Welcome to FHWA-NHI-132091 Earthwork Series: Grades and Grading Module 1.

Throughout this training, you will be able to move to the next screen or review a
prior screen by selecting one of the small directional arrows located near the slide
number in the control bar across the bottom of the slide. You can also use the Back
and Continue buttons on the bottom of the screen.
A printer-friendly version of the course slides can be downloaded by selecting the
paperclip icon in the lower section of the control bar. If the control bar is minimized,
expand it in order to view the paperclip icon. You can expand or collapse this control
bar by selecting the icon which looks like a movie camera on the right below the
directional arrows. When selected, the icon opens a pane on the right side of the
screen that contains tabs to access the course outline, narration text, and a search
function.
function
Select the designated tab to view the course outline or narration or to search on a
topic. Before moving into more of the training, take a moment to review the
navigation features of this module. You can also select the Help link on the upper
right corner of the screen for more information.
Image 1 description: Highway lanes.
Image 2 description: Highway construction.

This training is offered by an effort of the Transportation Curriculum Coordination

Council. It contains a collection of Best Practices from various agency and FHWA
training rules, laws, policies, and procedures. Each state agency/company has their
own requirements, which you need to review and follow.

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

Describe the process of plan reading; and
Identify the purpose of grade stakes.
This module will take approximately 105 minutes to complete.

Successful completion of this module requires that you be able to access the
module resources. Module resources include:
Title sheet;
Sheets A1-A5; and
Sheet B19.
These resources are available using the Resources link in the upper right-hand
corner.

This training contains two lessons:

Lesson 1 Plan Reading Basics; and
Lesson 2 Grade Stakes and More.
During each lesson, we will provide knowledge checks, which you may wish to take
in order to test your understanding of the material presented in the lesson. The
knowledge checks are optional
optional.

Our first lesson is Plan Reading. We will cover the following topics:
Title Sheet;
Grading Plans;
Station Numbers;
Typical Grading Sections;
Profile View;
Balance Points; and
Excavation.
This lesson will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

The first sheet in a set of plans is called the Title Sheet. It gives an overview of the
project, including the location of the project, what is to be done, and the index of all
the sheets in the plans.
On the right side of the Plans Title Sheet, under the identification box, is the Index of
Sections. This gives an overview of all the sections and sheets included in the set of
plans. This index is where you will find all the sections of the plan set that deal with
Earthwork related items.
In this example, section B is the Grading Plans.
Take time to review the Index of Sections and become familiar with it.
Image description: Index of Sections from Title Sheet.

Each Agency has its own format and organization of plan sets. For the following
example, look at Sheet B1 of section B. In the upper right-hand corner, you can see
there are 86 pages to this section. Notice on the first sheet of this section in the
upper right corner there is an Index of Sheets for the section.
Image 1 description: Sheet B1 General Layout with Index.
Image 2 description: Upper right hand corner from Sheet B1.

ThisistheIndexofSheets.SheetB1isthegenerallayoutwithindex.
Thefollowingsheets,B2throughB7givenotesontheproject.AnEstimateofQuantities
BoxcanbefoundonSheetB2.StartingonSheetB8isthePitInformationSheetforBorrow.
Borrowisearthneededforfillsintheconstructionprocess.SheetsB14throughB16arethe
HorizontalAlignmentDataSheets.Theygivelocationofcurvesduringtheproject.Sheet
B17istheControlDataBoxthatgivestheHorizontalandVerticalControlDatafor
numerousstationsontheproject.SymbolsusedduringthisprojectarelocatedonSheet
p j
y
g
p j
B18theExistingTopographySymbologyandLegendsheet.Thenextsheetswouldbethe
PlanandProfilesheetswhicharecoveredlaterinmoredetail.SheetB21coverseasements
andcorrespondingnotesandothermiscellaneousinformation.
Youshouldreviewallofthesesheetsandbecomefamiliarwiththeinformationthey
contain.
Image description: Index of sheets table.

Understanding stationing is very important in reading plans.

Almostallpointsonaprojectarelocatedorreferencedbyastationnumber.Station
numbersareusedalongthelengthofaprojectandareusuallywrittenalongthecenterline
ofconstruction.AcenterlinesymbolisaCwithanLcrossingit.Itisusedtoestablisha
referenceformeasurementandlocationthroughouttheproject,andalsotodenotethe
centeroftheproject.
Station numbers are written as a Sta. number plus 00. For example, Station 1 is
shown as Sta. 1+00, Station 2 is Sta. 2+00, Station 100 is Sta. 100+00, Station
101 is Sta. 101+00, and so on. Station numbers are measured in feet.
Onestation
One
station isequalto100feet.Therefore,thedistancefromstationnumber1tostation
is equal to 100 feet Therefore the distance from station number 1 to station
number2is100feet,justasthedistancefromstationnumber521tostationnumber522
isequalto100feet.

