Which of the following statements about measurement of concrete materials is true?
Correct Answer: C. The finished concrete is measured in cubic metres
📚 Detailed Explanation: Measurement of Concrete — Finished Volume in m³
Why C (finished concrete in m³) is the correct/definitive answer: While some statements partially apply (water in litres is correct), the universally applicable and unambiguous statement is that finished concrete structures are measured and paid for in cubic metres (m³) in Bills of Quantities and construction contracts.
How Each Concrete Ingredient Is Measured
| Material | Measurement Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cement | kg (or bags of 50 kg) | Weigh batching mandatory for M20+ |
| Water | litres (L) | Must account for moisture in aggregates |
| Fine aggregate (sand) | kg (or m³ for volume batching) | Weigh batching preferred; volume batching needs bulking correction |
| Coarse aggregate | kg (or m³ for volume batching) | Weigh batching eliminates moisture/packing errors |
| Admixtures | ml or % of cement mass | Dispensed by liquid measuring equipment |
| Finished concrete (structure) | m³ | Volume of the completed concrete element (slab, beam, column, etc.) |
Why Option (d) “All of these” Is Not Correct
Option (a) says the weight of all ingredients is in kg — but water is measured in litres, not kg (though kg and litres are numerically equal for water, the option is misleading). Option (b) says aggregates are measured in litres — this is generally incorrect; aggregates are measured in kg or m³, not litres. Only option (c) is precisely and unambiguously correct.
- Finished concrete = measured in m³ for payment and BOQ purposes.
- Water = litres; Cement = kg or bags; Aggregates = kg (weigh batching) or m³ (volume batching).