Building Setting Out

This document discusses setting out and establishing levels at a construction site. It explains that levels are transferred from an ordnance benchmark to the site using a leveling instrument and staff. A temporary benchmark is then established on site using a permanent fixed point as a reference. Foundation trench pegs can then be set individually based on the temporary benchmark. It also describes methods for setting out buildings, including establishing the building line, positioning the front of the building, and using the 3:4:5 method to lay out corners at right angles.

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Building Setting Out

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Myeisha Williams

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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Introduction to Construction

Engineering
CVE3005
Setting Out
Establishing Levels on Site

Before building operations can be commenced on the site it is

necessary to set out the building(s) and to establish a point of known
level on the site which can be used to determine floor and drain invert
levels.
Levels are transferred from the ordnance bench mark to the
building site using a dumpy, tilting or automatic level and levelling
staff. Temporary bench mark is established at each change of
instrument on a permanent fixed point such as a road kerb or top of
a boundary wall, and this is suitably marked with a knife and
detailed in the level book.
The level point on the site should ideally consist of a bolt set in
concrete or could alternatively be some permanent feature on the
site. Flying levels are then taken back to the ordnance bench mark
(OBM) to check the accuracy of the levelling operations.

Foundation trench level pegs can be established individually

with a dumpy, tilting or automatic level from the temporary bench
mark on the site.
Setting Out Buildings:

• The first task is usually to establish the building line which demarcates
the outer face of the front wall of the building. The building line is
frequently determined by the highway authority and in urban areas is
often around 8 m from the back of the public footpath.
• The next step will be to position the front of the building on the
building line by checking the dimensions between the new
building and the side boundaries. Flank walls will then be set out
at right-angles to the building line often using a large builder's or
timber square or the 3:4:5 method.
• To secure permanent line markers, profiles are established at the
corners of the building and at wall intersections (figure 1.2.4).
They often consist of boards about 25 x 150 mm or 25 x 100 mm
nailed to 50 x 50 mm posts or pegs driven firmly into the ground.
Saw cuts or nails demarcate the width of walls and the spread of
foundations.
3:4:5 Method
• A peg is first driven in at the corner of the building and a distance of 3 m
is measured back along the building line. A peg is driven in at this point
and the ring of the tape is placed over a nail driven into the top of the
peg. The tape is held at the 12m mark against the ring on the first peg
and with the tape around the corner peg, the tape is stretched out to give
the position of the third peg at the 7 m mark. The line extended through
the third peg is at right-angles to the building line.
• What is a trial pit?
• What are the purpose of trial pit?
• What should be the depth of the trial hole?

Building Setting Out

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Building Setting Out

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Introduction to Construction

Before building operations can be commenced on the site it is

Foundation trench level pegs can be established individually

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