1 Exam Prep – Walker’s Guide to Estimating 31st Edition AH 1
1 Exam Prep
Walker's Guide to Estimating, 31st Edition
Tabs and Highlights
These1 Exam Prep Tabs are based on the 31st edition of the Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book,
Frank R Walker Company.
Each Tabs sheet has five rows of tabs. Start with the first tab at the first row at the top of the page, and proceed
down that row placing the tabs at the locations listed below. Place each tab in your book setting it down one
notch until you get to the bottom of the page, and then start back at the top again. After you have completed
tabbing your book then you may start highlighting your book.
1 Exam Prep Tab Page #
Table of Contents iii
Introduction 1
Contracting Requirements 29
Definitions 53
Drawing Types 55
Symbols 61
CSI Index 69
General Requirements 109
Critical Path Scheduling 121
Existing Conditions 153
Concrete 159
Shores 215
Weight Plywood/ Nails 239
Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) 245
Rebar Table 259
Mesh 269
Concrete Yields/Cyd 317
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Post-Tensioned Concrete 377
Masonry 413
Bricks 431
Mortar Quantities 451
Block 511
Structural Metals 581
Weight of Steel 597
Nails 621
Rough Carpentry 633
Board Feet Quantities 635
Subflooring 693
Glued Laminated Beam 697
Waterproofing 749
Weights of Tar & Asphalt Felt 763
“R” Values 771
Roof Area 789
Doors & Windows 853
Finishes 933
Suspended Ceilings 971
Acoustical Ceilings 1053
Specialties 1127
Equipment 1139
Furnishings 1145
Special Construction 1147
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Conveying Equipment 1155
HVAC 1181
Electrical 1219
Sheepsfoot Roller 1271
Steeling Sheet Piling 1281
Fuel Consumption 1347
Mensuration 1395
Glossary – Appendix A 1415
Construction Safety - Appendix B 1441
Index 1453
***Please continue with the highlights on the following page.***
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1-2 The Role of the Estimator: The following requisites are essential for the making
of a good estimator: Highlight the first sentence for items 1 thru 7.
2-3 The Role of the Contractor — Erecting a building is a complex undertaking
and seldom is one firm capable of doing all phases of the work. Yet the owner
or developer usually prefers to let one contract and make one firm responsible
for the completion of the project.
The general contractor will ask for bids from several subcontractors in each
trade. This enables the general contractor to put together the best price and
what they believe to be the best team to perform the work.
The general who attempts to "broker" a project by maximum use of
subcontractors in order to limit financial responsibility will find that other
hazards have been created. There will be a considerable loss in coordination
and production, because the general has relinquished the right and ability of
direct control in the assignment of personnel, materials, and equipment.
4 The average percent of work performed by subcontractors for a general
contractor cannot be precisely determined, but surveys conducted by the
Associated General Contractors of America indicate from 40% to 70%.
The American Subcontractor Association claims that 90% of the work force in
the building construction industry is employed by subcontractors.
5 Usually there is a retainage of at least 5 to 10% by the general contractor to the
subs and in turn by the owner to the general contractor. Retainage is not
completely released until the project is substantially complete. It has become
common practice to reduce the retainage by 50% when the project is 50%
satisfactorily completed.
Most municipalities and many states require subcontractors and general
contractors to be licensed. There is no general rule governing licensing in all
jurisdictions.
6-7 The Cost of Money
7 Sources of Money The main sources of money are: Highlight items 1-8.
8 Mortgage Loans Once a loan is approved and accepted, there are certain
charges called closing costs. and a part of these costs, known as points,
origination fees, or the discount, cover the cost of setting up the loan.
The usual range of points is from 1% to 3%, but in states where there are legal
limits set on the interest that may be charged, points have been quoted as high
as 7% as a way to get around the usury laws.
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8 Mortgage Banker — For consummating the transaction, they charge a flat fee
of around 1%to 2% of the loan placed. This fee is in addition to the usual
closing costs that are charged by the lender.
9-10 Selling the Lender
11 Short Term Loans - The construction loan is a short term loan to cover the
building costs during the erection of the project.
12 One such source is those who loan the difference between the floor and ceiling
of the mortgage, this is known as gap financing. To obtain such a commitment
one must pay in advance a flat fee, usually around 5% of the amount to be
loaned. If the project reaches the income level to qualify for the full mortgage,
and the gap loan is not needed, the fee is not refundable.
12-13 How much front money, or equity, an owner will need to launch the project
will vary with the type of project, the money market, and the owner's
reputation. It is often said that an owner with a proven need, a piece of
property free of debt, and an architect's set of plans can obtain all the financing
they will need.
14 Interim Financing - Progress, at this point, should place the contractor in a
position to obtain from the bank a general commitment as to the limit and terms
under which they would participate in granting short term loans (usually 30 to
90 days)
15 Setting Up the Estimate - There are various reasons for these failures, but
probably the most common one is the inability of the person estimating costs to
come up with realistic and profitable estimates.
Some of the most important considerations that such companies make before
bonding an applicant are: Highlight items 1 thru 3.
17-21 Estimate Types
18 Budget/Feasibility Estimate - The budget or feasibility estimate, once it has
been developed, is effectively cast in stone.
19-20 Schematic Design milestone Estimate — 3% to 5% Overall Completeness;
Design Development Milestone Estimate — 35% to 50% Overall Design
Completeness; 70% to 98% Construction Documents Milestone Estimate(s);
Construction Documents Milestone and Bid Cost Estimate — 100% Overall
Design Completeness. The student should highlight the titles only.
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21-22 Project Office Expense; Small Tools & Consumables; Weather Protection;
Home Office Support; Escalation; Finance Expense. The student should
highlight the titles only.
23 Profit - On small jobs, alterations, remodeling and similar work, a contractor is
justified in adding 20% to 30% profit to the actual cost, but must ask themselves
whether they can actually obtain this amount.
On new work, where it is possible to estimate cost with a fair degree of
accuracy, a contractor is entitled to 10% to 15% on the actual cost of the work
(job overhead included in the actual cost of the job), but it is safe to say that
competitive figures submitted for many jobs show a 5% instead of a 10% to
15%. A contractor is entitled to a fair profit of 10% profit, but getting it is another
matter.
29 Bidding for a Contract - Construction contracts are awarded in one of two
ways — competitive bidding or negotiation.
30 There are various ways this is done, by organizations, governmental bodies, and
banks, but in general, the information that must be submitted will follow that
contained in AIA document A-305 Contractor's Qualifications Statement.
Once on a bidding list, a contractor will receive an Invitation to bid or Bid
Notice for each prospective job.
31 Often the invitation to bid is accompanied by an Instruction to Bidders further
defining the job restrictions such as completion dates, milestone dates, visiting
job site, special conditions, etc.
The bid bond guarantees that the bidding contractor, if awarded a contract, will
enter into the contract and furnish a performance and payment bond if required.
If they do not honor their bid, they forfeit the amount of the bond.
Bid bonds- and the later performance, material, labor, maintenance, completion,
supply, and subcontractor bonds- are often encountered in public work, but may
not be required in private work, where the contractor's reputation is deemed
sufficient and the cost of bonds unwarranted. Bid bond costs are customarily
minimal, if any, and borne by the contractor.
31 Construction Management — In Construction Management (CM), a general
contractor or engineering company enters into a contract with the owner prior
to the bidding period and acts in a managerial and advisory role. Bid packages
for the project are usually taken under the construction manager's supervision.
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32 They will provide reports on the project cost status, payment status, and an
analysis of each contract and the project cash flow. The construction
management approach has gained a wider acceptance in recent times, specially
in federally sponsored construction
33 Estimate Check Lists and Practices - A master checklist for every estimator
should include the Bid Document Inventory, Estimating Assignment, Direct
Estimate, Wage Rate Development, Bid Document Reviews, Takeoff General
Practices, etc.
35 Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) — This tax applies to the first $7,000
of wages paid each employee during the calendar year 2013. The rate is 6.0%
but a credit of up to a maximum 5.4% of total wages for contributions paid into
State Unemployment Funds for a total federal tax rate of 0.6%. Federal
Unemployment Tax is imposed on employers and must not be deducted from
wages of employees.
35-36 State Unemployment Tax
Worker's Compensation — Rates vary widely among the states, craft labor and
staff labor categories. In states where medical benefits are limited, it may be
advisable to carry full or extra-legal medical coverage.
Property Damage Insurance
39 Office Overhead Expense — This is sometimes referred to as General and
Administrative (G&A) costs.
Overhead may run 6% to 15% for smaller firms. Larger firms may have
overhead that are as little as 1% to 2% of the annual volume.