10

Locations between two stations are shown in the following way: Sta. 50+28. This
means that the location of the point of interest is 28 feet ahead of station number
50. The plus distance is given in feet.
ThisillustrationshowndemonstrateshowStationNumbersappearinplans.

11

Tocalculatethedistancebetweentwostations,subtractthelowerstationnumberfrom
thehigher,ignoringtheplussign.Theanswerisinfeet.
SelecttheAnswerbuttontofindthedistancefromSta.20+60toSta.12+80.

12

Tocalculatethedistancebetweentwostations,subtractthelowerstationnumberfrom
thehigher,ignoringtheplussign.Theanswerisinfeet.
SelecttheAnswerbuttontofindthedistancefromSta.20+60toSta.12+80.

13

ThedistancefromSta.20+60toSta.12+80is780feet.Tofindtheanswer,youhadto
subtract2,060 feet minus 1,280 feet which gives you 780 feet. The distance
between the two stations is 780 feet.

14

Generally,stationnumbersgoupfromWesttoEast,SouthtoNorth.Aheadmeanstoward
higherstationnumbers.Backmeanstowardlowerstationnumbers.
Image description: Compass.

15

ACrosssectiondefinestheconfigurationofaproposedroadwayatrightanglestothe
Centerline,similartoslicingtheconstructedroadwayinhalf.Typicalsectionsshowthe
width,thickness,anddescriptionsofthesurfacingcourses,aswellas,thegeometricsof
thegradedroadbed,sideditches,andsideslopes.
Image description: Typical grading sections.

16

Thesesectionsaretypicaloftheentireprojectdepictingthemajorrequiredfeaturesofthe
grading.Thestationnumbersarelistedaboveeachtypicalsectionwhereeachtypical
sectionapplies.ThetypicalgradingsectionsareshownfortheMainLineonahighway.
Theseshowhowthehighwaymustbeconstructed,afterthegradingworkisdone.
Image 1 description: Typical grading sections.
Image 2 description: Expanded view from typical grading sections.

17

Thefollowingdrawingsareexamplesoftypicalgradingsections.Whenlookingatthese
typicalgradingsections,visualizethegradingmovingalongfromtheBegintoFinishpoints.
Select each example to enhance.
Imagedescription:Fourvarietiesoftypicalgradingsections.

18

Thefollowingdrawingsareexamplesoftypicalgradingsections.Whenlookingatthese
typicalgradingsections,visualizethegradingmovingalongfromtheBegintoFinishpoints.
Select each example to enhance.
Imagedescription:Fourvarietiesoftypicalgradingsections.

19

Image description: Typical grading sections, interstate eastbound lane.

20

Image description: Typical grading sections, interstate westbound lane.

21

Image description: Typical grading sections, urban.

22

Image description: Typical grading sections, ramps.

23

OnSheetB9,notethepavementwidthof27feetleftandrightfromcenterline,thecrown
slopefromcenterlineat0.02feetperfoot,thetopsoildepthtobelaid,slopestobe
graded,andthechangesinundercut,surfacing,andsubbase.Ifprojectsenterintotown
limits,curbandgutterispresent.Manyplansetswillhavetypicalsheetslikethis.Others
willincludetypicalSurfacingsections,aswellas,gradingsections.
Imagedescription:SheetB9.

24

GotothetypicalsectionforStations6+50to120+00foundonSheetB10.Thedimensions
andsubbaseareasontheothertypicalsections.Viewthisandbeabletolocatethe
inslopesandbackslopes.
Nowviewtheothertypicalgradingsections,andcompareinslopesandbackslopes.There
willbenoinslopeinsomeareas.Inslopesaregenerallyneededfordrainageandmaynot
beessential.Waterwilldrainwhereagutterisinstalled.
Image1description:SheetB10.

25

GotothetypicalsectionforStations6+50to120+00foundonSheetB10.Thedimensions
andsubbaseareasontheothertypicalsections.Viewthisandbeabletolocatethe
inslopesandbackslopes.
Nowviewtheothertypicalgradingsections,andcompareinslopesandbackslopes.There
willbenoinslopeinsomeareas.Inslopesaregenerallyneededfordrainageandmaynot
beessential.Waterwilldrainwhereagutterisinstalled.
Image1description:SheetB10.

26

Imagedescription:SheetB10.

27

LookatthetopdiagramonSheetB11.Thedimensionsareleveldimensions.Theyarenot
measuredalongtheslopes.
d l
h l
Forexample,thedistancefromcenterlinetotheleftis43feet.Theslopeacrossthegrade
is0.02perfoot.Thedistancealongthetopofthatslopewouldbeslightlylongerthan43
feet.Thesketchexaggeratesthatdifferencetomakeitclear.Thediagramshownhere
depictsthisdifference.Allthedimensionsgiveninthismannerarelevelorhorizontal
distances.Therateofsloperequiredacrossthehighwaymustbe.02perfoot.
p
q
g
y
p
Therateofslopeontheinslopesisalsogivenandremainsthesameforallthehighway
lengthslistedAHEADofthatsection.
InslopesslopeDOWNfromtheroadbedandBackslopesslopeBACKUPtothenatural
ground.Inslopesandbackslopesareshownonthetypicalgradingsections.Thissection
showstheinslopesandbackslopesrequiredatpointsalongthehighwayportions.
Image1description:SheetB11.
Image2description:CrosssectionfromSheet11.

28

Theprofileislikealongitudinalcrosssectionoftheroad.ThefirstprofilesheetisB20.The
ProfileViewsectionsofeachPlanandProfilesheetsareorganizedinastandardmanner.
Elevation,infeet,isdepictedontherightandleftmargins.Stationnumbersascendingfrom
lefttorightareonthesheetbottommargin.
Image description: Sheet B20.

29

Theprofileislikealongitudinalcrosssectionoftheroad.ThefirstprofilesheetisB20.The
ProfileViewsectionsofeachPlanandProfilesheetsareorganizedinastandardmanner.
Elevation,infeet,isdepictedontherightandleftmargins.Stationnumbersascendingfrom
lefttorightareonthesheetbottommargin.
Image description: Sheet B20.

30

Theprofileislikealongitudinalcrosssectionoftheroad.ThefirstprofilesheetisB20.The
ProfileViewsectionsofeachPlanandProfilesheetsareorganizedinastandardmanner.
Elevation,infeet,isdepictedontherightandleftmargins.Stationnumbersascendingfrom
lefttorightareonthesheetbottommargin.
Image description: Sheet B20.

31

TheGradeLineisdrawnonthescaledprofileatanelevationtakenatapointonthe
highway.ThispointisusuallyattheCenterLine.Thetypicalsectionsshowexactlywhere
thispointisfordifferentpartsofthemainline.TheOriginalGroundLinedepictstheland
beforegrading.
Thegradelineistypicallyaboldorheavyline.
Image description: Comparison between grade line and original ground line.

32

ThegradelineisusuallyshownbyaheavydarklineontheProfile.Itisregularandsmooth,
buttheoriginalgroundlineisdrawnlighter.Itisusuallyveryirregular,astheoriginal
groundisbeforegrading.OnSheetNo.B20theoriginalgradelineisadashedline,while
thegradelineisasolidblackline.
Imagedescription:Linecomparisonbetweenoriginalgroundlineandgradeline.

33

Somegroundmustbecutawayastheoriginalgroundlineisdrawnhigherthanthegrade
line.ThisisaCutArea.Whentheoriginalgroundlineisdrawnbelowthegradeline,the
areamustbefilledup.ThisisaFillArea.
The grade line is usually shown by a heavy dark line on the Profile. It is regular and
smooth, but the original ground line is drawn lighter. It is usually very irregular, as
the original ground is before grading. On Sheet No. B20 the original ground line is a
dotted line, while the grade line is a solid black line.
Image1description:Cutareashowingtheoriginalgroundlinecomparedtothegradeline.
Image2description:Fillareashowingthegradelinecomparedtotheoriginalgroundline.

34

Theprofileviewgivestwogeneraltypesofinformation:
First,theElevationofthehighwayandofsomespecialditches.Thehighwayelevationisthe
elevationatthepointshownonthetypicalsections.Elevationnumbers,suchas1245.01,are
elevationsinreferencetotheDatumPlane.ThisDatumPlanecorresponds,moreorless,tothe
numberoffeetabovesealevel.
Referencepointsaresetbythesurveyorstoshowelevationsfromwhichonecanmeasure.
p
y
y
MarkersatthesepointsarecalledBenchmarks.Onecanrelatetothesetoseeiftheelevationsare
correct.Thesebenchmarksareusuallyplacedevery1000feetalongtherightofwayline,aswell
as,atotherpoints.Itismostimportantthatelevationsbecorrectinrelationtoeachother.
Forexample,ifaninletistobelaidatanelevationof1801.7andthegradelineistobeatan
elevationof1811,itiscriticalthattheinletishigherthantheoutletandthattheinletisatthe
properelevation.Remember,theelevationsmustbecorrectinrelationtoeachother,andin
relationtoBenchmarksorstakessetbythesurveyors.
l i
B h
k
k
b h
Second,theothermaintypeofinformationontheprofileisintheformofNotes.Manyoftheseare
aboutcutandfillquantitiesinthearea.Manyotherimportantnotesofvarioustypesarealso
included.Theprofileviewshowstheelevationoftheroadalongthewholeproject.Focusyour
attentiononthebottomofaprofilesheetandnoticehowforeverystation,theelevationisgiven.

35

OnthetopoftheProfileonSheetB36arenotesaboutExcavation(cut)andEmbankment
(fill)quantities.ThepartoftheprojectcoveredbyonesetofnotesiscalledaBalanceArea.
Image 1 description: Sheet B36.
Image 2 description: Expanded view from sheet B36.

36

ThelimitsoftheBalanceAreasareshownbylongarrowsalongthetopedgeoftheprofile.
Thesearrowspointtothebalancepoints.StationNumbersaregenerallywrittenatthese
balancepoints.
RefertothefirstBalancePointonthisproject.ItisatStation0+00,whereworkistobegin.
ItisshownatthetopoftheprofileonSheetB20.TheendBalancePointisonSheetB52at
Station227+00.OneBalanceAreaendsandanotherbeginsatthisstation.
Image1description:SheetB36.
Image2description:ExpandedviewfromsheetB36.
Image3description:SheetB52.
Image4description:ExpandedviewfromsheetB52.

37

ThequantitiesforthefirstbalanceareaarelistedonSheetB36.Lookatthelinkforthis
sheetfoundonthisslide.TheExcavationincubicyardsislistedforundercutandsalvage.
ThetotalExcavationAmountis324,979cubicyards.TheEmbankmentamountsarelisted
inthesameway.Notethe40%addedtoaccountfortheShrinkageFactor.Noticethatthe
quantitiesofExcavationarethesameasthequantitiesofEmbankment.Theybalance.
Image 1 description: Sheet B36.
Image 2 description: Expanded view from sheet B36.

38

How far is it from Station 210+00 to Station 211+00? Select the best answer.
a) 50 feet;
b) 100 feet;
c) 200 feet; or
d) 300 feet.

39

The correct answer is b) 100 feet.

40

How far is it from Station 210+30 to Station 211+00? Select the best answer.
a) 30 feet;
b) 40 feet;
c) 70 feet; or
d) 100 feet.

41

The correct answer is c) 70 feet.

42

What is the inslope between Stations 6+50 and 120+00? Select the best answer.
a) 2:1;
b) 3:1;
c) 4:1; or
d) None of the above.

43

Thecorrectanswerisc)4:1.

44

What is the backslope between Stations 6+50 and 120+00? Select the best answer.
a) 3:1;
b) 4:1;
c) 5:1; or
d) None of the above.

45

Thecorrectanswerisc)5:1.

46

Inslope goes <blank> from the road. Select the best answer.
a) Up;
b) Level;
c) Down; or
d) None of the above.

47

Thecorrectanswerisc)down.

48

Backslope goes <blank> to the natural ground. Select the best answer.
a) Up
b) Back
c) Back Up
d) None of the above

49

Thecorrectanswerforthisquestionisd)Alloftheabove.

50

The first balance area begins at Station 0+00. Where does it end? Select the best
answer.
a) 256+22;
b) 229+34;
c) 227+00; or
d) 229+00.

51

The correct answer is c) 227+00.

52

True or false? The balance area beginning at Station 227+00 is 2922 feet long.

53

Thecorrectanswerisa)True.

54

You have now completed Lesson 1. We covered the following topics:

Title Sheet;
Grading Plans;
Station Numbers;
Typical Grading Sections;
Profile View;
Balance Points; and
Excavation.

55

Now lets get started with Lesson 2: Grade Stakes and More. We will cover the
following topics:
Overhauls and Special Ditches
Rates of Slopes and Converting
Erosion and Sediment Control
Right-of-Way
Grade Stakes, Benchmarks and Slope Stakes
This lesson will take approximately 60 minutes to complete.

56

Rememberthatoverhaulpertainstoexcavatedearthwhichmustbehauledmorethan10
stations(1000feet)totheembankmentsite.Thecontractormusthaulitover10stations.
Theamountofoverhauldependsuponhowfar(beyond10stations)andhowmuchearth
isincluded.Thismaychangebetweencontractsandconsequently,plans.So,verifythis
informationintheEstimateofQuantitiesSheetsortheStandardSpecificationsusedforthe
project.
TheoverhaulamountislistedinunitscalledCubicYardStations.Cubicyardstationsarethe
earth(tobehauledover10stations)timesthedistance(over10stations)whichitmustbe
hauled.Inthefirstbalance,thehaulislistedas0CubicYardStations.Thisnumberwill
indicatehowmuchtransportationofearthwillbeinvolvedineachbalance.Thevaluesfor
thedeadhaulandtheborrowhaularedirectlyunderthehaul.

57

OneofthemajorconcernsinhighwayconstructionisWaterDrainage.Watermustbekept
fromstandingonorwashingovertheroad.Thesideslopesmustbeprotectedfrom
erosion.Thenaturalflowofwaterintheareaisstudiedandasystemofpipes,ditches,
culverts,slopes,etc.isdevised.Manyoftheseareshownontheplanandprofilesheets.
ThinkofhowthetypicaldrawingslookintheTypicalSections.

58

TheditchesusuallyrunalongagradeparalleltotheCenterLinegrade.Theditchgrades
slopecorrespondinglywhentheCenterLinegradeslopesupanddown.Theyfollowthe
gradeline.Theditchgradesontheseverticallyparallelditchesarenotnormallydrawnin
ontheprofile.
Theditchgradeisdrawnontheprofilewhenaditchgradedoesnotrunverticallyparallel
tothegradeline.Theditchgradeontheprofileistakenatthelowpointintheditch.These
ditchesarecalledSpecialDitches.Theymaybehorizontallyparallel,butareusuallynot
verticallyparalleltomainlineCenterLine.ThedifferencebetweentheCenterLinegrade
elevationandtheditchgradeelevationdoesnotremainthesame.
Imagedescription:Ditchthatdoesnotrunalongagradeparalleltothecenterlinegrade.

