Grading is the process of modification of existing landform

to accommodate new structures, parking and circulation

and to ensure positive drainage.
Consideration must be given to utilities such as: water, gas,
power, communication services, and sewerage for disposal
of wastewater, and storm water.
Grading process requires a careful change of contours so
that they support the integration of building with the site.

GRADING BASICS

 The land may be graded or adjusted to suit the architectural or

engineering requirements, or the architecture may be adopted to
meet variations in the ground level so that the original surface is
disturbed the least.
Extensive alterations in the landform may lead to unstable
conditions resulting in erosion, landslides, floods, and a complete
destruction of ecosystem.

IMPORTANCE OF GRADING

1. The ground surface must be suitable for the intended purpose

or use.
2. The visual result should be pleasing.
3. The result of any grading must have positive drainage.
4. The grading plans should attempt to keep new levels as close
as possible to the original state of the land.
5. When ground is reshaped it should be done positively and at
the scale of the machinery.
6. Top soil must be conserved wherever possible.
7. The quantity of cut should be approximately equal to the
quantity of the fill.

PRINCIPLES OF GRADING
TECHNOLOGY

 Three principal goals in development

of a grading plan are:

Keep unwanted water from

entering a building.
Keep surface run off from
creating damage to property or
people during periods of heavy
rainfall and subsequent runoff.
To accommodate the structure
on site with disturbing the site to
minimum.

GRADIENT
Gradient refers to the changing elevation along the Earth's surface or the
rate of the slope.
It is expressed in % or ratio or degrees.
1% slope = 100:1
10% slope = 10:1 =

Percentage of slope is expressed as the number of meters (feet) rise in 100 m

(100 ft) of horizontal distance, typically referred to as rise/run.
If the slope rises2 m (2 ft) in 100 m (100 ft), it is considered a 2 percent slope. The
percentage of slope can be calculated by the following formula:
Where
D=vertical rise, mm (ft)
L=horizontal distance, mm (ft)
G = gradient, %

Elevation of point B=48 347

mm Elevation of point A =47
463 mm
Vertical difference D=884
mm
Horizontal difference L= 35
357 mm
There fore:

SPOT ELEVATIONS
Spot elevations provide additional information beyond that given by
the contour lines. They indicate Micro grading.
Spot elevations are used to establish limits of slope, to locate contour
lines, and to provide detail for establishing control points that cannot
be obtained via contour lines.
Typical locations for taking spot elevations are:

Top and bottom of steps.

Tops of retaining wall.
Outside entrances to buildings.
Inside floor levels of buildings.
Corners of all structures.

GRADING FOR DEFINED

AREA
Slopes of less than about 2 percent in the
open landscape appear flat to the human eye.
However, in areas adjacent to built structures,
even the slightest slope becomes noticeable
because of the relationship of the grade to
mortar joints, roof lines and other level
architectural features.

Perimeter Edge Level:

Figures schematically illustrate alternative
methods for manipulating a surface for drainage
while allowing at least one peripheral edge to
remain level.

 Entire Area Level:

Some circumstances, such as rooftop landscapes or
enclosed courtyards, require that the entire surface of
the enclosed area be level.
Figure ahead illustrates two ways that an area can
remain level and still drain properly by the use of
porous surface material, such as sand/gravel the use
of individually elevated Each case requires an
adequate system beneath the pavers to carry required
rainfall effectively.

These alternatives are applicable to relatively

flat surfaces as tennis courts and other types of
courts.

 Preparing siteGRADING
SCHEMATIC
FOR OPEN
grading plan
Grading of a site should be thoughtful
AREAS
systematic process that begins with an analysis
and understanding of the site and ends with an
overall detailed Grading plan.
Site Analysis:
Study the general lay of the land by using
topographic maps and site visits.
1. Determine high points, low points, ridges,
and valleys.
2. Note natural drainage systems and
directions of flow that exist on the site.
Site use concept:
Determine how existing landforms would affect
proposed use areas, such as building locations,
roads, parking areas, walkways, plazas, and
lawn areas.

SITE ANALYSIS
(EXAMPLE)

CUT AND FILL

The process of removal of earth from one part of
site to achieve required grading and the place
and using the dug up earth to achieve required
grading by filling it at another place on the same
sit.
The amount of material from cuts roughly
matches the amount of fill needed to make
nearby embankments, so minimizing the amount
of construction labor.

Standards for grading around a typical

building.

Surface drainage can be achieved by pitching

surfaces to natural drainage feature and systems.

Grading to create berms. Berms can be created for noise and wind
barriers or for additional soil depth above unfavorable sub-grade
conditions, such as a high groundwater table.

Grading to create level areas. Relatively flat gradients are

needed for sports fields, outdoor terraces, and sometimes for
areas near buildings.

Grading to modify existing landforms. Deep gullies, narrow ridges,

or steep slopes can be modified to create more useful and attractive
landforms.

Grading for increased site interest. Grading can help

emphasize a site's topography or add interest to an otherwise
flat site.

Grading related to good

views.

Grading to expose
vistas

Grading related to bad

views.

Grading to fit structures to

sites.

Grading to facilitate better plant

growth

Grading to emphasize or control

circulation.

RECOMMENED GRADIENTS

RECOMMENED GRADIENTS

Schematic grading
for outdoor
basketball court

GRADING FOR STREETS AND ROADS

The road has a constant slope and thus presents more problem.
The function of the road is to serve as an path for vehicles and as an adjunct to
the drainage system.
A road must be designed:

in conformance to strict design standards, maintaining

appropriate grades, curvatures and sight distances.
To minimize fluctuations across variable terrain.
To have a constant slope or gradient.
To provide shortest route possible.
To minimize cut and fill.
As far as possible parallel to the contour lines.