Takeoff User Guide

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Supported Formulas

Methvin provides a variety of functions to streamline calculations, whether you're managing complex construction projects or handling simpler measurements. These functions are designed to improve accuracy and simplify your workflow. Methvin supports a wide range of functions, including basic arithmetic, advanced JavaScript-based calculations, and date functions for managing project timelines. These functions are categorized into the following sections:

  1. Quick Functions
  2. JavaScript Math Functions
  3. JavaScript Date Functions
  4. Project Financing Example

1. Quick Functions

 These are commonly used functions for quick calculations.

Density of Mild steel

  • [skg]: Returns the density of mild steel in kg/m³.
    • Example: [skg] returns 7850.
  • [slb]: Returns the density of mild steel in lb/ft³.
    • Example: [slb] returns 490.636.

Mathematical Constants

  • [PI]: Returns the mathematical constant pi (π), approximately 3.14159.
    • Example: [PI] returns 3.14159.

Global Variables

  • Use global variables consistently throughout your project.
    • Example: 1 + [ABC] adds 1 to the value of [ABC].

Power Calculation

  • Computes the power of a number.
    • Example: 2^3 returns 8.

Square Root

  • Computes the square root of a number.
    • Example: 4^(1/2) returns 2.

Conditional Statements

  • Performs logic-based outcomes based on conditions.
    • Example: if(10 > 5) {55} else {66} returns 55.

Bill Item Quantity

  • [qty]: Returns the quantity associated with a bill item.
    • Example: [qty] returns 100 (or the specified quantity).

2. JavaScript Math Functions

These functions utilize JavaScript for advanced mathematical operations.

Basic Math Functions

  • E: Euler’s constant, approximately 2.718.
    • Example: Math.E returns 2.718.
  • PI or [PI]: Returns the mathematical constant pi (π).
    • Example: Math.PI returns 3.14159.

Logarithmic Functions

  • LN(x): Returns the natural logarithm of x.
    • Example: Math.LN(2) returns 0.693.
  • log(x): Computes the natural logarithm of x.
    • Example: Math.log(10) returns 2.3026.
  • LOG(x)E: Calculates the logarithm of x in base E.
    • Example: Math.LOG(2) returns 0.3010.

Rounding Functions

  • ceil(x): Rounds x up to the nearest integer.
    • Example: Math.ceil(2.1) returns 3.
  • floor(x): Rounds x down to the nearest integer.
    • Example: Math.floor(2.9) returns 2.
  • round(x): Rounds x to the nearest integer.
    • Example: Math.round(2.5) returns 3.
  • toFixed(n): Rounds x to n decimal places.
    • Example: 2.567.toFixed(2) returns 2.57.

Other Math Functions

  • min(x, y, z, ...): Returns the smallest value from a list of arguments.
    • Example: Math.min(0, 150, 30, -200, -8) returns -200.
  • max(x, y, z, ...): Returns the largest value from a list of arguments.
    • Example: Math.max(0, 150, 30, 20, -8) returns 150.
  • SQRT(x): Computes the square root of x.
    • Example: Math.SQRT(9) returns 3.
  • sin(x): Calculates the sine of an angle in radians.
    • Example: Math.sin(Math.PI / 2) returns 1.

3. JavaScript Date Functions

These functions are used to manage contract-related calculations and project timelines.

Contract Start and End Dates

  • SD1: Define the contract start date.
    • Example: SD = 10/01/2017 sets the start date to 10th January 2017.
  • ED1: Define the contract end date.
    • Example: ED = 24/05/2017 sets the end date to 24th May 2017.

Contract Duration

  • Calculate the total duration of the contract in weeks.
    • CD1 = (([ED] - [SD]) / 1000 / 60 / 60 / 24 / 365.242 * 12 * 4.33).toFixed(2)
      This returns the duration in weeks, e.g., 19.07.

4. Project Financing Example

Contract Interest Cost Calculation Example

The table below demonstrates how to calculate the financing cost for a construction project, including initial principal, monthly increase, and interest over the repayment period. 

Example of a pricing worksheet for calculating contract interest costs:

Description

Resource

Rate

Unit

Variable

Equation

Value

Amount

Clients financing variables

 

 

 

 

1

1

-

Annual Interest Rate

 

 

 

AIR

[BLR_GV]%

0.04

-

Client initial Principal costs

 

 

 

 

1

1

-

Initial Principal

 

 

 

IP

[LAC_GV]

1,600,000.00

-

Client monthly increase cost of build

 

 

 

 

1

1

-

Design and Consultants' costs:

 

 

 

 

[TDC_GV]

9,300,000.00

-

Contractors build cost

 

 

 

 

[CEB_GV]

60,000,000.00

-

Clients provisions

 

 

 

 

[CPC_GV]

11,367,600.00

-

Total client cost less land acquisition cost

 

 

 

CC

[TDC_GV]+[CEB_GV]+[CPC_GV]

80,667,600.00

-

Monthly Increase

 

 

 

MI

[CC]/[CPD_GV]

1,390,820.69

-

Client cost of interest

 

 

 

 

1

1

-

Number of Repayment Periods

 

 

 

NOR

[CPD_GV]

58

-

Monthly Rate

 

 

 

MIR

[AIR]/12

-

-

Total Interest

Interest

1.00

sum

 

FOR(0, [NOR]): { answer += ([IP] + ([MI] * count)) * [MIR] }

7,972,755.33

7,972,755.33

Breakdown of Key Calculations

  1. Initial Principal (IP): The land acquisition cost [LAC_GV] is the starting principal.
  • Value: 1,600,000

2. Annual Interest Rate (AIR): The yearly interest rate is 4%, converted into a monthly rate:

  • Formula: [AIR] / 12
    • Value: 0.0033333

3. Total Client Cost (CC): Sum of consultant, contractor, and provision costs.

  • Formula: [TDC_GV] + [CEB_GV] + [CPC_GV]
    • Value: 80,667,600

4. Monthly Increase (MI): Monthly construction cost increase based on repayment period.

  • Formula: [CC] / [CPD_GV]
    • Value: 1,390,820.69
  • Total Interest Calculation: Using a loop formula:
    FOR(0, [NOR]): { answer += ([IP] + ([MI] * count)) * [MIR] }
    • Total Interest Value: 7,972,755.33

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