SETTING OUT

1.0 Scope of setting out

Setting out is the transfer of measurements from working drawings to the building plot.
Also, Setting out can be defined as the physical transfer into the ground what was initially on
plan or in paperwork. For example, transferring the building professionals drawing plan onto the
ground is a process of setting out.
Pegs and profiles are set out to mark the positions of corners, walls and foundations. Most
working drawings show separate measurements for individual features for example walls,
windows and doors.
Constructional Surveys
Constructional surveys are surveys that deal with the tasks of marking the positions
of the proposed infrastructure on the ground. They are also referred to as Location
surveys. The features to be located can either be manmade or artificial such as
Linear features
- Trenches
- Conduits
- Buildings
- Road centre line
- Power line
Curved features
- Rounded kerbs (gutters)
- Road centre lines
- Roundabouts
- Circular staircases
Terms used in the constructional survey
i) Bench mark
This is a survey point whose height above a datum is already known and has been
fixed accurately by the survey means.
ii) Gradient
This is the degree of slope used on the features as the pipe lines, sewer lines etc

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 iii) Section
This is representation of the structure as it were cut from top to the bottom and
looked from the side.

iv) Trench / formation level

This is the level to which the existing ground is worked by the
constructional methods. The optimum position for the formation level is
usually found by drawing the longitudinal section with the mass haul
diagrams.
v) Invert level
This is the level of the inside bottom surface of a pipe in a trench.
Purpose of the constructional surveys
The constructional surveys are for
i. Establishing on the ground a system of grades or markers both in plan and
elevation from which measurements of earthworks and structures can be taken
ii. Giving line and grade as needed either to replace stakes disturbed by the
construction or reach additional points on the structure itself.
iii. Making measurements necessary to verify the location of the completed parts
of the structure

Setting out procedures

There are three distinct elements to setting out the task:

i. Provision of horizontal control to ensure that the new works are in the correct
place,

ii. Provision of vertical control to ensure that they are at the correct level,

iii. And provision of vertical alignment to ensure that multi storey or underground
construction is plumb.

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The setting out principles and point marking

The information to be transferred from the paper should be in the format that is
understood by all the people working on the site. The points or markers used are in
three orders, namely

i) Primary markers

These are stations on the control traverse or triangulation. They are permanent

ii) Secondary markers

These are setting out points closer to the detail and they are derived from the primary
markers .These points are fairly permanent to last the construction period

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iii. Detail Markers

These are points which define the structure, e.g. points marking the centre of the
road, building etc.

Purpose of setting out

To ensure the structure is in correct plan position, of the right shape, of the right size and at the
right elevation absolutely and relatively.

Terms used in setting out

(i) Sight rails (Profiles)

This is a horizontal strip of wood fixed to two upright supports which are
driven into the ground on either sights of the line of the proposed excavation.
The upper edge of the cross piece is set to convenient height above the require
plane of the structure. The sight rails are usually 2m to 3m at right angles to
the construction line

(ii) The travelers (boning rods)

This is made of thin timber resembling a T-square in shape. The length overall
from top of the cross piece to the foot of the blade will be same as from the top
of the sight rail to the invert level

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Slope rail or batter boards

This is used to control side slopes in embankments and cutting. For an embankment, slope rail
usually define a plane parallel to but offset some perpendicular or vertical distance from the
proposed embankment slope.

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Profile boards
These are very similar to the sights rails but are used to define the
corners or sides of buildings. When the setting out of building trenches
has been done, profiles are erected to facilitate the setting out of the
centre of the building.

1.1 Steps in Setting Out

Any set-out surveying work that is associated with engineering projects or general building
construction requires a certain order of stages. For example dams, bridges, roads, railways,
storm-water and sewerage lines, natural gas pipelines, power transmission lines, etc.

The broad classifications of these steps are:

❖ Reconnaissance
❖ Approximate location of site/route
❖ Establishment of suitable control (both horizontal and vertical control)
❖ Investigation survey to collect data for final design
❖ complete design of project and preparation of working drawings

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 ❖ On-site set-out for construction from the design drawings
❖ Check of the work as executed after construction has taken place
❖ Real Property surveys to connect the engineering work with the cadastral system; that is,
easements for access, resumptions, etc.
Reconnaissance and Site Location
The first step of any engineering project is to collect all the existing survey information,
plans, and aerial photographs, for the region that is involved. Most preliminary work is
presently carried out using information taken from survey information.
​Establishment of Control
Advantages of establishing an accurate control
❖ Many different surveys are usually carried out in conjunction with an engineering
project. Unnecessary duplication and problems with discrepancies between surveys will
be greatly reduced if all are based on a common, accurate control survey.
❖ The same control survey that was used to control the investigation surveys on which the
design is based can be used to control the setting out surveys during construction

The general principles of establishing controls:

i) Control marks should cover the entire area of the project, thus be inter-visible to each
other, and be placed close enough together so that later survey work can be carried out
anywhere on the project to a sufficient accuracy.
ii) Measurements for the control survey should be made to a uniformly high standard of
accuracy.
iii) Control marks must be as stable as possible, preferably anchored firmly to bedrock, and
located where the risk of damage during construction is minimized.
iv) Control marks should be positioned on high ground, if possible, with regard to their
possible future use like the collection of topographical information, setting out during
construction, making check measurements upon completion of the project.
v) Control marks are referenced to aid `recovery' of the point should it be disturbed.

