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Description:  This unit introduces the methods that can be used in order to set out a site or a building.
Contents

Section 1 Introduction Author:  Gates MacBain Associates

Section 2 Setting out

  Section 3 Profiles and Sight Rails  

Section 4 Horizontal Curves Section 1 Introduction
             

This Module is designed to complement your lectures and the practical work within your course.  It
does not replace the lectures or experience that you will need to get by carrying out the practical
tasks. You may find it useful to reinforce or clarify the tuition you receive on your course.  

Section 2 Setting-out 

Aims and Objectives

At the end of this section you should:

Understand how control points and co-ordinates are used to set out the position of
buildings etc.

This unit explores methods used to set out buildings and establish site profiles which are used to
guide the construction process. Figure 1 below comprises three pairs of semi detached houses. This
site is to be used as we look at how the positions of the actual structures are fixed and site profiles to
guide the excavation and pouring concrete into the foundations.    
Figure 1: Section of Development Site    

At the beginning of a contract it is normal to set a number of control points around the site which are
either pegs or studs hammered into a road surface. These control points are established using a
closed traverse survey as described in unit 3. The contract drawings will give co-ordinate details for all
the structures and personnel inspection chambers (manholes) to be built along with data on invert
levels of drains. The setting out data which we will use for this unit is shown in Figure 2 below.   

Figure 2: Control Points & Drainage System     

The data for the control points and Personnel Inspection Chambers (MH 26 & 27) is as follows:   

Reference Point Eastings Northings Elevation 

Control Point 1 125.350 113.050 106.215 

Control Point 2 123.430 133.800 106.705 

MH 26 126.000 104.400 105.900 (Base) 
MH 27 120.950 133.500 105.500 (Base)  
The co-ordinates for each corner of the central structure are as shown in Figure 3. Note: The finished
floor level (FFL) is set at 107.200m      

Figure 3: Setting Out Data for Plots 71 & 72   

Setting Out Procedure

A theodolite or total station is set up over a control point which has known co-ordinates.
The instrument is then pointed at another control point in order to orientate the instrument to
north. If a conventional theodolite is being used it normal to turn the instrument to north and
reset the horizontal angle to zero.
The distances and bearings from that control point to those points which require setting out
are now located and fixed with pegs.
A control point which is located near to the structure to be set out will ensure maximum
accuracy.
If a total station is used the co-ordinates are entered into the software and the prism target will
allow the bearing and distance to be located for each point.
If a conventional theodolite is used the co-ordinates of the control point are compared with
those of each point to be set out. This will require whole circle bearings and distances to be
calculated for each point.
The procedure is then to simply turn to the required bearing and measure the distance ensuring
that the tape is held as near horizontal as possible

Whole Circle Bearings (WCB) 

We will look at the calculations for Points B1, B2, MH26 & MH27 from Control Point 2. 

The data shown in black in Table 1 was established when the control points were set up. The
remaining data is taken from contract documents.        

Point Eastings Northings WCB Distance

Control 1 125.350 113.050 185 17 12 20.839
Control 2 123.430 133.800 00 00 00 0.000
B1 117.100 125.020  
B2 119.110 115.080  
MH 26 126.000 104.400  
MH 27 120.950 133.500  
 
Table 1: Setting Out Data               

Orientation to North is achieved by comparing Control Points 1 & 2 which are 20.839m apart       
 Figure 4: Orientation to North  
        

The horizontal bearing on the

theodolite would be a random
value when the instrument is
set up and sighted on to
Control Point 1.     

Let us assume that the

horizontal bearing is 214° 39'
40'' when looking at Control
Point 1. The orientation value
(174° 42' 48'') is added to the
displayed bearing (174° 42' 48''
+ 214° 39' 40'') giving a total of
389° 22' 28''. Because this is
greater than 360 we turn the
theodolite to 29° 22' 28'' (389° 22' 28'' – 360). In practice it will be turned to 29° 22' 20'' as most basic
instruments are accurate to the nearest 20''.   At this point the horizontal bearing is set to zero to
enable setting out using WCBs.   

Calculation of WCBs and Distances     

Using the co-ordinates in the above table we will explore how to calculate WCBs and distances to the  
point being set out. First we need to understand which quadrant of the whole circle is being used from
our control point.     

Figure 5: WCB Calculation             

Clearly it can be seen in Figure 5 that bearing B1 (blue line) is in the third quadrant in which case
clockwise bearings will be between 180° and 270°.   

