This document provides an overview of blueprint reading, surveying, and layout. It discusses key topics for each including blueprint basics, scales, symbols, views, and lines for blueprint reading. For surveying, it covers terminology, setting up equipment, using a field book, and taking elevations. Layout topics include terminology, stake setup, and measurements. The document also provides detailed explanations and examples for many of the concepts.

1. Blueprint Reading,
Surveying and Layout

2. Blueprint Reading, Surveying and Layout
Overview
• Blueprint Reading:
•Blueprint basics
• Scale
• Symbols/abbreviations
• Views
• Lines
• Shop drawings
• Details
• Specs
• Surveying:
• Terminology and abbreviations
• Tripod and laser setup
• How to set up and use a field book
• Using a laser to find elevations
• Layout:
• Terminology and abbreviations
• Stake setup
• String lines
• Measurements
• Site Strategies:
• Planning your site
• Water management

3. Blueprint Reading
Overview
• Content:
• Blueprint basics
• Scale
• Symbols/abbreviations
• Views
• Lines
• Shop drawings
• Details
•Specifications

4. Blueprint Basics
Title Block:
• The title block will often appear on every page of the construction drawings
• Important information is
included in the title block:
• Client
• Architect Stamp
• Designer/Architect
• Project Name
•North Arrow
•Drawing Title
•Scale
•Drawing Number
Blueprint Reading

5. Blueprint Basics
Revision Block:
•The revision block is
one of the most
important sections of
a construction
drawing
•Here you look to see
if you are working off
of the most recent
revision of the
drawing
 Do not build off of
any revision other
than for Issued
for Construction
(IFC) unless told
otherwise
Legend:
•Blueprints
are often
comprised of
symbols and
numbers
•In order to
fully
comprehend
the drawing,
you need to
learn the
specific
symbols
associated
with each
drawing
Blueprint Reading

6. Scale
• Construction blueprints are drawn to
scale so to fit entire projects onto one
page
• Common scales in our industry are:
• 1:100
• 1:150
• 1:200
• 1:250
• 1:300
• Understanding Scale:
• The number after the colon is the
multiplier
• For example: if you measure 1 cm
on a 1:100 scale, 1 cm will equal
100cm in the real world
 The drawings MUST be printed to scale
for the scale to work
• Always check your scale ruler to a known
dimension on the drawings before
constructing
• There may be more than one scale used
in a drawing set
Blueprint Reading

7. Scale
How to read a scale ruler:
• Find the appropriate scale ruler for the drawing scale
• Pick the appropriate side of your scale ruler
• Measure starting at the 0 like you would a regular ruler
Blueprint Reading

8. Symbols and Abbreviations
• Legends are boxes drawn on the drawing to
illustrate some of the common or uncommon
symbols used
• Designers/architects use symbols and
abbreviations to limit clutter on drawings
Blueprint Reading

9. Views
• With two dimensional blueprints, there are three common perspectives:
• Plan
• Elevation
• Section
• Plan:
• A bird’s eye view of planned work. This perspective allows precise mapping
of width and length
• Elevation:
• A view of planned work form the side. These drawings are usually orientated
from the north, east, west, or south. Composing an elevation map allows for
detailed planning of height dimensions
• Section:
• A view of something as if it were cut through. This perspective is generally
imaginary, and is used to show the inner working of how something will be
built
Blueprint Reading

10. Views
Plan View
Elevation View
Section View
Blueprint Reading

11. Lines
• There are many different types of lines used to create a blueprint
• Object Line
• Hidden Line
• Center Line
• Extension Line
• Dimension Line
• Contour Line
Blueprint Reading

12. Lines
• Object Line:
• The object line is a heavy, dark line which
identifies the visible edges of the drawn object
or the surface of an object
• Hidden Line:
• The hidden line is used to show features or
edges of an object that is not visible. It is a
broken line of medium thickness
Blueprint Reading

13. Lines
• Center Line:
• The center line is used to locate the center
of features. It is usually a fine, broken line
made of alternating short and long dashes
• Dimension Line / Extension Line:
• Dimension lines are used to
show the extent of a dimension.
• Extension lines are used to
extend a point from an object
Blueprint Reading

14. Lines
Contour Lines:
• Contour lines are imaginary line that connects points of equal
elevation
• Contour lines always connect, but not always within the
blueprint boundaries.
Blueprint Reading

15. Lines
• Contour Lines:
• Widely spaced contour lines indicate flat surface
• Closely spaced contour lines indicate steep ground
• Equally spaced contour lines indicate uniform slope
Blueprint Reading

16. Lines
Existing
Spot
Elevation
Proposed
Contour
Line
Proposed
Spot Elevation
Existing
Contour
Line
Blueprint Reading

17. Shop Drawings
• Shop Drawings are often sent by the manufacturer of certain components of a job
• You must always build to shop drawings when available as components are often constructed
marginally different to the construction blueprints
• Items that will usually include shop drawings are:
• Bridges
• Gazebos
• Pre-cast buildings
• Site furniture
• Etc.
Blueprint Reading

18. Details
• The details show a more descriptive drawing of particular aspects of the project
• Usually these details are not to scale (N.T.S)
Blueprint Reading
• Details show:
• What type of material
to use for each type of
construction
• Thicknesses of the
materials
• Compaction density
• Notes about the
construction of the
particular detail
What is the total
depth of
excavation for
this asphalt
path?

