SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

SETTING-OUT
Mrs. Siti Maryam bt Abdul Wahab

Department of Surveying Science and Geomatics

UiTM Perlis.
Room: B 210
Email : sitimaryam@perlis.uitm.edu.my

MAR@UiTM

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OBJECTIVES

Understand the roles of the various different

types of personnel who are involved in setting out
process
Understand the aims of setting out
Appreciate the good working practices that should
be undertaken in order that the aims of setting
out can be achieved
Understand the procedures required to ensure
that the horizontal and vertical control
requirements of the setting out operations can be
met.
MAR@UiTM

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Introduction

Setting out definition :

Setting out is the establishment of the marks and
lines to define the position and level of the
elements for the construction work so that works
may proceed with reference to them. This
process may be contrasted with the purpose of
Surveying which determine by measurement the
positions of existing features

Simple to say : it is the reverse surveying.

Means, begin with the plan and ends with the
various elements of particular engineering project
correctly positioned in the area.
MAR@UiTM

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Personnel Involved in
Setting Out
1.
-

2.
-

3.
-

Employer :
The person, company or government department that
requires the particular scheme to be undertaken and
finances the project.
Engineer :
investigate the feasibility of the proposed project, to
undertake site investigation and prepare various solutions
for the employers consideration.
Act as independent arbiter and ensure that the works are
carried out in accordance with the drawings, specification,
and other conditions as laid out in the contract.
Contractor :
Chosen from the tenders submitted and a contract is
formed between the Employer and the Contractor.

MAR@UiTM

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The question of responsibility for setting out will be covered by the

formal contract used in the scheme.

This will contain a definitive section on setting out. e.g : Clause 17

of the ICE conditions of Contract Measurement Version, 7th edn :

The Contractor shall be responsible for the true and proper setting
out of the Works and for the correctness of the position levels
dimensions and alignment of all parts of the Work and for the
provision of all necessary instruments, appliances and labour in
connection therewith.

If at any time during the progress of the Works any error shall
appear or arise in the position levels dimensions or alignment of
any part of the Works the Contractor on being required so to do by
the Engineer shall at his own cost rectify such error to the
satisfaction of the Engineer or the Engineers Representative in
which case the cost of rectifying the same shall be borne by the
Employer.

The checking of any setting-out of any line or level by the Engineer

or the Engineers Representative shall not in any way relieve the
Contractor shall carefully protect and preserve all bench-marks
sight rail pegs and other things used in setting out Works

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Aims of Setting Out

Various elements of the scheme must be

correct in all three dimensions.

Position
Shape
Area

Once setting out begin, must proceed

quickly cost can be minimised.

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Techniques to Achieve Aims

Points of known plan position must be established within or

near the site from which the design points can be set out in
their correct plan positions. This involved horizontal control
techniques.

Points of known elevation relative to an agreed datum are

required within or near site from which the design points
can be set out at their correct reduced levels. This involves
vertical control techniques.

Accurate methods must be adopted to establish design

points from this horizontal and vertical control. This
involves positioning techniques.

MAR@UiTM

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Plans & Drawing Associated

with Setting Out

Preliminary survey must be undertaken by the

Engineer @ specialist team of land surveyors
result will be a contoured plan of the area at
suitable scale (usually 1 : 500 or larger) showing
all the existing detail, prepared from a network
control.

Provide a series of horizontal and vertical control

points which may be used to help with any
subsequent setting out.

This known as site or survey plan.

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

The proposed scheme is drawn on the site plan

becomes the layout @ working drawings. The
Contractor will be given this drawing so that he
can use these to decide the horizontal and
vertical control points in the area.

All the information, together with the angles and

lengths necessary to relocate the control points
should become disturbed is recorded on a copy of
the original plan and forms what is known as the
setting out plan.
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

As work proceeds, it may be necessary to make

amendments to the original design to overcome
unforeseen problems. Any alterations are
recorded on a copy of the working drawings.
latest amended drawing.

Always use the latest version of any drawing but

important to keep the drawings which show the
earlier amendments : may be needed to resolve a
dispute or for costing purpose.

When the scheme completed, the drawing which

shows all the alterations that have taken place
during the course of the Works become As-built
Plan.
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Good Working Practices When

Setting Out
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Keep careful records.

Adopt sensible filing procedures
Look after instruments and use them safely
Check the drawing
Walk the site
Fix the control points
Inspect the site regularly
Work to the programme
Work to the specifications
Maintain accuracy
Check the work
Communicate
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

The Principles of Setting

Out

In practice, setting out techniques fall into

three main categories :

Horizontal Control techniques

Vertical Control techniques
Coordinate Positioning Control techniques

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Horizontal Control
Techniques

In order that the design points of the scheme can be

correctly fixed in plan position, it is necessary to establish
points on site for which the E, N coordinates are known.

