EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, ADO-EKITI

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

STUDENT WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME (SWEP)

A LAND SURVEYING REPORT
ON
SETTING OUT
BY
NAME: ABIOYE PAUL AYOMIKUN
MATRIC NO:2005004004

COURSE CODE:
ENG 190
COURSE TITLE:
SWEP 1
SWEP SUPERVISOR: ENGINEER DR ALUKO
SUBMISSION ON:
21st MARCH, 2024
 CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 PRESENTATION OF WORKING DRAWING
 SIDE BOUNDARIES
 APPARATUS/MATERIALS USED FOR THE SETTING OUT
 TOOLS, MACHINES AND EQUIPMENTS USED
 PROCEDURES
 SETTING OUT METHODS
 RESULTS/RECOMMENDATIONS
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCE
 INTRODUCTION
Setting out is the process of surveying in which the locations and
elevations of all engineering projects, including roads, buildings,
drainage systems, and sewers, are already marked on a plan and
transferred to the ground using a variety of techniques and specially
made instruments. Alternatively, it is the process of taking data from
construction design drawings and setting pegs, profiles, or other marks
to control the work and guarantee that every element is constructed in
the proper position and at the correct level. The act of physically
transferring a plan into the ground is known as setting out. Setting out
can be both easy and complicated. Some engineers utilize land
surveyors' services to ensure their setting up is accurate for more
accurate transfer, particularly
PRESENTATION OF WORKING DRAWING
 SIDE BOUNDARIES
The term "site boundary" refers to the line beyond which the licensee
or registrant does not own, lease, or otherwise control the land or
property. A border is a line that separates two areas. It designates the
boundaries of one or more neighboring or closely related areas and is
also sometimes referred to as a boundary. In order to prevent
unauthorized access, boundaries may have perimeter security and are
frequently the focus of conflicts.

Title deed designs typically use a "T" symbol to indicate which side of
the boundary owns any physical building, like a fence. Agreements
regarding who owns or is responsible for boundaries may also be
included in title deeds, though these agreements typically don't provide
much information and aren't usually precise.

construction sites

APPARATUS USED FOR SETTING OUT

1. Pegs: It was used to mark point on the ground.
2. Profile Boards: It represented the setback and also take some
markings on it as a guide.
3. Hammer: It was used to drive nails in the wood and pegs in the
ground.
4. Marking Tools: It was used when marking and writing.
5. Rope/Lines: It was used as guide through the practical.
6. Nails: It was used to create bonding between peg and profile broad.
7. Measuring Tape: It was used to measure distances.
8. Ranging Poles: It was used to extend and maintain a straight line by
ranging.
TOOLS, MACHINES AND EQUIPMENTS USED
1. Theodolites: For large complex buildings, theodolites, survey
equipment’s, are used to mark out building external wall extents.
2. Builders square: Right angles are laid out using the Builders square.
Although its correctness could be assured when it was prepared, it
should be questioned over time as site conditions change. It is made of
75 x 30 mm wood that is partly jointed at a 90-degree angle and has a
diagonal cross brace tendon running the length of its side.

3. Plumb: The opposite of level, which is to be completely horizontal, is

plump. For correct construction and load-bearing capacity, vertical
elements like columns, walls, and uprights must be plumb, just as
floors, countertops, and pool tables need to be level.
4. Club hammer: Club Hammers also known as Lump Hammers are
used for striking chisels to break blocks or for light demolition work.
They are usually double-faced and have a wooden or resin handle. This
is an important tool for builders.
5. Warrington hammer: Warrington pattern hammer is a kind of cross-
peen hammer used in woodworking. The chisel-like cross-peen side is
used to set small nails and pins while the smaller, rounded face is used
to finish driving them in.
6. Metre rule: A meter rule, or meter stick, is a long, straight piece of
wood or metal that is marked off in units of meters. It is used in setting
out to lay out a straight line for construction projects. The meter rule is
held up at one end of the line to be laid out, and the distance to the
other end is measured using the marks on the rule. The person using
the meter rule then transfers the measurements to the ground by
driving stakes into the ground at regular intervals. The meter rule is an
important tool in the construction industry and is used to ensure
accuracy and precision in the layout process.
7. Placer: A placer, also called a site level or dumpy level, is another
important tool used in setting out. It is a surveying instrument that is
used to measure vertical distances and determine elevations. The
placer consists of a telescope mounted on a tripod, with a spirit level
attached to the side of the telescope. When the instrument is properly
set up, the crosshairs in the telescope are horizontal and the spirit level
is level. The placer is then adjusted until the crosshairs are aligned with
a target, and the elevation of the target can be determined by reading
the scale on the spirit level.
8. Ranging pole: Ranging poles are another important tool used in
setting out. They are typically made of lightweight metal or fiberglass,
and are used to establish a line of sight between two points. The poles
are placed at regular intervals along the planned route, and a placer or
other surveying instrument is used to measure the distance between
the poles. This allows the user to create a grid of points that correspond
to the plan, which can then be used to set out the work area. Ranging
poles are especially useful for setting out in hilly or uneven terrain.