19. Specifications
Blueprint Reading
• Specifications describe the
materials and workmanship
required for a construction project
• They do not include cost, quantity,
or drawn information, and so they
need to be read alongside other
information such as quantities,
schedules and drawings
• Specifications are project specific
 Specifications always overrule
drawings

20. Surveying
Overview
• Content:
• Terminology and
abbreviations
• Tripod and laser setup
• How to set up and use
a field book
• Using a laser to find
elevations
• Laser slope capabilities

21. Surveying
Terminology and Abbreviations
Sta= Station A precise point from which measurements in surveying are made.
F.S = Foresight – Rod reading taken on a point to determine the elevation of that point,
sometimes called a minus (-) shot.
H.I = Hight of Instrument – The elevation of the level line sight projected by the
instrument, when properly set up.
B.S = Backsight- Rod reading taken on a point of known elevation, sometimes called a
plus (+) shot.
Elev. = Elevation- Vertical distance from a reference point (Usually sea level)
Prop. = Proposed Elevation – The elevation that is given to you on a drawing
B.M = Benchmark- Monument or point with known elevation

22. Surveying
Tripod and Laser Setup
• First you need a benchmark (known
elevation)
• Once you have established your
benchmark, set up your laser in an area
that you will be able to read the laser
line with the receiver when you hold the
rod on the benchmark and the areas you
are wanting to survey
• When setting up a laser to take readings,
the tripod legs should be positioned as
such as to provide stability and a
convenient height. The legs should also
be positioned at such an angle to leave
the rotating laser in a near horizontal
position to allow it to self level
 If more than one laser is being used on
site at one time, make sure to set them
at noticeably different heights as to not
cause nuisance/incorrect measurements

23. Surveying
Rod Setup & Reading
• Clamp
• On/Off Button
• Sensitivity Button
• Volume Button
• Read the number
from this point
• Solid Beep = On grade
• Quick Beep = Move receiver down
• Slow Beep = Move receiver up
• Screen

24. Surveying
How To Set Up a Field Book
• Field books are used to document different elevations you are surveying
• It is important to use a field book in case a mistake is made while surveying, as it will make
it easier to see where you went wrong
• It is also easier to stay organized while surveying if you write your elevations and
calculations the same way each time
Station
Backsite
Height of
Instrument
Foresite
Elevation
Proposed
Elevation
Use this area
for a sketch,
or notes

25. Surveying
Finding Your H.I
• Once your laser is set up, turned on and the laser eye
is spinning, you are ready to take a rod reading on
the benchmark
• This reading is called a backsight (B.S) or a plus (+)
shot
• Place the rod on top of your known benchmark and
move the receiver up and down the rod until it beeps
a solid tone
• It is important to keep the rod vertically level
when taking a shot
• Once you have determined the number on the rod
(vertical distance above your benchmark elevation)
add that number to your bench mark elevation to
find your H.I (Height of instrument)
• Example: If your B.M is 88.7m and your reading
on your rod is 3.2m, your H.I would be
88.7+3.2=91.9m
 Remember B.S or plus shots are always added to
your benchmark!

26. Surveying
Finding Unknown Elevations
 Once your height of instrument (H.I) is known,
the elevation of other points can be determined
from that set up as long as your receiver can see
your laser line
 To determine the elevation of an unknown point,
you will perform a foresight shot or minus (-)
shot
 Put your rod on top of your unknown elevation
 Move the receiver up and down your stick until
you it beeps a solid tone
 Once you have determined the number on the
rod, subtract that number from your H.I
o Example: If your H.I is 91.9m and your
receiver on your rod is reading 4.1m
• 91.9m – 4.1m = 87.8m
 Remember F.S or minus shots are always
subtracted from your H.I!