The WCB for B1 is calculated by comparing co-ordinates between the occupied control point and the
point to be set out    

Point Eastings Northings

Control 2 123.430 133.800
B1 117.100 125.020   

Table 2: B1 Co-ordinates       

To navigate from Control Point 2 to point B1 we go WEST 6.330m and SOUTH 8.780m   
Remember: If an easting increases we are moving EAST but if it decreases we are moving WEST and
  

If a northing increases we are moving NORTH but when it decreases we are moving SOUTH   

Distance from Control Point 2 to B1 = √ 8.7802 + 6.3302 = 10.824m   

This produces a triangle which looks like the one shown in Fig 6 below:      
 Figure 6: B1 Calculations         

To locate the centre point of MH27 from Control Point 2 we move 2.480 m WEST and 0.300m SOUTH
  

WCB for MH27 = 180 + Tan Ó¨ (2.480 / 0.300) = 263° 6' 9''   

Distance from Control Point 2 to MH27 = √ 2.4802 + 0.3002 = 2.498 m      

Point Eastings Northings WCB Distance

Control 1 125.350 113.050 185 17 12 20.839
Control 2 123.430 133.800       00  00  00 0.000
B1 117.100 125.020 215 47 24 10.824
B2 119.110 115.080  
MH 26 126.000 104.400  
MH 27 120.950 133.500        263  6  9 2.498  

Table 3  

Publications

Irvine, W, (1995) Surveying for Construction, McGraw-Hill: Berkshire (Chapter 13)

Self-Assessment Task

Complete the details in the Table 3 for B2 and MH26 using the procedures
described.

Section 3  Profiles and Sight Rails

Aims and Objectives

At the end of this section you should: 

Setting up profiles to guide excavation for foundations in buildings using profiles

to guide the positioning of walls.
Setting profiles to guide the line and level of new drainage systems.

Profiles and sight rails are erected by setting out engineers to guide the construction of buildings and
drainage systems as the contract progresses. 

These are used on site to guide: 

 Excavation of trenches for concrete foundations and pipelaying
The levelling of concrete
Setting a pipe to the correct invert level

They comprise two vertical posts and a horizontal rail as shown in Figure 7 below:    

Figure 7: Profiles and Sight Rails  

Profile positioning is 2m beyond each corner location. The dotted red line (see Figure 8) is the centre
line of the trench (half wall thickness behind the wall face)     

Figure 8: Profiles for Trench Excavation & Footings   

Setting Up Site Profiles 

The procedure used is as follows: 

Identify the corner pegs which have been position using optical instruments
Extend the line of the wall by say 2m (on some sites 3m might be used)
Measure back towards the building a distance equal to half the wall thickness at each end of
the extended line at fix a peg (one at each end)
Assuming a 600mm bucket is to be used for excavation measure 500mm each side of the peg
and fix in place the profile posts.
Using an optical level determine the level of one of these post tops (remember to relate this to
site or ordnance datum by back sighting on to a known level)
Look at the drawing for the finished floor level (FFL) in our case it is 107.200.
Nail the rail at the correct level by measuring down the required amount from the post top
When both profiles are in place suitable travelling rods can be made to guide excavation and
concreting.

  

Sight Rails for Drainage 

The procedure used is similar to the above except that: 

Pegs set out are at the centre of Personnel Inspection Chambers (Manholes)
The chambers are usually constructed first and then pipes laid between them
Supporting posts tend to be taller and are typically 1.5 to 2m apart but again centred on the
drain line
 The size of travelling rods will be larger often 2 – 3m
The invert levels are shown on the contract drawings for each chamber
Drains are laid to a gradient whilst FFLs are level
Processes used to fix the rail levels are just the same except we are setting out gradients.
Sight rails need to be set at a comfortable useable height of 1 – 1.5m above the ground

  

Figure 9: Longitudinal section between MH27 & MH26 

Publications

Irvine, W, (1995) Surveying for Construction, McGraw-Hill: Berkshire (Chapter 12)

Self-Assessment Task

Set out the four corners of a building and then using a datum given by your tutor
set up a profile to guide excavation for a footing on the assumption that the wall
thickness is 280mm.

