Lesson 7: LAYING OUT AND STAKING

Learning Objectives:
Cognitive:

 Describe
Affective:

 Study and Value

Psychomotor:

 Identify and Draw

LAYING OUT
Laying Out a Building- Laying out a building is the process of locating the places where the foundations of
the building are to stand. This is done by establishing lines representing the sides of the building and any
other lines needed in locating the position of all foundations. The process here refers to buildings with or
without masonry foundations.
A building is laid out by following these operations:
1. Establishing the orientation line.
2. Temporary staking out of corners.
3. Setting up the batter or reference boards.
4. Laying out the sides of the building on the batter boards.
5. Squaring the lay out lines.
6. Locating the places for the foundations.
7. Marking the places for the excavation needed for the foundations.
Orienting a Building
Before a building can be laid out, the builder must find out how the new building is to be oriented.
Orienting a building means determining how it is to be erected in relation to existing buildings, to the sun,
to the direction of the prevailing wind, to the road, and to the terrain. The purpose of orienting a building
is to make it comfortable, useful, and beautiful.
The orientation is to be decided by the owner of the building with the suggestions of either the
designer or the builder. The orientation is indicated in the location plan for the building. The location plan
shows the direction in which the building is to face, how far it is going to be from the boundary, and how
its sides will be related to the boundaries of the lot, to the road, and to existing buildings,
Generally, buildings are constructed parallel to or in line with existing building, parallel to roads, or
in a north-to-south or east-to-west direction.
Orientation Line
The orientation line is the line representing one side of the building to be erected, and it is based on
how the building is to be oriented.
An orientation line is established by means of these operations:
1. Orienting a building line with existing buildings.
2. Orienting a building parallel to an existing building.
3. Orienting a building parallel to road.
4. Orienting a building going north-south, east-west, or in any angle to the north-south direction.
1. Orienting a building in line with existing buildings. (see fig. 23)- The following procedure
is involved in orienting a building in line with existing buildings:

a. Determine the building with which the new construction is to be made in line.
b. Along the side of this building, stretch a string extending to the site of
construction.
c. Drive stakes 1 and 2 to anchor the line. It is very important that the stakes do not
move. The side of the new building should not fall between these stakes.
d. This line is now the orientation line.
2. Orienting a building parallel to an existing building- This is done by simply making one
side of the new building equally distant from the side of the existing building. If the new
building is to be made parallel to an opposite building, fig. 24, the procedure is to
measure equal distances A and B representing the distance between the two buildings.
Be sure that the lines of measurement are square to the base side. Fig. 25 shows the
correct and wrong ways to do this.

On the other hand, if the new building has to be parallel but not directly opposite to
an existing building, the procedure would be as follows (See figure 26):
 a. Stretch line CD along the side of the existing building.
b. At two points along line CD, stretch lines A and B square to line CD.
c. Measure equal distances along line A and B. Start to measure where the lines
intersect. The distance of the new building from the existing building.
d. Stretch line 3 through points E and F.
Line 3 is parallel to the side of the building because it is equally distant to any
point.
e. Line 3 is now the orientation line representing one side of the new building.
This procedure establishing parallel lines can be applied to similar problems.
3. Orienting a building parallel to the road- The following is the procedure to follow when
orienting a structure to make it parallel to a road:
a. Establish a line along the middle or edge of the road, whichever is more
convenient.
b. Make the orientation line parallel to the reference line on the road. Follow the
procedure in making parallel lines given above.
4. Orienting a building going north-south, east-west, or in any angle to the north-south
direction, fig. 27.- A proposed building can be made to face in any direction with the aid
of an ordinary compass. The compass is laid on a piece of board on the ground and then
a string is stretched along the degree desired, fig. 27. Be sure that there is no metal near
the compass to attract its hand. This string is the orientation line and should be firmly
tied to stake.
 It is very important to anchor the orientation line to strong stakes which do not
move. Otherwise, the line will change its position. The place of the string on the two
stakes should be marked with a nail or sew kerf. This is done to ensure the return of the
string to its former place when it is removed.
TEMPORARY STAKING OUT
It is necessary to temporarily layout the sides of the building on the ground in order to locate the
corners. This may not be an accurate layout, but the purpose is to give an idea of how the building will sit
on the lot and to have a basis for erecting the batter boards. Any desired changes in the position of the
building should be made at this time when liable work is involved.
The following describes the steps involved in temporarily staking out a building (See fig. 28.):

