Part 1 fixes earthwork measurement: excavation and filling measured by net in-situ volume, soil classified (ordinary soil / hard soil / soft & hard rock) since rate depends on it, with rules for lift (vertical) and lead (horizontal haul), and the treatment of working space, side slopes and back-filling. Earthwork is the most-disputed bill item — classification and lead/lift are where money is won or lost.
Key Requirements
•Excavation/filling measured by net computed volume (cross-sections / level differences), not loose/heaped
•Classify the strata (ordinary soil / hard soil / rock) — measured and paid by class
•Lift (depth bands) and lead (haul distance bands) measured/paid per the schedule
•Working space, side slopes and authorised extra excavation per the IS 1200 Part 1 rules
•Back-filling/compaction measured separately per the method
Practical Notes
✓Soil classification and lead/lift drive the earthwork bill far more than the bare excavation rate — measure and record them as the work proceeds, not after backfill.
✓Net in-situ volume — not truck loads or heaped spoil — is the IS 1200 basis; bulking is not paid.
Common Mistakes
⚠Measuring loose/heaped spoil or truck loads instead of net in-situ volume.
⚠Not recording soil classification / lead-lift before backfilling (then unprovable).