Digital approaches to building measurement: Standards, tools and techniques
Argaw Gurmu, Deakin University
Nilupa Udawatta, Deakin University
Gayani Karunasena, Deakin University
Reza Taban, Deakin University
Copyright Year:
Publisher: Deakin University
Language: English
Formats Available
Conditions of Use
Attribution-NonCommercial
CC BY-NC
Reviews
Reviewed by Mohana Priya Govindarajan, Part time Faculty, Bridgewater State University on 4/10/26
This handbook is intended for educational and professional development purposes. It reflects Australian industry practices and aligns with the Australian and New Zealand Standard Method of Measurement (ANZSMM). read more
Reviewed by Mohana Priya Govindarajan, Part time Faculty, Bridgewater State University on 4/10/26
Comprehensiveness
This handbook is intended for educational and professional development purposes. It reflects Australian industry practices and aligns with the Australian and New Zealand Standard Method of Measurement (ANZSMM).
Content Accuracy
The book Digital approaches to building measurement: Standards, tools and techniques is considered highly accurate for its intended educational and professional training purpose.
Relevance/Longevity
The book is highly relevant as it bridges the gap between traditional manual measurement teaching and contemporary digital industry practice.
Clarity
The book is clear and well‑structured, with each chapter logically organised around specific trades and supported by step‑by‑step digital measurement workflows. Concepts are explained in plain, accessible language and reinforced with consistent terminology, making it easy for students and practitioners to follow and apply.
Consistency
The book demonstrates strong consistency in its structure, methodology, and use of terminology, with each chapter following a uniform format that aligns measurement rules with ANZSMM principles and digital workflows. This consistent approach across all trades ensures continuity in learning and reinforces accurate, repeatable measurement practices using RIB CostX.
Modularity
This modular structure enables flexible use across different courses and supports progressive learning without requiring strict sequential reading.
Organization/Structure/Flow
The topics in the text are presented in a logical, clear fashion.
Interface
The book has a clear and user‑friendly interface, with well‑organised chapters, headings, and consistent layouts that guide readers smoothly through each measurement topic.
Grammatical Errors
The text contains no grammatical errors.
Cultural Relevance
The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way
Table of Contents
About the Book
To align the teaching and learning of building measurement with current industry practices and standards in Australia, it is essential to update traditional teaching materials. Existing textbooks predominantly focus on manual measurement methods and provide limited coverage of computer-based techniques that are now widely adopted in professional practice. This handbook addresses this gap by integrating digital measurement tools, particularly RIB CostX software, which reflects contemporary industry workflows. The approach adopted in this book aligns with the principles of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Methods of Measurement (ANZSMM) and supports alignment with industry expectations. This handbook covers key trades, namely groundworks, concrete, formwork, reinforcement, and masonry, which are covered in building measurement and estimating units such as SRE272-Building Measurement, SRE302- Building Measurement and Estimating, and SRQ774-Construction Measurement and Estimating.
About the Contributors
Authors
Dr Argaw Gurmu is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at Deakin University and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He holds a PhD in Construction Management from the University of Melbourne, a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, and a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Technology and Management from Addis Ababa University. Dr Gurmu’s teaching expertise includes cost planning, building measurement and estimating, and project management. His research focuses on construction labour productivity, cost management, building defects, and sustainable construction, with publications in leading academic journals. Beyond academia, he brings extensive industry experience, having worked as a project manager, project engineer, and quantity surveyor on major building and road infrastructure projects.
Dr Nilupa Udawatta is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at Deakin University, Australia. She holds a PhD in Building from the University of South Australia, a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Learning and Teaching from Deakin University, and a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying from the University of Moratuwa. Her teaching focuses on construction measurement and estimating, procurement, cost planning, and contract administration, where she integrates industry knowledge with innovative teaching practices. Her research is dedicated to advancing sustainable and resilient construction practices, with a particular emphasis on waste management, circular economy, construction culture, and conflict management.
Dr Gayani Karunasena is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at Deakin University, with over 20 years of experience in social science research and higher education. Her teaching interests span Building Measurement and Estimating, Contract Administration, Cost Planning, and specialised Quantity Surveying practices. She is a Fellow of the Advanced Higher Education and serves as the Campus Coordinator for Construction Management at Burwood. Her professional affiliations include membership in both the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Sri Lanka.
Reza Taban is a lecturer and researcher in Construction Management at Deakin University, specialising in cost management and digital construction. A certified Quantity Surveyor with extensive industry and academic experience, he integrates professional practice with educational innovation to enhance student employability and digital literacy. His research focuses on adaptive curricula, technology-enhanced learning environments, and the impact of digital transformation on industry and education. He is passionate about bridging academia and industry, as well as providing equitable, technology-rich learning experiences that prepare future construction professionals for the evolving demands of the AEC sector. His research interests also include innovative approaches to construction economics, productivity, and sustainability in engineering and construction.