Howdy, folks! I am preparing to teach my Surveying II students about measuring volumes with the cross-section method. The main book we're using (Ghilani, 15th ed.) says to stake the centerline at half or full stations, then to stake the cross-section points perpendicular to each centerline stake.
Question: Is there a reason you should do the whole road centerline, then go back and do the cross-section survey and slope staking, or can you do it all at each station as you go along (assuming you've got all the requisite data, azimuths and coordinates and such)?
Thanks!
The old process is to stake the centerline first because then you have something to make you cross-sections perpendicular to- the cross-section line was determined in some fashion- either a right angle prism, or even as rudimentary as throwing a whammy- (clapping 90)
Back in the dark ages?ÿ?ÿ(before total stations and GPS) cross sections were done using a level, or even a hand level. ?ÿWith a level loop already run through the centerline and checked, you could then take off the centerline shot at each station and take the sections from that. Not much need for that with modern equipment. Most jobs now aren't even cross sectioned anyway, existing ground surface comes from Lidar or aerial photography.?ÿ
The slope staking was a whole other operation.?ÿ
Locking down the centerline is good practice before doing much of anything else.
The textbook in my college surveying course was Route Location & Design by Hickerson 5th Edition.
Your described technique is an important learning tool to show the basic example of the concept of obtaining the data and making the drawings and computations necessary to be able to arrive at the values needed for designing and construction of a transportation corridor.
One semester's project was to survey and map and provide a grading plan for a corridor from the northeast corner of campus to the southwest corner of campus that passed around buildings and other structures.
With today's technology, that method is taking backseat to lidar, drones, radial TS collection and stakeout and machine control.
I believe it important to touch all bases including antiquated techniques and modern concepts and future wants during the study of Surveying to have a complete understanding of the Profession and develop an ability for problem solving.
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Question: Is there a reason you should do the whole road centerline, then go back and do the cross-section survey and slope staking, or can you do it all at each station as you go along (assuming you've got all the requisite data, azimuths and coordinates and such)?
No, there is not.?ÿ The modern (by modern I mean post 1990) way is to create a surface model of the existing ground surface.?ÿ ?ÿ ?ÿI don't believe that designers even "cut cross sections" to do their design any more. They create models of the design surface.?ÿ
I don't believe that designers even "cut cross sections" to do their design any more.
I think plotting cross-sections is still SOP for USACE levee projects.
I don't believe that designers even "cut cross sections" to do their design any more.
I think plotting cross-sections is still SOP for USACE levee projects.
A lot of times plan sets have cross sections in them, but that's not how the design is done. They are only there to satisfy some archaic specification.
The old process is to stake the centerline first because then you have something to make you cross-sections perpendicular to- the cross-section line was determined in some fashion- either a right angle prism, or even as rudimentary as throwing a whammy- (clapping 90)
A lot of road was cross staked with a right angle prism and hand level and tape. Notes are easy to imagine.?ÿ
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