Develop a Set of Reference Details

On 8-1/2" x 11" sheets develop construction details for the assigned site elements. Show all materials, dimensions, labels, symbols, surface and subsurface conditions applicable to the detail. Appropriate line weights and hand lettering (with a straight edge and guidelines) for all drawings is highly stressed.

The sheet format for each detail drawing will consist of the detail, descriptive call outs (one of two methods), all dimensions, and a title block (on the bottom of the sheet) with the title, scale, and location for detail number. Each 8-1/2" x 11" sheet will be an individual composition of one detail.

Topics

1. Paving, curbs, edges, and bands
2. Steps and ramps
3. Walls, planters and fences
4. Planting, benches and tree grates
5. Fountains, lighting, utilities and basins
6. Decks, garden structures

 

Detail title block example.

1. direct call out

2. legend

Use one of two methods for specifying materials and elements

 Topic 1. Paving, curbs, edges and bands

Please read chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Site Design and Construction Detailing, and complete the following detail drawings:
1. Section - Exposed aggregate concrete with a compacted gravel base, pedestrian pavement.
2. Section - Concrete vertical curb. The curb is 6" wide at the top and 6" above an asphalt roadway. On the other side of, and flush with the curb is a planting area. The full height of the curb should be no less than 18", it should include (2) #3 rebar continuous. and be set on compacted gravel.
3. Section - Colored concrete band in a lawn area. The band is 24" wide, has lawn on both sides, steel reinforcement, and a compacted gravel base.

NOTES: Paving

concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, patterned concrete, unit pavers, stone, crushed stone, asphalt, etc.

1. Subgrade - Undisturbed soil or compacted soil. Carries the load applied to the pavement.
2. Base - Layer of aggregate (usually 4" - 8") between the subgrade and pavement. Spreads the load from the pavement to the subgrade, and discourages movement of water to the underside of the pavement.
3. Pavement - 2 types, (1) flexible, such as unit pavers over sand, and (2) rigid, such as concrete, generally requiring steel reinforcement.
Rigid pavements require expansion and contraction joints to allow for changes in material due to temperature changes.
a. Expansion joint - separation between rigid pavement surfaces to allow for expansion. Expansion joints can be doweled to keep adjacent pavement surfaces flush.
b. Contraction / control joint - allows for contraction of pavement providing a location for cracking to take place in a controlled manner.
c. Construction joint - place where two separate concrete pours meet.

Curbs and Edges / Bands

Curbs - commonly concrete or stone. Curbs provide separation and control drainage, channeling water to a desired location.

Edges or bands - concrete, brick, stone, steel, wood, etc. Edges and bands define changes in materials for design and maintenance intentions.

Very similar to pavement in construction
1. Compacted subgrade
2. Base (aggregate, sand, etc.)
3. Curb or edge / band
expansion and contraction joints are required
steel reinforcement may also be required

 Topic 2. Steps and ramps

Please read chapter 6 in Site Design and Construction Detailing, and complete the following detail drawings:
1. Section - Concrete steps with tread depths of 14" for an elevation change of 3' - 6". The steps are met at the top and bottom by concrete walks. Also, show a handrail with the dimension of 34" above the nose of the steps. Be sure to include all reinforcement, nosing bars (1" clearance), and sub surface conditions. Assume frost depth to be 24".
2. Isometric - Make an isometric drawing of a curb ramp for access from one concrete pavement surface to another concrete surface 6" higher. The access area should be no less than 4' wide, and no slopes should be greater than 1:12. Include all of the necessary dimensions.

NOTES: Steps

Concrete, concrete with veneer, stone, timber.
Commonly concrete with steel reinforcement (#3 rebar at 12" O.C. each way, as a minimum)

General rule of thumb for a comfortable tread to riser relationship - twice the riser height plus the tread depth equals 26 inches (Thomas Church, Gardens are for People).

1. Finish tread surface to reduce the possibility of slipping
2. Slope tread for drainage - 1% or 1/8" in 12"
3. When using concrete, 4" minimum concrete thickness, 6" minimum thickness is generally better.
4. Top and bottom of steps should be doweled to adjacent pavement when applicable
5. Handrails may be required and/or desired, the height will vary 30" - 38" above the step nose depending on the specific standards of the area and design intentions (see also A.D.A. standards)

Ramps

Concrete, asphalt, stone (crushed stone)

Any pavement surface exceeding 5% slope is considered to be a ramp.