59

ThepointatwhichtheregularditchmeetsthespecialditchistheditchPointof
IntersectionorP.I.ThisP.I.isontheactualditch.Noverticalcurvesareusedonditch
grades.AP.I.,shownbyatrianglewithadotinit,marksthebeginningandendofeach
specialditch.Theelevationisgivenatthebeginningandend.Therateofslopeisgivento
helpcomputetheelevationatpointsbetween.
Imagedescription:Pointatwhichtheregularditchmeetsthespecialditch.

60

On virtually all road plans, Rates of Slope are given in different ways. Thereader
shouldbeabletointerpretandusethosesloperatesforthesetwomainpurposes:
1.Tocalculatetheexactelevationatanypointonanyslope,inrelationtoanyotherpoint
onthesameslope;and
2.Tocompareslopeswhoseratesaregivenindifferentways.Forexample,whatisthe
differencebetweena
difference
between a perfootslopeanda.046slope?Whichissteeper?
per foot slope and a .046 slope? Which is steeper?
Howmuchsteeper?
What are the four most common rates of slopes?

61

On virtually all road plans, Rates of Slope are given in different ways. The reader
should be able to interpret and use those slope rates for these two main purposes:
1. To calculate the exact elevation at any point on any slope, in relation to any other
point on the same slope; and
2. To compare slopes whose rates are given in different ways. For example, what is
the difference between a
per foot slope and a .046
046 slope? Which is steeper?
How much steeper?
What are the four most common rates of slopes?

62

The four most common rates of slopes are:

1.Decimal of foot per foot, as .015;
2.Percent, as 1.6%, 4%;
3.Ratio, as 3:1, 1:1; and
4.Inches Per foot, as per foot.

63

Iftheelevationofpoint1is900,andtherisefrompoint1topoint2is5feet,thenthe
elevationofpoint2mustbe905.
Inthesamewayiftheelevationofpoint2is905,andtherisefrompoint1topoint2is5
feet,thentheelevationofpoint1mustbe900.
Thisisverysimple.Merelyaddorsubtracttherise.Theelevationofonepointontheslope
This
is very simple Merely add or subtract the rise The elevation of one point on the slope
isgiventoyouonthesketches.Therisebetweenthatpointandanotherpointisalsogiven.
Pleasenote alldashedlinesarelevel.
Imagedescription:Illustrationofsteepnessofaslope.

64

Whatistheelevationofthesecondpoint?
Imagedescription:Illustrationofsteepnessofaslope.

65

Whatistheelevationofthesecondpoint?
Imagedescription:Illustrationofsteepnessofaslope.

66

Youranswershouldbe900feet.Youshouldhavesubtracted5feetoftherisefrom905feet
ofthefirstpointandresultedwith900feetforthesecondpoint.
Imagedescription:Illustrationofsteepnessofaslope.

67

Findtherisebymultiplyingthelevellengthtimestherateofslope.
Beforemultiplying,besurethelevellengthandrateofslopearebothexpressedinfeet.
TheRateofSlopeshouldbewrittenasadecimalofafoot.Thisdecimalistherise(infeet)
perfootoflevellength.Superelevationslopesareusuallyinthisform.
Forexample,arateof.015meansthatforeveryonefootoflevellength,thesloperises
For
example a rate of 015 means that for every one foot of level length the slope rises
.015ft/ft.Gradeslopesareeasilyconvertedtodecimalsbecausetheyaregivenasa
percent.Justmovethedecimalpointovertwoplacestotheleft.Theothertypesofslope
rates,3:1and1perfoot,arefairlyeasytochangetodecimalfeet.

68

Change % rates of slope to a decimal by moving the decimal point two places to the
left,as:4%=.04ft/ftor2.81%=.0281ft/ft.
WhatistheelevationatPoint2?
Imagedescription:Illustrationofthesteepnessofaslope.

69

Change % rates of slope to a decimal by moving the decimal point two places to the
left,as:4%=.04ft/ftor2.81%=.0281ft/ft.
WhatistheelevationatPoint2?
Imagedescription:Illustrationofthesteepnessofaslope.

70

The answer is 327 feet.

First, you should have found the level length by converting the stations numbers
into feet, then subtracted the lower number from the higher. Station 9+75 is
converted to 975 ft and Sta. 3+00 is converted to 300 ft. By subtracting 300 ft. from
975 ft., you end up with 675 ft as the level length.
Second, you should have found the slope by converting the rate of slope
percentage rate into a decimal. The slope rate of 4% converts to .04 ft/ft.
Third, you should have found the rise by multiplying the level length with the slope,
or 675 ft with .04 ft/ft. The result is 27 ft.
Finally, add Point 1 elevation of 300 ft to your result of 27 ft rise and you get the
elevation of 327 ft for Point 2.
Image description: Illustration of the steepness of a slope.

