• Grading is the process of modification of

existing landform to accommodate new

structures, parking and circulation and to
ensure positivemust
Consideration drainage.
be given to utilities such
as: water, gas, power, communication
services, and sewerage for disposal of
• wastewater, and storm
Grading process water.
requires a careful change of
contours so that they support the integration of
building with the site.

GRADINGBASICS
• The land may be graded or adjusted to suit the
architectural or engineering requirements, or the
architecture may be adopted to meet variations in
the ground level so that the original surface is
disturbed the least.
• Extensive alterations in the landform may lead to
unstable conditions resulting in erosion, landslides,
floods, and a complete destruction of ecosystem.

IMPORTANCE OFGRADING
1. The ground surface must be suitable for the
intended
or use.purpose
2. The visual result should be pleasing.
3. The result of any grading must have positive
drainage.
4. The grading plans should attempt to keep new
levels as close as possible to the original state of
the land.
5. When ground is reshaped it should be done
positively and at the scale of the machinery.
6. Top soil must be conserved wherever possible.
7. The quantity of cut should be approximately
PRINCIPLESOFGRADING
equal to the quantity of the fill.

TECHNOLOGY
• Three principal goals in
development
of a grading plan are:
– Keep unwanted water
from entering a
building.
– Keep surface run off from
creating damage to
property or people
during periods of heavy
rainfall and subsequent
runoff.
– To accommodate the
structure on site with
disturbing the site to
 GRADIENT
• Gradient refers to the changing elevation along the Earth's
surface or the
rate of the slope.
• It is expressed in % or ratio or degrees.
– 1% slope = 100:1
– 10% slope = 10:1 =
• Percentage of slope is expressed as the number of meters (feet)
rise in 100 m
(100 ft) of horizontal distance, typically referred to as rise/run.
• If the slope rises2 m (2 ft) in 100 m (100 ft), it is considered a 2
percent slope. The percentage of slope can be calculated by the
following formula:
• Where
D=vertical rise, mm (ft)
L=horizontal distance,
mm (ft) G = gradient, %
Elevationofpoint B=48347mmElevationof
pointA=47463mm
Verticaldifference D=884mm
Horizontal difference L=35357mm

Therefore:
 SPOTELEVATIONS
• Spot elevations provide additional information beyond
that given by the contour lines. They indicate Micro
grading.
• Spot elevations are used to establish limits of slope, to
locate contour lines, and to provide detail for
establishing control points that cannot be obtained via
contour lines.
• Typical locations for taking spot elevations are:
• Top and bottom of steps.
• Tops of retaining wall.
• Outside entrances to buildings.
• Inside floor levels of buildings.
• Corners of all structures.
GRADING FORDEFINEDAREA
• Slopesofless than about 2percent in the open landscape appear flat to the
human eye.However,in areas adjacent to built structures, eventhe slightest
slope becomesnoticeable becauseofthe relationship ofthe grade to mortar
joints,rooflinesandotherlevelarchitectural features.
PerimeterEdgeLevel:
Figures schematicallyillustrate alternative methods for manipulating a surface
for drainage whileallowingat least oneperipheral edgeto remain level.
• EntireAreaLevel:
Somecircumstances, such as rooftop landscapes or enclosedcourtyards, require that the
entire surface ofthe enclosedarea belevel.
Figure ahead illustrates twowaysthat an area can remain leveland still drain properly by
the useofporous surface material, such as sand/gravel the use ofindividually elevated Each
caserequires an adequate systembeneath the pavers to carry required rainfall effectively.
Thesealternatives are applicable to relatively flat surfaces as tennis courts and
other typesof courts.
SC•HPrEepMaringAsT
it egIraCdingGplaRnADING FOR
– Grading ofa site should bethoughtful systematic processthat beginswith
AREASofthe site and endswithan overall
OPENan analysisand understanding
detailed Grading plan.
– SiteAnalysis:
Studythe general layofthe land byusing topographic mapsand site
visits.
1.Determinehigh points, lowpoints, ridges, andvalleys.
2.Notenatural drainage systemsand directions offlowthat exist onthe
site.
– Siteuseconcept:
Determinehowexisting landforms wouldaffect proposed use areas, such
as building locations, roads, parking areas, walkways,plazas, and lawn
areas.
SITEANALYSIS
(EXAMPLE)
 CUTANDFILL
• Theprocess ofremovalofearth fromonepart ofsite to achieverequired grading
and theplaceand usingthedugupearth toachieverequiredgradingbyfillingit
at anotherplaceonthesamesit.
• Theamount ofmaterial from cuts roughly matches the amount offill neededto
makenearby embankments, sominimizing the amount ofconstructionlabor.
Standards for grading around a typical building.
Surfacedrainage can beachievedbypitching surfaces to natural
drainage feature andsystems.
Gradingtocreateberms.Bermscan becreated for noiseand windbarriers or for additional soil
depth aboveunfavorable sub-grade conditions, such as a high groundwater table.
Gradingtocreatelevelareas.Relativelyflat gradients are needed for sports fields,
outdoor terraces, and sometimes for areas nearbuildings.
Gradingtomodifyexisting landforms.Deepgullies,narrow ridges, or steep slopescan be
modifiedto create moreuseful and attractive landforms.
Gradingforincreasedsite interest.Grading can help emphasizea site's topography or
add interest to an otherwiseflatsite.
Grading related to goodviews.
Grading to exposevistas
Grading related to bad views.
Grading to fit structures to sites.
Grading to facilitate better plant growth
Grading to emphasize or controlcirculation.
RECOMMENEDGRADIENTS
RECOMMENEDGRADIENTS
Schematicgrading for outdoor
basketballcourt
 GRADING FORSTREETSANDROADS
• The road has a constant slope and thus presents more
problem.
• The function of the road is to serve as an path for
vehicles and as an
adjunct to the drainage system.
• A road must be designed:
– in conformance to strict design standards,
maintaining appropriate grades, curvatures
and sight distances.
– To minimize fluctuations across variable
terrain.
– To have a constant slope or gradient.
– To provide shortest route possible.
– To minimize cut and fill.