(SEM V) THEORY EXAMINATION 2023-24 QUANTITY ESTIMATION AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Subject Code: KCE503

Subject Name: Quantity Estimation and Construction Management

Course: B.Tech (Semester V)

Maximum Marks: 100

Duration: 3 Hours

Exam Year: 2023–24

Sections: A, B, and C

SECTION A – Short Answer Questions (2 × 10 = 20 Marks)

Attempt all questions briefly.

Write units for:

(i) Slackest lime             (ii) Wood                  (iii) Bricks                (iv) W.C. tub

Define supplementary estimates.

Calculate cost of carriage of 50,000 bricks by bullock cart (given rate = ₹50/day, 2 trips/day, 250 bricks/trip, distance = 7 km on kuchha road).

State the purposes of rate analysis.

Write phases of a project cycle.

Define the principle of CPM analysis.

Mention elements of owning cost (interest, depreciation, storage, etc.).

Write factors affecting the selection of tractors (terrain, load, cost, etc.).

Define and sketch a total cost curve (fixed + variable cost).

Explain project financing (funding through equity, loans, grants, etc.).

SECTION B – Medium-Length Questions (10 × 3 = 30 Marks)

Attempt any three.

Q2(a)

Given a room of 4.0 m × 2.5 m, calculate by center-line method:

Earthwork excavation in foundation

Lime concrete in foundation

Brickwork in cement mortar (1:4) in foundation & plinth

Brickwork (1:6) in superstructure

2.5 cm D.P.C.

(Figure on page 1 shows plan and cross-section A–B with labeled dimensions.)

Q2(b)

Differentiate between rough cost estimate and detailed estimate.

Rough estimate: Based on plinth area/cubical content; for feasibility.

Detailed estimate: Item-wise quantities and rates; for execution.

Q2(c)

Explain Gantt Chart with examples.

Graphical tool showing activity vs time; helps visualize progress and delays.

Q2(d)

Compare Wheeled Tractor vs Crawler Tractor.

Q2(e)

Explain Break-even Cost Chart with sketch.
Given:

Fixed Cost = ₹20,00,000               Variable Cost/unit = ₹100                Selling Price/unit = ₹200
Find:

Break-even quantity = FC / (SP – VC) = 20,000 units

Break-even sales = 20,000 × ₹200 = ₹40,00,000
If production = 60,000 units → Contribution = ₹6,000,000; Margin of Safety = 66.7%.

SECTION C – Long / Analytical Questions (10 × 5 = 50 Marks)

Q3. Estimation

a. Prepare a rough estimate by cubical content method:

Plinth area = 500 m²/floor                    Height = 3.5 m

Floors = G+2                                        Rate = ₹1000/m³

Add overheads: Water Supply 8%, Electrification 6%, Fluctuation 5%, Contractor’s Profit 10%, Contingencies 3%.
Final Cost ≈ ₹6.56 crore.
OR
b. Define preliminary estimate and list documents: plan, specifications, location map, cost sheet.

Q4. Materials and Contracting

a. Compute material & labour cost for 150 mm R.C.C. slab (1:2:4 mix, 9×9 m).
Include: cement, sand, aggregate, steel, formwork, labour rates (assume local).
OR
b. Discuss factors influencing contract selection (cost, time, complexity) and difference between SMD (Security Money Deposit) and retention money.

Q5. Project Scheduling

a. Analyze network diagram (given in figure) and find:

Total expected time, variance, EST, LST, floats, and critical path.
OR
b. Discuss resource allocation problem and its solving methods (resource leveling, smoothing).

Q6. Equipment Cost

a. Calculate hiring cost/hour for a bulldozer:

Prime cost ₹48 L                    Salvage 15%                    Life = 7200 hrs/yr

Depreciation, repairs, overheads, fuel (₹50/L × 30 L/hr), oil (₹250/L × 1.8 L/hr).
→ Approx ₹4,000–₹5,000/hr total.
OR
b. Explain with sketch a Concrete Mix Plant (batches cement, aggregate, and water mechanically).

Q7. Depreciation

a. Equipment: Cost = ₹1,00,000; Salvage = ₹20,000; Life = 8 yrs.
Use Sum of Year’s Digits (SOYD):

Dep. for Year 1=836(100000−20000)=17778\text{Dep. for Year 1} = \frac{8}{36} (100000 - 20000) = 17778Dep. for Year 1=368​(100000−20000)=17778

Continue till Year 8; total = ₹80,000.
OR
b. Define equivalence concept and principle of equivalence (used in project finance and cost comparison).

Key Topics to Prepare

Estimation

Types: Preliminary, Detailed, Supplementary, Revised.        Methods: Plinth area, cubical, center-line.

Rate analysis and schedule of rates.

Costing and Financing

Total cost = Fixed + Variable.                                        Break-even analysis, profit margin, depreciation.

Equipment cost components: fuel, maintenance, interest, depreciation.

Construction Management

Project phases: initiation → planning → execution → monitoring → closure.

Tools: CPM, PERT, Gantt Chart.                                   Contract systems: item rate, lump sum, cost-plus.

CPM & PERT

Critical path: longest path, minimum project time.           Floats: total, free, independent.

EST (Earliest Start Time), LST (Latest Start Time).

Machinery and Equipment

Tractor types and selection.                                           Cost analysis for bulldozers, mixers, and cranes.

Depreciation & Equivalence

Methods: Straight-line, SOYD, Diminishing balance.    Equivalence: comparing cash flows at a common time.

 Study Tips

Revise formulas for estimation, depreciation, and break-even.

Practice numerical problems on material costing, CPM/PERT, and equipment cost.

Draw neat diagrams — total cost curve, Gantt chart, concrete batching plant.

Remember standard units — brick (1000 nos.), wood (m³), lime (quintal).

Focus on practical examples — project scheduling and rate analysis.