71

Ratesofslopecanbecomparedwhenconvertingthesedifferentratesofslopetoa
decimal.Thegreaterthedecimal,themoretherise,andthesteepertheslope.Theratesof
slopegivenasratiosorinchesperfootareusuallysteeperthanthosegivenasapercentor
afootperfootdecimal.Thatiswhytheyaregivenasratiosorinchesperfoot.

72

Howtochangeratioandinchesperfoottoafootperfootdecimal.
Ina3:1slope,forevery3feetoflevellength,thereisa1footrise.Remember,thefirst
numberisalwaysthelevellengthandthenextnumberistherise.Dividethefirstnumber
intothenext,or3into1.Thedecimalis.333.Thisratiowillbeusedwithoutchangingitto
adecimal.Itwillbeconvertedtocompareratesofslopes.
Imagedescription:3:1rationconvertedtodecimal.

73

Inchesperfoot(example perfoot).
Changetheinchestoadecimalnumber.Dividethelowernumberintothetop:Changethe
inchestofeet,bydividingtheinchesby12,asperfootisthesameas.0417footper
foot.Thedecimalis.0417.
Image 1 description: inch fraction converted to decimal
Image1description:inchfractionconvertedtodecimal.
Image2description:0.5/12inchfractionconvertedtodecimal.

74

SectionDistitledErosionandSedimentControlPlan.Thispartoftheplansdealswiththe
plantocontrolerosionandsediment.ThefirstsheetistheTitleSheet.Inthemiddleisa
mapoftheproject,likethatontheTitleSheetoftheentireplan.TheIndexofSheetsisalso
givenforthissection.
Imagedescription:SheetD1titlesheet.

75

The next few sheets are Estimates of Quantities and Notes dealing with the Erosion
and
dS
Sediment
di
t Control
C t l Plan.
Pl
Read
R d through
th
h th
these now tto gett a better
b tt understanding
d t di
of them.
Sheet Number D6 shows the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Legend. Look
through the different symbols and become familiar with them.
S l
Select
each
h sheet
h
to enhance.
h
Image 1 description: Sheet D2.
Image 2 description: Sheet D3.
Image 3 description: Sheet D4.
Image 4 description: Sheet D5.
Image 5 description: Sheet D6.

76

ThenextfewsheetsareEstimatesofQuantitiesandNotesdealingwiththeErosionand
S di
SedimentControlPlan.Readthroughthesenowtogetabetterunderstandingofthem.
C
l l
d h
h h
b
d
di
f h
SheetNumberD6showstheErosionandSedimentControlPlanLegend.Lookthroughthe
differentsymbolsandbecomefamiliarwiththem.
Select each sheet to enhance.
Image 1 description: Sheet D2.
Image 2 description: Sheet D3.
Image 3 description: Sheet D4
D4.
Image 4 description: Sheet D5.
Image 5 description: Sheet D6.

77

Image description: Sheet D2.

78

Image description: Sheet D3.

79

Image description: Sheet D4.

80

Image description: Sheet D5.

81

Image description: Sheet D6 Erosion And Sediment Control Legend.

82

SheetsD7throughD26showaPlanViewoftheroadfortheentireproject.
Lookatthefirstofthesesheets,sheetD7.ItisdifferentthanthesheetsinthePlanand
ProfileSection.Noticeintheupperleftpartofthesheetisanumberofstations.Theseare
locationswhere12DiameterControlWattlesaretobeinstalled.Eachoneofthemis30ft.
inlength.
TotherightoftheinformationonControlWattlesisinformationonHighFlowSiltFences.
Stationsarelistedwherethesefencesaretobeinstalled.HighFlowSiltFencesaretobe
installedinnumerousplacesalongtheproject.AlmostoneverysheetintheErosionand
SedimentControlPlanSheetscontainsthesefences.
Image 1 description
description: Sheet D7
D7.
Image 2 description: Expanded view from sheet D7.

83

LookatSheetD11atthistime.Noticealongthetopabovetheroadwayallofthestations
whereErosionandSedimentControlPlanitemsaretobeinstalled.RockCheckDams,aCut
InterceptorDitch,TypeBDrainageFabric,SiltTraps,HighFlowSiltFences,andFlocculent.
Image 1 description: Sheet D11.
Image 2 description: Expanded view from sheet D11
D11.

84

LetstakealookatsheetD11again.Bagsarealltobeinstalledonthissheetbetween
stations60+00and75+00.ThesecanallbefoundattheendoftheSectionintheStandard
Plates.Noticethateverythingthatistobeinstalledhappenstobeinstalledontheleftside
oftheroadway.
Image1description:SheetD11.
Image2description:Expanded view fromsheetD11.

