ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the “grade” means the surface of the ground and “grading design” refers to the interpretation and manipulation of the surface. Grading design is the canvas or mold upon which the rest of the seen landscape architectural design is painted or formed. Seasoned grading designers have the experience and graphic ability to place themselves visually on the surface of this plan and envision the site in three dimensions. Often owners and/or architects employ civil engineers to perform the site grading layout necessary to locate the building pad and retention basins. The grading and drainage designer is required to hold the entire volume that falls on the site within the confines of that site in order to meet retention calculations that must be approved by the governing agency. Clay soils require more elaborate grading and drainage and are more difficult to calculate for cut and fill purposes because of an increased shrink/swell factor.
