---
title: "Measurement and units: pointing, steel"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:measure-pointing-steel-units"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/measure-pointing-steel-units
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Measurement and units: pointing, steel

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2068 Baisakh (old course), 3 marks
- Video: [fundamentals of Estimating and Costing || units of measurements || DSR || rules of Deduction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqGCJ6gd6UU) — Tech Civil
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/measure-pointing-steel-units
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-1

## Question

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

## 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.

## Answer

#### (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 $w = d^2/162$ 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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Pointing work is measured in
   A. m³
   B. running metre
   C. kg
   D. m² of exposed joint face
   Answer: D. It is a surface measured after deducting openings. (Key point: Pointing)

2. Unit weight of steel bar of diameter d mm is
   A. d²/162 kg/m
   B. d²/62 kg/m
   C. d/162 kg/m
   D. 162/d² kg/m
   Answer: A. w = d²/162 kg per metre. (Key point: Bar weight)

3. Reinforcement quantity is obtained from
   A. Volume of concrete in m³ alone
   B. Bar bending schedule: cut length x number converted to weight
   C. Area of the slab
   D. Cost of binding wire
   Answer: B. Cut lengths include bends, hooks and laps; paid in kg. (Key point: Reinforcement measurement)

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