3.4 Measurement process for concrete using CostX software

This section provides a practical, step-by-step guide to measuring concrete works using CostX software. It walks through the entire process, including setting up dimension groups, applying measurement rules, and generating detailed reports. By following these instructions, readers will gain hands-on experience with CostX and learn how to accurately measure concrete elements such as footings, slabs, beams, columns and walls.

Refer to Figures 3.9 and Tables 3.1 as footing plan and footing schedules and concrete notes, measure pad footings, strip footing, raft footing, beams and concrete walls. In practice, many concrete items are measured from a floor plan. Thus, interpreting the floor plan is an essential part of measuring concrete items.

Table 3.1 footing schedule indicates the height of the concrete elements. The reinforcement information represents the combination of bars, confirming that the elements do not contain any hollow reinforcement elements within the concrete measurement.  

Table 3.2 concrete note demonstrates the strength (grade) of the concrete elements. This information guides the categorisation of the element types based on their strength. For example, the strip footings have a different concrete strength that needs to be measured and presented separately.   

The details presented in Figures 3.10, 3.11, and 3.12 provide information that enhances understanding of the measured items’ details and, in some cases, the nominal height of the element. For example, the thickness of the blinding can be obtained from Figure 3.11. The wall height is 2,000 mm, and the column height is 3,350 mm. 

3.4.1 Computer-based concrete measurement – iTwo CostX building set-up

Step 1: Open iTwo CostX and create a new building for measurement. The name of the building can be “Concrete Measurement”. For educational purposes, select the “Default Project” as the project (Figure 3.13).  

Step 2: Click on the Drawings tab and then select Add Drawings to import the floor plan into CostX (Figure 3.14). 

Step 3: Calibrate the drawing using the known X and Y dimensions, as shown in Figures 3.15 and 3.16. It is recommended to use the longest dimension for calibration to minimise the accumulation of errors. The X-axis was calibrated using the 8,460 mm dimension marked on the plan, while the Y-axis was calibrated using the 6,000 mm dimension indicated on the drawings, as shown in Figures 3.15 and 3.16.

3.4.2 Computer-based measurement of concrete for blinding

Step 4: Create a dimension group to measure concrete for blinding (Figure 3.17). Add a folder named “Concrete”. As blinding is measured in m², set the “Measurement Type” and “Default Display” to “Area”. Assign the “Default height to “0.05 m”. The nominal thickness of the blinding obtained from the detailed drawing is stated in “SF1 Details” and assumed for the entire project, as it is not noted anywhere else.  

Step 5: Trace the footprint of the items that have blinding as a base. In this example, the pad footings, strip footing, raft footing and ground beam are set to have blinding. You can choose the Point mode or Line mode for tracing the areas, whichever is more suitable.  

Using the “Line” mode, then sequentially choose lines on the sides of the corresponding blinding area as illustrated in Figure 3.18. To close each area, press “enter” on the keyboard. If an unwanted item is selected mistakenly during tracing, press the “backspace” key on the keyboard to undo the selection.  

3.4.3 Computer-based measurement of concrete for pad footing

The drawing represents two types of pad footing: PF1 and PF2. 

Dimension group for pad footing 1 (PF1) 

Step 6: Create a dimension group for pad footing 1 (PF1 – Concrete 32 MPa) under the folder named “Concrete” to measure the concrete quantity. As concrete for pad footing is measured in m³, set the “Measurement Type” to “Area” and “Default Display” to “Volume”. Assign the “Default height” to “0.40” m obtained from the footing schedule (see Figure 3.19). 

 

Dimension group for pad footing 2 (PF2) 

Step 8: Since the details of PF1 and PF2 are very similar, create the dimension group pad footing 2 (PF2-Concrete MPa) by copying from the PF1 dimension group. As shown in Figure 3.21, right-click on the PF1 dimension group and choose “Copy Dimension Group” and name the new dimension group as “PF2-Concrete 32 MPa”. Then, leave the “Copy Dimensions” option unchecked. 

 

Step 9: Measure the PF2 by tracing the footprint of the pad footing item, following the same steps as in Step 7. The measurement of PF2 is shown in Figure 3.22. 

 

Note: In most projects, this method allows for checking that all pad footings are accounted for by selecting all footings and reviewing the floor plan, ensuring the items are highlighted similarly to Figure 3.23. 

 

3.4.4 Computer-based measurement of concrete for strip footing 

The drawing represents one type of strip footing (SF1). 