40-41 Office Furniture and Equipment; Insurance. The student should highlight the
titles only.
41 Project Indirect Costs. The student should highlight the title only.
42 Contract Documents — Once it is determined which contracting firm is to do
the job, a formal contract will be drawn up. The Contract Documents usually
should include the Owner-Contractor Agreement; the General Conditions of
the Contract; Supplementary Conditions of the Contract (if any); the Working
Drawings, giving all sheet numbers with revisions; Specifications, giving page
numbers; and Addenda or Bulletins issued prior to contract.
42-47 Highlight all bold letters titles for the AIA documents.
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48 Performance and Payment Bonds – two obligations a performance bond to
indemnify the owner against loss resulting from the failure of the contractor to
complete the work in accordance with the plans and specifications; and a payment
bond to guarantee payment for all bills incurred by the contractor for labor or
materials for the work. The federal government, under the Miller Act, requires
that a contractor furnish two separate bonds, one for the performance and one for
the payment of labor and materials.
48 Maintenance Bonds
49 Bid Bonds — Bids are invited by advertisements, and the bidder may have to
submit with the bid a certified check, usually for a 5% of the bid, or a bid bond,
usually for 10% of the bid.
49 License or Permit Bonds — If the contractor regularly operates within an area
requiring such bonds, this cost should be carried under office overhead, because
is a normal cost of doing business.
49 Supply and Subcontractor Bonds.
49-50 Construction Equipment - The advantages in renting or leasing include:
highlight items 1 thru 5.
51 Negotiating a Contract - A variation of the negotiated contract is fast track,
design build construction. In this arrangement the project may be started before
all the plans are fully developed. Each phase of the job, such as foundation,
masonry, carpentry, etc., is bid separately, just before the phase is required to
be installed. Some advantages and disadvantages are: Highlight items 1 thru 3.
As the phases are bid, the successful subcontractors may be assigned to a
general contractor in the same manner as a lump-sum contract; or the general
may act in the role of a project manager, in which case each subcontractor for
each phase will have a direct contract with the owner. This variation is referred
to as multiple bidding.
52-54 Contracting Definitions - Addenda, Alternates, Approved Equal, Arbitration,
Bid. Bid Bond, Cash Allowance, Certificate of Occupancy, Change Order,
Contract Time, Cost Breakdown, Extras, Final Acceptance. Payment and
Performance Bond, Letter of Intent, Liens, Liquidated damages, Maintenance
Bond, Punch List, Retainage, Separate Contract, Shop Drawings, Subcontractor
Bonds, Substantial Completion, Superintendent, Supplier, Supply Affidavit, Unit
Prices, Upset Price, Warranty". The student should highlight the titles only.
1 Exam Prep – Walker’s Guide to Estimating 31st Edition AH 9
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55 The Working Drawings - Each sheet should have a title block in the lower
right-hand corner with the sheet number; the number of sheets in each set; the
date made plus each date it has been revised, and the initials of the person or
persons who drew and approved the sheet. The student should be familiar with
the different letters usually assigned to the drawings. (G,C,A,S,M,P,FP,E,I,T)
55 Type of drawings - Most working drawings for building construction are based
on orthographic projection, which is a parallel projection to a plane by lines
perpendicular to the plane. In this way all dimensions will be true. If the plane
is horizontal, the projection is a plan; if vertical, it is an elevation for outside
the building, or a sectional elevation if through the building.
The only descriptive drawing that presents a building as the eye sees it is the
perspective. A perspective is seldom useful for presenting information on
working drawings.
56-58 Highlight types of drawings in these pages. Isometric, Orthographic, Cabinet and
Elevation
59 However. other pictorial presentations are helpful to the builder. Two of these
are the isometric and the cabinet projection. Isometrics are drawings in which
all horizontal and vertical lines have a true length, and those lines parallel on
the object are also parallel on the drawing. Vertical lines are vertical, but
horizontal lines are set at 30 or -30 degrees.
Cabinet drawings are those with the front face shown in true shape and size, as
if it was an orthographic projection, but they simulate a perspective. The sides
are shown receding at 45 degrees and at V2 scale (1:20). Variations of this are
oblique drawings.
Scale - The architect's scale, with the inch divided into 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, is
standard for building construction in the United States. The engineer's scale,
with the inch divided into tenths, is sometimes used in structural work or on site
plans.
The metric scale is divided into centimeters and millimeters, 2.54 centimeters
equaling one inch.
60 Reproduction - There were also processes that transfer blueprints to cloth
drawings or to sepia prints, which could be altered, added to, and printed just like
an original tracing.
61-68 Highlight symbols and specifications
69-102 CSI MasterFormat 2014 edition by Division Numbers and Titles –
This format is ideal for developing estimates and estimating check lists.
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102 Subdivision — Materials will list the materials to be used in one of several ways,
often found in combination. The closed specification will list a single trade
name, and the specified product that must be furnished. The contractor's option
specification (or bidder's choice) lists more than one trade name, and the
contractor may choose from those listed.
A variation is the product approval specification which asks the contractor to
submit any substitutions prior to submitting a bid. If the architect approves the
substitute, it will be put in an addenda sent to all contractors. This "or approved
equal" type specification is the most common.
The performance specification describes not the material but what work is
required to produce strength, mechanical ability, or similar measurable results.
103-105 Insurance Taxes & Bonds; Contractor's Equipment
Floater; Installation Floater. The student should highlight the titles only.
105 Alternates - On the typical lump sum proposal form, the Alternate follows the
Statement of the Lump Sum price in a form such as the following: Highlight
the sample given in the book.
106 Cash Allowance - Sometimes the architect does not have a final decision from
the owner on certain items. Rather than leave them out of the lump sum
proposal, the architect will state a definite budget amount in the specification
that is to be included in the bid.
106 Unit Prices - Where quantity of materials is in doubt, but quality is known, the
specification may ask for unit prices. For example, unit prices are often asked
for concrete per square yard, piling per lineal foot, partition block per square
foot, etc. These prices should be complete with all costs, profit, and overhead
included.
106 Addenda - These, plus changes the architect and owner may wish to make after
the plans and specifications have been issued but before bids are turned in, are
incorporated in the Addenda.
107 Change Orders are modifications issued after the contract is signed.
115 Project Staff; Mobilization.
115 Construction Scheduling — There are three methods of construction
scheduling: Highlight 1 -3.
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116-119 Planning - Project Scope and Work Breakdown Structure; Construction
Means and Methods; Drawings and Specifications; Technology; Labor
Availability and Skills Pool; Procurement Strategy; Institutional
Constraints; Project Phasing and Staging; Weather Considerations. The
student should highlight the titles only.
120 Scheduling Methods/Tools - The use of bar charts started the industrial
revolution of the late 1800s. An early industrial engineer named Gantt
developed these charts to improve factory efficiency. Bar charts are often called
`Gantt Charts'.
Critical Path Method (CPM) for project scheduling began in the 1950s in two
parallel applications. The US Navy developed the Project Evaluation and
Review Technique (PERT) to develop the schedule for the construction of its
Polaris Program.
There are two methods for CPM calculations. arrow diagramming and precedence diagramming. In the arrow diagramming method, project activities
are shown as arrows. Circles at the beginning and end of activities are called
nodes. Pairs of nodes or letters are used to identify each activity.
121 In the precedence diagram. activities and their durations are shown "on the
nod." Sequence between tasks is shown with arrows between related activities.
Precedence diagramming is capable of representing activities that start or end
in parallel with other activities.
Identification of Activities — An activity is any significant unit of work within
the WBS' work package. There is no one "right" way to define activities for a
given project.
122 CPM calculations - As stated earlier precedence diagramming (also called
network diagram) graphically represents the relationships between the project
activities.
122-123 Early Start (ES); Early Finish (EF); Late Finish (LF); Late Start (LS);
Forward Pass — Formula (ES + Duration = EF); Backward Pass; Finish to
Start or FS; Start to Start or SS; Finish to Finish or FF; Network Logic
Diagram. The student should highlight the titles only.
124 Total Float - is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying
the end date of the project, and is defined as the difference between the LS and
ES of an activity. Activities with 0 Total Float are critical activities.
125-126 Critical Activity; Contingency Time; Resource Constraints;
Monitoring/Updating; Measuring Progress. The student should highlight the
titles only.
1 Exam Prep – Walker’s Guide to Estimating 31st Edition AH 12
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151 Temporary Utilities.
152 Temporary Buildings & Construction; Demobilization; Outside Services.
The student should highlight the title only.
154-155 Hand Auger Boring Method; Split Spoon Sampling; Thin Wall tube
Sampling; Core Borings; Other Methods. The student should highlight the
titles only.
