Staking out points made simple with Bad Elf GNSS

“Stake out” is a land surveying method used to physically mark the location of points on the ground. These points typically correspond to specific features, such as property corners, building corners, or utility lines. The process involves measuring distances and bearings from a known point, often a property boundary or previously surveyed marker, to the desired location of the point being staked out. Once the measurements are calculated, the surveyor will drive stakes into the ground to mark the location of the point. This method is important in construction and engineering projects as it allows for precise placement of structures and features. Distances are typically measured using a tape measure, electronic distance measurement (EDM) equipment, or GPS while bearings are measured using a compass. Bearings represent the direction of a line or feature relative to true north and are typically measured in degrees.

When surveying a piece of land, surveyors will typically locate and measure a number of key features and points, such as property corners, building corners, or utility lines. Once these points have been established, they may need to be relocated and marked on the ground as part of the staking out process.

For example, if a surveyor has previously identified the location of a property corner, they may need to stake out that corner to indicate its exact location on the ground. To do this, the surveyor would use distance and bearings to navigate to the corner location and then physically mark the point with a stake or marker.

In addition to relocating previously found points, staking out can also involve establishing new points based on design plans or other specifications. For example, a surveyor may need to stake out the location of a new building foundation or utility line based on engineering drawings or construction plans.

Esri Field Maps is a mobile application that is designed to support field data collection and mapping workflows. When using Field Maps to relocate points in the field, distance and bearings are typically used to navigate to the desired location.

To relocate a point using distance and bearings in Field Maps, the user would first select the point they wish to move on the map. They would then use the app's navigation tools to orient themselves in the field and determine the bearing to the new location. This can be done using the app's built-in compass or by using a compass or total station to take a bearing measurement. Once the bearing has been determined, the user can then use a tape measure or EDM equipment to measure the distance from the current location to the new location.

Using this information, the user can then navigate to the new location and mark the point using the app's drawing tools or by physically placing a stake or marker. The distance and bearing information can also be recorded in the app's data collection form to provide additional context and documentation for the relocated point. Overall, the use of distance and bearings in Esri Field Maps enables field surveyors and data collectors to accurately and efficiently relocate points in the field, supporting more effective field data collection and mapping workflows.