Step 10: Create a dimension group for strip footing 1 (SF1 – Concrete 32 MPa) under the folder named “Concrete” to measure the concrete quantity (Figure 3.24). Concrete for strip footing is measured in m³; therefore, set the “Measurement Type” to “Length”, and the “Default Display” to “Volume”. Assign the “Default Width” to “1.10” m and “Default Height” to “0.30” m obtained from the footing schedule.

 Note: The use of default width and default height in the dimension group enables us to achieve volume measurement using different techniques, such as measuring a length multiplied by the default width and height or measuring area multiplied by the default height. we can measure the area from the plan and insert a default height to get the volume.

Step 11: Using the Point method, capture the strip footing length. Hover the mouse over the dimension group name to view the measurement details, as illustrated in Figure 3.25.  

 

3.4.5 Computer-based measurement of concrete for raft footing

The drawing shows a raft slab on the floor plan where the footing schedule indicates the 400 mm thickness and 50 MPa concrete strength.

Step 12: Create a dimension group for raft footing (RF1 – 32 Mpa Concrete) under the folder named “Concrete” to measure concrete quantity. The concrete of footings is measured in m³; therefore, set the “Measurement Type” to “Area” and “Default Display” to “Volume”. Assign the “Default Height” to “0.40” m, as shown in Figure 3.26. 

 

Step 13: Using the “Line” mode, select the perimeter of the raft footing, as illustrated in Figure 3.27. Hover the mouse over the dimension group name to view the measurement details. 

 

3.4.6 Computer-based measurement of concrete for beam

The drawing represents two types of beams: Edge Beam 1 (EB1) and Edge Beam 2 (EB2). For the measurement of the concrete, both beam types have the same width and depth, as well as the same concrete strength grade. So, both types can be measured in a dimension group.

Step 14: Create a dimension group for Edge Beam 1 and 2 (EB1 and EB2 – Concrete 32 MPa) under the folder named “Concrete” to measure the concrete quantity. The concrete of beams is measured in m³; therefore, set the “Measurement Type” to “Length” and “Default Display” to “Volume”. Assign the “Default Width” to “0.45” m and “Default Height” to “0.40” m obtained from the footing schedule (see Figure 3.28). 

 

Step 15: Using the “Point” method, capture the strip footing length, as illustrated in Figure 3.29. Hover the mouse over the dimension group name to view the measurement details. 

 

3.4.7 Computer-based measurement of concrete for slab (on ground)

The drawing shows a slab on the ground that covers the floor plan, indicating a 150 mm thickness of 32 MPa concrete.

Step 16: Create a dimension group for slab on ground (Slab on Ground – Concrete 32 MPa) under the folder named “Concrete” to measure concrete quantity. The concrete for slabs is measured in m³, while its description requires stating the area; therefore, set the “Measurement Type” to “Area” and “Default Display” to “Volume”. Assign the “Default Height” to “0.15” m obtained from the drawing annotation (Figure 3.30). 

 

Step 17: Using the “Line” method, select the perimeter of slab on ground, as illustrated in Figure 3.31. Hover the mouse over the dimension group name to view the measurement details.

 

3.4.8 Computer-based measurement of concrete for column

The drawing shows a number of concrete columns of one type (C1) in 32 MPa concrete grade. The height of the columns for concrete measurement is 3.35 m.

Step 18: Create a dimension group for “C1 – 32 MPa Concrete Column” under the folder named “Concrete” to measure concrete quantity. The concrete of columns is measured in m³; therefore, set the “Measurement Type” to “Area” and “Default Display” to “Volume”. Assign the “Default Height” to “3.35” m (Figure 3.32). 

 

Step 19: Choose the “Line” method for the measurement. Press and hold the “L” key (on the keyboard) and select the perimeter of the columns (left click the mouse to take the length). Pressing and holding the “L” key enables previewing the polylines, making the selection of columns much faster. If one of the polylines is not closed, press the “enter” key on the keyboard. The measurement is illustrated in Figure 3.33.  

 

3.4.9 Computer-based measurement of concrete for walls

The drawing shows two concrete walls in 32 MPa concrete grade. The height of the concrete walls for concrete measurement is 2 m.

Step 20: Create a dimension group for “Wall – 32 MPa Concrete” under the folder named “Concrete” to measure the concrete quantity of the concrete wall. The concrete for walls is measured in m³ while they are categorised based on the thickness; therefore, set the “Measurement Type” to “Length” and “Default Display” to “Volume”. Assign the “Default Width” to “0.2” m and “Default Height” to “2” m (Figure 3.34). 

 

 Step 21: Choose the “Point” method and measure the length of the walls as illustrated in Figure 3.35. Hover the mouse over the dimension group name to view the measurement details. 

