Face, Back, or both?

Integral curbs I shoot the gutter and the back (making note of the width), I've measured integral curbing that was 2' and some as narrow as 1.2':-@

Typically for machined curb I shoot back with the spot checks on face, gutter and conc/ep edge. Then use the stepped offset function in Civil 3D for my surface. If something looks funky, or is full depth etc, I shoot them all.

Centerline, Gutter, Top Back Curb, Back of Walk

I would offset if it was feasible, and depending on the end product. (Driveway drops make the offset process too tedious for me.)

we use custom line styles and cells- so we shoot TBC and pick it in the drop down menus as to any specific type based on standard drawings.
we shoot the front of the curb as edge of oil. and shoot the flow line as it's own grade break. If the just is an ADA upgrade we'll also shoot the construction joints to aid the designers with figuring out the correct segments for removal- curb and gutter, and sidewalks by panel....

Gutter (face) then top of curb (back)

I take surviving measurements of curbs at the back and flow line. I don't use colloquialisms like "tie" lest someone mistakenly believe that I was attempting to fasten the curb into a knot 😉

I shoot; TBC top back, FL Face flowline AND... TG tip of gutter

Depends

In some projects it is necessary to shoot the BC at the face and the TC at the back, create two 3D polylines along with the CL 3D polyline and get cross section topo. For other projects the TC face is the limit of the project topo as no improvements to the street are proposed, only to he project area. At times the curb is so uniform that TC or BC polyline can be offset horizontal and vertically. More shots are required for tops of depressed curb areas. Street projects also get front and back of sidewalks and as far back each driveway as the project engineer deems necessary.

Paul in PA

I usually shoot the face of curb as it touches the pavement, then use AutoCAD to draw a parallel line for the back. Because double letters are faster to code I call it FF.

For curb and gutter, I shoot the back, calling it BB, then later offset to get the "face." I also take a few edge of concrete shots and offset to them, so for curb and gutter there are three lines in the drawing, which is what is looks like in real life.

> I usually shoot the face of curb as it touches the pavement, then use AutoCAD to draw a parallel line for the back. Because double letters are faster to code I call it FF.

My question wasn't perfectly clear. I meant to ask whether folks shoot the top back, top face, or both, in addition to the gutter/flow line.

I do whatever I am told.

My preference is FL and TBC, and running a HD only line for gut.

I worked at one shop many years ago that like face at flow line and top face, and then would complain and laugh at the field crew if the lines crossed. As a result the crews would painstakingly leave a gap, shooting a tenth or so off the FL and back from the face.

Depends on the purpose of the survey. If it's an ALTA with no site design work going to be based on the survey data, I'll often just tie TBOC, as long as the curb type is consistent.

If the survey data is to be used, or may be used as site design base data, I'll shoot TBOC, FC, and depending upon C&G type and the engineer's needs, might even shoot lip of gutter as well. Most often just TBOC & FC.

Generally just back (And gutter line). The back provides your T/C elevation and the gutter line shot provides flow line info AND clear roadway measurement. To me, top face (with a radius per typicals around here) is a "interpretable" point. Meaning you'll get a different spot with every rodman.

The only drawback I can conceive is with only those two shots you can't really provide a true cross section. If required for CAD, I have offset the BOC shot by a predictable (and usually field checked) distance.

FL and TBC, done it this way for more than 30 years without any complaints. I prefer TBC because it is something that is easy to see and locate and it the most repeatable measurement. Yes I offset the TBC.

"Wasn't exactly clear"-!?!? What an understatement!!!!! Totally unprofessional and imprecise... It set back our profession millennia ....:whistle:

3 shots per curb per section seems like overkill. I say bottom face of curb and top back of curb is enough.

As a few others have said, depends on the job. Most of the time gutter, (bottom face curb at road pavement), is enough. I measure the height and width in a few spots and use Carlson to offset a breakline for the top/back of curb. That with back of sidewalk should be enough for the tin and contouring.

If there are a lot of HC ramps, then a top/back of curb is taken in those spots, but otherwise, I don't usually take them.

Edge of gutter (if there is one)
Flow line
Top back of curb
Back of walk

I prefer to do this in orderly cross sections, I might know some folks who are less than orderly when locating curb, gutter, and walkways.

(If it is an ADA redesign project, I locate every grade break on the ramp)

True. I usually stop linework @ dways and returns. easier to deal with in CAD