PROCEDURE
The following procedure is the actual procedure followed on site and
discussed in details in the report
 Figure 3

Figure 4
Figure 3: shows an already set out System and Figure 4: shows a 3:4:5
method of setting out.
1. Site clearance.
2. We obtain a Building plan.
3. We get all the necessary materials ready: pegs, nails, ropes or line,
hammer, tape, marking tools etc.
4. We take note of all the four corners where we have proposed
columns or as the case may be.
5. We plan the location of the building.
6. Using the 3:4:5 Method
7. Firstly, we determine the building line and established one corner of
the building by driving a peg at that point with a nail on top.
8. Secondly, we used a tape to measure a distance of 3 meter from the
first peg along the building line and established a second peg at the
point where the 3-meter mark ends.
9. Thirdly, we held over the ring of the tape on the second peg with the
12 meter mark over it being held by one person and the 3 meter mark
being held by another person over the corner peg (first peg), then we
stretch the tape out and wide to get the position of the third peg at the
7 meter mark.
10. After that was accomplished, we then extend a line through the
third peg using the ranging poles to obtain a line that is straight and
perpendicular to the building line.
11. The above procedure is repeated at all the four corners.
12. The diagonals are measured to check the correctness and accuracy
of the setting out work.
13. We then established each room measurement by nails and also
marked out the block width as well as the excavation or working
space from each side, of which the width of the block is multiplied
times to give the total excavation width.
SETTING OUT METHODS
These methods include:
 The 3-4-5 method: used to set out a right angle from a certain
point on the base line
 The rope method: used to set out a line perpendicular to the base
line, starting from a point which is not on the base line
 The single prismatic square and the double prismatic square
RESULTS
Here are some key results and benefits of effective setting out in civil
engineering projects:
1. Accurate construction: Proper setting out ensures that structures are
built in the right location, with correct dimensions and alignment
according to the design specifications. This accuracy is crucial for the
structural integrity and safety of the built environment.
2. Efficient construction process: By accurately setting out the layout of
structures, roads, and utilities, construction teams can work more
efficiently and avoid costly errors or rework. This helps to streamline
the construction process and meet project deadlines.
3. Compliance with regulations: Setting out plays a key role in ensuring
that construction projects comply with zoning regulations, building
codes, and other legal requirements. By following the established
layout, civil engineers can help ensure that the project meets all
necessary standards.
4. Effective communication: Setting out provides a clear reference point
for all stakeholders involved in the construction project, including
engineers, contractors, and surveyors. This helps to facilitate effective
communication and coordination among team members.
5. Quality control: Setting out allows for quality control measures to be
implemented throughout the construction process. By regularly
checking the position and alignment of structures against the design
plans, engineers can identify and address any issues early on, ensuring
a higher quality end result.
Overall, effective setting out is a critical aspect of civil engineering
projects that helps to ensure accuracy, efficiency, compliance,
communication, and quality control throughout the construction
process.
RECOMMENDATION
Here's a few recommendation and tips for setting out;
1. Understand the design plans: Before starting the setting out
process, thoroughly review the design plans and specifications to
understand the layout, dimensions, and alignment of the
structures to be constructed.
2. Establish control points: Identify and establish control points on
the construction site that will serve as reference markers for
setting out the various elements of the project. These control
points should be accurately surveyed and well-documented.
3. Use modern surveying equipment: Utilize advanced surveying
tools such as total stations, GPS technology, and laser levels to
ensure precise measurements and accurate setting out of
structures, roads, utilities, and other elements.
4. Implement quality assurance measures: Regularly check and verify
the accuracy of the setting out work to ensure that structures are
 being constructed in the correct location and alignment according
to the design plans.
Document setting out activities: Keep detailed records of setting out
measurements, control points, and any adjustments made during the
construction process to track progress and facilitate future decision-
making.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I drew a building plan and set out all that is drawn on the
plan onto the actual ground, I marked out the building lines and I pour
ashes to make the trench lines visible. I make sure that I checked the
corners, by redoing the 3:4:5 rule on each corner and I also checked the
diagonals of which it has a very slide difference within a
millimetre of a metre. However, any triangle with sides of 3, 4 and 5
units will have a 90-degree angle opposite to the 5-unit side. The
beauty and simplicity of this technique is that if the Engineer or Builder
needs to increase the accuracy on larger walls or structures, any
multiple of the 3-4-5 rule can be deployed, that is 6-8-10, 9-12-15,
12-16-20, 15-20-25 etc. All setting out pegs should be outside the
excavation area, and should relate to the first lines of brickwork or
reinforce concrete framed buildings.
REFERENCE
[1] Setting-out Procedures for the Modern Built Environment (Book
by B. M. Sadgrove and E. Danson); Originally published: 2007
[2] Johnson, Anthony, Solving Stonehenge: The New Key to an
Ancient Enigma. (Thames & Hudson, 2008) ISBN 978-0-500-05155-9
[3] Surveying & Field Work: A Practical Text-Book on Surveying,
Levelling & Setting-Out, Intended for the Use of Students in
Technical Schools and ... for Surveyors, Engineers and Architects,
Paperback – 27 Apr 2009 by James. Williamson (Author) .
[4] Setting Out: A Guide for Site Engineers (Book by S. G. Brightly);
Originally published: 1975.
[5] Genovese I (2005), “Definitions of Surveying and Associated Terms”,
ACSM, 314pp, ISBN 0-9765991-0-4.
[6] Richards, D., & Herman Sen, K. (1995). “Use of extrinsic evidence
to aid interpretation of deeds.” Journal of Surveying Engineering,
(121), 178.
[7] Groves, R.M. (1989). “Survey Errors and Survey Costs” Wiley. ISBN
0-471-61171-9.