159 Concrete.
161 Concrete Forming and Accessories - Wood Forms - Forms for Concrete
Footings – Forms for footings that are formed completely are usually simple and
rough, using 2" planking for sides and 2"x4" stakes to hold the sides in place and
2"x4" struts for braces to the banks.
161-162 Ribbon forms for partly formed footings usually consist of 2" thick lumber in
lengths as long as are practical, secured at the correct elevation to 2"x4" stakes
and tied across the tops at intervals of 4'-0" to 6'-0" with 1"x2" spreader ties,
except in the case of column footings, which are usually diagonally tied at the
corners with 1 inch boards and tied transversely, if required, with strap iron.
164 Keyways might be required by the contract drawings, specifications, or by local
building codes. The two basic types of keyways are female and male. Female
keyways are usually either a 2"x4" or 2"x6" chambered and placed in the middle
of the new concrete pour. Male keyways are pre-formed with the lower
pour and placed in the middle of the next pour location.
167 Forms for Concrete Walls
168 When placing concrete into a form, care should be taken to reduce the shock
loading of the concrete hitting against the form material. This can be achieved
by using a tremie, a flexible enclosed chute in the shape of an elephant's trunk,
which confines the concrete until it reaches the bottom of the form or the level
of the preceding lift. The tremie will also keep the concrete mix from
segregating and should be used ever placing concrete that could "free fall" a
distance of more than 4 ft.
172 Uni-Form Steel Panel Forms
175 Concrete Pressure for Column and Wall Forms — Allowable Pressures on
Plyform Class I — For Architectural Applications. - Table
195 Sonotube Fibre Forms
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201 Forms for Reinforced Concrete Floors-Types of Reinforced Concrete
Floors; Flat Slab Construction; Beam and Girder Type Construction; Pan
Construction with Concrete Joists.
201 Weight of Concrete Floors of Various Thicknesses. In determining the
weight per sqft. of floor, wet concrete is figured at 150 lbs. per cuft. Dead load of
form lumber and live load on forms while concrete is being placed is figured at
38 lbs per sqft."
201-202 Carrying Capacity of 4" x 4" Uprights or Shores — A 4"x4" S4S, 3.5"x3.5"
should never be loaded to more than 6,000 lbs, no matter how short it is, and a
4-x4" rough shore should not be loaded to more than 8,000 lbs.
202 Table — Weight of Concrete Floors
208 Estimating the Quantity of Lumber Required for Flat Slab Concrete Fiber
Forms - If adjustable shores are used instead of 4x4 shores, stringers must be
supported every 4 ft in order to reduce the load to not much more than 3,000 lbs,
per shore although some adjustable shores may carry up to 6,000 lbs.
214 Concrete Shoring - Sectional Steel Shoring
219 Drawing of Shoring for Reinforced Concrete Construction Using Section
Steel Scaffolding Components.
232 Table 1— Maximum Wale Spacing Along Stud/Joist Member.
233 Table 2 — Maximum Mid Tie Spacing Class A (Permanent) Form Design
237 Table — Lumber Size and Weight Table
238 Table — Nominal Plywood Weights for Form Plywood
238 Table — Common Nails
239 Table - Masonry/Concrete Nails
240 Table — Concrete Quantities for Wall Forms per Sqft Contact Area
245 Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) — are a hollow, lightweight form block
made of expanded polystyrene.
252 Steelforms for Joist Constructed Floors and Roofs
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252 Estimating Quantities of Steelform: In estimating the area of floor and roof
construction requiring removable or permanent forms, the gross floor or roof area
is used. No deductions are to be made for beams or for tees of beams or for wide
joists
254 Ceco Steelform Construction — Ceco steelform construction is a combination
of concrete joist construction and thin top slabs.
254-255 Forms Other Than Wood
255-256 Tables showing Concrete Quantities for LONGform
257 Concrete Reinforcing
258 Table — Standard Sizes and Weights of Concrete Reinforcing Bars
259 Basis for Estimating Price of Reinforcing Steel - There are five specifications
covering the use of reinforcement steel: Highlight 1 thru 5.
262 Splicing Reinforcing Steel — Reinforcement shall be spliced only at points
shown in the contract document or approved by the engineer when lapped
splices are used in reinforcement in which the critical design stress is tensile,
splices shall not be used at points of maximum stress.
265-266 Bending Reinforcing Steel -Type L Bending; Type H Bending; Spirals for
Reinforced Concrete Columns; Cost of Engineering Service; Hauling
Reinforcing Bars from Shops to Job; Unloading Reinforcing Steel From
Cars or Trucks; Labor Placing Reinforcing Bars; Setting Reinforcing
Bars; Setting Reinforcing Bars Tied in Place. The student should highlight
the titles only.
268 Fabric & Grid Reinforcing — Welded steel fabric is a popular and economical
reinforcing for concrete work of all kinds, specially driveways and floors.
272 Reinforcement for Architectural Concrete Walls — To be most effective,
small bars with a type of deformation to give maximum bond should be placed
relatively close together, rather than larger bars at wider spacings. Generally
#3 and #4 bars are preferable to larger sizes and the horizontal reinforcement
should be at least equal to 0.25% of wall area. In the vertical direction 0.15%
reinforcement is sufficient.
273 Cast in Place Concrete
284 American Concrete Institute (ACI) Standard for Selecting Proportions for
Concrete Mixes.
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286 Procedure — Step 1 — Choice of slump — If slump is not specified, a value
appropriate for the work can be selected from Table 1 in Page 287 — Highlight
the table.
287 Step 2 — Choice of Maximum size of aggregate. Large maximum sizes of
well graded aggregates have less voids than smaller sizes. Concretes with the
larger sized aggregates require less mortar per unit volume of concrete.
Ordinarily, the ratio of the nominal maximum aggregate size to the minimum
dimension within which concrete must be placed should not exceed the value
shown in Table 2. Highlight Table 2"
287 Step 3 — Estimation of mixing water and air content — Highlight Table 3 in
Page 288.
289 Step 4 — Selection of water-cement ratio — With typical materials, the
tabulated water cement ratios should produce the strengths shown based on 28-
day tests of specimens cured under standard laboratory conditions — highlight
Table 4(a) on page 289 and Table 4(b) in page 290.
289 Step 5 — Calculation of cement content
290 Step 6 — Estimation of coarse aggregate content
291-292 Step 7 — Estimation of line aggregate content
293 Step 8 — Adjustments for aggregate moisture
293-294 Step 9 — Trial batch adjustments
297 Ready Mixed Concrete
299 Curing — The protection of concrete during the early period to prevent loss of
moisture at low temperatures is an important factor in the development of both
strength and durability in concrete.
High Early Strength Portland Cement — Most cement companies
manufacturing what is designated as high early strength Portland cement which
develops practically the same strength in 72 hours as is obtained with normal
Portland cement in 7 to 10 days.
312 Cold Weather Concreting — Footings are generally protected by covering the
fresh concrete with 8" to 12" of hay or straw and with tarpaulins, polyethylene
thrown over the hay. The use of winter blankets are recommended and used
more and more in place of hay. The economy of the number of re-uses of
blankets may be less than salt hay together with its disposal costs.
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317 Table — Materials Required for 1.0 cuyd of Concrete
318 Table — Materials Required for 100 sqft Surface Area for Various
Thickness of Concrete
319 Table — Number of sqft of Concrete Floor of any Thickness Obtainable
from One cuyd of Concrete
322 Color for Concrete Floors
323-324 Gilco Non-Shrink Grouting Compound
324 Lightweight Concrete Floor Fill
327 Concrete Slab on Grade Construction
328-329 Lightweight Concrete
Haydite Concrete — uses expanded shale as lightweight aggregate for coarse
aggregate instead of gravel or crushed stone. The inert, cellular material weighs
less than 50 lbs. per cuft and mixed with ordinary torpedo sand and Portland
cement, produces concrete weighing about 98 lbs per cuft instead of 150 lbs for
ordinary concrete.
Perlite Lightweight Concrete — is a sand or volcanic glass that has been
expanded by heat.
329 Pumice Lightweight Concrete — is a strong, durable porous glass aggregate of
volcanic origin. Using pumice as the aggregate, it is possible to get concrete as
low as 60 lbs per cuft.
