8-232 Section 824. Construction Surveying and Staking
824.01 Description
This work consists of Engineer staking and/or C ontractor staking on the project and developing grades and field notes from data shown on the plans . Provide these grades to the Engineer after calculation and at least 48 hours before beginning related work or as requested by the Engineer. All work performed under this section must be performed by the Department or the contractor, provided the C ontractor has in-house staff to perform Contractor staking. If the C ontractor does not have in- house staff to perform Contractor staking, the C ontractor must sub -consult with a consultant prequalified in the MDOT category “Surveying: Construction Staking. ” If the Contractor is using its staff to perform C ontractor staking, the Engineer may request the resume of that person, which must include abi lity, experience, and education. If the Department is not performing the Engineer staking, it must be done by a consultant with the MDOT prequalification category “Surveying: Construction Staking. ”
824.02 Materials
Provide stakes, planed on both sides, of the fol lowing minimum dimensions and type:
A.Grade stakes : 1 inch by 2 inches by 36 inches, light colored hardwood;
B.Slope stakes : 1 inch by 3 inches by 24 inches, light colored hardwood; and
C.Pavement stakes : 1 inch by 3 inches by 36 inches, light colored hardwood.
824.03 Construction
A.Engineer Staking Before construction, the Engineer will verify the original project horizontal and vertical control points listed in the survey information sheet . For Engineer s taking, the Department will perform the following staking:
1.On road projects , to ensure that all construction personnel can locate themselves on the project, the Engineer will set stationing stakes on construction centerline or an offset line every 200 feet on tan gent and at points of curvature, tangent deflections, and spiral control. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-233 2. The Engineer will loop and set benchmarks shown on the plans and temporary benchmarks as necessary to establish points every 1,000 feet along the project.
3.On bridge projects, the Engineer will provide a staked layout or a base line so the structure can be staked radially . Before staking the layout, the Engineer will discuss the staking method used with the Contractor . The staked layout will include witnesses, reference points and/or offsets, and two benchmarks . The Engineer will provide a staked layout diagram showing witnesses, angles, and coordinates.
4.If required for the installation of right -of-way fence or to delineate right-of-way, a professional surveyor will set all right -of-way stakes at no greater than 100-foot intervals along the right -of-way line and at all corners marking a change in width or direction.
5.For utility relocation, provide staking for bridge and roadway location and grade for use by the utility companies to relocate facilities within the project right -of-way.
6.The Engineer may eliminate points of intersection of curves and spirals if they fall outside the project limits . The Engineer will provide a list of applicable coordinates for control points and benchmar ks.
B.Contractor Staking . The Contractor must complete all staking and layout in accordance with the following:
1.The Contractor will loop and set any additional vertical control needed for the project ;
2.Supply stakes, survey equipment, personnel, and other dev ices to check, mark, preserve, and maintain points, lines, and grades;
3.Perform the work in such a manner as to allow the proper verification of all related work and pay items by the Engineer; and
4.Perform staking in such a manner as to allow the Engineer to exercise its authority in accordance with subsection 104.01. Two work days before moving benchmarks or control points, the Contractor must notify the Engineer . After completion, the Contractor will provide the Engineer with a list of points, including cal culations and descriptions of the new locations.
C.Control Points . Verify horizontal control points, including curvature points, tangent deflections, and spiral controls for reestablishment of line and distance to within 0.02 foot. Verify the measured distance between control points checks with a precision of 1 in 20,000 for road work and 1 in MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-234 20,000 for bridge work . Maintain project control throughout the duration of the project , each visible from the other .
D.Benchmarks. Run a level circuit through the entire project to check plan benchmarks and establish new vertical control . The allowable error of closure must not exceed 0.05 foot times the square root of the distance leveled in miles . During grading, check into benchmar ks within the above-mentioned tolerance. Advise the Engineer of bench marks that are out-of-tolerance while performing checks. Maintain at least two benchmarks at each structure during construction.
E.Slope Stakes, Subgrade Stakes, Undercut Stakes, Clearing S takes. If Automated Machine Guidance (AMG) is not used, provide slope stakes, subgrade stakes, undercut stakes , and clearing stakes at 50-foot intervals or as agreed to by the Engineer, and at break points due to subgrade transitions, including superelevat ion transitions and ramp transitions . The Engineer may request subgrade stakes for subgrade inspection after topsoil stripping and before beginning subsequent grading operations . The Engineer will mark and determine individual tree removal.