These are horizontal control points and once they have

been located, they can be used with a positioning
techniques to set out E,N coordinates of the design points.

Two factors must be borne in mind :

1.

The control points should be located throughout the site in

order that all the design points can be fixed from at least
two & preferably three of them so that the work can be
independently checked.
Design points must all be set out to the accuracy stated in
the specifications.

2.

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Accuracy must be maintained throughout the

control network and this can be achieved by
establishing different levels of control based on
one of the fundamental tenets of surveying.
(working from the whole to the part)

Usually involves starting with a small number of very

accurately measured control points.

Only primary and secondary control should be used to

minimize the chances of error propagating through the
network.

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

On some schemes the same control points that

were used in the production of the site plan prior
to design work are used for setting out. (they
must be resurveyed!)

Horizontal control points should be located as

near as possible to the site in open positions for
ease of working, but well away (up to 100m if
necessary since this is easily accommodated
when using total stations) from the construction
areas and traffic routes on site to avoid them
being disturbed.

Since design points are established from

horizontal control points, design points must be
clearly visible from the control points and as
many should be capable of being set out from
each of these.
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Permanent
Control Points

The construction &

protection of control points
is very important.

Steel bolt with

station marked on
top

500-600 mm
concrete block

Wooden peg are often used

for nonpermanent stations,
but they are recommended
owing to their vulnerability.
For longer life, wooden peg
can be surrounded in
concrete but preferably,
permanent station should
be similar to the figure :

300-500mm
diameter

Concrete pillar
with a plate
grounded in top
for attaching
instrument

10001500mm

10001500mm

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Once established and coordinated, control

points are used to set out design points of
the proposed structure.

They are generally used in one of the

following ways :

Baselines
Reference Grids

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Baselines

Is a line running between two points of known

position.

Any baselines required to set out a project should

be specified on the setting out plan.

For example:
- Primary site control such as traverse station A and
B in the next figure can be used to establish a
baseline DE by angle and distance values as
shown.

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Primary site control point

B

Baseline

Subsidiary line

R
T

Secondary site
control points on
baseline established
by bearing and
distance from A & B

S
BUILDING
U

Design Corner Point

Subsidiary offset lines can be set off at right angles from each
end of the baseline to fix two corners R & S of building. Once R
& S have been pegged out, the horizontal length of RS is
measured & checked against its designed value.
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

In some cases, the designer may specify a

baseline that runs between points on two existing
buildings. Design points are then set out from
this line either by offsetting at right angles or by
measuring distances from points on the line.

The accuracy of this method depends greatly on

how well the baseline can be established & how
precisely the dimensions required to set out the
design points are known.

MAR@UiTM

Design point also can be set out by taping known distances from
each end of a baseline. Here, point A on proposed building is set
out by taping dimensions 1 and 2 from the baseline and point B
by taping dimensions 3 and 4. As before, the set out length of AB
is then checked against its designed value and, if within
tolerance, it can be used as a baseline to set out corners C and
D.

Proposed
Building

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The accuracy of the baselines method increases if

2 baselines at right angles to each other are
used.

Design points can be established either by

measuring & offsetting from both lines, or a grid
system can be set up to provide additional control
points in the area enclosed by the baselines.

The use of 2 baselines in this way leads to the

use of reference grids on site.

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

1. Survey
Grid

4.
Secondary
Grid

Reference
Grids

A control
point enables
points to be
set up over a
large area.
Several
different
grids can be
used in
setting out.

2. Site
Grid

3. Structural Grid
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

1. Survey Grid

Drawn on the survey plan from the original

traverse or network.

Grid points have known Easting & Northing

related either to some arbitrary origin or
to the National Grid.

Control points in this grid are represented

by the original control stations.
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

2. Site Grid

Usually related in some way to the survey grid.

Advantage : If the original control stations have been

permanently marked then the designed points will be on
the same coordinate system and setting out is greatly
simplified.

Site Grid
points

osed
p
o
r
P
ing
Build

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

3. Structural Grid

Is established around a particular building

or structure which contains much detail,
such as columns, which cannot be set out
with sufficient accuracy from the site grid.

Usually established from the site grid

points & uses the same coordinate system.

MAR@UiTM

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4. Secondary Grid

Established inside the structure from the

structural grid when it is no longer
possible to use the structural grid to
establish internal features of the building
owing to vision becoming obscured.
Errors can be introduced in the setting out each
time one grid system is established from another :
hence, where possible, only one grid system
should be used to set out the design points.

MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Offset Pegs

Whether used in the form of a baseline or grid,

the horizontal control points are used to establish
design points on the proposed structure.

As soon as excavations for the foundation begin,

the corner pegs will be lost.

To avoid having to re-established these from the

horizontal control points, extra pegs known as
offset pegs are located on the lines of the sides of
the building but offset back from the true corner
positions.
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

These pegs enable the corners to be re-established at a

later date and often used with profile boards in the
construction of buildings.