1. Locate the corners that fall at oriented side and drive stakes A and B as markers.
2. Through A and B, stretch string 1 and 2 perpendicular or square to the oriented side. A framing
square may be used for squaring.
3. Measure the length of the sides that fall on lines 1 and 2.
4. Drive stakes C and D to mark the corners.
Determining the Final Grade Line- Where there is a need to level or fill in the present ground line, the final
grade level should first be determined. The purpose is to be sure that the top of the foundation will not be
lower than the grade line.
Ground line and Grade Line Differentiated- The ground line is the natural contour of the ground, and the
grade line is the levelness of the ground after filling or leveling.
Erecting the Batter Boards- Batter boards are the horizontal boards place at corners and at the sides of the
projected building where the final layout takes place. The reference for the foundations is marked on these
boards. After staking the corners of the building, the next step is to erect the batter boards. Two types of
batter boards are (1) batter boards for the foundation posts and (2) batter boards for the foundation walls.
The first type may be either joined continuous pieces surrounding the site of foundation, fig. 30, or
individual piece for each of the foundation. For foundation walls, they are either single or double batter
boards, fig. 32 and 33 which are placed at corners.
 A common practice among builders is to use some of the lumber of the building frames for batter

boards and their posts. Boards having one straight side are selected from 2X2s or 2X4s for batter boards.
The posts are cut in such lengths so that they can later be used for studs or ceiling joists.
Steps in Erecting Continuous or Full-Batter Boards
Follow these steps when setting up continuous or full-batter boards:
1. Determine the height of the foundation at any of the four corners of the proposed building,
preferably where the grade stake is.
2. At this corner, drive a stake as high as the desired height of the foundation, fig. 29.
3. Drive in or set posts for the batter boards 3 or more feet from the corners and along the sides. (See
figure 30) Drive in the posts firmly. Align these posts with a string.

4. Move the height of the foundation from the stake to the corner post, of the batter board, fig. 29.
This is done by stretching a string, leveled with a plumb level, from the stake to the posts.
5. From the mark on this post, stretch a string, going around the corners of the building and passing at
the sides of the batter board posts.
6. Level this string with a plumb level, fig. 31. Stretch the string tight. Sight the string, and to make it
straight, place a support where it sags. Start leveling from the corner where the height of the
foundation is established. If the lines do not meet at the starting corner, then there is a need to
recheck the levelling.

7. Mark the batter board posts along the line just leveled. These marks are the places for the top of
the batter boards.
8. Nail the batter boards in place, the straight side up and at the marks on the posts. Fig. 30 shows the
completed batter boards surrounding the site of the construction.
For buildings with foundation walls it is not necessary to surround the site with batter boards. Only
single or double boards at corners are sufficient for the laying out, fig. 32 and 33.
Laying Out the Foundation Lines
The final laying out is done on the batter boards. Before the builder can start the layout, he has to
decide which among the building lines he is going to use. Whatever line he uses can help him locate the
other lines easily.
The following lines may be used in laying out the building:
1. Line representing the outer side of the foundation. This line is used in the layout to indicate the
face of a foundation consisting of masonry wall. It is called an ashlar line.
2. Line representing the true length of the sides of the proposed building. This line usually indicates
the outer side of the posts. Some builders use this line in the layout. But using this line alone
complicates the placing of the forms for the foundation post because:
a. Forms for the corner posts will be marked for the sides of the posts
b. The intermediate forms along the sides will be marked for the side and center of the post,
and
c. Other foundations will be marked at their center.
3. Line representing the side of the building passing through the center of the foundation. This line
also indicates the center of the post because posts are usually placed at the center of their
foundation. This line does not represent the true length of the sides. It is shorter at one width of
the posts because of the post is subtracted from both ends of the line.
Procedure in Laying Out the Foundation Lines
Follow this procedure:
1. Transfer the oriented line to the top of the batter boards. This is done by hanging a plumb bob to
the oriented line, fig. 34, and by making the corresponding point on the batter board. Do this to the
batter boards on opposite sides.

2. Locate the center of the foundation from the orientation line, fig. 35, at the opposite batter boards.
Then mark these two points with nails or a saw kerf.
3. Stretch string No.1 on these two marks, fig. 35. Anchor it to the batter boards. This line should
never be moved during the process of squaring the lines.
4. Tie a cord to this line to indicate the original corner A, fig. 36. Align this cord to the corner stake
with a plumb bob.

5. Measure the length of the side that falls on line 1, starting from the original corner, and tie another
cord to mark this corner B, fig. 37.
 6. Stretch line No. 2 square or perpendicular to line 1, passing through the cord tied at the original
corner A, Tie line 2 to nails on the batter boards.
7. From the intersection of lines 1 and 2 at the original corner A, measure the length of the side of the
building that falls on string 2. Tie another cord to mark this corner C.
8. Through this corner just marked, stretch on string 3 square to string 2.
9. Measure the length of the side that falls on line 3, and tie a cord to mark corner D.
10. Through corner D, stretch line 4 to the opposite corner B on line 1. Check the squareness of these
two lines.
Squaring Layout Lines
The layout lines must be squared-i.e., stretched at an angle of 90 degree to each other-unless
otherwise specified. There are three ways to square lines:
1. By the use of the framing square.
2. By the use of a right triangle with sides of the 3:4:5 ratio.
3. By measuring the diagonals.
Never move the oriented line while you are adjusting the lines for squaring. Otherwise, the building
will go out of alignment.
Locating Foundations and Placing Reference Marks on the Batter Boards.
After the building lines are squared, the next job is:
1. To determine where the different foundations will be laid and,
2. To place foundation reference marks on the batter boards.
These reference marks are needed when the forms for the foundations are placed. Locate the
foundation posts by the use of the following procedure:
1. Determine the location of the foundations.
2. Measure the center-to-center distances between the foundations on the layout lines. For every
foundation post, whether located along the sides or inside, the measurements are made along the
four layout lines.
a. Example A. Locating a foundation post along the sides of a building.
A foundation post is 3 meters away from the front foundation line. It is to be located at line 2. Steps
(See Fig. 42.)
 a. Measure 3 meters from line 1 and along-side 2.
b. Point A is the center of the foundation post. But note that when the string is removed to dig
the earth and the string is put back to place the forms, there is a need to relocate the center
of this foundation. To avoid this trouble, continue as in step c.
c. Along line 3, measure 3 meters, and it will be at point B.
d. Through points A and B, stretch a string towards opposite batter boards. Where the string
meet at point A, there the center of the foundation post will be. So, these two intersecting
strings will show the location of a foundation post.
e. Drive nails or make saw kerfs as reference marks on the 4 batter boards to show the place of
the string, fig. 43. When the strings are returned to these reference marks, the intersections
will show the places of the foundations.

