precise grading question
precise grading question
(OP)
I'm an intern with a land surveying/civil engineering firm in southern California. Can anybody please help me with the following acronyms and formula's to solve:
tc:
fs:
fl:
trw:
inv:
bw:
hp:
tg:
ff:
gb:
trf:
gft:
Any help would be GREAT!! Thank you for any replies!!
Brian
tc:
fs:
fl:
trw:
inv:
bw:
hp:
tg:
ff:
gb:
trf:
gft:
Any help would be GREAT!! Thank you for any replies!!
Brian





RE: precise grading question
tc: Top of Curb
fs: ??
fl: Flow Line (as in a curb gutter)
trw: Top of Retaining wall
inv: Invert (inside bottom of pipe elevation)
bw: Bottom of wall
hp: High Point
tg: ??
ff: Finish Floor (elevation of building floor)
gb: Grade Break (a change in slope of the ground)
trf: ??
gft: ??
RE: precise grading question
RE: precise grading question
RE: precise grading question
Any PM worth his/her salt will recognize that drawing notations aren't taught in school -
Please see FAQ731-376 for great suggestions on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora. See FAQ158-922 for recommendations regarding the question, "How Do You Evaluate Fill Settlement Beneath Structures?"
RE: precise grading question
RE: precise grading question
RE: precise grading question
Yes, ask questions. BUT, before you ask, make a proper effort to find the answers yourself. Only when you can't find the answers in a reasonable time should you ask. In my opinion, one of the most important skills an engineer needs is the ability to find information needed to solve a problem. It looks like most, if not all, of the acronyms you asked about should be used on other plans around your office. Frequently, site plans have a standard legend which defines the acronyms. Good luck.
RE: precise grading question
I was a draftsman/plotter of surveying field notes taken by surveying crews on many different projects. It was very difficult just understanding what they were writing down let alone there own abbreviations and short-cuts. Get yourself the Schaumns Intro to Surveying Book. The universal abbreviation "cya" stands for "Cover Your Ass" is missing from your post, as it sounds like working for your company must be done,Bigtime!!.I guess you know that. Surveying today is very computerized and thus can be very cryptic and confusing and requires patience learning. Hang in there. Good Luck.
RE: precise grading question
Another one you need for roadway construction is pgl, Profile Grade Line. The "reference" line from which most elevations are computed along the longitudinal profile, usually for a single roadway(there are two on a divided highway).
If you are in surveying, you must know HI, Height of Instrument, and IH, Instrument Height, for levelling data recording. You should be learning these in your surveying class although I don't know if these terms apply anymore with the Total Station equipment used now.
The instrument man can explain the term "beer leg" to you.
RE: precise grading question
Not sure of tg? tp is turning point - some here use cp.
bm - benchmark; tbm - temporary benchmark.
Now when all is said and done -
"bohica" - bend over here it comes again (give me a break - it came from the VN war era - The Constellation I believe - one of the squadrons got all the crap jobs).
"fubar" - fowled up beyond all recognition. Some change the first letter.
"snafu" - situation normal, all fouled up, ibid.,
"sitrep" situation report.
Now the above might note be truly surveying terms, but there use can be universally applied, I think.
RE: precise grading question
Intern: ASK the questions. If someone at the company gives you a hard time for asking, it's time to move on.
RE: precise grading question
FS is Final Grade Stake...should only appear on final stakeout plans.
TG is Top of Grate.
GFT...did you misread GRT? GRT is Grate, have never seen a GFT.
TRF...have never seen that one. My guess is it is someone's creation for Top of Rock Foundation.
I think you would appear diligent enough to use these and even more diligent to admit you don't know what the remaining two are. I am always looking for a new person who is willing to admit they are a new person. Good luck in the baffling world of civil engineering.
RE: precise grading question
Look at the responses you recieved so far. Many of them specific to you query regarding the symbols are quite varied and could possibly confuse you more. Since my background is municipal and highways, many of the symbols represent different things to me.
Since you are an intern, if you have not been exposed to the acronyms, how are you expected to know their meaning? The solution is to ask. Take a minute to ask the draftperson, the surveyor or a more senior member of the staff. Quite likely, they have a legend sheet which explains them already.
Again, if unsure, ask....never assume or guess.
KRS Services
www.krs-services.com
RE: precise grading question
RE: precise grading question
Kirkussent
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/geometronics/StakingManual12.pdf