Which term refers to the permanent points of known elevation used to determine the grade of a project?

Which term refers to the permanent points of known elevation used to determine the grade of a project?

• A. Stakes
• B. Benchmarks
• C. Profile
• D. Slope

Answer: (B)

In earthmoving and surveying, grade is set using fixed reference points that have known elevations. The term for these permanent reference points is benchmarks. Benchmarks provide exact elevations that stay in place throughout a project, letting crews determine how much to cut or fill at various locations by comparing measured elevations to the benchmark’s known height. Stakes are temporary markers used to guide work but don’t inherently carry a known elevation over time. A profile is a cross‑sectional view of elevations along a line, not a reference point. Slope describes how steeply elevation changes over distance, not a fixed point to reference elevations from.

In earthmoving and surveying, grade is set using fixed reference points that have known elevations. The term for these permanent reference points is benchmarks. Benchmarks provide exact elevations that stay in place throughout a project, letting crews determine how much to cut or fill at various locations by comparing measured elevations to the benchmark’s known height. Stakes are temporary markers used to guide work but don’t inherently carry a known elevation over time. A profile is a cross‑sectional view of elevations along a line, not a reference point. Slope describes how steeply elevation changes over distance, not a fixed point to reference elevations from.