Is it still necessary to follow the Contruction Manual guidelines for Significant Figures when making entries in HiCAMS and checking Final Estimates?

The most recent Construction Manual (which accompanies the 1995 NCDOT Standard Specifications) includes The Table of Source Document, Measurement, and Significant Figure Paid To. This table will be updated in the Construction Manual released with the 2006 Standard Specifications to eliminate the two columns called Intermediate Computations To and Pay To. Measurement should still be performed as detailed in the column entitled Measurement or as directed by the Method of Measurement sections of the Standard Specifications.

Because multiple entries are made in HiCAMS to accumulate a final payment total for each Line Item, recalculating the total at the end of the job and making adjustments solely to comply with the Significant Figures table is unnecessary.

HiCAMS allows entry of up to three digits to the right of the decimal. This does not mean that those three digits must all be greater than zero. Unless the Standard Specifications indicate a Method of Measurement (see examples below), Pay Items should be measured as detailed in the Measurement column of the Table, and entered in HiCAMS up to three places.

If the computed numbers must be rounded so that the number of digits does not exceed the three places allowed in HiCAMS, the following rules of rounding off should be used:

  1. When the digits to be rounded are 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, the preceding digit should not be changed and the digit should be dropped (e.g. 24.3964 is rounded to 24.396).

  2. When the digits to be rounded are 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, the preceding digit should be increased by one (e.g. 24.3968 is rounded to 24.397).

If you have any questions concerning this topic, please contact the Construction Unit Final Estimate Technician at 919-733-2210.

Examples of Method of Measurement instructions

CAUTION: this list is not all-inclusive! Be sure to check the Method of Measurement section for each contract Line item in either the Standard Specifications or Project Special Provisions.

260-4: The quantity of proof rolling to be paid for will be the actual number of hours, measured to the nearest 0.1 hour. HiCAMS entry would display as 1.100 HR

310-6: Measurement of pipe is made by counting the number of joints used and multiplying by the length of the joint to obtain number of linear feet of pipe installed and accepted. Measurements of partial joints are made along the longest length of the partial joint to the nearest 0.1 of a foot (meter). HiCAMS entry would display as 9.300 LF

320-4: The quantity of corrugated steel structural plate pipe or pipe arch to be paid for will be the actual number of linear feet (linear meters) of pipe or pipe arch, measured to the nearest foot (meter). HiCAMS entry would display as 12.000 LF

340-4: The quantity of pipe removal measured will be the actual number of linear feet (linear meters) of pipe and flared end sections, measured to the nearest 0.1 foot (meter). HiCAMS entry would display as 3.400 LF

816-4(A): The quantity of shoulder drain to be paid for will be the number of linear feet (linear meters) of shoulder drain which has been completed and accepted, measured to the nearest foot (meter). HiCAMS entry would display as 174.000 LF

840-4(A)(1): Per Each Basis: The height will be measured vertically to the nearest tenth of a foot (meter) from the top of the bottom slab to the top of the wall. HiCAMS entry would display as 2.100 M

901-5: In measuring this quantity, the sign face areas will be calculated to the nearest 1/100 of a square foot (square meter). HiCAMS entry would display as 6.250 SF

For additional information about this topic, please contact the Construction Unit at 919-733-2210.

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Validated 20070307