Section 4 Horizontal Curves

Aims and Objectives

At the end of this section you should:

Setting out curves using optical instruments or measured offsets 

It is often necessary to set out horizontal curves on site when laying out the road system for a new
development. This is usually achieved using optical instruments although small lengths of up to
around 60m can be set out using chords and offsets which are measured. 
Figure 10: Curves Basics 

IA = Intersection Angle
IP = Intersection Point
TP = Tangent Point
T = Tangent Length (Distance between TP and IP)

Symbols used in Calculations   

Ó¨ = Angle at the Centre

Ф = Deflection Angle 

Useful relationships    

IA = Ó¨ = 1802
Ф = Ө
IA = 2x 

Setting Out : Curves

The most accurate method is to use a theodolite or total station at TP1 and range the curve using
deflection angles and measured distances. A total station would set out using co-ordinates and
Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM) whilst the theodolite would find the bearing then the
distance would be measured with a tape.

It is possible to set out curves using tapes only but this can be inaccurate over distances of more than
about 75m. We will explore a method of setting out using tapes at the end of this unit.

Figure 11:
TP1, Chord and Deflection Angles

We are assuming that a 900m Radius is to be set out. The intersection point chainage from the
beginning of the alignment is 366.295m and the intersection angle is 175°.

Calculations
Let Radius (R) = 900m
Let IA = 175°
T = R cot (x) where x = IA/2 = 39.295m
Let IP chainage be 366.295
TP1 = IP – T = 366.295 – 39.295 = 327m
LC (Length of Curve) = 2πR (Φ/360) where Φ = 180 – IA
LC = 2 x π x 900 x (5/360) = 78.540m
TP2 = TP1 + LC = 327 = 78.540 = 405.540m
We can now produce Table 4 showing chainages at key points on the alignment with deflections to
set out the curve at 10m intervals with the calculations explained below   
Chainage Sub Chord Deflection
DEG MIN SEC
327 0 0 0 0
330 3 0 5 4.78
340 13 0 24  49.71
350 23 0 43 55.65
360 33 1 03 1.58
370 43 1 22 7.51
380 53 1 41 13.45
390 63 2 00 19.38
400 73 2 19 25.31
405.540 78.54 2 30 00

Table 4: Deflection Data Deflection Calculations

Formula Deflection (in minutes) = (1718.9 C) / R

C = Sub chord Length          R = Radius

Example : At chainage 370 C = 43m R = 900

Deflection (Mins)  =  (1718.9 x 43) / 900  = 82.125 mins 

Deflection (Deg)    mins /60 = 1° 22' 7.51''

To set out a curve and convert a curved alignment into co-ordinates we must have the following data:
Chainages & Deflections (Table 4)
Straight line distance from TP1 to a point on the curve (EDM Distance)

We now consider how these are determined.

Co-ordinates and EDM Distance

The EDM column is used to show the straight line distance between TP1 and the point being set out.
This distance is calculated using Sine of the deflection times 2R. 

All these values are shown in Table 5 ( you might verify the calculation)

So at TP2 EDM    = Sin 2.5 x 1800 = 78.515 (Distance along the chord from TP1 to TP2)    

Table 5: EDM & Co-ordinates

If we assume that TP1 is at 100 East and 100 North and that the tangent runs due north we can
calculate the co-ordinates. In practice the tangent may run either east or west of north by a given
angle. In this example we keep this example simple by saying the tangent runs due north.

Co-ordinates are calculated for each point. We will look at a value mid table at chainage 370.

Using the EDM which is the hypotenuse of the triangle along with the deflection angle 1 22 7.51 we
can determine the distance north and the distance east from the tangent point.

Distance north = Cos 1 22 7.51 x 42.996 = 42.984 + 100 = 142.984

Distance East = Sin 1 22 7.51 x 42.996 = 1.027 + 100 = 101.027

Setting Out Curves: Measurement

A common method used is halving and quartering. We can think of a curve as having a chord and a
major offset thus:
 Figure 12: Chord & Major
Offset

Let us call the half chord (L) and the major offset (D)

To set out a curve using these parameters we use the following method:

Establish the chord at say 50m and the major offset at 1m at the centre (L = 25 D= 1)
Extend the lines as shown in blue and find the centre of each one (halving) (Fig 13)
At each centre point project D/4 (quartering) as shown – offset is now 250 mm
Continue halving the sub chord an quartering the previous offset until the required curve is
produced. 

Figure 13     

Formulae      

R = (L2 + D2 ) / 2D
D = R - √R2 - L2

So in the case above the Radius was (252 + 12 ) / 2 = 313m 

Publications

Irvine, W, (1995) Surveying for Construction, McGraw-Hill: Berkshire (Chapter 12)

Self-Assessment Task

Complete the missing values in Table 5.

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