Centerline Stakes

Stakes set along the center line of a project are known as centerline stakes and are identified by letters, as shown in figure 15-25. Most stakes are marked on both the front and back.

On centerline stakes, the station number is written on the front of the stake, such as 0 + 00, 1 + 00, 4 + 75, and 5 + 25 (fig. 15-26).

The required grade is always established at the center line of the project. The amount of change in elevation is written on the back of the centerline stake with a cut- or- fill symbol, which is known as the crowfoot (fig. 15-27). The "crowfoot" is the reference point of the vertical measure or grade.

Figure 15-27.-Cut-and-fill crowfoot symbol.

Shoulder Stakes

Stakes that are set on a line parallel (same direction and interval) with the center line are called shoulder stakes and are identified by the symbol SH at the top of the stake (fig. 15-28).

^{Shoulder stakes} mark the outer edge of the ^{shoulders and are set} with the broad side facing the

Figure 15-28.-Shoulder stake symbol.

Figure 15-29.-Center line and shoulder stakes.

center line of the road on the shoulder line. Shoulder stakes carry the same station number as the centerline stake they are set to, but the station number is placed on the back of the stake (the side facing away from the center line). The amount of cut or fill is marked on the side of the shoulder stake facing the center line (front) and represents the amount of cut or fill required at that location. The horizontal distance from the shoulder stake to the center line is sometimes placed beneath the cut-or-fill figure. The basic difference between centerline stakes marked with the and shoulder stakes marked SH is ( 1 ) centerline stakes are set along the center line of the project and (2) shoulder stakes are set parallel with the center line defining the shoulder of the road or runway and face the center line (fig. 15-29). ~ symbol

Cut-and-Fill Stakes

Lowering the elevation of a grade is known as making a cut. Cut stakes are designated by the letter C written on the stake. The numerals, following the letter C, indicate the amount of ground to be cut to obtain the desired grade and are measured from the crowfoot down.

Raising the elevation of the ground is known as making a fill. A fill stake is designated by the letter F written on the stake. The numerals that follow the letter F indicate the amount of ground material needed to bring the existing ground to the desired grade and are measured from the crowfoot mark on the stake up.

In going from a cut to a fill or vice versa, there may be one or more stakes representing points on the

Figure 15-30.-Cut, fill, and on-grade stakes.

desired grade, as shown in figure 15-30. These stakes are marked with GRADE, or GRD, and a crowfoot mark even with the desired grade.

Basically, the difference in cut, fill, or on-grade stakes is as follows:

. Cut stakes indicate a lowering of the ground or elevation.

. Fill stakes indicate raising the ground or elevation.

. On-grade stakes indicate the ground is at the desired grade and does not need a cut or fill.