Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Building Layout
Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
Explain the operation of the builders level
and level-transit.
Explain the basic operation of a laser level
system.
Demonstrate proper setup, sighting, and
leveling procedures.
Measure and lay out angles using leveling
equipment.
Read the vernier scale.
Use a plumb line.
Technical Vocabulary
Benchmark
Builders level
Building lines
Building site
Carpenters level
Cut
Datum
Dumpy level
Elevation
Fill
Grade
Grade leveling
Laser level
Leveling rod
Line of sight
Lots
Measuring tape
Optical level
Plumb
Property line
Station mark
Steel tape
Transit
Vernier scale
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Section 1
Preparing to Build
Figure 6-1. Providing a plot plan is the responsibility of the architect or owner. The plan shows the property
boundaries, along with the building lines for the proposed building. Many communities require a plot plan before
issuing a building permit.
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Chapter 6
151
Building Layout
6.3 Establishing
Building Lines
Laying out a building means locating the
outside corners of its foundation, then marking
152
Section 1
Preparing to Build
Street
1
2
20'
3
4
1"
2"
10'
10'
10'
Figure 6-2. Measuring tape. ALong tapes for layout use are made in lengths of up to 300. BMeasuring tapes are
made with different systems and graduations. 1. Metric. 2. Feet and decimal graduations. 3. Feet, inch, and eighthinch graduations. 4. Feet and inches with feet repeated at each inch mark. (The Stanley Co.; Keuffel & Esser)
Chapter 6
8'-0"
10'-0"
90
6'-0"
Instrument
level vial
Lens
153
Building Layout
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Section 1
Preparing to Build
Telescope lens
Vertical
clamp screw
Vertical
tangent screw
Eyepiece
Focusing knob
Vertical
arc
Horizontal
graduated circle
Horizontal
clamp screw
Index vernier
Tripod head
Leg clamp
Leg
A
Eyepiece
Horizontal
graduated circle
Leveling screws
Horizontal
tangent screw
Horizontal
clamp screw
Ground spike
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Building Layout
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Section 1
Preparing to Build
Bubble
Figure 6-10. The bubble of the level vial will generally move in the same direction as the left thumb. This
bubble needs to move left.
Sighting
Most builders levels have a telescope with a
power of about 20. This means that the object being
sighted appears to be 20 times closer than it actually
is. The procedure for sighting is easy to learn:
1. Line up the telescope by sighting along the barrel
and then look into the eyepiece, Figure 6-11.
2. Adjust the focusing knob until the image is
clear and sharp.
3. When the crosshairs are in approximate position on the object, Figure 6-12, tighten the
horizontal-motion clamp.
4. Make the nal alignment by turning the tangent
screw.
Chapter 6
Crosshairs
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Building Layout
158
Section 1
might be a stake with a nail in it or the intersection of two string lines marking the corner of a
building line.
Preparing to Build
Vernier scale
Figure 6-12. View through the telescope. ACrosshairs vertically and horizontally split the image area in
half. BThe object in the view should be centered on
the crosshairs.
360
45
90 = square corner
= 1 quadrant
90
Measurements of a circle
Circle
1
1 minute
1 quadrant
60
70
80
90
80
Staking a building
75, 45 Minutes
30
40
50
60
60
70
80
90
70
80
270
60
45
30
15
0
15
30
45
60
50
60
70
50
40
60
45
30
15
0
15
30
45
60
30
50
75
= 360
= 60 minutes
= 60 seconds
= 1/4 circle or 90
180
Figure 6-13. The graduated circle of a transit corresponds to the 360 of a full circle; 90 represents a
quadrant, which would give you a square corner for a
building.
