WEEK 1 LEC 1 Measurements for Construction: Course Fundamentals and BOQ Preparation

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental terminology, project workflows, and standard documentation procedures used in construction measurement and quantity surveying as discussed in the Chapter 1 lecture.

BOQ (Bill of Quantities)

A structured and detailed document defining the quality and quantity of the work required for the erection of a building by contract.

Trade

Specific work categories such as concrete, formwork, tiling, or masonry that are combined to construct a building element.

Element

A visible component of a building, such as a slab or an external wall, composed of various trades.

Tendering

The procurement process used to select the best contractor to execute a construction project based on project information and bids.

AIQS

The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, the professional body that holds the copyright for the standard measurement rules used in buildings.

CESMM

The Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement, which is used for infrastructure projects including roads, utilities, and bridges.

Plan

A construction drawing showing a view of a floor as seen from above, also known as a bird's-eye view.

Elevation

A drawing representing how a building looks from a specific direction, such as north, south, east, or west.

Section

A detailed drawing showing the internal view of a building component by representing a cut through it at a specific point.

Setting out

The physical site activity where the contractor transfers the design from drawings into the real world to begin construction.

Structural design

A specialized design detailing beams, columns, trusses, and how building loads are transferred to the substructure.

Specification

A document providing quality information, material standards, and technical requirements that are not visible in drawings.

Schedules

Documents providing specific lists and details for building components such as doors, windows, and floor finishes.

Drawing register

A record maintained to track every revision of project drawings from the initial design through construction.

Principal

The Australian contractual term for the client, employer, or owner who funds the project.

Price

A numerical value defined in construction as the calculation of $Cost + Profit$.

Preliminaries

Items associated with legal, contractual, and temporary site services (like site huts, bonds, and guarantees) rather than specific trade work.

Takeoff

The process of extracting and calculating quantities from drawings and specifications to prepare a Bill of Quantities.

Girth calculation

A basic mathematical calculation of the total length around a plan or building footprint.

Variation

A post-contract process that addresses changes in work or costs due to unforeseen conditions, such as unexpected soil profiles.