F.Pavement Stakes. After placing and rough grading the subbase, provide pavement stakes as follows:
1.Place stakes at 50-foot intervals on tangent sections and on curves with radii of at least 1, 150 feet;
2.Place stakes at 25-foot intervals on curves with radii of less than 1,150 feet; and
3.Place yield stakes at 200-foot intervals , including stakes to determine wedging limits for HMA pavement. Use pavement grade stakes for finish grading of the subbase, base course, and pavement . Check stakes for grade, realign, and tack before beginning paving operations . This includes taking cross sections at tie -ins and at other critical areas .
G.Drainage Stakes. Provide grade and location stakes for culverts, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, subsurface drains, drainage structures, sanitary structures, and outlets to ensure positive drainage. Secure the Engineer’s approval for adjustments in location and grade for drainage items. Before i nstalling underdrains, submit a plan for underdrain outlets to the Engineer for approval, including the f ollowing information:
1.Distance between outlets;
2.Low point of vertical curves; and MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-235 3. Comparison between clay grade, underdrain grade, outlet grade, and ditch grade at each outlet location.
H.Miscellaneous Staking . Provide staking for the following:
1.Pump stations;
2.Curb and gutter ;
3.Sidewalk ;
4.Water mains ;
5.Retaining walls ;
6.Siphons ;
7.Sound walls ;
8.Barrier walls ;
9.Junction chambers ;
10.Guardrail ;
11.Sign structures ;
12.Signs ;
13.Traffic signal poles;
14.Structure under clearance;
15.Crossovers;
16.Restoration items ;
17.Erosion control items ; and
18.Other staking required to construct the project.
I.Muck Stakes. Provide muck stakes in accordance with the following or as modified by the Engineer:
1.Place centerline stakes in accordance with subsections 824.03. F.1 and 824.03. F.2;
2.Place offset stakes at no greater than 50-foot intervals to provide information for construction and determining pay quantities ;
3.Verify each stake displays stationing, offset distance, and ground elevation; and
4.To determine the depths of replaced muck, establish a grid to establish the amount of peat excavation. A normal grid consists of one cross section every 50 feet along the centerline between the 1:1 slope MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-236 intercept with the original ground, as shown on the standard plans for the treatment of peat marshes.
J.Temporary and Permanent Signs . Place post-driven temporary and permanent sign stakes based on provided traffic typicals or as shown on the plans . This does not include temporary signs needed for maintaining traffic purposes . Notify the Engineer after completing temporary and permanent staking and before installing signs.
K.Bridge Approaches . Develop grades and field notes to construct bridge approaches from data shown on the plans . Place stakes in accordance with subsection 824.03. F.
L.Bridge Substructure . Upon completion of foundation excavation, the Engineer will verify the foundation line and grade. Carry the line and grade to the bridge seat elevation, aligning and dimensioning forms, and staking substructure work including footing embankment or excavation, pile layout, footings, abutment wall, and position dowels . Before casting pier caps or abutment walls, the Engineer will verify the line, grade, and span lengths . If adjustments are required, perform the work at no additional cost to the Department.
M.Bridge Superstructure . Set the following grades required to complete the structure:
1.Deck and rail grades ;
2.Screed ;
3.Haunch;
4.Bulkhead;
5.Sidewalk ;
6.Curb;
7.Fascia ;
8.Barrier grades ; and
9.Other grades required. Verify beam elevations, existing deck elevations, or both from existing plan information to calculate final deck grades, including those for overlay projects . Provide final deck grades and associated calculations to the Engineer before setting the rail grades. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-237 Obtain the Engineer’s approval before adjusting the screed to obtain proper slab depth, steel cover, ride quality, drainage, or cosmetic appearance. Provide the Engineer other bridge superstructure grades requiring adjustment before use and stake at no additional cost to the Department . The Department will pay for Engineer -directed changes as extra work. Provide structure clearance measurements to the Engineer for new construction or improvements of existing roadways or structures where the improvements change the current underclearance measurements.