Chapter 6
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Building Layout
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Section 1
Preparing to Build
C
C
Measuring
tape
Plumb bob
A
Nail
22
stake
Figure 6-15. Steps for laying out building lines. LeftLocate the instrument over a stake marking a corner. Line
up 0 on the instrument circle with the building line AB. Swing the instrument 90 to establish line AC. RightMove
the instrument to point C to establish point D. Rod must be used when the instrument is a builders level. Rod must
be held plumb using a plumb line or carpenters level. A transit is a much better instrument in this operation since
it is not necessary to use the rod. Simply swivel the transit telescope and sight on the corner stake.
Alignment sighted
from stake A
Distance
measured
with tape
Mark line
of sight
Temporary
stake
Stake at
position C
Figure 6-16. A temporary stake may be used to establish an exact point. First, set the temporary stake and
mark the line of sight on it. Drive a second stake and
transfer the mark from stake A.
5'-2"
A
B
5'-9"
A
B
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Building Layout
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Section 1
Preparing to Build
Tripod
Grade stake
mark
1'-10"
2'-4"
C
F
1'-10"
Mark
2'-4"
Building line
Checking grade
Building sites are rarely perfectly level. All have
high and low points. These highs and lows need to
be determined before the height of the foundation
is established. This job is easier when the site is
fairly level, as in Figure 6-17.
1. Locate the instrument midway into the site,
then level the instrument.
2. Take a line-of-sight reading on a rod held at
one edge of the site.
3. From the position of the target on the rod,
note the elevation (5-2 in Figure 6-17) and
record it. Surveyors keep a notebook for such
recording, since many people may need to
refer to the readings. Carpenters generally jot
readings on a piece of scrap lumber. Usually,
they are the only ones needing to refer to the
readings.
4. Rotate the telescope 180. Take a line-of-sight
reading on the rod located at the opposite side
of the site.
5. Note the elevation at the target position on the
rod (5-9 in Figure 6-17). Record it as before.
6. Subtract the lower elevation from the higher
one to nd the difference (7). This number is
the actual vertical increase or decrease from
one known point to another.
When setting grade stakes for a footing or
erecting batter boards, set the instrument in a central
location on the site, as shown in Figure 6-18. The
distances to the target (or rod) will be roughly equal.
This will improve the accuracy of the readings taken
for each corner. An elevation established at one
corner can be quickly transferred to other corners
or points in between.
Required
grade elevation
6'-0"
5'-8"
2'-4"
2'-6"
(Minus reading)
Curbing
used as
benchmark
Setup #2
Surveyor s Notebook
Setup #1
Setup #
1
2
Sum
Plus sight
5'-8"
6'-0"
11'-8"
Minus sight
2'-6"
2'-4"
4'-10"
Figure 6-20. When there is a large slope on the property or when long distances are involved, the transit will need
to be set up in two or more locations.
Chapter 6
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Building Layout
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Section 1
Preparing to Build
90
Chapter 6
Building Layout
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Section 1
Preparing to Build
ON THE JOB
Surveyor/Surveying Technician
166
Chapter 6
Summary
The correct location on the building site must
be identied before the foundation or slab can
be constructed. Laying out a building involves
locating the outside corners of the foundation,
driving stakes, and then stretching building
lines between stakes to mark where the walls
will be. Measuring tapes can be used for layout
work, but leveling instruments are more precise.
Leveling instruments are also used to establish
grades and elevations. Laser levels are replacing
conventional transits and levels in building site
layout. Their biggest advantage is requiring
only one person to take measurements, rather
than two.
Building Layout
167
Curricular Connections
Mathematics. Make a study of the procedures you would follow and calculations
you would make to determine the height of
a agpole, tall building, or mountain, using
a transit and trigonometric functions. Use
the information to determine the height of
at least one tall object in your community.
Prepare a report for your class explaining
the theory and how you proceeded.
Outside Assignments
1. Study the catalog of a supplier or manufacturer and develop a set of specications for
a builders level. Be sure it includes a good
carrying case. Also select a suitable tripod
and measuring tape. Secure prices for all of
the items.
2. Through drawings and a written description, tell how you would proceed to lay out a
baseball diamond using a transit.