Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
9 8
8
Region v
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF SORSOGON
JAIME G. ESPEÑA HIGH SCHOOL

CARPENTRY MT
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET 6
L
Setting Out a Building

Name:____________________________________________________
Grade & Section:_______________________________
Date:___________________________________________

I.INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT

Setting out is the process of developing the physical positions of corners and walls
of a building, and it’s done by transferring dimensions from the layout plan. Setting
out clearly defines the outline of the excavations and the center line of the walls, so
that the construction can be carried out according to the plan.

A building is set out in order to accurately define the outline and width of the
excavation and to determine the center line of the proposed building walls, so that
construction according to the building professionals drawing (the architectural
plan) plan can be transfer into the ground, this building process is called setting
out of building. The center line method of setting out is generally preferred and
adopted.

Setting out can be a very complex engineering process but with need experience its
quite easy. Experienced engineer and surveyors are those involved in setting out of
structures, in large projects, services of land surveyors are required for more
accurate transfer of levels and angles in setting out with the aid of a Theodolite to
decides points around the building area.

Steps in Setting Out a Building:

1.SITE CLEARANCE

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This is the First thing you must do while Setting out a Building, It involves
removing machinery and hazardous substances from a site, as well as levelling and
preparing land for any planned construction or landscaping. Proper site clearance
is essential for the safety of all workers and anyone else that may be present onsite.

2. OBTAIN THE ARCHITECTURAL AND THE STRUCTURAL PLAN

These Plans are the Most important Drawing you must get before you start setting
out your Building. The Architectural Plan will give you an insight on how your
Building will Look like and help you in Establishing your Parallel Line.

The Structural Plan will Assist you in determining the Width of your Foundation,
Depth of Foundation and the Exact Point to Put each of the foundation. The
Structural Plan also give an Insight on Central Point of the Structural Walls and
Columns.

3.GET YOUR MATERIALS READY

Make sure you Get the necessary materials ready before you start. The Following
Materials are needed for Setting out:
Pegs
Nails
Rope or line
Hammer
Tape
Mallet
Marking tool etc.

4. ESTABLISH A PARALLEL LINE

The first thing to establish is a parallel line, in other to form a Parallel Line, their
must be an existing building close to the proposed new structure or a particular
Fence on any Static Structure that can be make reference to in Establishing our
Line. These lines should be off-set from the building or Fence to prevent any
possible snagging of the string lines. This line should then be established with the

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use of a stake at each end and the line should be fixed at each point. Please ensure
the line is very tight as this will prevent a false reading if the weather conditions are
very windy.

From the Diagram Above, In other to Establish a Parallel Line for the Detached
House we need 2 Measuring Tape and 3 People. The First Tape will be used to
Measure 7200mm from Edge of the Fence to the First Point of the House involving
2 People. The third person will Hold the Second Tape at a Distance of 6150mm
away from edge of the Fence Forming a Distance of 3825mm From Same Point of
the Building. The Person Holding the 2 tape must make sure the tapes are at the
specify Distance, then he or she Mark with a Peg to form our First Point.

The Second Point will be Determine by Measuring 10020mm away from the First
Point then making sure the Second Point is also 3825mm away from the Fence as
shown in the Diagram Above. With these, you have form a parallel Line.

5. USE THE 3 4 5 METHOD

The 3 4 5 method is an accurate method use in Getting the Exact Square of a Plan
instead of Using the Engineering Square which may not be accurate for a Longer
Span.

The 3 4 5 method is an application of the Pythagoras Theorem. i.e Forming right

Angle. Most times, 2 or 3 people are involved in this. 3 meters is Measure from the
Parallel Line created, then 4 Meter Away from the First point forming a Right Angle,
you use your Measuring tape to Confirm the distance between the 3m point noted
at the parallel line and the 4m noted at the other line is 5m. Note that your Parallel
line remain the same, you only shift the other line to form the right Angle.

You repeat the same process for the Second Point Too.

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6. ESTABLISH YOUR PROFILES

Now we have 4 pins in the ground establishing the outside of our dig. The next
thing we need now is to set up our profiles, these should be about 1000mm away
from our 4 pins, make sure these extension are all the same and accurate. You
make use of your Wooden Peg in Forming all this extensions.

7. NAIL THE POINTS OF EXCAVATION ON YOUR PROFILE

Extend and Plumb up your lines and mark the line on top of your profiles and put
in a nail and write on the profile something like “outside of dig” from this point we
can mark the center of our dig, which will also be the center of our structural wall.
As we know this measurement we can then establish on the profile our actual
building line, i would write this on the profile “outside structural wall” and the
inside. Put in small nails and repeat this on each partition of the Building.

Put in your Line then Excavate where necessary according to our Structural
Drawing and make sure your Excavations are all Levelled

8. NAIL THE POINTS OF COLUMN ON YOUR PROFILE

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When you are done with your excavations, the next things is to remove your Line
and Nail another points to establish our columns. If you are using Out to Out,
make sure you use it all through and if you are Using In to In, Use it All through.

Your Column Placement will be where your lines intercept each other. Make sure
you make use of Spirit level while Placing your Columns.

LEARNING COMPETENCY
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
Identify the steps in setting out a building.

A.Let Us Practice

Directions: Identify the steps (steps in setting out a building) used in the following
statements. Write your answer on the space provided after each item.
1. The excavation are all levelled.

____________________________________
2. The lines should be off-set from the building or Fence to prevent any
possible snagging of the string lines.

____________________________________
3. The most important Drawing you must get before you start setting out your
Building.

____________________________________
4. Get the necessary materials ready before you start.

____________________________________
5. Shift the other line to form the right Angle.

____________________________________

B. Let us Remember
Construction surveying or building surveying (otherwise known as "staking",
"stake-out", "lay-out", "setting-out" or "BS") is to stake out reference points and
markers that will guide the construction of new structures such as roads or
buildings. These markers are usually staked out according to a suitable coordinate
system selected for the project.
C.Evaluation
Directions: Explain and connect the importance of the following words in setting
out a building. Write your answer on the opposite side of each word.

1. Excavation –

2. Accurate-

3. Plan-

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 4. Measure-

5. Establish-

VI-REFERENCES

https://www.civilsimplified.com
https://www.engineeringbasic.com
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view

Prepared by: Rudy Y. Freo

Teacher I

Quality Assured by: EDEN V. FULLA

Master Teacher II