Topic: Grade Stakes
Learning Outcomes – Participants will be able to explain the common nomenclature used on grade stakes and the term “slope”.
Time Steps Activity Materials
 

Introduction

Introduce Grade Stakes

  

30 min

Explain the Importance

Explain that grade stakes are used to layout the site and location of the work to be done.
Explain that grade stakes are critical are not to be disturbed or moved or altered under any circumstances.

Handout– “Grade Stakes”
 

Show Learners

  • Explain that the “toe” is the bottom of a slope on a road bed or other similar construction.
  • Explain the grade stakes are usually off set from the finished construction, so that equipment will not hit and destroy these stakes during construction.
  • Explain “slope”. “Grade” is another term used on highway signage. A hill with 7% grade is a slope of vertical rise of 8’ for every 100’ horizontally
  

45 min

Learner Shows you

Participants will layout using the lathes the location of an excavation that will be sloped at a 45 degree angle or 1 to 1 slope on all four sides. Have participants layout the location of an excavation that is 50’ long by 12’ wide and will be 15’ deep. Next, have the participants stake out the perimeter of the sloped walls on all four sides of this proposed excavation.
Have participants determine the amount/volume of material that will be removed from this excavation.

100’/30 m tape measures or 16’ tape measure

Bundle of 4’ wood lathes