Rate of plum concrete per cubic meter in Nepal

 Overview

Our last blog was an over-rate analysis of the gabion wall. You can check out its details at:https://www.ieccc.com.np/2024/06/rate-analysis-of-gabion-wall-in-nepal.html.

Plum concrete, also known as boulder-mixed concrete in the Nepali market, is, as its name suggests, a mixture of wet concrete and coarse boulders. The size of boulders may be 150 mm or larger. It is generally used in mass concrete works like river training and protection works. The plum concrete is carried out in layers to the desired level to place the boulders and avoid voids in the structure. Due to its cost-effective nature and robust structure, it's preferred in mass concrete over conventional concrete. But the difficulty arises in its placement and achieving precise finishing as compared to conventional concreting. The typical mix ratio of plum concrete as specified in the norms of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport-Nepal Government is either:

• 60% M15 concrete and 40% boulders or stones
• 70% M15 concrete and 30% boulders or stones

Here in this blog, we are carrying out a rate analysis of plum concrete with a mix ratio of 60% M15 concrete and 40% boulders and stones. The norms we are following are:

• Kathmandu district rate: 80/81
• Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport—Department of Roads

You can find the norms in our download sections: https://www.ieccc.com.np/p/downloads.html.

As part of our regular rate analyses, we follow the regular steps for rate analysis:

• Material estimation and cost
• Workers required
• Use of tools and plants
• Contractor's overhead and profit

 

Calculations

Suppose 10 cubic meters of plum concrete work with a mix ratio of 60% M15 concrete and 40% boulders and stones.

Material estimate

For M15 concrete

Concrete volume: 60% of plum concrete = 6 cu.m.

Adding 54% for dry volume

Concrete dry volume: 1.54 * 6 = 9.24 cu.m.

The M15 concrete mix ratio is 1:2:4.

Total ratio: 7

Volume of cement: 1/7 of concrete dry volume

                                 = (1/7) * 9.24

Volume of cement: 1.32 cu.m.

The density of cement is 1440 kg/m3.

Mass: density * volume = 1.32 * 1440 = 1900.80 kg

Number of bags of cement: 1900.80/50 = 38.02 bags

Volume of sand: 2 * vol. of cement = 2 * 1.32 = 2.64 cu.m.

Volume of aggregate: 4 * vol. of cement = 4 * 1.32 = 5.28 cu.m.

Volume of boulder: 40% of 10 cu.m. = 4 cu.m.

Adding 10% for waste

Volume of boulder: 4.4 cu.m.

Water-cement ratio from IS 1489 code = 0.6

Water = cement * 0.6 = 38.02 * 50 * 0.6 = 1140.6 ltr.

 

Materials cost as per KTM district rate: 080/81

Cement: 38.02 bags at 700.00 = Rs. 26614.00

Sand: 2.64 cu.m. at 3319.61 = Rs. 8763.77

Aggregate: 5.28 cu.m. at 3390.21 = Rs. 17900.30

Quarry stone/boulders: 4.4 cu.m. at 2366.08 = Rs. 10,410.75

Water: 1140.6 ltr at 0.28 = Rs. 319.37

Total cost of materials: 26614.00 + 8763.77 + 17900.30 + 10,410.75 + 319.37 = Rs. 64008.19

 

Worker as per norms of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport—Department of Roads

Skilled workers: 3.00 at 1200.00 = Rs. 3600.00

Unskilled workers: 30.00 at 900.00 = Rs. 27000.00

Total cost of workers: 3600.00 + 27000.00 = Rs. 30600.00

 

Cost of hiring tools and plants

3% of unskilled workers: 3% of 27000.00 = Rs. 810

 

Total cost: materials + workers + tools and plants

                  = 64008.19 + 30600.00 + 810

Total cost: Rs. 95418.19

 

Contractor's overhead and profit

Contractor overhead: 15% of total cost = 15% of 95418.19 = Rs. 14312.73

 

Total cost of 10 cu.m. plum concrete, 60% M15, and 40% boulders: 95418.19 + 14312.73 = Rs. 109730.92.

Total cost of plum concrete: 60% M15 and 40% boulders per cubic meter: 109730.92/10 = Rs. 10973.09

 

Summary of rate analysis

Plum Concrete works in 40% / 60% mass concrete, including Boulder cleaning works. (P.C.C. in 1:3:6), 60% concrete, and 40% boulder stone for 10 cu. m.
Description	Type	Unit	Quantity	Rate	Amount	Remarks
Workers	Skilled	MDay	3.00	1200.00	3600.00
	Unskilled	MDay	30.0	900.00	27000.00
Materials	Cement	Bags	38.02	700.00	26614.00
	Sand	Cu.m	2.64	3319.61	8763.77
	Aggregate	Cu.m.	5.28	3390.21	17900.30
	Quarry stone	Cu.m.	4.40	2366.08	10,410.75
	Water	Ltr.	1140.60	0.28	319.37
Tools and plants account for 3% of unskilled workers.					810.00
Sub-Total					95418.19
Contractor overhead and profit at 15%					14312.73
Total cost of 10 cu. m. of plum concrete: 60% M15 and 40% boulders					109730.92
Total cost of plum concrete: 60% M15 and 40% boulders per cubic meter					10973.09

In words: Rs. ten thousand nine hundred seventy-three and nine paisa only.

 

Others

Plum concrete decreases the cost by up to 30% as compared to the same grade of plain cement concrete.