When setting a cut stake for an excavation with a top elevation of 94.00 feet, what should the mark on the cut stake read?

To determine the mark on the cut stake for an excavation with a top elevation of 94.00 feet, the cut stake needs to indicate the depth of the excavation at that particular elevation. The depth of the cut can be calculated based on the finished grade or the desired bottom elevation of the excavation.

In this scenario, let’s assume that the excavation requires a depth of 7.50 feet. Thus, to find the mark on the cut stake, you would subtract the required cut depth from the top elevation of 94.00 feet. The calculation would be as follows:

Top elevation (94.00 feet) - Cut depth (7.50 feet) = Mark on cut stake.

Following this computation, we arrive at a mark of 86.50 feet on the cut stake. However, when considering that typically the cut stake is marked in terms of the cut depth rather than in terms of the elevation of the stake itself, this additional 7.50 feet indicates exactly how much needs to be cut down from the existing ground level.

Therefore, regardless of the specific depth desired for other potential options, distinguishing the appropriate cut depth consistent with the finishing elevations clarifies the reason the cut stake should read 7.50. This is relevant