Fieldwork No.
HOUSE SETTING
Objective:
To mark the excavation lines, centre lines of all the columns of the plan of a proposed
building on the actual site of work as per plan of the building to facilitate earth cutting.
Requirements:
Detailed plan and drawings of the building and site plan of the area are required. Site plan and
detailed plan should be studied thoroughly. These drawings are commonly known as
“Foundation Trench Plan” or “Lay-out Plan”.
Significance:
House setting is the first step in excavation of earthwork for any construction. After
participating this fieldwork students will learn how to indicate areas on the ground of site where
excavation will take place.
Materials required:
1. Strings
2. Wooden Pegs
3. Lime powder
Procedure:
(i) First locate any back corner on the ground of the plan.
(ii) Then establish the two lines intersect at that point by inserting pegs on the ground
at some distances (say 6 ft). Check with 3-4-5 rule.
(iii) Fixed other two exterior lines.
(iv) Check the diagonals after fixing the perimeter of the building.
(v) All the pegs lie on the column line are driven at equal distances
(vi) Intersection of rope indicates the position of the column.
(vii) Mark the excavation lines on the ground with the help of lime powder.
(viii) Check the diagonals of all grids and adjust if necessary.
(ix) Mark the plinth level
(x) From the plinth level fixed the depth of the footings by using water level at two
points.
Layout:
Starting Point
6-0
10-0 13-0 10-0
6-0
9-0
9-0
Position of pegs
5 5’-0” 5’- 7-0 7-0 9-0 9-0
Excavation Size
Interior String Lines
Exterior String Lines
Figure 5.1: Foundation Trench Plan
Sample Image:
Figure 5.1: Foundation Trench Plan