N.Bridge Overlays. On overlay projects, determine finished deck grades referenced to a proposed deck profile and obtain the Engineer’s approval before setting expansion joint devices . Set expansion joint grades along the centerline of the expansion joint device in accordance with the proposed deck cross section. Base the profile at break points across the bridge deck section and at no greater than 25 -foot intervals on elevations taken on the existing concrete deck . If the existing deck includes a bituminous overlay, take the existing elevations after removing the bituminous overlay . Unless otherwise shown on the plans, match the proposed deck cross slopes to existing deck cross slopes. Correct irregularities in existing profile cross section and slope to achieve ride quality and drainage. In determining bridge deck elevations, consider scarifying depths, hydro-demolishing depths, and the minimum thickness of overlay material to avoid overlay material quantity overruns . Calculate the quantity of overlay material requir ed to construct the deck to the elevations shown on the plans and submit calculations to the Engineer before beginning construction.
O.Site Adjustments . Review the plans . Develop grades and notes after performing checks on the project . If deviations from the plans occur, immediately notify the Engineer . The Engineer will determine the actual solution and provide timely direction.
P.Final Measurement . Provide detailed measurements, sketches, and computations of final measurement for earthwork, undercuts, muck excavation, swamp backfill , sand subbase, and topsoil stripping.
Q.Construction Survey and Staking Measurements. Provide construction surveying and staking to the tolerances specified in Table 824-1.
R.Preser ving Stakes. Preserve completed staking as required for Engineer inspection of construction work . Maintain the dimensions, grades, and elevations of the work after the Engineer’s inspection and approval of the layout. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-238 Table 824- 1: Construction Survey and S taking Tolerances Type Horizontal Vertical Bench loops 1,000 feet (maximum); 100 feet (minimum) between benchmarks 0.05 f oot * SQRT of distance leveled in miles Right-of-way stakes 0.04 foot — Clearing stakes 0.10 f oot — Slope, subgrade, utility tunnel, and miscellaneous s takes 0.10 f oot 0.03 f oot Pavement and drainage s takes 0.04 foot 0.01 f oot Bridge stakes 0.01 f oot 0.01 f oot Cross sections 25 feet left and right; 50 feet along centerline(a) 0.10 f oot on ground shots; 0.01 f oot on others
a.Distances shown are minimum allowable distances between cross section stakes left and right of centerline and along centerline. The Contractor must make a reasonable effort to preserve stakes set by the Engineer and/or Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for replac ing stakes and benchmarks lost or destroyed by Contractor operations at no additional cost to the Department. If Contractor staking is not used on the project, the cost to replace the stakes and benchmarks lost or destroyed will be reimbursed to the Department at the same rate as Staking Plan Errors and Extras listed in subsection 824.04. T he Engineer must verify replacement stakes or benchmarks. Locate, preserve, and witness government monuments within the project in accordance with section 821. The Department will not pay for work dependent on lost or destroyed stakes unti l the Contractor replaces the stakes . The Department will not allow claims for dama ges caused by the Contractor’s replacement of required stakes or benchmarks.
S.Plan Errors . Immediately notify the Engineer of a plan error . Document and submit to the Engineer the efforts and the steps to correct a plan discrepancy . The Engineer will determine the solution and decide whether the Contractor or the Department will provide staking for corrective action. If a plan error results in extra work, the Engineer will iss ue a Work Order directing corrective action. Time for staking begins when the crew begins work detailed on the W ork Order, including time for calculations and plotting. Provide written notification to the Engineer when work begins and ends. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-239 T. Extra Work. For extra work, the Engineer will provide lines, grades, and calculations as needed. The Engineer will determine whether the Contractor or the Department will perform required staking.
U.Staking Changes. The Engineer will resolve and approve staking changes within 2 working days . The Department will not allow claims for damages or extensions of time during the resolution and approval period for staking changes unless the Contractor shows that the changes adversely affect the critical operation and fal l outside the approved Contractor Quality Control Plan. Before making Contractor -initiated staking changes, including staking changes resulting from plan error, provide documentation for the Engineer’s approval . Documentation for staking changes i ncludes notes, calculations, and drawings. During staking, perform checks to establish locations and grades to fit the existing conditions as agreed to by the Engineer . Correct errors from Contractor operations at no additional cost to the Department.
V.Staking Docum entation . The Department may inspect field notes and calculation documents at any time. Sign, check, date, and provide staking documentation and field notes as requested by the Engineer . Original field notes and grade calculation documents will become the Department’s property upon completion of the work. Provide original and final plotted cross sections and final volume calculations in a format approved by the Engineer for earthwork, undercuts, muck excavation, swamp backfill, sand subbase, and topsoil stripping. Determine final quantities by plan sheet. Provide the Engineer a final as -constructed set of plans in accordance with the current Department procedures, documenting vertical and horizontal alignment changes, drainage and subsurface changes, and other changes . Verify that plans represent the same scale shown on the plans.
