---
title: "Units: excavation, well steining, conductor, cornice"
subject: "Estimating and Costing"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/estimating_and_costing:units-excavation-well-steining-conductor"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/units-excavation-well-steining-conductor
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Units: excavation, well steining, conductor, cornice

Estimating and Costing · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2074 Asoj, 4 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/units-excavation-well-steining-conductor
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/estimating_and_costing/chapter-1

## Question

Write the units of measurement and payment for the following items of work: (i) Surface excavation (ii) Brick work in well steining (iii) Lightning conductor (iv) Cornice.

## Short answer

Surface excavation up to 30 cm deep is measured in m², deeper bulk excavation in m³; brickwork in well steining in m³ by ring volume; lightning conductor as a set or number; cornice in running metre.

## Answer

| Item | Unit of measurement | Unit of payment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| (i) Surface excavation | m² (excavation not more than 30 cm deep, over 1.5 m wide and over 10 m² on plan; depth stated). Deeper bulk excavation is measured in m³ | m² | Length x width of the area, in the soil type and depth stated |
| (ii) Brick work in well steining | m³ | m³ | Mean circumference x thickness x height, or the ring volume pi x (D² - d²)/4 x height |
| (iii) Lightning conductor | set (number) for the complete installation; extra length of conductor strip in m | no. / set | Includes the air terminal, down conductor and earth pit |
| (iv) Cornice | m (running metre), profile and girth given | m | Measured along the centre line of the cornice |

## Check yourself

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

1. Surface excavation to a specified depth is measured in
   A. kg
   B. running metre
   C. m³
   D. set
   Answer: C. Length x width x average depth gives volume. (Key point: Excavation)

2. Brickwork in well steining is measured in
   A. m² of surface
   B. running metre
   C. number
   D. m³ as ring volume x height
   Answer: D. Ring volume pi(D²-d²)/4 x height. (Key point: Well steining)

3. A lightning conductor is paid per
   A. set or number for the complete installation
   B. m³
   C. m²
   D. kg only
   Answer: A. It includes air terminal, down conductor and earth pit. (Key point: Lightning conductor)

4. Cornice is measured in
   A. m³ always
   B. running metre along its centre line
   C. set
   D. kg
   Answer: B. Profile and girth are given in the item. (Key point: Cornice)

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