Which term describes a view of an element, component, or the site from a viewpoint directly above the object looking down?

• A. Pile Bent
• B. Planimetry
• C. Pitch
• D. Plan

Answer: (D)

The view from directly above is called the plan. A plan shows the object projected onto its horizontal plane, like looking down on the deck, foundation layout, or site arrangement. It’s the standard way to depict layout, spacing, and dimensions in civil drawings, and it’s distinct from elevations (side views) and sections (cut-through views). Planimetry relates to measuring and mapping features on a plane, not the specific top-down view. The other terms described—pitch (slope), pile bent (a structural member), and planimetry (a measurement discipline)—do not denote a top-down view.