Final Survey to Collect Data for Design

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In the engineering project to carry out a survey to collect final data for the project in hand is
crucial. This survey will be used to provide the framework for the construction of the project.
Thus, the precision required for this survey will determine the techniques and equipment to be
used like standard traversing equipment; like Theodolite and tape or total station.
1.2 Setting-out Works
1.2.1 Setting-out of a building
It is undertaken once the site has been cleared of any details and any reduced level excavation
work is finished
❖ Accurate setting out is of principal importance. Therefore, it should be carried out by
competent person and thoroughly check all their work.

❖ The first task in setting out the building is establishment of a base line to which all the
setting out can be related
❖ Marking of a building position, size and shape in terrain
❖ A temporary bench mark is fixed at a point on site to which all levels are related to.
Hence be established at an early stage.
❖ Frame buildings are usually related to a grid
❖ The intersections of the grid lines being the centre point of an isolated or pad foundation
❖ The grid is established using a total station and marking the grid line intersections with
pegs
❖ Once the grid has been set out, offset pegs or profiles can be fixed clearly of any
subsequent excavation work
❖ The overall outline of the reduced level area can be set out using the following survey
instruments a total station, ranging rods, tape and pegs working from a base line.
❖ To control the depth of excavation, sight rails are set up at a convenient height and at
positions which will enable a traveller to be used.

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 ❖ A block plan will show where a building will be positioned on site and the shape and size
of the building on plan. Measurements are marked on the plan to show distances of the
building from the boundaries or other fixed points and the measurements of the building
itself. These are used when setting out the perimeter wall.
❖ To mark out the site wooden pegs are driven into the ground at corners. Nails are fixed on
the tops of the pegs and a builder’s line pulled taut from nail to nail to show the position
of the wall.
1.2.2 Setting out sewer
❖ Fix stakes on the ground at the center line of the proposed sewer at 20m intervals.
❖ Set out a parallel line to the proposed center line of the sewer on one side at a distance
apart so that it may not get disturbed during excavation.
❖ Excavate the sewer trench of desired width and depth.
❖ Erect cross heads at 30meter apart and each change of gradient and direction.
❖ Set the top edge of each sight rail truly horizontal with help of a spirit level.

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 ❖ Drive in a nail on the top edge at the centre of the sight rail to define the centre line of the
sewer.
❖ Establish the gradient of the line joining top edge of two consecutive sight rails as that of
the invert of the sewer.

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1.2.3 Setting out of culvert
• Fix a peg at O
• Set up theodolite over O
• Bisect the point B. and fix the number of points along OB.
• Transits the telescope and fix a number of points along OA.
• Set out the line CD at right angle to AB and fix a number of points necessary to define the line
CD.
• Set off the distance O1, O2, O3, O4 etc along CD. On side of O and 1a, 2b, 3c, 4d, etc along
AB on either side of O. fix arrow at these Points.
• In similar manner other corner of the wing walls and abutments may be marked by their
co-ordinates and pegs are driven.

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1.2.4 Setting out of bridge pier
• Locating pier position
• Lay one base line on each bank exactly at right angle to center line AB, extending on either
side of the centre line.
• Measure the accurate length of centre line AB by triangulation.
• Locate the position of the piers on the centered line a under.
• Calculate the distance BP1, P1P2, P2A between the abutment and piers.
• Measure distances B1, B2 equal to BP1 and BP2 respectively on the base line perpendicular at
B on either side.
• Similarly measure distances A2, A1 equal to AP2 and AP1 on the base line perpendicular at A
on either side. The interacting line 1-1& 2-2 make angle of 45 with base lines on opposite banks
and also with the centre line AB
The position of pier 1 may be located by simultaneously sighting at the interesting of the two
intersecting lines 1-1

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• Similarly the position of pier 2 may be located by simultaneously sighting at the intersection of
the two intersecting lines 2-2

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Sources of Error in Construction Surveys
The sources of error in construction surveys are:
i. Inadequate number and/or location of control points on the job site.
ii. Observational errors in layout.
iii. Failure to double-center in laying out angles or extending lines, and failure to check
vertical members by plunging the instrument.
iv. Errors in establishing control.
v. Careless referencing of key points.
vi. Movement of stakes and marks
Mistakes
Typical mistakes often made in construction surveys are:
i. Lack of foresight as to where construction will destroy points.
ii. Notation for cut (or fill) and stationing on stake not checked.
iii. Arithmetic mistakes, generally due to lack of checking.
iv. Failure to check the diagonals of a building.
v. Wrong datum for cuts, whether cut is to finished grade or subgrade.
vi. Use of incorrect elevations, grades, and stations.
vii. Reading the rod on top of stakes instead of on the ground beside them in profiling and in
slope staking
viii. Carrying out computed values to too many decimal places (one good hundredth is better
than all the bad thousandths)

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Assignments one
Start date 17​th​ February 2021
Date of submission 3​rd​ March 2021
Late submission is not accepted
1. Outline the procedure of Staking out Highways as an engineering project. (15 marks )
2.
a) Support the merit of setting out in earthwork design implementation
(6marks)
b) To fix the position of slope stakes staff readings were taken at ground level as
follows; Pont A is on the centerline of the proposed road. Its reduced level is
31.614 above datum. The staff readings at the point are 1.716m Point B is 15.2 m
from the centerline at the right angle to the centerline
The staff reading on the point is 1.868m
If the reduced level of the formation at the center of the embankment is 37.783 m above datum.
The formation width is 6.1 m and the batter is to be 1 in 2

Determine
i. the staff reading at slope stakes
ii. the distance of the slope stakes of the peg in ( I ) from the centerline A
(12marks)

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