5 Methods of Calculating Quantities of Materials

There are many methods used for calculating quantities of materials. Which one goes with your plan depends on the design and shape of the building. Each method is characteristically different from other.

Calculation of quantities of material needs a proper technical understanding of materials and construction. The five major methods are described here for you and they come up with the right measurement of materials you need.

1. Centre Line Method: Centre line method is applicable to the square building with symmetrical offsets. To calculate the quantities of materials, you need to multiply the total centre line length with breadth and depth of the construction.

The centre line length will be reduced by half of breadth of every junction where the main wall is joined with the cross walls, partitions or verandah. The junctions must be taken into consideration while calculating the centre line length of a wall. The quantity estimation brought out by this method is accurate and fast.

2. Crossing method: Crossing method is designed for calculating materials needed for masonry walls. In this method, the lengths and breadths of walls at plinth level (the base on which a column is raised) are included. The internal dimension of the room and the thickness of the walls are also important to calculate the quantities. Symmetrical offsets should be counted as they play a major role in the calculation of quantity of materials.