the like starting from existing ground level

Max depth not exceeding 0.25m m3

Max depth not exceeding 1.00m m3
Max depth not exceeding 2.00m m3
Max depth not exceeding 4.00m m3
and thereafter in 2.00m stages m3

D.12.2 Extra over all excavation in rock m3

D.12.14 Extra over excavating below ground water level m3

D.15 Disposal of surface water

Allow for keeping the surface of the site and the excavations free of surface water Item

D.16 Disposal of water in the ground

Allow for keeping the excavations free of ground water Item

Disposal of excavated material

D.18 &
Disposal on site
or
Remove excavated material on site with average distance 20.00m away from excavation m3

D.19 Disposal off site

Remove excavated material from site m3

5
 Measurement of Construction Works IV (QSM551)

MEASUREMENT OF BASEMENT WORKS (CONT'D)

Clauses Description Unit

BILL NO. 1 - BASEMENT WORKS (ALL PROVISIONAL) (Cont'd)

Basement excavation (Cont'd)

D.25 Filling to excavations

Filling to excavations m3

D.26 Filling to make up levels

Filling to make up levels with average thickness 300mm thick m3

Filling to make up levels with average thickness 150mm thick m2

D.27 Filling deposited and compacted in layers

Filling hardcore deposited and compacted in layers with max thickness 200mm thick m2

D.28 Hand-packing hardcore and the like to faces

Hand-packing hardcore and the like to form battering faces in 300mm high m2
Hand-packing hardcore and the like to form battering faces in 150mm high m

D.29 Hand-packing hardcore to sinkings

Hand-packing hardcore to form 200x300mm sinkings m

D.30.2 Anti-termite treatment

Apply anti-termite treatment as specified to underside of basement excavations as

directed by the S.O./Architect m2

Blinding

D.32 Blinding with sand or similar fine material 50mm thick laid on hardcore m2

F.3.8 Plain in-situ concrete Grade 15/40 in blinding bed not exceeding 100mm thick laid on
hardcore m3

Retaining wall

F.3.12 Concrete retaining wall

Reinforced in-situ concrete Grade 35 in wall

Not exceeding 100mm thick m3

100-150mm thick m3
150-300mm thick m3
Exceeding 300mm thick m3

6
 Measurement of Construction Works IV (QSM551)

MEASUREMENT OF BASEMENT WORKS (CONT'D)

Clauses Description Unit

BILL NO. 1 - BASEMENT WORKS (ALL PROVISIONAL) (Cont'd)
Retaining wall (Cont'd)

F.4.2.c Water-stop, expansion or compression jointing and pointing material

Supercast waterfoil water-stop for construction joint m

F.8.4.c Bar reinforcement

20mm Dia. H.T. deformed bar to B.S. 4449 in walls, straight and bend bars Kg
10mm Dia. M.S. plain round bar to B.S. 4449 in walls, links, stirrups, binders and the like Kg

Formwork to walls

F.13.1 Formwork to faces of walls, vertical m2

F.13.2 Extra over formwork to faces of walls, vertical exceeding 3.50m high m2

K.2.8
and Water proofing tanking vertically
K.2.3
Brushbond cementitious water proofing systems in wall, vertically m2

Basement Lowest Floor Finish

F.3.8 Concrete bed

Reinforced in-situ concrete Grade 35 in bed

Not exceeding 100mm thick m3

100-150mm thick m3
150-300mm thick m3
Exceeding 300mm thick m3

F.4.2.c Water-stop, expansion or compression jointing and pointing material

Supercast waterfoil water-stop for construction joint m

F.5 Finishes cast on to concrete

Extra over granolithic finishes as specified to upper surfaces of bed, 20mm thick m

F.9.3 & Fabric reinforcement

F.8.4
Fabric reinforcement type C9 to MS 145 weighting 5.59kg/m2 with 200mm wide side laps
and
225mm wide end laps in ground slabs m2

K.2.8 & Water proofing tanking vertically

K.2.3 Brushbond cementitious water proofing systems in wall, vertically m2