Tolerances in Construction Must Remember by Quality Engineer

Noel MadesFebruary 13, 2014QA/QC Engineer Guide

In construction whether vertical or horizontal there is what we always keep in mind that so
called Tolerance I am going to post it here in order to easily for you to find, if you cant
remember because there are too many of them, and if you want to read again just simply
bookmark the post or make this on your favorites.

Firstly, here is the meaning of Tolerance is the permissible limit or limits of variation of
physical dimension, a measured value or physical property of a material or manufactured
object.
Variation in Concrete
1. Variation from the plumb

1.1

1.2

In the lines and surfaces of columns, walls and in arises

Area

Tolerance

In any story or 6 meter max.

6mm

In 12 meter or more

10mm

For exposed corner column, control joints, grooves and other conspicuous lines
In any story or 6 meter max.

6mm

In 12 meter or more

12mm

2. Variation from the level or from the grade indicated on the drawings

2.1

From level around perimeter of the building, at stairs and similar critical locations,
shall not vary from more than +/- 10mm from level shown on the drawings.

2.2

In floors, ceiling, beam soffit and arises maximum difference between any two points.
Area

Tolerance

In 3 meter

4mm

In any bay or 6 meter max.

6mm

2. Variation from the level or from the grade indicated on the drawings

In 12 meter or more
2.3

12mm

For exposed lintels, sills, horizontal grooves and other conspicuous lines
In any bay or 6 meter max.

6mm

In 12 meter or more

10mm

Read also: Method Statement for Anti-termite Treatment

3. Variation in plan dimensions from the established building gridlines to related columns, walls and partition.
4. Variation in the size and location of the sleeves, floor and wall openings 6mm.

Area

Tolerance

In any bay or 6 meter max.

6mm

In 12 meter or more

10mm

5. Variation in cross-sectional dimensions of columns and beams, and in the thickness of slabs and walls

Area

Tolerance

Minus

6mm

5. Variation in cross-sectional dimensions of columns and beams, and in the thickness of slabs and walls

Plus

12mm

6. Footings

6.1

6.2

Variation in plan dimensions

Area/Description

Tolerance

Minus

6mm

Plus

12mm

Misplacement or eccentricity
2% of the footing width in the direction of misplacement but not more than 50 mm.

6.3

Variation in thickness
Area/Description

Tolerance

Decrease

5% of the thickness but not more than 25mm

Increase

No limit

7. Variation in steps

7.1

In plight of stairs

7. Variation in steps

7.2

Area/Decription

Tolerance

rise

3mm

tread

3mm

In consecutive steps
rise

2mm

tread

3mm

Tolerances in placements of reinforcement

1

Clear distance

Area/Description

Tolerance

1.1

to formed soffit

- 6mm

1.2

to other formed surfaces

+/- 6mm

Minimum spacing between bars

-6 mm

Clear distance from unformed surface to top reinforcement

3.1

members 200mm deep or less

+/- 6mm

Clear distance

3.2

members more than 200mm deep but less than 600mm deep

- 6mm +12mm

3.3

members 600mm deep or greater

-6mm +25mm

Longitudinal locations of bends and ends of reinforcement

4.1

General

+/- 50mm

Discontinuous ends

+/- 12mm

Length of bar laps and anchorage

-25mm

Read also: Method Statement for Interlock Works

Thats all Ive read. if you have supplements to the above tolerances please feel free to
comment or leave your reply below.