85

Notice all of the marks, symbols, and lines on the views on or next to the roadway.
These can all be found on the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Legend, which is
Sheet No. D6. The numerous dotted lines represent elevations, with each ring/line
being a different elevation. The more spread out the lines are, the flatter the land is,
and if the lines are close together, the elevation is changing more rapidly. Look at
the lines and all the symbols and refer back to the Legend to make sure they all
make sense.
Image description: Sheet D6 Erosion And Sediment Control Legend.

86

LookatSheetsD27throughD30.ThesearetheStandardPlateswhichdealwiththeErosion
andSedimentControlPlan.
d S di
C
l l
SheetD27givesinformationandshowsdiagramsonErosionControlBlanketsandRock
CheckDams.
SheetD28showsStandardPlatesonHighFlowSiltFences.
SheetsD29andD30showStandardPlatesforErosionControlWattles,CutInterceptor
Ditches,andSurfacingRoughening.
h
f
h
Thesearealllocatedearlierinthesection,butneverdescribed.ReviewtheStandardPlates
tounderstandthemmorethoroughly.
Selecteachsheettoenhance.
Image1description:SheetD27.
Image 2 description: Sheet D28.
Image 3 description: Sheet D29
D29.
Image 4 description: Sheet D30.

87

LookatSheetsD27throughD30.ThesearetheStandardPlateswhichdealwiththeErosion
andSedimentControlPlan.
d S di
C
l l
SheetD27givesinformationandshowsdiagramsonErosionControlBlanketsandRock
CheckDams.
SheetD28showsStandardPlatesonHighFlowSiltFences.
SheetsD29andD30showStandardPlatesforErosionControlWattles,CutInterceptor
Ditches,andSurfacingRoughening.
h
f
h
Thesearealllocatedearlierinthesection,butneverdescribed.ReviewtheStandardPlates
tounderstandthemmorethoroughly.
Selecteachsheettoenhance.
Image1description:SheetD27.
Image 2 description: Sheet D28.
Image 3 description: Sheet D29
D29.
Image 4 description: Sheet D30.

88

Imagedescription:SheetD27.

89

Image description: Sheet D28.

90

Image description: Sheet D29.

91

Image description: Sheet D30.

92

FortheHighwayPlansportionofthecourse,thesetofplansusedforthissegmentisSD
Highway52.TheplansusedareforGrading,Structures,PCCPaving,HMASurfacing&
Resurfacing,RoadwayLightingandPermanentSigning.Someoftheinformationshownon
theconstructionplansheetsforthisprojectisseenagainontheRightofWayplansforthis
highwayproject.
Imagedescription:RightofWayplans.

93

RightofWayplansareusedduringRightofWaynegotiationswithlandownersasa
pictorialviewoftheirpropertyandnotusedinconstruction.Theyaredrawntoshowthe
RightofWayandEasementsneededfortheconstructionofthehighwayandtheproximity
oftheconstructionneedstotheimprovementsonthatownersproperty.
Imagedescription:RightofWayplansusedtoillustrateRightofWayandEasements.

94

ThetypicalRightofWayplansheetusesvariablecoloredlinestodepictdifferentfeatures
includedonthesheets.Forexample,takealookattheplansheetsforHighway52.
Theheavyredlinefoundacrossthemiddleofeachsheetrepresentsthecenterlineofthe
proposedroadway;
TheyellowlinesrepresentthenewRightofWaylinesorPermanentEasementslimits;
ThegreenlinesarethepropertylinesandexistingRightofWaylines;
The green lines are the property lines and existing Right of Way lines;
ThegreencrosshatchedsectionsrepresenttheexistingRightofWay;
Thereddashedlinerepresentstheworklimitline;and
Lastly,theshadedgreenarearepresentstheTemporaryEasementareas.
AlinewithcirclesevenlyspacedontheRightofWayline,eitherfilledinorhollow,
A
line with circles evenly spaced on the Right of Way line either filled in or hollow
representsControlofAccess.
These color lines may be typical for some agencies, but not for all. Please check
with your agency.
Imagedescription:RightofWayplanswithcoloredlinesdepictingpropertylinesand
existingRightofWaylines.

95

AdditionalRightofWayisneededwhentheexistingRightofWayisnotenoughtobuild
thenewwidthditches,flatterinslopesandbackslopes,andtheadditionofwidershoulders
totheroadway.TemporaryEasementsarecreatedforhighwaypurposes.WhentheWork
LimitLinegetsclosetotheRightofWaylineorgoesbeyond,aTemporaryEasementwork
areafrom5to20feetwidewillbecreatedparalleltotheWorkLimitLine.
Imagedescription:RightofWayplansshowingtemporaryeasements.

96

TheareafromtheRightofWaylinetotheedgeoftheworkarea,shownbetweenthe
arrowsabove,istheextentoftheTemporaryEasementwidth.Theseandotherrequired
acquisitionsforthebuildingoftheroadwayshallbeinaccordancewiththeexistinglaws
andregulations.
Imagedescription:RightofWayplanshowingtheextentofthetemporaryeasement
width.

