Cost of brickwork per cubic meter.

 

Overview

To calculate the cost of any masonry built using bricks and mortar, you should consider the following topics:

• Standard size of bricks used

-The standard size of brick being used in Nepal is 240*115*57mm.

• Thickness of the mortar

-We consider the standard thickness of 10 mm of mortar for brick work.

• Mix ratio of mortar

-The mix ratio normally used is either 1:6 or 1:4 (cement and sand).

You can bond bricks in different patterns, like

• English Bond
• Flemish bond
• Stretcher bond
• Rat Trap Bond, etc.

Among different types of bond, the most commonly used brick pattern in Nepal is English bond. The English bond is one of the strongest bonds. In this bond, we use an alternate row of stretchers and headers. We'll discuss about bricks bond in next blog, here we are going to deal with English bond and it's cost estimate. This analysis is based on first-class chimney-burnt bricks following the norms of

• Kathmandu District rate of fiscal year 079/80
• DUDBC Norms

Regarding these norms, you can see them in our previous blog: https://www.ieccc.com.np/2024/06/cost-of-m20-grade-concrete-in-Nepal.html.

 

Let's break down the rate analysis process into four major headings.

1. Materials estimate and cost as per KTM district rate: 079/80
2. Workers estimate as per DUDBC norms.
3. Cost of tools and equipment
4. Overhead cost and profit

 

Calculation

Let's consider 1 cubic meter (m3) of brick work.

Calculation of brick numbers

Size of Bricks: 240 * 115 * 57mm

Volume of brick = 0.24 * 0.115 * 0.057

                              = 0.0016 cu.m

                       

Size of brick with mortar: 250 * 125 * 67 mm

Volume of brick with mortar = 0.25 * 0.125 * 0.067

                                                     =0.002 cu.m

 

Number of bricks in 1 m3 of brick masonry = (volume of brick masonry) / (size of brick with mortar)

                                                                                 = (1)  / (0.002)

                                                                                 = 500 nos.

 

Calculation of mortar (let’s say 1:6)

Volume of 500 bricks without mortar: 500 * 0.0016

                                                                   = 0.8 cu.m

Therefore, volume of mortar: Masonry Volume - Volume of bricks

                                                   =1-0.8

                                                   =0.2 cu.m

Dry Volume of Mortar: 1.33 * wet volume (we take 1.33 for mortar)

                                       = 1.33 * 0.2

                                        = 0.266

Volume of cement: (Cement Ratio * Dry Volume of Mortar) / (Sum of Ratios)

                                    =(1 * 0.266) / (1 + 6)

                                    = 0.038 cu.m

Cement in kg: Volume * Density

                          = 0.038 * 1440        (Density of cement = 1440 kg/m3)

                           =54.72 kg

Number of bags of cement: 54.72 / 50 (1 bag of cement = 50 kg)

                                                 =1.09 bags

Volume of sand: (Sand Ratio * Dry Volume) / (Sum of Ratios)

                              =(6 * 0.266) / (1 + 6)

                              =0.228 cu.m

 

Volume of water: 100 liters as per DUDBC norms

 

Cost of material as per district rate in Kathmandu 079/80

First Class Chimney Burnt Bricks: 500 nos. at Rs. 15.12 = 500 * 15.12 = Rs. 7560

Cement: 1.09 bags at Rs 700 = 1.09 * 700 = Rs.763

Sand: 0.228 at Rs 3319.61 = 0.228 * 3319.61 = Rs. 756.87

Water: 100 ltr at Rs. 0.2 = 100 * 0.2 = Rs. 20

Cost of Materials = 7560 + 763 + 756.87 + 20 = Rs. 9099.87

 

Workers as per the norms of the DUDBC

Skilled Workers: 1.5 per cubic meter of brickwork

Unskilled Workers: 2.2 per Cu.m Brickworks

 

Cost estimate of workers as per Kathmandu District rate: 079/80

Skilled workers: 1.5 at Rs. 1185 = 1.5 * 1185 = Rs. 1777.50

Unskilled workers: 2.2 at Rs. 870 = 2.2 * 870 = Rs. 1914.00

Total of Workers Cost = 1777.50 + 1914.00 = Rs. 3691.50

 

Analysis of the Cost of Tools and Plants Used

Cost of equipment and tools: 3% of unskilled workers

                                                     =3% of 1914

                                                     =Rs.57.42

 

Total Cost = Material Cost + Workers Cost + Cost of Tools and Plants

                   = 9099.87 + 3691.5 + 57.42

                   = Rs. 12848.79

 

Overhead and profit of contractor analysis

Contractor overhead and profit = 15% of total cost

                                                           =15% of 12848.79

                                                            =Rs. 1927.31

Total of cost including contractor overhead = 1927.31 + 12848.79

                                                                                      = Rs. 14776.10

 

Summary of the Rate Analysis

Brick masonry works include supplying bricks, making cement sand mortar, and constructing brick walls, including the haulage distance of up to 30 m for first-class Chimney (Bhatta) bricks (1:6 cement sand mortar).
Brickwork for 1 cu.m.
Description	Type	Unit	Quantity	Rate	Amount	Remarks
Workers	Skilled	MDay	1.5	1185	1777.50
	Unskilled	MDay	2.2	870	1914.00
Materials	Bricks	Nos.	500	15.12	7560.00
	OPC Cement	Bags	1.09	700	763.00
	Sand	Cu.m	0.228	3319.61	756.87
	Water	ltr	100	0.2	20.00
Equipment	Tools and plants	-	L.S	3% of unskilled workers	57.42
Sub-Total					12848.79
Contractor Overhead: 15%					1927.31
Total					14776.10

 

Others

In a similar way, you can calculate rate analysis for brickwork for 1:4 cement sand mortar too. The procedure is the same for machine-made bricks and second-class chimney-burnt bricks too. In some cases, they place a separate heading for scaffolding costs; this cost is covered under tools and plants in our case.