Reading grade elevations 1

[MCORTEZ]

Student here,

I would like to know if anyone can give insight as to how to translate topo elevations into a design. I am not really familiar how this is done. Nay help would be appreciated.

 

[dik]

There are a couple of ways this is often done.

Finished main floor maybe set to a geodetic elevation and all building elevations are based on this. An example, finished main floor is 768.00 ft. All building elevations would be established where finished main floor would be equivalent to elevation 768.00'. This is common to sites haveing a natural slope or to sites with large landscaping features.

Finished main floor may be set to elevaton 100.00'. All building elevations are based on this. Elevation 100.00' could be finished exterior grade. The latter is common for relatively flat sites, or with minimal landscaping.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[MCORTEZ]

Dik,

I've seen plans using 100.00'. Is the 768.00' used in your example a arbitrary number or is 768.00' common number to use on sloping grades when referencing main floor elevation?

 

[dik]

It was totally arbitrary and represents an example of what the actual geodetic elevation of a grade outside the structure. In your locale depending on the general topography it could vary by 1000'. Elevation 100.00 is common. If the building is Imperial as opposed to metric, the dimensions inside could be in feet and inches and not decimal feet. It's not often you see datum as 100'0"... generally decimal feet.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik