Surveying
Elevation
The vertical height of a point above a reference datum, typically mean sea level, expressed in feet.
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In the Field
Elevations are the language of construction — finish floor elevation, top of footing elevation, pipe invert elevation. Always verify the datum the drawings use (NAVD88 vs. NGVD29 vs. local assumed). A wrong datum assumption can put a floor 3 feet in the wrong place.
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Rule of Thumb
Double-check your benchmark elevation against the project drawings before any layout work. A one-foot error in benchmark elevation propagates to every grade stake, form, and structure on the job.