 

Note: You may review the measurement in 3D by clicking on the “View in 3D” within the “Drawing Tools” of the “Drawing” tab. Then, select multiple dimension groups using Ctrl or Shift on the keyboard or the folder that contains the dimension groups. You can rotate the 3D view by clicking and holding it, then moving your mouse (Figure 3.36).  

 

You may change the colour of each dimension group by double-clicking on the dimension group and changing the colour for “Positive Dimensions” in the “Dimension group Properties” Window. Figure 3.37 shows a sample of a view when the colour has changed. 

 

Note: Clicking on “View in 3D” toggles between 2D and 3D view.

3.4.10 Workbooks, transfer quantities, and write descriptions

Step 22: Create a workbook named “Concrete Building” (Figure 3.38).

 

Step 23: In the first level of the new workbook, set the heading as “Concrete” on the first row and double-click on the subtotal Cell of the first row to enter the second level of the workbook under the “Concrete” heading (Figure 3.39). 

 

Step 24: On the second level of the workbook, under the concrete heading, include the sample descriptions for concrete measurement from Table 3.3, either by typing in or using the copy and paste process as shown in Figure 3.40.

Note: The area noted in the description of “slab on ground’ and “concrete wall” can be obtained from the measurements within their relevant dimension group. For Example, the “area” quantity for “slab on ground” and the “wall area” quantity for “concrete wall”. This information can be obtained by hovering the mouse over the dimension group. Alternatively, this information can be transferred to the row in the workbook in the User1 Cell for future reference. The transfer process is explained in Step 26.

Table 3.3: A sample of concrete descriptions 

	Item	Description
1	Preamble note	Tenderers shall refer to the Introduction, General Rules and Recommendations section of the ANZSMM.
2	Preamble note	Tenderers shall refer to relevant specification sections containing particulars of concrete work.
3	Preamble note	Tenderers shall refer to the measurement and prices clauses of the concrete work and form work sections in ANZSMM.
4	Preamble item	Allow for samples of concrete.
5	Preamble item	Allow for carrying out testing of material and concrete specimen.
6	Preamble item	Allow for protecting and curing concrete.
7	Blinding concrete	15 MPa plain concrete in a 50 mm-thick blinding layer poured on the excavated surface and compacted.
8	Pad footing	32 MPa in-situ reinforced concrete, for pad footings >1 m2 on plan, poured into formwork and compacted.
9	Strip footing	32 MPa in-situ reinforced concrete, for strip footings poured into formwork and compacted.
10	Raft footing	50 MPa in-situ reinforced concrete, for raft footings poured into formwork and compacted.
11	Ground beam	32 MPa in-situ reinforced concrete, for ground beams poured into formwork and compacted.
12	Slab on ground	32 MPa in-situ reinforced concrete, for 150-200 thick slab on ground poured into formwork and compacted (62 m2).
13	Columns	32 MPa in-situ reinforced concrete to rectangular columns poured into formwork and compacted.
14	Concrete wall	32 MPa in-situ reinforced concrete, for 200-250 thick concrete wall poured into formwork and compacted (12 m2).

Step 25: Include the units of measurement as illustrated in Figure 3.41. 

 

Step 26: Double-click on the quantity cell of the measured items to enter the “Qty” sheet of the item. Then, transfer the quantities by dragging the Dimension groups and dropping them into the most relevant cell of the first row in the “Qty” sheet. In the “Add Quantity” window, check and choose the appropriate “Quantity Type” as shown in Figures 3.42 and 3.43. 

 

Note: The standard requires that the subcategory for pad footing is the size on plan, whether less than or more than 1 m². Refer to the footing schedule; both pad footing types are larger than 1 m² on plan. Additionally, the concrete grade for both pad footings is the same, so they will be presented in a single category. To add multiple dimension groups into the “Qty” sheet in one process requires multiple selections of dimension groups, which can be achieved by selecting them using Ctrl or Shift keyboard and clicking on the Dimension groups. Then, drag and drop the dimension groups into the corresponding cell (Figures 3.44 and 3.45).  

 

Transfer all quantities to the related descriptions to complete the workbook, as shown in Figure 3.46.  

 

Step 27: On the workbook tab heading, generate BQ by clicking on the “Report” icon on the ribbon workbook. Then, on the “Reports” window dialogue box, choose the “Bills of Quantities” report and then click on “Generate” and then “Preview” to preview the report. Then, click on Ok (Figure 3.47). 

 

Step 28: As shown in Figure 3.48, the report is now visible and can be converted to PDF by clicking the Adobe icon and saving it as a PDF.