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Measurement and units: pointing, steel

Short answer

Pointing is measured as the exposed face area in m² after deducting openings. Steel reinforcement is measured from the bar bending schedule, converted to weight using d²/162 kg/m, and paid in kg or tonne.

How are the following items of work measured? What are their units of measurement and payment? (i) Pointing work (ii) Steel reinforcement.

(i) Pointing work

  • Measurement: the exposed face of the masonry joints is measured as a surface area, length x height, after deducting openings (as per the rules, deduct openings above the limit; add reveals where pointed).
  • Unit of measurement and payment: m². The type of pointing (flush, ruled, struck, weathered), the mortar mix and the wall type are stated in the item.

(ii) Steel reinforcement

  • Measurement: the bars are measured from the bar bending schedule: cut length of each bar (including bends, hooks and laps as per design) multiplied by the number of bars, and then converted to weight with the unit weight w=d2/162w = d^2/162 kg/m (d in mm).
  • Cover, bends and development lengths are included in the cut length. Binding wire, spacer bars and chairs are included in the rate (or allowed as about 1% extra, as per the specification).
  • Different diameters are given separately.
  • Unit of measurement and payment: kg (or quintal / tonne), supplied, cut, bent, placed and tied.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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