Construction stakes, sometimes referred to asgrade stakes, are the guides and reference markers forearthwork operations to show cuts, fills, drainage,alignment, and boundaries of the construction area.The number of stakes and the information contained onthem will vary with the project as to whether they aretemporary or permanent. Stakes are usually placed by athree- to five-person survey party using a level, a levelrod, a tape, and range poles.A “stake” is defined as any wooden lath, stake,or hub. “Hub stakes” are 2 inches by 2 inches byapproximately 12 inches and are used primarily forwell-defined surveyors’ reference points, with the redand blue tops used in finished grade work. Stakes willvary in shape and size according to their use and thematerials available for their manufacture. Severalstakes are shown in figure 15-22. Stakes range in sizefrom the ordinary rough plaster lath to 1- by 2- by3-inch cross-sectional lumber with lengths varyingfrom 18 inches to 48 inches.All reference hubs, markers, and bench marksestablished by the Engineering Aids (EAs) for projectcontrol or alignment are protected by guard stakes.Guard stakes are used as a means of locating the pointsneeded. Some color of bunting or flagging (a narrowstrip of cloth or plastic) may be tied around the top ofthe stake. Station identification is placed on the front ofthe stake and any other pertinent data on the back.In some situations, the survey crew will establishgrades only on the centerline stakes, while edge-of-roadand slope stakes are set by the project supervisor andhelpers. Alignment, shoulder, and slope stakes shouldbe 1 inch by 2 inches in cross section, smooth on foursides, and about 2 feet in length. Actual grade desiredis indicated by a reference mark, called a crowfoot, andnumbers to show the amount of cut or fill.These stakes should be marked with the followinginformation:. The stationing or location of any part of the road,runway, or taxiway relative to a starting point or refer-ence. The amount of cut and fill from the existingground surface or reference mark on the stake. The distance from the center line to the stakelocation and from the center line to the ditch lineIn most earthwork, measurements are made andwritten by the decimal system as used in constructionengineering. Most markings on construction stakeswill be in feet and tenths of a foot. A stake marked C35means that a cut must be made 3.5 feet. To convert .5foot to inches, multiply the decimal fraction by 12.For example: .5 x 12 inches = 6 inches; .25 x 12inches = 3 inches.STARTING POINTThe “starting point” of a survey is also called thestarting station and is numbered 0 + 00. The nextstation is 100 feet farther away and is numbered 1 + 00.The next station, which is 200 feet beyond the startingpoint, is then numbered 2 + 00, and so forth. All stationsthat end with 00 are called full stations. As shown infigure 15-23, stations may be abbreviated STA on thestakes.On sharp curves or on rough ground, the stakes maybe closer together than on the straightaway. Stations,located at a distance shorter than 100 feet from thepreceding station, are known as plus stations, such asFigure 15-22.—Types of stakes.Figure 15-23.—Starting point.15-16
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