Site Grading Fundamentals, Self-Paced, Online

Understanding the fundamentals of the design of site grading to obtain positive drainage and provide the framework for a building or landscape design is critical to the success of all types of designs. Course participants will learn these fundamentals and apply them to homework exercises. The self-paced version of this class includes all the videos and materials provided in the live course. No in-person instruction is included.

Because the management of the movement of water is the primary purpose of grading, participants will learn how to hold and move water on a site; how to grade roads, driveways, paths; house and building sites; and how to address problem drainage areas.

The course will start with the basics of cut and fill and will include how to grade driveways, roads, house sites, gathering areas, and accessible paths. Slope requirements will be explained and some basic math formulas will be used. The class is self-paced, allowing students to move faster or slower as needed.

This course is for design professionals with minimal grading experience as well as landscape design students and architecture students preparing for the site grading portion of licensing exams and other design professionals who want to address problem drainage areas by moving or holding water.

Prior to watching the videos, it's recommended that participants print out the exercises. Printing at 11 x 17 inches is preferred; 8.5 x 11 also acceptable. Be sure to print at 100%.

Kim Erslev is a member of the faculty at the Conway School where she teaches landscape design, site engineering, and graphics. All of the materials presented are her intellectual property and are not to be shared with others who did not provide remittance.