Remember these important points:

1. For each foundation posts, there must be 2 strings intersecting to show the center of that
foundation.
2. The location of the string is marked on the four batter boards with a driven nail or saw kerf as a
reference mark. Driven nails are usually used as reference markers because the strings are easier to
return. Just loop the string to one marker and proceed to the rest.
Locating Foundation Walls
Foundation walls are easy to locate. Reference marks are made to show the width of the
foundation wall. The references are placed on two opposite batter boards.
Locating the Places Where Diggings for the Foundations Will Be Made
So far what you have located are the centers of the foundation posts. The next job is to locate the
places where you will dig so as to place the foundation.
This procedure is suggested:
 Hang a plumb bob passing through the intersection of the foundation lines, fig. 44. From the point
of the plumb bob, mark the size of the footings on the ground. If there are several diggings to be located,
construct a template, fig. 45, representing the size of the footing.

Mark the center lines on the template. Fig. 46 shows how the template is used. The corners are marked on
the ground to show the boundaries of the diggings.

Digging the Ground for the Foundations

If the earth is firm, it can be used as the outer side of the form for the footing. But if the earth is
loose, you will need a wider excavation, and you will need to provide the sides of the footing with the
wooden forms. And if deep excavation is necessary and there is a tendency for the earth to slide down,
then you will need to shore up the earth that it will not cave in.
Laying Out with Bamboo or Rattan Ties
Another method is to use bamboo or rattan ties, instead of string, for laying out buildings without
foundations. These materials do not stretch by ordinary pulling. Four ties are needed, each as long as the
side it represents with an extra length for joining it to the other ties. Assemble the four ties with a knot or
splices to join them at the corners. Provide extensions at the corners for aligning better stakes.
Water-and-Tube Level
 With a little investment, a builder can construct a very accurate water-and-tube level, fig. 50. This
level is an application of the principle that water seeks its own level. It is very handy in establishing level
marks for laying out foundations, girders, horizontal studs, and the girt plates. It is more accurate than an
ordinary plumb level in establishing long horizontal lines, because a very slight mistake with the plumb
level and string will greatly increase at the far end of the string.
The way a water-and-tube level is made is shown in fig. 50. The materials are:

1. A water container.
2. A rubber or plastic hose, and
3. A glass tube about 12 inches long with a diameter to fit the tube.
The length of the rubber hose should be such that when the water container is placed at the center of
the construction, the hose can reach the four corners. A 10-meter hose is sufficient. Attach the hose to the
water container by a metal tube soldered to the bottom side of the vessel and insert the glass tube in the
other end.
On the glass tube, place one-inch graduation marks as guides when leveling. This can be done by
nicking it with a file and having the numbers painted on. Tape can also be used to mark the level of the
water in glass tube.
How to Use the Level
Follow this procedure in using the level:
1. Fill up the water container and tube with water. Let some of the water spill out of the glass tube so
as to remove any air that is trapped inside the tube.
2. Set the water container so that the water level is of the desired height in the construction.
3. Bring the glass tube near the side of the water container and note the height of the water on the
graduated marks on the glass tube. If there are no marks, use a tape or rubber band wrapped
around the glass to indicate the levelness of the water.
4. Bring the glass tube to any point where the levelness is desired. Let the movement OF THE WATER
STOP, AND THEN MARK. Be sure the water level is the same point in the glass tube when it is
brought to different places for levelling. If not, the marks made are not level to each other. Be sure
also that the rubber hose is not folded or disturbed during the process of levelling or making the
marks.
A Transparent Water Hose as Level
A similar level as that described in the foregoing discussion is the use of a transparent water hose
filled with water. When the hose is held in a U position, the top of the construction and mark at the places
where the water top are, fig. 50-A. The end of the hose should be open when in use. To locate a point level
to an established point, just place one end of the hose to any point in the construction and mark where the
water level is.

References:
Building Construction House Plumbing House Construction and Estimating (Pg. 12-26)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marking_out