331 Table — Cuft of Concrete Displaced by Adjustable Steelform and Tapered
End Forms
332-333 Table — Cuft of Concrete Displaced by Flange Type Steelform and Straight
End Forms
334-335 Table — Cuft of Concrete Displaced by Adjustable Steelforms and Straight
End Forms
336 Table — Sizes and Displacement of Tapered End Steelforms
336 Table — Sizes and Displacement of Ceco Flange Type Steelforms
337 Table — Sizes and Displacement of Adjustable Steelforms
339-340 Tables — Outlining Sizes and Displacement of Ceco Forms
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342 Vermiculite Insulating Concrete Aggregate
347 Table — Approx. Quantities Required for 1 Cuyd of Ready Mixed
Vermiculite Concrete
348 Perlite Concrete Aggregate -- is a siliceous volcanic rock mined in western
United States. When crushed and quickly heated to above 1,500 degrees F, it
expands to form lightweight, non-combustible, glass like particles of cellular
structure. This material… The dry weight of perlite concrete can be designed
from 20 to 40 lbs per cuft. The extremely light weight… Perlite concrete has
received up to 4-hour ratings in UL fire tests.
351 Pumice Concrete — is a natural white or gray glass foam. It is not a volcanic
ash. It is mined extensively in the western part of the United States.
351-352 Mixing - Concrete for columns, walls, above ground, floors, window sills, and
all self-supporting floor and roof slabs, canopies, and other parts of structure
not coming in contract with ground shall be of a mixture of water, Portland
cement, and pumice aggregate, and shall develop at 28 days a strength of not
less than 2,500 psi and with a slump of not more than 2" by standard test.
354 Architectural Concrete
358 Metallic Floor Treatments (Hardeners)
366-367 Concrete Admixtures
368 Prestressed Concrete
368 Air Entraining Admixtures — 3% to 6% of air is incorporated in the concrete
in the form of minute separated air bubbles.
370 Shotcrete
378 Post-Tensioned Concrete - Mono-strand post tensioning — In the estimate, the
contractor must allow for certain items that are unique to post-tensioning.
Stressing access must be provided, usually a platform or floor for extension at
the perimeter of the structure.
380 Precast Concrete — Flexicore Floor and Roof Slabs
382 Precast Concrete Roof Slabs
397 Tilt-Up Wall Panels
401 Evaluation of the Advantages & Disadvantages
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401-402 Disadvantages — Highlight items 1-10
402 Advantages — Highlight items 1-7
406 Cast Decks and Underlayment
406 Monolithic or Poured-in-Place Gypsum Roof Construction - The effective
cross sectional area of reinforcing shall be not less than 0.026 sq.in. per foot of
slab width.
416 Masonry Mortaring – Cements - Type I Portland cement is the basic cement
used in most mortars.
Type IA; IIA; IIIA; Type IV; Type V
417 Lime - Quicklime may be purchased in the following forms, the principal
difference being in the size of the particles: pebble lime, crushed lime, ground
lime, and pulverized lime.
419 Table — Quantity of Materials Required for Masonry Using Pebble or
Pulverized Quicklime at 80 Cuft Lime Putty per Ton.
420 Waterproofing and Shrink proofing Mortar
422 Types of Mortar
Type M mortar is a high strength mortar used primarily in foundation masonry,
retaining walls, walks, sewers, and manholes.
422 Table — Type M Mortar — Proportions and Costs for a Cement-Lime
Mixture
Table — Type M Mortar — Proportions and Costs using Masonry Cement.
Type S mortar also has a reasonably high compressive strength and develops
maximum tensile bond strength between brick and cement-lime mortars. It is
recommended for use in reinforced masonry and where flexural strengths are
required, such as cavity walls exposed to strong winds, and for maximum
bonding power, such as for ceramic veneers.
422 Table — Type S Mortar — Proportions and Costs for a Cement-Lime
Mixture
Table — Type S Mortar — Proportions and Costs using Mortar
Type N mortar is a medium strength mortar, generally used in exposed masonry
above grade.
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422 Table — Type N Mortar — Proportions and Costs for a Cement-Lime
Mixture
423 Table — Type N Mortar — Proportions and Costs using Masonry Cement.
Type 0 mortar is a low strength mixture for general interior use where
compressive strengths do not exceed 100 psi. It may be used elsewhere where
exposures are not severe and no freezing will be encountered.
423 Table — Type 0 Mortar — Proportions and Costs for a Cement-Lime
Mixture
Table — Type 0 Mortar — Proportions and Costs using Mortar
424 Cu. Ft. of Mortar Required to Lay 1,000 Face Brick
Table — Width of Mortar Joints, inches
Table — Quantity of Mortar Required to Lay 1,000 Bricks
425-426 Tables (5) — Cost of One Cuft Cement Mortar for Concrete Masonry
426 Table — Quantity of Mortar Required to Lay 1,000 Concrete Brick of
Various Sizes
431 Unit Masonry - Brick
432 Standard Brick — A standard non-modular brick is 8" long, 2-1/4" high, and
contains 18 sq. in. on the face.
433 Table — Number of Standard Brick (8"x2-1/4"x3- 3/4") Required for One
Square Foot of Brick of any Thickness
Variations in Face Brick Quantities
Table — Number of square inches Occupied by One 8"x2-'/4" Face Brick
with Various Width Mortar Joints
Table — Number of 8"x2-1/4"x3-3/4" Face Brick Required per Sq. Ft. of
Wall in Running Bond Without Headers
439 Brick Bonds and Patterns
440 Bonds - Structural Bond; Pattern Bond; Mortar Bond
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443- 447 Bonds - Pattern Bonds; Running Bond; Common or American Bond;
English Bond; Dutch Bond or English Cross Bond; Block or Stack Bond;
Flemish Bond; Double Flemish Blond; Three Stretcher Flemish Bond; Four
Stretcher Flemish Bond; Garden Wall Bond; Diamond Bond Patterns
— (Include all pictorial types)
448 Modular Size Brick
451 Tables (2) — Modular Brick Walls without Headers; Non-Modular Brick
and Mortar Required for Single Wythe Walls in Running Bond
451 Table — Cu. Ft. of Mortar per 100 Sft of Wall — (include the formula
following the table)
453 Brick Cavity Walls
454 Labor Laying Building Brick
458-459 Labor Laying Face Brick - Flush Cut Joint; Concave and V-Shaped Joints;
Weathered Joint; Struck Joint; Raked Joint; Grapevine Joint
471-474 Cleaning Face Brick Work; Brick Fireplaces, Mantels, and Hearths
484 Handling of Masonry by Palletization
485 Standard Pallet 32"x24 - A standard pallet size of 32" x 24" has been chosen,
because it accommodates all common sizes of brick, block and tile, its loaded
weight does not exceed safety regulations for scaffolding or light floor
construction, and it accommodates just enough material to build 10 lin. ft. of
wall, 4' high, 4" thick, allowing proper spacing for stacking on the scaffold
according to standard masonry practice.
487 Structural Clay Facing Tile
Mortar design mixes for tile follow those listed in the previous chapter for brick,
except interior non loadbearing partitions may utilize a low strength type "0"
mortar that calls for 0.111 cuft of cement and 0.222 cuft of lime for each cuft of
sand.
498 Terra Cotta Masonry
499 Method of Manufacturing Architectural Terra Cotta
507 Concrete Unit Masonry
508-509 Modular Size Concrete Block - Table — Number of Modular Size Brick per
Sq. Ft. of Wall of Various Thicknesses
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510 Concrete Blocks and Partition Units — Table following the title
511 Sizes and Weights of Concrete Masonry Units — Concrete masonry units are
usually made with standard modular face dimensions 7-5/8" high and 15-5/8"
long and are available in thicknesses 3/8" less than the nominal 3", 4", 6" 8",
10" and 12" thicknesses.
512 When laid up with 3/8" mortar joints, the units are 8" high and 16" long,
requiring 112.5 units per 100 sqft of wall, not including allowance for waste and
breakage.
514 Table — Sizes, Weights and Quantities of Loadbearing Concrete Blocks and
Tile
520 Control Joints in Concrete Masonry
521 Control joints can be built with regular full and half-length stretcher block or
full and half-length offset jamb block. With this type of joint construction, a
non-corroding metal Z-tiebar, placed in every other horizontal joint across the
control joint will provide lateral support to wall sections on each side of the
control joint.
Reinforced Concrete Masonry
521 Bond Beams - To reinforce concrete masonry walls horizontally bond beams
are frequently used at each story height.
522 Reinforcement for bond beams must satisfy structural requirements but should
not be less than 2 #4 steel bars.
524 Concrete Masonry Cavity Walls
Pictorial — Typical Concrete Masonry Beams
526-534 Examples of Concrete Masonry Construction — Pictorials
534 Insulating Fill for Concrete Masonry Walls
535-536 Tables (5) showing the R-Values of different types of concrete masonry
Walls
540 Seismic Concrete Masonry — Reinforcement - The sum of percents of
horizontal and vertical reinforcement should be at least 0.2%.
