Landscape Site Grading Principles: Grading with Design in Mind

The Visual, Practical Guide to Site Grading by Design Landscape Site Grading Principles: Grading with Design in Mind is written specifically from the design perspective, with less emphasis on engineering and a strong focus on overall aesthetics. Heavily illustrated and non-technical, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and methods of site grading, with step-by-step guidance and a real-world focus that helps readers tackle the many on-site variables. Grading plans must solve practical requirements, but must also contribute to the aesthetic ambition of the overall site and architectural design concept. This visual guide helps readers translate design implications into a practical, workable grading plan and enable them to: Understand the processes and legal requirements of site grading Practice using standard drawing conventions and scale Speak the language of maps, using contours and coordinates Calculate slope, spot elevations, and cut and fill volumes Examine detailed professional examples of grading by design By breaking this complex topic down into clear, concise instruction, Landscape Site Grading Principles provides value to both students and professionals in the field of landscape design.

1. Some Background on the Subject of Site Grading Site Grading Informs Design Let’s Begin The Importance of Grading in Design A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Gaining an Essential Grasp of Site Grading Concepts What the Student Needs to Know About Site Grading 2. Site Grading and the Legal Requirements In this chapter you will learn about: What is Site Grading? Avoiding Grading Problems in the Landscape Site Grading in the Professional Practice of Landscape Architecture Professional Registration to Practice Landscape Architecture 3. Site Planning and Grading Process In the chapter you will learn: Introduction The Design Process Steps in the Design Process Continuum Preliminary Site Grading Plan Design Development and Subsequent Phases in the Design Continuum 4. Drawing Conventions What you will learn in this chapter: Drawing Conventions: Landscape drawings and music scores Drafting and Representation The Concept of Documentation Conventions in Music and Design Following Drawing Conventions Avoids Miss–communicating with Others Construction Documentation Another Word About Scale: 5. What Is Scale, Why It Is Important, And How Is It Used? In this chapter you will learn: Scale: A Word of Several Meanings The Need for Scaled Drawings Site Grading is Integral to the Phases of Design Using and Choosing the Right Scale Reference Plan and Match Lines Architect and Engineer Scales Topographic Maps Are Useful Pre–planning Tools Map Scales and Contour Intervals Recognizing Landform Patterns The Information Contained in Topographic Maps U.S. Geological Survey and Scales of other Countries 6. Where Are You? In this chapter you will learn: The Language of Maps How to Find and Locate Places in the Landscape or Where Am I? Maps Serve a Variety of Purposes Coordinate Systems Referencing System for a Land Parcel Licensed Land Surveyor Locating a Building or Other Element on the Ground 7. Contours In this chapter you will learn: Introduction Contour Lines: A Language for Two Dimensions What the Landscape Would Look Like with Contours Contours Explained Slope in Plan and Section 8. Signature Landforms In this chapter you will learn: Landform Signatures Watershed Landform Signature Putting It All Together 9. Calculating Slope and other Grading Calculations: Tools for Gaining Mastery in Grading In this chapter you will learn: Introducing Calculation of Slope A Few Slope Conventions Slope Equation:  Primary Tool for Most Calculations Required in Grading 10. How to Calculate Spot Elevations In this chapter we will learn: Introduction When Spot Elevations Are Needed? Where Spot Elevations are Necessary Overview for the Grading Conditions Discussed Above: How Spot Elevations Are Used by Contractors How to Calculate a Spot Elevation The steps for establishing spot elevations on a sloping surface. Using The Riser Height of Steps to Calculate Spot Elevations How Contractor Uses Spot Elevations Shown on a Grading Plan From Schematic Design Plan to Grading Plan 11. Working with Contours: Creating Landforms with Design in Mind In This Chapter We Will Learn: Creating Landscapes Using Contours Getting from the Site and the Design to Grading the Site Contours used to show landform: Creating Land form for Programmed Uses: Contours used to show surface drainage: Paved Surfaces Water Flow: How to create a level area on sloping ground 12. Signature Solutions In this chapter you will learn: Introduction Signature Grading Solutions Creating level area on sloping ground Signature Solution: Creating sloping surface Creating Swale Around Level Surface To Direct Surface Water Flow Away From Building Or Activity Area Creating a Drainage Swale Creating a Watershed to Collect Surface Water Catch Basin Design in Paved Area Creating Sculptured Landform Creating detention pond or depression Site Grading Concepts for Simple Residential Lot Three Initial Site Grading Strategies Use Of Spot Elevations And Contour Grading For Tennis Court Or Other Large Court–Game Surface 13. Detailed Grading with Slope, Contours, and Spot Elevations What your will learn in this chapter: Introduction Grading of Paved Surfaces: Walks and Ramps Design Process for Grading a Pedestrian Ramp Design Process for Grading a Bicycle Trail and Park Walkway Integration of Walkway, Steps, and Seating Area Grading Design Where Paved Area Meets Building Entrance Accessible by Stairs Parking Lot Grading Design Site Grading Design in Lawn Area Sculptural Landform Solutions in Lawn or Landscaped Areas Some Final Examples of Using Spot Elevations and Contours in Site Grading Design Construction Sequence for a Bus Shelter 14. Storm and Surface Water Drainage Management What we will learn in this chapter: Introduction Traditional Handling of Surface Storm Water Contour Grading Design Options for Handling Storm Water 15. Estimating Volume of Cut and Fill Using Contour Method In this chapter we will learn: Cut and Fill Is the Process of Earth Moving Introduction to Estimating Earth Moving Quantities Contour Method For Estimating Cut and Fill Other Methods of Estimating Earthwork Volumes 16. Professional Example of Site Grading by Design Introduction References

Bruce Sharky , FASLA, is a Professor of Landscape Architecture at the Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture at Louisiana State University. He served as Principal Landscape Architect for wildlife habitat and landscape restoration for the 860-mile Trans-Alaskan Oil Pipeline, and his Master's thesis at the University of California, Berkeley, was the basis for legislation that established the California Coastal Commission. Bruce's current focus is on informing design through culture and environment, and non-structural approaches to planning natural disaster-resilient communities.