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Calcimator

Grade Staking Calculator

Calculate cut/fill depth, grade rod, and slope stake offsets from design elevation, ground survey, and instrument setup for construction staking.

Inputs

ft
ft
ft
ft
ft

Results

Cut or Fill

FILL

Cut/Fill Depth

1.5 ft

≈ 5 credit cards

HI Elevation503.2 ft
Ground Elevation498.5 ft
Grade Rod3.2 ft
Sheet Reading-1.5 ft
Catch Point Distance15 ft
Blue Top Rod Reading3.2 ft
Stake MarkingFILL 1.50 / 15.0
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the design elevation at the start and end of the grade.
  2. Input the horizontal distance between stake points.
  3. Set the station interval for cut and fill stakes.
  4. Review the Grade Percentage and the Cut or Fill depth at each station.
  5. Use the Grade Rod Reading output to set the instrument height for field stake-out.

What each input means

Design Elevation
Finished grade elevation from the design plans.
Benchmark Elevation
Known elevation of the benchmark used for instrument setup.
Instrument Height (HI)
Height of instrument (telescope) above the benchmark point.
Rod Reading at Stake
Level rod reading at the ground where the stake is set.
Half Road Width
Distance from road centerline to edge of pavement or shoulder.
Side Slope (H:V)
Horizontal to vertical slope ratio for earthwork. 2:1 means 2 ft horizontal per 1 ft vertical.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Design Elevation = 500, Benchmark Elevation = 498, Instrument Height (HI) = 5.2, Rod Reading at Stake = 4.7 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Cut or Fill
    Cut or Fill
    FILL = FILL
  3. Calculate Cut/Fill Depth
    1.5 = 1.5
  4. Calculate HI Elevation
    HI Elevation
    503.2 = 503.2
  5. Calculate Ground Elevation
    Ground Elevation
    498.5 = 498.5

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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