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AR6901 SE Unit 1 Notes

Specifications provide detailed information about construction works that cannot be conveyed solely through drawings. They guide estimation, execution, quality control, and dispute resolution. Specifications describe materials, construction methods, workmanship standards, and more. They should be clear, accurate, concise, and avoid bias or conflicts to minimize project costs and disputes between owners, engineers, and contractors. Sources of information for writing specifications include contract documents, site investigations, standards, and previous specifications.

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106 views

AR6901 SE Unit 1 Notes

Specifications provide detailed information about construction works that cannot be conveyed solely through drawings. They guide estimation, execution, quality control, and dispute resolution. Specifications describe materials, construction methods, workmanship standards, and more. They should be clear, accurate, concise, and avoid bias or conflicts to minimize project costs and disputes between owners, engineers, and contractors. Sources of information for writing specifications include contract documents, site investigations, standards, and previous specifications.

Uploaded by

karthika P
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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AR6901 SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATION

UNIT I SPECIFICATION
Necessity of specification, importance of specification - How to write specification - Types of specification, -
Principles of specification writing - Important aspects of the design of specification - Sources of information -
Classification of Specification.

1. Define specification.
Specification is description of a work in words. It gives details of materials used, method of construction and the
requirements of workmanship of construction, etc. It does not involve drawings (sometimes only with line sketches).
It is derived from French word “specifier” or Latin “specificare” meaning “describe”.

2. What are the components explained in specification?


 (Input) Construction materials, their mix proportion - materials mix details
 (Process) Construction methodologies - construction details, equipment used
 (Output) Workmanship of completed constructed facility - finishing details and measurement of work

3. What is the necessity (OR) objectives (OR) uses of specifications? / Why is specification important in a project?
 Specifications provide detailed information about work to be done, which cannot be explained only by drawings
 Specifications help to quote correct rates for the different items of work in a contract.
 The information contained in the specifications will serve as a guide during execution of construction.
 Specifications help to check and get satisfy with the works.
 In case of disputes specifications play major role in solving disputes and arriving at settlement.

4. What is the importance (OR) significance of specification?


 Specifications form the important contract documents, along with drawings.
 Information such as dimensions, type of construction, etc. which can be easily expressed graphically is put up on
the drawings. On the other hand, instructions which can be easily expressed well in writing like the quality of
construction, materials description are written in the specifications.
 Generally, the provisions in the specifications are given more legal strength and most of the contracts state that
in case of discrepancy between the drawings and specifications, the provisions of the specifications shall be final.

5. What are the types of specifications?


 General or brief specifications - useful for preparing estimation of work
 Detailed specifications - useful for entire construction process

6. What is the classification of specification?


 Open specification: any brand of cement
 Restricted specification: any one brand among given set of cement - say, X, Y and Z
 Close specification: only particular brand of cement

7. What are the sources of information for writing specifications?


 Contract drawings and details
 Requirements of owner - scope of work, nature and purpose of work
 Site investigations
 Previous specifications
 Standard specifications - publications by different Departments / Agencies: CPWD, State PWDs, Indian Railways
 Trade catalogues, material properties including availability
 Standard Construction Methodologies
 Standards: IS Codes (and codes by other countries like US, UK, EU, Australia, etc.)

8. What are the principles of specification writing?


Specifications should be written by following the essential rules:
Subject matter: should relate to information required for a particular work to be done
Clearness: regarding the actual scope of work to be done including Dos and DON’Ts
Brevity (shortness): sentences used should be short, simple and concise, giving guidance to what is to be carried out
on site
Accuracy: information should be complete and correct else disputes may rise
Selection of words: suitable words with required meanings to be used, unfamiliar words or words with multiple
meanings to be avoided
Grammar: rules should be followed, simple sentences with same tense and style preferably “shall be”, use nouns
repeatedly (e.g. use cement mixture in all places instead of it, that, the mixture, etc.)
Abbreviations: only abbreviations used industry should be used (e.g. PCC - Plain Cement Concrete)
Developing style: it is not required to develop an unique style, instead simple and clear presentation is enough
Conflicting requirements: don’t use more than one requirement in cases of possible conflicts, e.g. in case of soil
compaction, use either a strength requirement or water content
Practical limits and commercial sizes: always use standard dimensions and commercially available sizes except in
special cases
Fairness: should not be biased such that all risks are on contractor, possible difficulties should be presented

9. What are the important aspects of the design of specification?


Important features of specification are:
Clearness: design of specification should be such that it reduces possibilities of misunderstandings and
misinterpretations
Cost: the specification should be designed such that the overall final cost (construction, claims, disputes, delays) is
kept at minimum possible
Co-operation: design of specification should follow a motive to offer co-operation between owner-engineer-
contractor
Designer: of specifications should posses sufficient professional experience in the field, materials knowledge and
language
Changes: design of specification can follow/change the original style of parent specification as per the requirement,
without much affecting the final meaning
Flexibility: is required in specifications such that they can be updated or upgraded as per requirement in future
Product control: by using alone the available resources, could be achieved by proper specification design

10. What are the sources of information for writing specifications?


 Contract drawings and details
 Previous specifications
 Requirements of owner - scope of work, nature and purpose of work
 Site investigations
 Standard specifications - publications by different Departments / Agencies: CPWD, State PWDs, Indian Railways
 Trade catalogues, material properties including availability
 Construction Methodologies in practice
 Standards: IS Codes (and codes by other countries like US, UK, EU, Australia, etc.)

11. Explain how to write specification.


Specifications should contain the following information: - (as above)
Following are the sources of information for writing specifications: - (as above)
Specifications should be written by following the essential rules: - (as above)
Important features of specification are: - (as above)

What is proprietary specification?

NOTE: Use appropriate examples (item of works - PCC, RCC, Plastering, etc.) for all answers while explaining terms.

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