97

NOTE:Thestakingproceduresdiscussedinthiscoursearetypical,butothermethodsof
stakingareacceptable.Theimportantpointtorememberisthatwhateverspecific
methodsareused,theymustbeacceptabletoandunderstandablebyallparties.
RightofWay(R/W)stakesarethefirststakestobeusedbytheContractorandthe
Inspector.ThesestakesdefinetheR/Wlimitsshownontheplans.RightofWaystakesare
alsotheinitiallayoutstakes.TheyareplacedontheR/Wlineatdistancesfromthe
centerline that are shown on the plans R/W stakes usually are placed at each station every
centerlinethatareshownontheplans.R/Wstakesusuallyareplacedateachstation,every
100mor100feet,butmaybeplacedatcloserintervalsoncurvesandatR/Walignment
changes.
Thecutorfillamount,theverticaldistancebetweentheprofilegradepointandanailin
thestake,isindicatedontheR/Wstakes.Studythediagram,thencompareitwiththe
p g
informationonthenextpage.

98

Thetwostakescorrespondtothediagramonthepreviouspage.
Eachstakeshowsthestation,theamountofcutorfill,andthepointfromwhichthecutor
fillismeasured.
Anaildriveninthelineindicateswherethecutorfillismeasuredfrom.
Onethingtonoteisthatstakesareoftendisturbedfromtheiroriginallocation.Thestakes
shouldbecheckedperiodicallytomakesuretheinformationiscorrect.
Imagedescription:Gradestakes.

99

Apermanentlyaffixedmarkthatestablishestheexactelevationofaplace;usedby
Surveyorsinmeasuringsiteelevations,orasastartingpointforSurveys.
Vertical(grade)controlpointsfortheprojectaresetfrombenchmarks.Benchmarksshow
elevationsabovesealevel.
Benchmarks are placed where they can be referenced throughout the entire project
without being disturbed.
disturbed It is essential that benchmarks be protected.
protected Sothat
So that
verticalcontrolpointsandbenchmarksarenotdisturbed,theyareindicatedorguardedas
inthemethodsshown:
Image 1 description: drawing of tree with benchmark.
Image 2 description: drawing of two laths depicting benchmarking.

100

There are several types of benchmarks.

Image descriptions: Two different types of benchmarks.

101

Slopestakes,alsocalledcutandfillstakesorlaths,aresetbytheContractoratpoints
wheretheproposedcutslopesandfillslopesintersecttheoriginalgroundlines.The
Contractorwillprobablynotevenuseactualstakesfortheroughgrading.Hewilluseother
temporarymarkersplacedonthegroundtoguidetheequipmentoperatorsinthecutting
andfillingoperations.Suchtemporarymarkershavenoinformationwrittenonthem.
Finalgradingstakes,however,willshowinformation.Anexampleofsuchslopestakesare
shown:
Whentheroadbedisclosetotheproposedgrade,gradestakesareplacedbythesurvey
crewinordertoguidethebeginningofthesubgradeoperation.Guardstakesareplaced
nearthegradestakes,inordertoprotectandhelplocatethem.
Youwillneedtocheckwiththesurveycrewtoknowwhatthegradestakesarereferenced
to.Forexample,thegradestakesmaybesettotheprofilegradeortheymaybesetto
individualroadwaycourses,suchastothetopofthesubgradeorbasecourse.
Imagedescription:Slopestakes.

102

True or false? When the ditch grade does not run vertically parallel to the grade line
they are called special ditches.

103

Thecorrectanswerisa)True.

104

True or false? The point at which the regular ditch meets the special ditch is the
ditch grade.

105

Thecorrectanswerisb)False.

106

Match the foot per foot decimal to the correct rate.

Rate:
2:1;
.056;
4%; and
2.1%
Foot per foot decimal:
a) 0.021;
b) 0.04;
c) 0.05; and
d) 0.056.

107

The correct answers are as follows:

2:1 is equivalent to c) 0.5;
.056 is equivalent to d) 0.056;
4% is equivalent to b) 0.04; and
2.1% is equivalent to a) 0.021.

108

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank. Vertical Control Points are set
from ______ .

109

The correct answer is benchmark or benchmarks.

110

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank. What is the number shown for
this benchmark?

111

The correct answer is 1.

112

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank. What is the elevation of the
benchmark?

113

The correct answer is 315.6 mm.

114

Complete the sentence below by filling in the blank. What exact point marks this
elevation?

115

The correct answer is the highest point of the spike in the tree.

116

This is the end of Lesson 2. We covered the following topics:

Overhauls and Special Ditches;
Rates of Slopes and Converting;
Erosion and Sediment Control;
Right-of-Way; and
Grade Stakes, Benchmarks and Slope Stakes.

117

This concludes our module.

In this lesson, you have learned how to:
Describe the processes of plan reading
Identify the purposes of grade stakes
Close this window to view the curriculum and select Module 2.

118