27. Surveying
Finding a Proposed Elevation
 To layout a proposed elevation you
will need to subtract the proposed
elevation from your H.I
• Example: If your proposed
elevation your trying to layout
is 89.4m and your H.I is 91.9m
• 91.9 – 89.4 = 2.5m
 You would then set your receiver to
2.5m and the very bottom of your
rod would be your elevation you’re
laying out
Foresight (F.S)

28. Surveying
Laser Slope Capabilities
RL-H4C
- Single slope laser
- Up to 5% (+/-) slope in one axis (X)
- Laser must be properly aligned so that
the laser beam is parallel to the desired
direction of slope
- RL-SV2S
- Duel slope laser
- Up to 5% (+/-) slope in both axis
- Laser must be set to the direction of grade
setting

29. Layout
Overview
• Content:
• Terminology and
abbreviations
• Layout Strategies
• Cut/Fill
• String lines
• Measurements

30. Layout
Terminology and Abbreviations
• Finish Grade (F.G): The top surface of an area after construction is
completed
• Subgrade (S.G): The surface that you build up from for construction
(usually soil)
• Subbase: The layer of material on top of the subgrade (not always
necessary)
• Base: The layer of material on top of the subbase and directly
under the slab
• Offset (O/S): A supplementary line close to, usually parallel to a
main survey line to which it is referenced by measured offsets.
• Elevation (Elev.): The vertical distance relative to a reference point
(usually above sea level)
• T.G: Top of Gravel

31. Layout
Layout Strategies
• When setting layout stakes follow these
guidelines:
• Be consistent with your staking
• Offsets should the same distance
away from your feature, as well as
staggered a consistent distance apart
from each other
• Flag or paint the tops of your stakes to
add visibility
• Make sure your stakes are sturdy so
they don’t move easily when
machinery drives close to them
• Write clearly so others can
understand
• If a stake gets knocked over or broken
don’t just stand it up back in place as
grade will have changed

32. Layout
Cut/Fill
• In order to show finish grade when it is
too high or low for the grade stake you:
• Write a cut/fill on the stake
 Always measure cut/fill from the
top of the stake
• If finish grade is 1m below the top
of the stake you write Cut 1.0m F.G
• If finish grade is 30 cm above the
top of the stake you write Fill 0.3m
F.G

33. Layout
String Lines
• Stings are used to:
• Mark out a straight line
• Find level or slope between two
points
• Lay out a geometrical shape
• Things to consider when using string
lines:
• MUST be pulled quite tight to
accurately achieve the desired
elevation

34. Layout
Measurements
• Area:
• Use area to find the amount of space inside a
geometric shape
• Area of a square or rectangle
• Length x Width = Area
• Area of a triangle
• ½ Base x Height = Area
• Area of a circle
• 𝜋𝑟2
=Area (3.14 x radius (squared))
 Radius = half of the diameter
of a circle

35. Layout
Measurements
• Volume:
• Use Volume to find the amount of space inside a 3
dimensional geometric shape
• Volume of a cube or rectangular prism
• Length x Width x Height = Volume
• Volume of a cylinder
• 𝜋𝑟2
h= Volume (3.14 x radius (squared) x height)

36. Layout
Measurements
• Pythagorean Theorem (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 = 𝑐2 ):
• Pythagorean Theorem is used to find the
length of an unknown side of a right
angle triangle
• Used in construction:
• When laying out a right angle triangle,
use Pythagorean theorem to ensure the
angles are correct
• When laying out a square, use
Pythagorean theorem to ensure the
square is “square”
50 cm
50
cm
𝑎2
+ 𝑏2
= 𝑐2
502 + 502 = 𝑐2
2500+2500 = 𝑐2
5000 = 𝑐2
5000 = 𝑐
c= 70.71 cm
c= 70.71 cm
• 3-4-5 Rule:
• If a triangle has sides measuring 3,
4, 5 meters it must be a right
triangle with a 90ᵒ angle between
the short sides.
• You can use this rule on larger
triangles by measuring along the
legs

37. Site Strategies
Planning Your Site
• It is very important to plan ahead when deciding where to put:
• Sea Can
• Gravel/Material deliveries
• Fill/Topsoil stockpiles
• GPS Poles
• When deciding the location of the above look for:
• Sewer pipes to be installed
• Sewer structures to be installed
• Proposed planting
• Try not to block access when hard surfaces are installed
(concrete, asphalt, etc..)
• If you fail to plan ahead you will waste time and material moving
gravel, sea cans and topsoil stockpiles

38. Site Strategies
Planning Your Site
Site Access
Gravel
Topsoil
Sea
can

39. Site Strategies
Water Management
• Standing water can be a major issue when working in construction
• If planned poorly, one rain day can turn into multiple days off waiting for water to dry
• Best practices for water management are:
• Know where you want to push water in the event of heavy rain
• Limit the amount of space that limits water flow (holes, large depressions, blocked
flow due to material piling
• Back drag rough ground prior to rain to allow flow
• If need be; dig swales, holes to allow water to flow into for pumping after rain

40. Training Test
Thank You for your
participation!
Please proceed to
the test in the
‘Tasks’ section of
the training site
Good
Luck!