Offset Stakes

After a survey of a project has been completed and the stakes are set and marked, the required amount of

Figure 15-31.-Reference information found on a offset stake.

work needed to complete the job is determined by using the information on these stakes. Since this information has to be used often during construction and the original stakes can be destroyed or covered up by carelessness or inexperienced operators, it is necessary to document this information.

To prevent the loss of reference information, you should transfer the required information from the stake located in the immediate area of construction to a new stake. Set this stake far enough away so that it will not be damaged or destroyed by equipment being operated in the construction area. This new stake is called an offset stake and is identified by the symbol OF or an O (fig. 15-31).

You should note the number of linear feet that separates the offset stake from the original reference stake. This is written on the offset stake below the OF or within the circle, followed by the amount of cut or fill, in feet, which may be required. A stake marked means that the stake is offset 35 feet from the centerline stake and that a cut of 1 foot is required to attain the desired final grade.

The difference in elevation must be noted on the offset stake. The symbol, representing the stake from which the information was originally transferred, is also noted on the offset stake. If the offset stake was offset from a shoulder stake, the symbol would be SH instead of ~.

The amount of cut or fill, if any, must be noted on the offset stake. However, because of existing terrain, this information on the offset stake may not be the same as that on the original stake. In figure 15-32, you can see that the offset stake reads for a cut to be made to reach a desired elevation at the center line, while a

Figure 15-32.-Difference in elevation between the offset stake crowfoot and desired grade at center stake. 15-19

centerline stake would be marked for a fill to reach the same elevation.

Slope Stakes

The identification markings on slope stakes may vary according to survey parties; however, the symbol SS is the most commonly used slope stake symbol. The information normally found on a slope stake (fig. 15-33) is any cut-or-fill requirements, the distance from the center line, and the slope ratio. When it becomes necessary to offset the slope stake, the offset distance from where the slope stake should be is written at the bottom of the offset stake.

Slope stakes indicate the intersection of the cut-or-fill slope with the existing natural groundline and limit of earthwork on each side of the center line (fig. 15-34).

Right-of-Way Stakes

Stakes set on the property line of a construction site are known as right-of-way stakes. These stakes

Figure 15-33.-Slope stake.

mark the boundaries of the site or project. You must not operate equipment outside the property line defined by the right-of-way stakes. The right-of-way stakes are usually marked by the use of colored cloth (bunting) or flagging. Occasionally right-of-way stakes may be marked with the symbol R/W (fig. 15-35).