Offset pegs can be used in all forms of engineering

construction to aid in the relocation of points after
excavation.

Offset Peg
Proposed
building

Corner Peg

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SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Vertical Control Techniques

Vertical control points of known elevation

relative to some specified vertical datum
must be established on the site.

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SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Whatever datum adopted, Master Bench

Mark (MBM) should be established :

To establish point of known Reduced Level

near to proposed scheme.
Known as transferred or temporary bench
marks. (TBM)
Any existing horizontal control stations can
be used as TBM.

MAR@UiTM

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Coordinate Positioning
Techniques

For setting out by coordinates to be possible, a

control network consisting a coordinated points
(with heights) must be establish on site.

When choosing the locations for control points on

site, some forward planning is needed to ensure
that enough control is available for setting out the
project & that any possible problems with control
points becoming obscured as construction
proceeds are avoided.

It must also be possible to check work by sighting

key design points from more than one control
points.
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SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Setting Out by Theodolite &

Tape

Angle (bearing) and distance from two

control points.

Points A can be set out from control point

S by one of the two methods :

Setting out by angle and distance

Setting out by bearing and distance

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SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Setting Out Building

First stage of setting out :

1.

Four corners will be mark / set out based

on procedures required to set out using a
theodolite / EDM / Total Station are
summarised below.

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SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

2.

Refer to diagram :

From these two

corners, the two
other corners are
set out using a
theodolite / TS to
turn off right angles
as shown.

Control Points
Baseline

2 corners of the building are

set out from a baseline, site
grid or control points.
MAR@UiTM

SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

The diagonals are checked & the nails

repositioned on the tops of the pegs as
necessary.

Using total station, each corner would be

established by bearing & distance methods from
points in the control network surrounding the
proposed building.

If possible, each corner should be fixed from two

control points & checked from a third.
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SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

The Verticality Control

2nd stage :

One of the most important second stage setting

out operations is to ensure that those element
or building which are design to be vertical are
actually constructed to be so, there are a
number of techniques available which are :

a.

Plumb-bob methods
Theodolite methods
Optical plumbing methods
Laser methods

b.
c.
d.

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SUG 200/213 : ENGINEERING SURVEYING II

Principle of Verticality

The basis behind all these methods is the same.

They each provide a means of transferring points

vertically.

Once 4 suitable points have been transferred,

they can be used to establish a square or
rectangular grid network on the floor.

If the horizontal control on the ground floor slab

can be accurately transferred to each higher floor
as construction proceeds, then verticality will be
maintained.
MAR@UiTM

Plumb bob method

Traditional method. Weight of plumb bob 3-20kg

Plumb bob is suspended from an upper floor & moved until

it hangs over a datum reference mark on the ground floor
slab.

If it is impossible to hang out the plumb bob down the

outside of the structure, holes & opening must be provided
in the floors to allow the plumb bob to hang through.

Useful when constructing lift shaft. Ideal for heights of one

or two storeys.

Plumb bob method

Timber cantilever

2 storeys
building

Offset

Plumb bob in water or oil

Theodolite Method

Assume that the theodolite is in perfect adjustmentline of sight

will describe as vertical plane.

The theodolite is set up on the offset pegs, marked on the ground

floor slab in turn the telescope is sighted on to the particular line
being transferred.

The telescope is elevated to the required floor & the point at which
the line of sight meets the floor is marked.

This is repeated at all 4 corners & 8 points in all are transferred.

(refer figure 1).

Once the 8 marks have been transferred, they are joined & the
distance between them & their diagonal lengths are measures as
check.

Theodolite Method

BUILDING

Optical Plumbing Methods

Plumb points must be

verified independently
before use.

Their positions must

be chosen to enable
intervisibility on all
floors.

Optical Plumbing Methods

Plumb up all 4 points from

the basement to Perspex
sheets placed over the
plumbing holes.
Measure all angles and
distances between points.
If no errors, paint lines as
shown.
Repeat for each floor
plumbing only from the
basement.

Laser Methods

2 types:

Visible
Invisible beam

Laser theodolite should be set up on the ground floor slab directly

over the ground point to be transferred.

The beam is then projected vertically either up the outside of the

building through special openings in the floors.

The essential requirement of the system is to ensure that the

beam is truly vertical &, to check that this is the case, it is
necessary to use four mutually pependicular positions of the
vertical telescope.

Laser Methods

To control verticality, the beam is intercept as it

passes the floor to be references by the use of
plastic target fitted in the openings oar attached
to the edge of the slab.

The point at which the beam meets the target is

marked to provide the reference.

End of third
chapter of the
course
Good luck !!!!!!

Exercise:

You are assigned to conduct a setting out

of a four-corner building & single storey of
computer lab.

Form a group and discuss about the project

Explain on the plans & control points involved

in this project.