542-543 Glass Unit Masonry; Mortar for Glass Blocks, Expansion Joints,
Reinforcement
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544 Glass Building Units (Installation); Labor Laying Glass Blocks
548 Stone Assemblies
550 Rubble Stone Work — Ruble stone work is estimated by the cuyd containing 27
cuft or by the perch containing 24-3/4 cuft. Note rubble stone is another word for
mass or bulk foundation — not in text — field knowledge '.
573 Arc Welding in Building Construction
576 Procedures for Making Various Types of Welded Joints
579 Table — Approximate Weight of Bolts
584-586 Pictorial of Beam Framing with Plates or Channels
590 Bolting Field Connections. Most Structural steel projects have sections bolted
together.
591 The most common bolts are ASTM A-325, high strength bolts for structural
steel joints, 3/4" diameter x 2" long, at an approximate cost per bolt unit of $0.95
each. Each bolt unit consists of bolt, washers, and nut. Other grades sometimes
required for connections are A490M-04a Standard specification for High
Strength Steel Bolts, Classes 10.9 and 10.9.3 — Grade A307-04 Standard
Specification for Carbon Steel Bolts and Studs. 60,000 PSI Tensile Strength
carbon steel externally threaded standard connection (decrease the cost about
15% per bolt unit
594 Pictorial and explanation of nomenclature of W12x45
595 Pictorial and explanation of nomenclature of S24x 100
596 Pictorial and explanation of nomenclature of C12x20.7
597 Estimating the Weight of Wrought Iron, Steel or Cast Iron
Weight of Wrought Iron — One cuft of wrought iron weights 480 lbs. One sqft
of wrought iron 1" thick weights 40 lbs. One square inch of wrought iron one
foot long weighs 3-1/3 lbs.
Weight of Steel — One cuft of steel weighs 489.6 lbs, or 2% more than wrought
iron, one sqft of 1" thick weights 40.8 lbs. A piece of x 1" x 1' steel weighs
3.4 lbs.
Weight of Cast Iron - One cuft of cast iron weighs 450 lbs. One sqft of cast iron,
1" thick weighs 37-1/2 lbs. A piece of cast iron 1" x 1" x weighs 3-1/8 lbs.
One cubic inch of cast iron weighs 0.26 lbs.
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598 Table — Weight of Square and Round Bars
599 Table — Weights of Flat Steel Bars-Lbs per foot
600 Pictorial and of 4"x4"xl/2" Equal Angles, Unequal Angles 4"x3"xl/2", and
Standard Channel 6x13
600 Table — Weights of American Standard Channels
601 Table — Weights of Steel Angles
602 Table — Weights of Structural Steel Angles
603 Table — Weights of Steel Tees
604 Table — Weights of Standard Diamond Steel Floor Plates
604 Table — Weights of Steel Plates in Lbs per Sq Ft
606 Metal Joists
608 Metal Decking
610 Cold –Formed Metal Framing - Lightgage Framing
611-613 Pictorials of Lightgage Framing
613 Lightgage framing systems can supply complete wall, floor, and roof
construction for buildings up to four stories in height, or can be used in
combination with other framing systems for interior, load bearing partitions,
exterior curtain walls, fire separation walls, parapets, penthouses, trusses,
suspended ceilings, and mansard roofs.
614 Joists come in 6", 8" 10" and 12" depths and in 12, 14, 16, and 18 gauge
material.
Joist bridging, which may be stock 'V' units or solid channels, must be supplied
in the center of all spans up to 14'; at third points on spans from 14' to 20’; at
quarter points on spans from 26' to 32'; and at 8' centers on all spans over 32'.
615 Metal Fabrications
620 Nailing Schedule; Nails Required for Carpentry Work
Splitless Wood Siding Nail Specification
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621 Table — Splitless Wood Siding Nail Specifications (Type 304 SS)
Table - Recommended Sizes and Quantities Commonly Used
622 Table — Bright Common Nail Specifications
Bright box nails are generally of the same length but slightly smaller diameter.
622 Table — Bright Box Nail Specifications
623 Table — Recommended Sizes and Quantities Commonly Used
623 Hand driven nails for roofing-Asphalt and Fiberglass Shingle Nails
624-628 Tables — Different types of roofing nail specifications -
627 Tables - Masonry Nail Specifications
628 Table — Metal Roofing Nail Specifications
629 Tables — Pole Barn — Post and Framing Nail Specifications & Nail
Reference Data Specifications
630-631 Table — Suggested Nailing Schedule (include 1-11 in small letters)
633 Estimating Lumber Quantities — One board foot is always 144 cubic inches.
633-634 Estimating Wood Joists — Table - Number of Wood Floor Joists Required
for any Spacing
634 Table — Board Feet Required per 100 Sq Ft of Surface when used for Studs,
Joists Rafters, Wall and Floor, Furring Strips, etc.
635 Table — Number of Wood Joists Required for any Floor and Spacing
636-637 Estimating number of Wood Studs — Example of how to calculate total
quantities. Ask your instructor for help if needed.
638 Table — Board Ft of Lumber Required for Wood Stud Partitions 2x4 Studs;
16" o.c. Single Top and Bottom Plates (include small letters).
643 Example of calculating board foot (take name of lumber in inches and multiply
it out, then divide by 12 to convert to decimals, and then multiply by lineal foot
= board foot.
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646-650 Wood Framing - Hardware Accessories Used for Wood Framing - Steel Joist
Hangers; Framing Accessories; Timber Connectors; Metal Connector Plates
(Truss Plates); Wedge Fit Split Rings (including Table with costs); Shear
Plates; Toothed Rings; Spike Grids.
650 Wood Floor and Roof Trusses — Floor trusses are used for spans from 12'0"
to as large as 70'-0" and are found in all conventional types of construction.
Wood roof trusses are used for spans as short as 25'-0" and can be used up to
200’-0”.
651 Approximate Prices of Wood Bowstring Truss
652 Crescent Type Roof Truss – Recommended span is from 20’-0” to 85’-0”
653 Belgian Roof Truss — It is used on some higher class store buildings and low
cost churches and is recommended for spans from 20'-0" to 85'-0".
Belgian roof trusses are less efficient than the bowstring type, because the
connections generally govern the member sizes. They cost about 50% more
than bowstring type trusses.
653 The Double fink truss is also referred to as a Belgian truss and is used for spans
from 36'-0" to 60'-0".
Flattop Roof Truss — Spans should not exceed 65' where cost is an important
factor.
654 Parallel Chord 2x4 Truss — Roof slopes should be at least 1/4" per foot of
span.
Modified Queen Post Truss
Fink Truss — The fink truss is generally suitable for spans from 16' to as long
as 46' and for all classes of construction. It is an efficient and cost effective
truss configuration, 50% to 60% the cost of comparable steel truss.
654-655 Pictorial — Types of Trusses
Howe Truss — The Howe truss can be used for spans from 16' to 18'.
Parallel Chord 4x2 Truss — This type of truss can be manufactured with duct
chase openings so that wiring, piping, and ducts can run within the chords.
655 Pictorial — Types of Trusses
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655 Three Hinged Arch
Cantilever Truss — Cantilevers can approach ¼ of the distance of the main
interior truss span.
Clerestory Truss — This type of truss is used extensively in industrial and
agricultural buildings, in spans up to 60'.
Inverted Truss — Vaulted Ceiling Truss
656 Mono-Pitch Truss — Dual-Pitch Truss
656 Pitched Warren Truss — This truss form is most economical in spans from 30'
to 70', on center spacings from 2' to 8'.
The W-Type is the most popular type and is adaptable for spans from 18' up to
40'; roof slope from 2 in 12 to 6 in 12 and higher.
The Triple-W is used for spans up to 80' with slopes of 3 in 12 and higher.
Centerline spacings can be from 2' to 20'.
656 The Kingpost truss is usually recommended for shorter spans. The economical
range is up to 26' under most loading conditions.
657 Other Types of Commonly Used Wood Trusses - The Double ink truss is
generally use for spans from 36' to 60'
An extremely long truss with cantilevered ends can be manufactured in three
sections. Trusses of this type, 128' in overall length, have been fabricated in
this manner.
658 Truss Openings
Installation of Wood Trusses
663 Installation Sequence for Temporary and Permanent Bracing of Wood
Truss
Note that all bracing lumber should be no less than 2" x x 10'. A Minimum
of two 16d double head nails should be used at each connection.