W.Contractor Staking Quality Control . Provide the Contractor staking QC (CSQC) plan for compliance with contract requirements keyed to construction sequence. Perform staking in accord ance with Department procedures. At the preconstruction meeting, provide the Engineer with a CSQC plan and describe measures to detect and minimize construction staking errors. The Engineer will perform periodic reviews of the CSQC plan with the Contractor during the project . The Department considers these assurance MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-240 reviews . Allow the Engineer access to in-progress construction staking work and phases of the ongoing CSQC plan. The Engineer will use assurance reviews to make independent checks on the reliability of QC procedures as shown on the CSQC plan . Assurance reviews do not constitute the Engineer’s acceptance of the work . Correct work related to staking errors.
1.Quality Control Staff. Identify the plan manager and the primary on site representative (this may be the same as the plan manager) . Submit , for the Engineer’s approval, the plan manager and on-site representative’s resume, including ability, experience, an d education.
a.Plan Manager . Provide a plan manager as the sole contact to the Department for staking QC . The plan manager is responsible for contractor staking QC on each phase of the project.
b.On Site Representative. Has the authority to communicate directl y with the Engineer.
2.Equipment Calibration . Provide copies of equipment certification for levels, transits, lasers, and total stations . Check equipment per manufacturer’s specifications, or at a minimum, on a semi -annual basis or if equipment accuracy becomes questionable. When performing field checks, document the method and readings and provide to the Engineer.
3.Procedures and Records . Include in the CSQC plan a listing of the procedures and records to control the quality of the staking operation. Provide at least the following information:
a.List of work items for staking ;
b.Description of methods of computing grades and staking;
c.Description of the checks to detect errors ;
d.Methods of documentation;
e.Procedure to handle detected errors ; and
f.Final measurement met hods and documentation.
4.Approval of CSQC Plan . Submit to the Engineer within 5 working days the CSQC plan before beginning staking operations . The Department will review the plan to determine acceptability within 5 working days . Do not begin work until the Engineer accepts the plan in writing . The Department will not grant extensions of time without liquidated damages for the Contractor’s inability to submit an acceptable plan. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-241 5. Changing the Plan . If the Department determines that the Contractor’s performance is unsatisfactory, the Department reserves the right to require the Contractor to make changes in the CSQC plan at no additional cost to the Department . The Department may suspend work operations until the Engineer receives an updated satisfactory CSQC plan and approves of the plan changes.
824.04 Measurement and Payment
Pay Item Pay Unit Contractor Staking ........................................................................... Lump Sum Staking Plan Errors and Extras, Max $180/hour ........................................ Hour If the Engineer determines that the Contractor will perform staking as extra work, the Department will pay for staking in accordance with section 103. If the contract does not include the pay items listed in this subsection 824.04, the Department is responsible for construction layout and the work specified in this section. The Department will make partial payments for staking pay items in accordance with Table 824-2: Table 824- 2: Staking Schedule of Partial Payments Percent of Original Contract Amount Earned Percent of Contract Unit Price Paid Approved CSQC Plan 10% 10% 30% 50% 75% 90% 90% The Department will retain 10 % of the relevant C ontractor staking pay item until the Engineer receives the required documents. The Department will not make adjustments in the lump sum amount for Contractor Staking if the final contract amount for the project is within ±5 % of the original contract amount or for approved extensions of time. If the final contract amount differs from the original contract amount by greater than ±5%, the Department will make an upward or downward adjustment to the lump sum amount for Contractor Staking by the percentage that exceeds ±5%. If the contract includes the pay item Contractor Staking , provide the lines, grades, and elevations specified in subsection 824.03 for the prosecution, inspection, and final measurement of the work. MDOT Standard Specifications for Construction Section 824 8-242 The Department will pay for Staking Plan Errors and Extras, Max $180/hour at the unit price bid or at the following rate, whichever is less : Staking Plan Errors and Extras, $180 per hour (regardless of crew size) The Department will not pay separately for staking changes approved by the Engineer due to the Contractor ’s methods.
Source: Michigan Standard Specifications for Construction, 2020 Edition. Pages 793–803 of 1,146.