A.D.A. (Americans With Disabilities Act) standards:
1. Maximum ramp slope - 1' rise in 12' run
2. Maximum rise for a single run - 30" to a landing
3. See A.D.A. Standards

 

Slope equations:

rise / run = % slope
(run) (% slope) = rise
rise / % slope = run

 Topic 3. Walls, planters and fences

Please read chapter 7 in Site Design and Construction Detailing, and complete the following detail drawings:
1. Section (fence, column) - Six foot high wooden privacy fence with brick columns
2. Elevation - Six foot high wooden privacy fence with brick columns
3. Section - Cantilever type concrete retaining wall for an elevation change of 2 feet between two flat planting areas. Assume frost depth to be 24".

NOTES: Walls / planters - free standing, retaining

concrete, CMU (concrete masonry unit) block, concrete or block with veneers (brick, stone, stucco, etc.), dry stacked stone, timber

Footings - usually steel reinforced concrete with a minimum size and depth.
1. depth - minimum footing depth is determined by the engineering requirements or the frost depth, whichever is deeper.
2. size - footing size will be determined by the engineering requirements to sustain the various loads applied to the wall.

Wall - horizontal and vertical steel reinforcement may be required in concrete or CMU block walls.
1. weep holes - holes in the wall to release water that has accumulated. The maximum distance between weep holes is 10'. Staining may occur on adjacent pavements from chemicals carried by the water.
2. wall caps - some walls will require precast concrete or stone caps to protect against water penetration.
3. vertical expansion joints will be required, at a maximum of 50' on center, in walls exceeding 50' in length.

Timber walls - generally do not require a footing, and are most successful as short retaining walls. Most timber walls will require either deadmen to tie them back into the soil or vertical timber supports to a depth equal to the height of the wall.

Fences

various steel and pipe rail, chain link, wood, etc.

Post footing - 2' - 2 1/2' deep by 12" in diameter for short fences to 4' in height, 3' deep for fences to 6' in height, and will require careful design calculations for heights taller than 6'.
post - common wood, steel, concrete, w/veneers, etc.
rails - wood, steel, etc.,

 Topic 4. Planting, benches and tree grates

Please read the handout, Chapter 6 - Technical Aspects of Planting, Plants and Planting in Time - Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture, and chapter 10 in Site Design and Construction Detailing, and complete the following detail drawings:
1. Section and plan - deciduous tree planting with a tree grate in a concrete pedestrian plaza.
the section and plan can be done on the same sheet.
2. Section - two rows of shrubs on a 1:5 slope.
3. Section - two inch caliper deciduous tree.
4. find a bench that appeals to you and draw all of the necessary details to construct it, include all dimensions.
sections / elevations
plan
isometric
etc.

NOTES: Planting

Some considerations when choosing plant materials:

1. Design intentions - views, circulation, spatial desires, altered environments

2. Plant character - size, form, texture, color, fruits, flowers, deciduous/coniferous, growth rate

3. Physical environment - soil, temperature ranges, sunlight, water, orientation

Tree and shrub planting pit - generally 2 times the width of the root ball and a minimum of 6" deeper than the height of the root ball. Install trees with root crown slightly above finished grade (1" - 2" min.), fold back burlap from top of ball and backfill with quality plant mix.

Tree staking or guying - protect the tree at location of support by encasing the wire with a rubber hose section or other means. Locate the stakes or guys to counteract the prevailing wind of the region. When using guy wires apply a flag or white PVC tubing to increase visibility of the wire.

Benches

Wood, steel, concrete, stone, etc. Permanent or movable

Permanent site furnishings require some form of attachment to the site materials. On grade furnishings may require footings, others may be fastened to walls or slabs by other means.

Prefabricated and custom
1. prefabricated furnishings generally specify a number of attachment alternatives to choose from
2. custom furnishings may be desired to enhance the overall design intent. Durability, maintenance, size/scale, fastening technique and finish are some considerations for design.

 

Tree grates

Usually metal

Tree grates are generally used in urban conditions
1. allow for irrigation
2. reduce compaction at the base of the tree
3. may become a maintenance issue - trash can accumulate beneath the grate
4. some grates provide option for uplighting to be included

Bibliography
Nelischer, Maurice. Handbook of Landscape Architectural Construction, Chapter 6, Technical Aspects of Planting. Pages 115 - 132

 Topic 5. Fountains, lighting, utilities and basins

Please read chapters 11 and 12 in Site Design and Construction Detailing and chapter 9 in Landscape Architecture Construction, and complete the following detail drawings:
1. Design and draw all of the necessary details for the construction of a cascade and pool element (no need to show fountain mechanical, although you may), details should include but not be limited to:
plans
sections
elevations
2. Complete all of the necessary details for the installation of a lighting fixture along a pedestrian pathway. You should design the fixture or find one that you like and specify it on your drawing.
-or-
2. Complete all of the necessary details for the installation of a well light (uplight) or spot light. Be sure to specify the light type.