668 Labor Framing Lumber in Building Construction
683 Heavy Timber Construction
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688 Sheating - Plywood Roof and Wall Sheathing, Subflooring and
Underlayment ; Roof and Wall Sheathing - Nailing of plywood sheathing
should be at 6" o.c. along panel edges and 12" o.c. at intermediate supports. Use
6d common nails for panels of ½” or less in thickness, and 8d for greater
thickness.
689 Insulating Sheathing - Insulating sheathing is furnished in sheets 4' wide and 6',
7', 8', 9', 10' and 12' long, and 1/2" and 25/32” thick, the same thickness as
wood sheathing.
690 Insulating Roof Decking - Decking should he laid so that cross joints are
staggered and occur only over supports. Decking should be face nailed to all
framing members. spacing nails 4" to 6" apart and keeping back 3A" to 1" from
edges of plank. Nails should be galvanized common of sufficient length to pass
through decking and penetrate supports at least 1-1/2" and should be driven
flush but not countersunk.
692 Insulating Shingle Backer Strips
697 Shop-Fabricated Structural Wood - Glued Laminated Beam Construction -
Beams glued laminated construction are popular where price is not the controlling
factor.
They are used in schools, auditoriums, churches, stores, and ranch-style homes
and are made of kiln-dried structural woods bonded together by glue, applied
under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure.
698 Glue Laminated Three Hinged Arch — Another type of glued laminated
construction is the three-hinged arch, which gains its support from floor level,
incorporating column and abeam in one compact design.
Purlins are generally used to span the resulting bays and are covered with two
inch decking and suitable insulating material.
699 Finish Carpentry
702 Interior Finish Carpentry
707 Pictorial of Wood Ceiling Cornice and Picture Mold
714- 718 Architectural Wood Work – Wood Board Paneling - Softwood
Plywood Paneling - Solid Wood Paneling
720 Sheet Board Paneling
732 Wood Stairs and Railings
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740 Wood Posts & Columns - Wood Columns
741 Pictorial of several types of columns
749 Dampproofing and Waterproofmg
752 Estimating Quantities of Water or Damp-Resisting Plaster Coats — Based
on damp loose sand containing 5% of moisture and weighing 2,565 lbs per cuyd.
752 Table— Quantity of Cement and Sand Required for One Cu yd of Cement
Mortar
753 Table - Cement Plaster Coat – sq ft. Obtainable from One Cu yd of cement
Mortar
757 Transparent Dampproofing of Exterior Masonry Walls
762 Built up Bituminous Waterproofing — Estimating the Quantity of Felt or
Fabric Required for Membrane Waterproofing - If the felt is applied to walls,
allow bout 6" to lap over the footings at the bottom, with a small allowance at the
top of walls above grade. This will average from 7.5% to 10% of the total area
to be waterproofed.
If the walls or floors are covered with a single thickness of felt or membrane,
lap each strip of felt 4" to 6", depending upon the specifications.
If the lap is 4" wide and only a single thickness of felt is used, add 20% to the
actual area to allow for laps and the additional felt required at the top and bottom
of the wall. If the lap is 6" and only a single thickness, add about 25% to the
actual wall or floor area for laps, etc.
763 Weight of Tar or Asphalt Felt for Membrane Waterproofing — Tar or
asphalt felt for waterproofing is currently furnished in 4 square rolls of 432 sqft
weighing 60 lbs per roll.
Double thickness asphalt felt is also furnished in 60 lbs per roll containing 216
sqft and this felt is known and No.30.
When specifying the grade or weight of felt to be used, it is customary to state
that "felt shall weigh not less than 15 lbs per 108 sqft". This is known as No. 15
felt. Felt is furnished in 4 square rolls of 432 sqft, so there are 32 sqft per roll or 8
sqft per 100 sqft allowed for laps.
Tar or asphalt saturated fabric is usually sold by the roll containing 50 sqyds or
by the sqyd.
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769 Thermal Protection – Thermal Insulation
770 Even the exterior and interior plies will contribute some insulating quality.
Materials are rated for their thermal resistance or their "R" value, the
temperature difference between two exposed faces required to cause one BTU
to flow through one square foot of the material per hour.
770 Table — Different Material R Values
Heat transfer thru the building enclosure is by three means: convection,
conduction, and radiation.
Convection is the thermally produced upward and downward movement of air.
771 Conduction is the transmission of heat thru a material. The rate of conductance
of a material or combination of materials, known as its -U" factor, is the BTU
per hour per inch of thickness per square foot per degree of temperature
difference. The R ratings are the reciprocals of conductance or 1 divided by the
"U" factor.
Radiation is the emission of energy from a surface.
772 Rigid Insulation — Urethane boards have the highest `R' value per inch of
thickness, 7.14, but are flammable and must be covered over, or treated.
777 Blanket Insulation
Insulation formed into bans or rolls is made in a number of materials, such as
stone, slag, glass wools, vegetable and cotton fibers, and suspended pulps.
778 Most batt and blanket materials have 'R' values around 3.5 to 3.7 per inch of
thickness. The 3" will provide an "R" of 11, 3-1/2" of 13, and 6" of 19.
778 Loose Fill Insulation — Loose fill insulation includes mineral wool, which is
molten rock extruded by air and steam into fibers, known as blowing wool for
machine applications, or nodules for pouring or spreading by hand, end
expanded volcanic rocks such as vermiculite or perlite. The latter are most
often specified for filling concrete block or cavity walls.
779 Loose Insulating Wool
The covering capacity of bulk wood as given by most manufacturers is based
on a density of 6 to 8 lbs per cft.
Tables (2) — No of Sqft of Surface covered by One Bag of Loose Insulating
Wool Weighing 40 lbs and Containing 4 cuft. — Not Including Area Covered by
Studs and Joists & Including Area Covered by Studs and Joists
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779 Granule or Pellet Type Insulating Wool
780 Vermiculite or Perlite Loose-fill Insulation
782 Reflective Insulation — Where the heat flows down from a hot roof to a ceiling
below, 93% of the heat transfer is by radiation and only 7% by conduction.
783 Weather Barriers
784 Steep Slope Roofing - Shingles and Shakes
785 Rules for Measuring Plain Double Pitch or Gable Roofs — Highlight
example given.
Pictorial of Plain Double Pitch or Gable Roof and Conical Building and Roof
Rule for Measuring Hip Roofs — Highlight example given.
786 Pictorial of Hip Roofs
786-787 Rules for Measuring Conical Tower Roofs and Circular Buildings —
Highlight examples given
787 A Short Method of Figuring Roof Areas — To obtain the number of sqft of roof
area, where the pitch (rise and run) of the roof is known, take the entire flat or
horizontal area of the roof and multiply by the factor given below for the roof
slope applicable and the result will be the area of the roof.
788 Table — Sample Roof Factor Estimate - Showing different factors to convert
flat areas into various slopes
789 Asphalt Shingles — Estimating Quantities of Asphalt Shingles — When
measuring roofs of any shape, always allow one extra course of shingles for the
"starters" at the eaves. The first or starting course of shingles must always be
doubled.
Asphalt shingles must be properly nailed 6 nails to a strip and nailed low enough
on the shingle (right at the cut-out); otherwise, they will blow off the roof.
790 Nails Required for Asphalt Shingles — When laying square butt strip shingles,
use 11 ga. aluminum nails, 1" long, with a 7/16" head.
791 Metal Shingles
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791 Porcelain Enamel Shingles — are manufactured to have an exposed surface of
10"x10" with 144 shingles per square. Weight is 225 lbs per 100 sqft. Finish is
fused on at 1500 deg F and provides a long lasting, self-cleaning finish that will
not peel or blister.
792 Slate Roofing
794 Table — Number required per Square and Number of Nails per Square
798 Wood Shingles and Shakes
Estimating the Quantity of Wood Shingles
799 Table — Number of Shingles and Quantity of Nails Required
Wood shingles are usually sold by the square based on sufficient shingles to lay
100 sft of surface, when laid 5" to the weather, 4 bundles to the square.
802 Clay Roofing Tile
806 Roofing and Siding Panels – Aluminum and Siding
To provide adequate drainage the roof surface should never have a slope less
than 2-1/2" per foot, and preferably not less than 3" per foot.
For roofing, sheets should have a side lap of 1-1/2 corrugations. For sidings,
should be lapped 1 corrugation.
810 Steel Siding
It is made with various corrugations, varying in width
and depth, but the 2-1/2" corrugation width is the most commonly used.
When used for siding one corrugation lap is usually sufficient, but for roofing
two corrugations should be used and if the roof has only a slight pitch, the lap
should be three corrugations.
