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?

When determining the mark on the cut stake for an excavation with a specified top elevation, it's important to consider the depth of cut required for the excavation. In this case, if the top elevation is 94.00 feet, the mark on the cut stake represents how deep the excavation will go from that elevation down to the finished grade.

To arrive at the correct mark, you typically subtract the desired depth of cut from the top elevation. If the correct answer is indicated as 7.50, this would suggest that the required depth of the cut is 86.50 feet (which is obtained by subtracting 7.50 from 94.00). This indicates how much will be excavated below the top elevation.

This process aligns with standard practices in excavation, grading, and construction where accurate marking of cut stakes is crucial for ensuring proper depths and elevations are achieved during the excavation process.