When setting batter boards for a building foundation, what is their primary purpose?
Correct Answer
B) To establish and maintain building lines and elevations during excavation
Batter boards are temporary wooden frames set up at the corners of a building site to establish and maintain the exact building lines and elevations. They allow string lines to be stretched between them to guide excavation and foundation work while remaining undisturbed by construction activities.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Batter boards are specifically designed to establish and maintain precise building lines and elevations during the construction process. They are positioned outside the excavation area so they won't be disturbed during digging and foundation work. String lines stretched between batter boards create reference points that guide excavation depth, foundation placement, and ensure the building is constructed in the exact location and orientation specified in the plans. This system allows contractors to maintain accuracy throughout the foundation phase even as heavy equipment operates in the work area.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: To support concrete forms during pouring
While batter boards are wooden structures, they are not used to support concrete forms during pouring. Concrete forms have their own bracing and support systems designed to withstand the pressure and weight of wet concrete.
Option C: To provide temporary storage for construction materials
Batter boards are not designed or intended for material storage. They are lightweight wooden frames positioned specifically for surveying and layout purposes, not for bearing the weight of construction materials.
Option D: To mark property boundary lines
Property boundary lines are established by licensed surveyors using permanent markers and monuments. Batter boards are temporary construction layout tools used specifically for individual building placement, not property line demarcation.
Memory Technique
Think 'BATTER = BETTER reference' - batter boards provide better, undisturbed reference points for building lines and elevations throughout the foundation process.
Reference Hint
Look up 'Site Layout and Excavation' or 'Foundation Layout' chapters in construction reference materials, specifically sections on surveying and building layout procedures.
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