811 When used for siding, a 1" to 2" end lap is sufficient, but when laid on roofs it
should have an end lap of 3" to 6" depending on the pitch of the roof. For a 1/3
pitch, a 3" lap is sufficient; for a 1/4 pitch, a 4" lap should be used; and for a 1/8
pitch, a 5" end lap is recommended.
817 Membrane Roofing — Pictorial — Flat Roof with Parapet Walls
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817-818 Rules for Measuring Flat Roof — When measuring flat roof surfaces that are
to be covered with composition, tar and gravel, tin, metal, or prepared roofing,
the measurements should be taken from the outside of the walls on all four sides
to allow for flashing up the side of each wall. The flashing is usually 8" to 1'-
0" high.
Pictorial — Flat Roof Overhanging Walls
819 Quantity of Roofing Gravel Required for Built-Up Roofs — Roofing gravel
should be uniformly embedded into a heavy top pouring of asphalt or pitch so
that approximately 400 lbs of gravel or 300 lbs of slag is used per 100 sqft of
roof area.
823 EPDM Roof Systems — Ethylene Propylene Diene Methylene Rubber is
popularly known in the trade as EPDM. EPDM membranes can be produced in
various colors, including black, reinforced, reinforced, or non-reinforced, and
in thicknesses ranging from 30 to 90 mils.
826 Sheet Metal Roofing
827 Copper Roofing
828 Standing Seam Sheet Metal Roofing
828 Standing Seam Metal Roofing
830 The following table gives the covering capacity of painted or galvanized steel
sheets of the different sizes. Include table following the paragraph.
V Crimped Roofing — When estimating quantities of V crimped roofing, allow
for the end lap but there is no waste in the width as only the actual covering
capacity is charged for by the manufacturer.
830-831 The following table gives the quantity of V-crimp roofing required to cover 100
sqft of roof with end laps 1" to 6". — Highlight the table following the paragraph.
837 Sheet Metal Flashing and Trim
844 Fire and Smoke Protection; Applied Fireproofing — Gypsum tile are used for
partitions and column fireproofing. They are 12"x30" in face dimensions.
844 Estimating Quantities of Gypsum Tile - The gypsum tile should be estimated
by the square foot taking the area of all walls or partitions and making
deductions in full for all openings.
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844 Tables (2) - Sizes and Weights of Gypsum Partition and Furring Tiles; Cuft
of Mortar Required to Lay 100 sqft of Gypsum Partition Tile.
845 Fire Brick Work — Table — Sizes and Shapes of Standard Fire Brick and
Number Required per Square Foot
849 Fire Resistance of Brick - Fireproofed Column Fire Ratings — Highlight
the 4 lines following the title including the small italic letters.
858 Fire Label Requirements
861 Pictorial — Colonial Front Entrances
862 Pictorials — Stud Wall Drip Cap Frame — Brick Wall Frame — Brick Veneer
Wall Frame
863 Table — Setting Exterior Wood Door Frames
865 Plastic Doors
874 Specialty Doors and Frames - Tin Clad Fire Doors
879 Sliding Glass Doors
884 Garage, Factory and Warehouse Doors
886 Entrances, Storefronts, and Curtain Walls – Aluminum-Framed Entrances
and Storefronts — Materials are made from an aluminum alloy and extruded into
many different shapes and sizes of various thicknesses. The extrusions are offered
in stock lengths of 24' long, but longer lengths are available upon special order.
887-888 Installed Costs of Storefront Construction — For budget purposes only, the
following installed costs of aluminum storefront framing, glass not included,
are given on a per sqft basis: Highlight 1 thru 6. Add 15% for bronze anodized
finish, 20% for black anodized finish. Add for transom over single door,
$119.00; over pair of doors, $210.00.
888 Curtain Walls and Glazed Assemblies - Insulated Metal Wall Panels
892 Windows — For Example, a 27" x 43" window is a total of 70" and can be priced
between $3.00 to $13.00 per inch and $210.00 to $910.00 per window
depending on the material.
Metal Windows
893 Table – Labor of Installing Steel Windows and Doors – Special attention to
Residence Casement (Roto), single and two or more units.
1 Exam Prep – Walker’s Guide to Estimating 31st Edition AH 34
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895 Anchors — Anchors for securing frames to wood or masonry walls are included
with window units. Four anchors per opening are furnished for heights up to
and including 4'-5-1/2". Six anchors per opening to and including 5'-9-1/2".
Eight anchors for opening to and including 8'-1-1/2".
898-898 Wood Windows
Double Hung Windows — Frame; Sash; Glazing; Glazing System;
Weatherstripping; Anchoring Flange and Windbreak; Sill; Jamb Liner;
Sash Lock and Lift.
901 Gliding Window Units — With the sub-titles of definitions
902 Awning Panel Wall Units — With the sub-titles of definitions.
904 Casement Window Units — With the sub-titles of definitions.
905-906 Circle Top Window Units — With the sub-titles of definitions.
908 Roof Windows and Skylights
915 Metal-Framed Skylights
915 Erecting and Glazing Metal Skylights — An average skylight (single, double
pitch or hip) up to 8'x12' in size containing 100 sqft should be erected and glazed
complete by a sheet metal worker and glazing in 8 to hrs time at the following
labor cost — highlight the table following the paragraph.
916 Erecting Skylights with Side Sash — If the skylights have side sash, the
erection cost will vary with the number of sash in the skylight and whether
stationary or pivoted. On an average it will require 1 to 1-1/2 hrs labor time for
each sash in the skylight, at the following labor cost per sash - Highlight the
table following the paragraph.
920 Weather Stripping and Seals
925 Glazing — Table - Clear Float Glass - Glazing Quality
930 Leaded and Art Glass
934 Plaster and Gypsum Board – Plaster & Gypsum Board Assemblies
935 Pictorial, Vertical and Horizontal Applications
936 Table – Size and Thickness
939 Pictorial, screw sizes
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946 Metal Furring
947 Supports for Plaster & Gypsum Board - Metal Studs and Furring
952 Metal Lath Construction - Spans of Lath; Table- Minimum Allowable
Spacing of Supports in Inches
952 Attachment of Lath —Nail-on attachment of metal lath to horizontal or sloping
surfaces (ceilings and soffits) requires the use of No. 11 ga. barbed, galvanized
roofing nails with a head diameter of 7/16". The length of such nails must
permit a minimum penetration into the wood of 1-3/8". In nail-on attachment
of metal lath to vertical surfaces (walls and partitions), 4d common nails are
permitted. They should penetrate the wood at least 3/4 inches. However, and
the remainder should be bent over the strands of lath.
954 Pictorial - Partition Framing at Door Openings
955 Pictorial - Hollow Partitions Ceilings and Floors
964 Horizontal Support Systems — Table — Hanger Sizes for Suspended
Ceilings
965 Table — Spans and Spacing for Main Runners in Suspended Ceilings
965 Table - Spans and Spacing for Cross Furring
Pictorial — Details of Suspended Ceiling
966 Lath
966 Estimating Quantities of Lathing and Plastering
968 Gypsum Lath — Nails Required for Gypsum Lath
969 Gypsum Lath - Mechanical Stapling of Gypsum Lath; Two-Inch Solid
Gypsum Long Length Lath and Plaster Partition; Floating Systems of
Attachment of Gypsum Lath; Suspended Gypsum Lath Ceilings; Hollow
Steel Stud Partitions Using Gypsum Lath as a Plaster Base.
973 Estimating Plaster Quantities
974 Table — Number of 100 lb. Sacks of Gypsum Cement Plaster Required per
100 Sqyd
975 General Notes Applying To Finish Plaster Coats
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Page # Highlight
1004 Other Plastering - Perlite and Vermiculite Plaster
1005-1006 Recommended Proportions and Quantities — Highlight the (2) Tables
on pages 1005-1006.
1006 Table — Number of 100 lbs Sacks of Wood Fiber Plaster Required per 100
Sqyds
1011 Exterior Stucco
1019 Base Coat
1024 Tiling - Ceramic Tiling
1025 Estimating Quantities — Ceramic tile is estimated by the square foot with trim
pieces such as base, cap, etc., being estimated by the lineal foot.
1036 Stone Tiling - Marble tile
1053 Ceiling - Acoustical Ceilings
1055 Acoustical Tile on Suspended Systems
1059 Wood Flooring
1065 Setting Sleepers in Mastic on Concrete Floors
1069 Finishing Hardwood Floors
1069 Table - Chart for Floor Surfacing Operations
1072 Laminated Wood Floors – Glue Laminated 954
1074 Resilient Flooring
1078 Terrazzo Flooring
1086 Carpeting
1087 Wall Finishes - Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS)
1088 The following checklist of items from a manufacturer's installer will ensure a
quality product: Highlight 1 thru 9.