NOTES: Fountains

Generally used as a focal element. Fountains have a broad range of sensory effects, sight, sound, touch (fine mists or large bodies of water can effect the micro climate of an area)

Construction and maintenance
1. Reinforced concrete cast in place is the most common basin type, and may have a veneered or painted surface (dark colors enhance the perception of depth)
2. expansion joints may be required - sealed with a water stop
3. other materials for fountains include: pre - cast concrete, metal, stone, wood, and plastic
4. depth of standing water - as required for mechanical and lighting or as required for safety

Mechanical system components
1. water level control - electronic or mechanical floats required to maintain a consistent water level in the basin
2. overflow - drain to remove excess water (debris may interfere and require periodic maintenance)
3. drain - used to empty the basin for winter months, or various maintenance procedures
4. pump - self-contained submersible (within basin, powered by under water junction box) or vaulted pool equipment (generally larger fountains, dry pump, filters, valves, and other mechanical equipment located in a dry vault, frequently underground)
5. jets - for desired effect, some things to consider are wind, spray pattern, lighting, and safety

Ponds / lakes

Ponds and lakes require either a water table to support a desired water level or some method of containment (liner, concrete, soil binder, etc.). Stagnation can be a problem and needs to be considered.
Lighting

Area lights, uplights, spot lights, accent lights (stairs, pathway edges), directional lights

Many pre manufactured choices exist, selected fixtures should compliment design intentions. Custom fixtures are an alternative.

Two primary types of lighting used in landscape architectural applications:
1. Incandescent lamps (common light bulb, sealed beam, etc.) - electric current carried through a filament which is heated to an incandescent state.
Low voltage incandescent - 12 volt (instead of 120 or 240) from a transformer, are safer than higher voltage units
2. Electric discharge lamps (fluorescent, mercury vapor, etc.) - electric current passed through a gas or metallic vapor. Electric discharge lamps are more energy efficient than incandescent lamps.

Major considerations in light choices:
1. level of brightness
2. uniformity of light
3. color of light
4. intent of lighting design

Utilities

Site utilities need to exist for various systems to function properly and/or provide safety for occupants and users. Utilities may be hidden or highly visible.
1. hidden (less visible) - transformers, electrical, telephone, gas, water, sanitary and storm sewers
2. more visible - lighting, drinking fountains, fire hydrants, hose bibs, telephone booths

Basins - drainage systems

Precast concrete (5" min. concrete thickness), poured in place concrete (6" - 8" min. concrete thickness), CMU block, brick with mortar, cast iron

Drain inlet - a grated vault used to collect surface runoff and transfer it directly to the drainage pipe.

Catch basin - similar to a drain inlet but includes a sediment basin at the bottom to collect sediment and debris before it enters the drainage lines, reducing the possibility of accumulation in drain pipes. Catch basins require periodic maintenance to remove debris that has collected in the basin.

Drainage grates and frames are available in many sizes and types for various applications.

Maintenance of drainage systems
1. manholes provide access for a maintenance worker (4' diameter at base)
2. cleanouts are connected to drain lines to permit equipment cleanout and visual inspection, and are capped when not in use Size of drainage elements is based on the expected volume of runoff.

 Topic 6. Decks, garden structures

Please read chapter 8 in Site Design and Construction Detailing, and complete the following detail drawings:
1. SEE PROJECT #2. Design a small, simple, structure and provide all of the necessary information as details, which may include but not be limited to:
sections, elevations, plans, isometrics

NOTES: Decks, garden structures

generally wood, metal or concrete, occasionally other materials

need to be finished - painted, stained, or otherwise treated unless the material is naturally resistant to decay

1. post - vertical support member, usually set in or attached to a concrete footing (to frost depth or a minimum of two feet whichever is deeper)
2. beam - set on the posts, carries the load from the joists to the posts. Maximum beam spans depend on loads, size of beam and design intentions
3. joist - spaced across the beams to distribute the load from the planks to the beams. Joists also have a maximum spacing and span depending on the load, size of joist and design intentions
4. planks - surface of the deck, may be slightly spaced to allow for drainage through the deck
5. railings - may be desired and/or required for decks of certain heights
6. fasteners - metal fasteners, doweled joints, wood joints, and welds are some techniques for fastening. The intended appearance is important when choosing a fastening technique. In any case the fasteners need to be corrosion or decay resistant.

Dead load - weight of the materials and permanent objects
Live load - people, snow, movable objects