---
title: "Rate analysis: plain cement concrete (1:3:4)"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:rate-pcc-1-3-4"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/rate-pcc-1-3-4
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Rate analysis: plain cement concrete (1:3:4)

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 4: Analysis of Rates

- Asked in: 2075 Asoj, 6 marks
- Video: [Rate Analysis of concrete (PCC) by We Civil Engineers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgV6GRaU4pw) — We Civil Engineers
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/rate-pcc-1-3-4
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-4

## Question

Prepare rate analysis of plain cement concrete (1:3:4). Assume suitable rates of material and labor.

## Short answer

For 1 m³ PCC 1:3:4, dry volume 1.54 m³ gives cement 5.544 bags, sand 0.5775 m³, aggregate 0.77 m³. Labour: 1 skilled and 6 unskilled days. With 15% overhead and 10% profit, rate is NPR 23,975.32 per m³.

## Answer

Rates and labour norms below are illustrative (DUDBC-style norms; use the current District Rate and norms of the project area for a real estimate): cement NPR 1,000/bag, sand NPR 3,500/m³, 20 mm aggregate NPR 4,500/m³, skilled labour NPR 1,500/day, unskilled labour NPR 1,100/day, water lump sum, contractor's overhead 15% and profit 10% on direct cost (VAT excluded).

#### Quantities per m³ of PCC (1:3:4)

- Dry volume $= 1.54$ m³; sum of ratio $= 8$
- Cement $= 1/8 \times 1.54 = 0.1925$ m³ $= 5.544$ bags
- Sand $= 3/8 \times 1.54 = 0.5775$ m³
- Aggregate $= 4/8 \times 1.54 = 0.7700$ m³
- Labour: 1.0 skilled and 6.0 unskilled days per m³ for mixing, placing, compacting and curing (assumed norm).

#### Analysis

| Item | Qty | Unit | Rate (NPR) | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---:|---|---:|---:|
| Cement | 5.544 | bag | 1,000.00 | 5,544.00 |
| Sand | 0.5775 | m³ | 3,500.00 | 2,021.25 |
| Coarse aggregate | 0.7700 | m³ | 4,500.00 | 3,465.00 |
| Skilled labour | 1.000 | day | 1,500.00 | 1,500.00 |
| Unskilled labour | 6.000 | day | 1,100.00 | 6,600.00 |
| Water and curing (lump) | 1 | LS | 50.00 | 50.00 |
| **Direct cost** | | | | **19,180.25** |
| Contractor's overhead @ 15% | | | | 2,877.04 |
| Contractor's profit @ 10% | | | | 1,918.03 |
| **Total (rate per m³)** | | | | **23,975.32** |

**Rate of PCC (1:3:4) = NPR 23,975.32 per m³.**

## Check yourself

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

1. Ratio sum for 1:3:4 is?
   A. 7
   B. 4
   C. 8
   D. 12
   Answer: C. 1+3+4 = 8, so cement is 1/8 of 1.54. (Key point: Ratio sum)

2. Cement per m^3?
   A. 0.385 m^3
   B. 0.1925 m^3 = 5.544 bags
   C. 0.2200 m^3
   D. 0.125 m^3
   Answer: B. 1.54/8 = 0.1925. (Key point: Cement)

3. Sand and aggregate?
   A. 0.5775 m^3 and 0.770 m^3
   B. 0.770 and 0.5775
   C. 0.4 and 0.8
   D. 1.155 and 1.54
   Answer: A. 3/8 and 4/8 of 1.54. (Key point: Sand and aggregate)

4. Rate adds?
   A. 25% on materials
   B. 13% VAT
   C. 15% total on labour
   D. 15% overhead + 10% profit on direct cost 19,180.25
   Answer: D. Total NPR 23,975.32. (Key point: Overhead and profit)

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