1091 Wall Covering
1095 Painting and Coating
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1115 Steel Coatings - Painting Pipe
1117 Painting Structural Steel
1135 Storage Specialties – Lockers and Postal Specialties
1139 Equipment - Residential Equipment
1145 Furnishings
1147 Special Construction – Special Facility Components – Specialty Element
Construction; Concrete Storage Bins and Silos
1152 Special Construction – Special Purpose Rooms – Sauna Rooms
1155 Conveying Equipment - Dumb Waiters; Elevators; Escalators & Moving
Walks; Lifts
1163 Fire Suppression
1165 Plumbing
1167 Preparing Detailed Plumbing Estimates — Highlight 1-35
1169 Facility Sanitary Sewage
1174 Septic Sewage Disposal Tanks — The capacity of a septic tank should be at
least equal to the maximum daily flow of sewage. This is normally estimated
at 100 gallons per person per day. For part time service in factories, churches,
schools, etc., 50 gals per person per day is generally satisfactory for estimating
tank facilities.
1177 Residential Plumbing Fixtures
1181 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
Types of Conventional Heating Systems
1184 Types of Cooling Equipment for Residential Use
1186 Electrical Heating
1198 Items to Be Included in the Estimate — Highlight 1-14
1220 Electrical - The electrical take off sheet for residential work should have a
column for each of the following: Highlight 1 thru 11.
1 Exam Prep – Walker’s Guide to Estimating 31st Edition AH 38
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1222 Increasing Estimating Accuracy
1225 Conduit for Electrical Systems
1226 Tables (3) for Material and Labor Costs for Installing Conduit and Pulling
Wire in Conduit
1228 Switches and Receptacles – Table – Cost per unit / Hours to install
1229 Low-Voltage Electrical Transmission – Low-Voltage Electrical Service
Entrance - Service Entrance Equipment — Table — Circuit Breakers
1233 Electronic Safety and Security – Electronic Detection and Alarm
1241 Stripping & Stockpiling Topsoil — any area cleared of trees and stumps will have
a loss factor of approximately 15% to 50% depending on the number of stumps
removed.
1247 Earthwork — Estimating Quantities of Excavation — Excavating is measured by
the cubic yard, cu. yd. One cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet.
1247 On construction projects (OSHA) as well as state and local agencies, request
excavations of five feet deep and over soil support of sheeting or some other
type.
Digging in previously undisturbed material and assuming that no water or
unstable conditions exist, most estimators, when taking off quantities for
excavation, use a 1:1 slope; that is one horizontal to one vertical, for sand and
gravel; a 1:2 slope for ordinary clay and aa:3 or 1:4 slope for stiff clay.
1248 Example of a method for calculating the volume of the excavation.
1249 Typical Examples of Swell Factors - these are often used in excavation
problems. Compare with Principles and Practices, they are different. The exam
should specify which book to use in the problem.
1251 Cross Sectional Method — One of the easiest and most frequently used
methods of computing grading cuts and fills when the plot plan shows both
original and proposed contours is that of gridding or dividing up the area to be
graded into squares, rectangles, triangles, or combinations of these figures, of
regular and convenient dimensions, thus forming a series of truncated prisms.
1254 End Area Method — It often happens that a cut and fill operation is to
performed over a long and narrow area such as for road, levees, ditches, etc. In
this case the usual method of computing the earthwork quantities is by means
of end areas.
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1257 Highlight table showing the end area method of calculations.
1263-1264 Rock Removal - Drilling Rock for Blasting; Rock Excavation – see examples
and problem solving in Tables
1269-1271 Fill - Highlight the example beginning at the end of page 1270 and continuing
into 1271 including the table titled "Rate of Sheepsfoot Roller Compaction in
Cuyds per Hr. Based on 5', 2-1/2 mph Speed, 12" Fill Layers and 100% Job
Efficiency". Look at the example and follow the solution and how the table
was used and adjusted. Ask your instructor for help with this problem if needed.
1272 Backfill
1275-1279 Sheet Piling - Sheet Piling for Basements and Deep Foundations - Include
Tables Steel Sheet Piling
1280 Steel Sheet Piling - Include the Table.
1280 Estimating the Quantity of Steel Sheet Piling - Analyze the example
appearing in page 1280 including the shorter method to the solution of the
problem. - Ask your instructor for help if needed.
1281-1282 Trench Shielding - Bracing and Sheet Piling Trenches and Piers - When
excavating trenches and piers 5' 0" to 8' 0" deep, it is not always necessary to
sheathe the banks solid but two or three lines of braces placed along the sides of
the trench (as illustrated) will often be sufficient. Study and highlight the problem
on page 1281 . Ask your instructor for help if needed.
1283-1286 Driven Piles - Drop Hammer; Air and Steam Hammers; Diesel
Hammers; Vibratory Driver/Extractor" - The student should highlight the
titles only.
1288 Concrete Piles - There are two principal types of concrete piles, cast-in-place
and precast.
Cast-in-place is most common because the required length can be readily adjusted
n the field as the job progresses. There is no need to predetermine lengths. In
contrast. it is necessary to predetermine the length of precast piles, and to
provide for contingencies, it is generally required that piles be ordered longer than
the actual anticipated length.
.
1288 Precast piles are prestressed and are manufactured at established plants.
In marine installations, either in salt water or fresh water, the precast pile is used
almost exclusively, because of the difficulty of placing cast-in place piles in
open water.
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1300-1301 Driving Steel HP Piles; Driving HP Section Piles;
Prices of Steel HP Piles; Cutting off Steel HP Piles; Splicing Steel HP Piles.
- The student should highlight the titles only.
1302-1303 Timber Piles - Driving Wood Piles - Highlight tables
1303 Cutting off Wood Piles- The student should highlight the titles only.
1304 Caissons - Caisson foundations are normally used to support heavy structures,
where soil conditions near grade cannot support them.
Hand Dug Caissons - The hand method of excavation most commonly used is
known as the Chicago method.
1315 Site Improvements – Chain Link Fences & Gates - Industrial chain link fences
usually consist of 3" OD tubular end posts and 2" to 2-1/2" OD intermediate posts
depending upon the height of the fencing to be installed.
For chain link fencing over 6' in vertical height, 6 gauge wire fabric will be
used in lieu of the 9 gauge fabric.
The maximum line post or intermediate post spacing is 10' on center and these
posts as well as in the corner posts are usually set in a 9" diameter by 3' feet
footing.
1316 Residential Chain Link Fencing - The standard corner posts are 2" to 2-1/2"
diameter. The standard line posts are 1-5/8" diameter, set at 10' on center.
Normally, with residential fencing, a top rail is added for stability.
1317 High-Security Chain Link Fence and Gates- This expanded metal fence is non
climbable and normally does not have barbed wire on top. Each expanded metal
section is 4' x 8' which is overlapped and bolted together to make each section 7'-
9" wide x 8' high. The security fence is sometimes referred to as “Alabama
Fence".
1317 Wire Fences with Wood Posts - Wood and Wire Fence
1318 Stringing Fence Wire - Cyclone wire fencing in 42" rolls is used for these
fences and is stapled to the top and bottom rails and posts about 4" on centers.
1346 Operating Costs, Engine Fuel, and Lubricating Oil - Highlight the formula
and also the example.
1349 How Degrees of Swing Affect Clamshell Yardage - Highlight the Table
"Angle of Swing in Degrees"
1 Exam Prep – Walker’s Guide to Estimating 31st Edition AH 41
Page # Highlight
1362 Graders – tractors and scrapers
1363 Hourly Cost of Ownership - The cost of ownership has as its basis the total
delivered cost of the piece of equipment and is composed of several items
depreciation, interest insurance and taxes. In figuring the hourly depreciation
cost, most contractors usually take the full delivered price of the machine, less
cost of tires, and divide by the expected economic life of the machine in hours.
The life expectancy accepted is 5 years of 2,000 hrs each or 10,000 hours.
1395-1396 Mensuration - Formulas, Conversions, and Examples
1397-1398 Computing Areas and Volumes
1398-1400 Areas and Pictorials
1401-1402 Volumes and Pictorials
1404 Table of Feet and Inches Reduced to Decimals
1404-1405 Table of Common Fractions Stated in Decimals
1409-1410 Conversion Factors to Decimal and S.I. Metric Equivalents
1415 Glossary of Construction Terms - The test will ask at least one question from
here.
1416-1417 Construction Term - Arch (including all types)
1424 Construction Term - Corbel
1424 Construction Term - Culls
1428 Construction Term - Frog
1440 Construction Term - Wythe
1441-1451 OSHA / pit issues