CE 010: FUNDAMENTALS

OF SURVEYING

Engr. Mariano Mike L.

Tolentino
TOPIC OVERVIEW

Definition of Importance of
Surveying Surveying

Types and
Measuring Horizontal
Classifications of
Distances
Surveying

Pacing
What is Surveying?
“Surveying is the art of determining the positions
of points on or near the earth’s surface by means
of measurements in the elements of space; namely
distance, direction and elevation.”

- Rayner and Schmidt

“Surveying is the science and art of determining

relative positions of points above, on, or beneath
the surface of the earth, or establishing some
points.”

- Brinker and Wolf

Importance of Surveying
• The planning and design of all civil engineering projects such as railways,
highways, tunneling, irrigation, dams, reservoirs, waterworks, sewerage
works, airfields, ports, massive buildings, etc. are based upon surveying
measurements.
• During execution of the project of any magnitude is constructed along
the lines and points established by surveying.
• The measurement of land and the fixation of its boundaries cannot be
done without surveying.
Types of Surveying
• Plane Surveying is the type of
surveying in which the mean
surface of the Earth is considered as
a plane, or in which its spheroidal
shape is neglected.
• Geodetic Surveying is the type of
surveying which takes into account
the true shape of the Earth.
Surveys employing the principles of
geodesy are of high precision and
generally extended over large
areas.
Classifications of Surveying
• Cadastral Surveys – are usually closed surveys which are undertaken in urban and rural
locations for the purpose of determining and defining property lines and boundaries,
corners, and areas. These surveys are also made to fix the boundaries of municipalities,
towns, and provincial jurisdictions.
• Construction Surveys – these are surveys which are undertaken at a construction site to
provide data regarding grades, reference lines, dimensions, ground configuration, and the
location and elevation of structures which are of concern ton engineers, architects, and
builders.
• Hydrographic Surveys – refer to surveying streams, lakes, reservoirs, harbors, oceans, and
other bodies of water. These surveys are made to map shorelines, chart the shape of areas
underlying water surfaces, and measure the flow of streams. They are of general
importance in connection with navigation, development of water supply and resources,
flood control, irrigation, production of hydroelectric power, subaqueous constructions, and
recreation.
• Forestry Surveys – a type of survey executed in connection with forest management and
mensuration, and the production and conservation of forest lands.
• Photogrammetric Surveys – a type of survey which makes use of photographs taken with
specially designed cameras either airplanes or ground stations. Measurements are obtained
from the photographs which are used in conjunction with limited ground surveys.
Classifications of Surveying
• Mine Survey – are surveys which are performed to determine the position of all
underground excavations and surface mine structures, to fix surface boundaries of mining
claims, determine geological formations, to calculate excavated volumes, and establish lines
and grades for other related mining work.
• Topographic Surveys – those surveys made for determining the shape of the ground, and
the location and elevation of natural and artificial features upon it. The features shown
include such natural objects as hills, mountains, rivers, lakes, relief of the ground surface,
etc; and works of man, such as roads buildings, ports, towns, municipalities, and bridges.
• Route Surveys – involves the determination of alignment, grades, earthwork quantities,
location of natural and artificial objects in connection with the planning, design, and
construction of highways, railroads, pipelines, canals, transmission lines, and other linear
objects.
• Industrial Surveys – refers to the use of surveying techniques in ship building, construction
and assembly of aircraft, lay-out and installation of heavy and complex machinery, and in
other industries where very accurate dimensional layouts are required.
• City Surveys – are surveys of the areas in and near a city for the purpose of planning
expansions or improvements, locating property lines, fixing reference monuments,
determining the physical features and configuration of the land, and preparing maps.
Surveying Measurements
• Measurement – the process of determining the extent, size, or
dimensions of a particular quantity in comparison to a given standard.

Two Types of Measurement

• Direct Measurements – comparison of the measured quantity with a
standard measuring unit employed for measuring a quantity of that
kind.
• Indirect Measurements – when it is not possible to apply a measuring
instrument directly to a quantity to be measured an indirect
measurement is made.
Significant Figures
General Rules:

• Rule 1: Zeroes between other significant figures are significant.

• Rule 2: For values less than one, zeroes immediately to the right of
the decimal are not significant.

• Rule 3: Zeroes placed at the end of decimal numbers are significant.

Significant Figures
• Rule 1: Zeroes between other significant figures are significant.

• Rule 2: For values less than one, zeroes immediately to the right of the decimal are not significant.

• Rule 3: Zeroes placed at the end of decimal numbers are significant.

1. 366.00 • 5 Significant Figures • Rule 3

2. 12.03 • 4 Significant Figures • Rule 1
3. 0.8742 • 4 Significant Figures • Rule 2
4. 0.00006584 • 4 Significant Figures • Rule 2
5. 158.00 • 5 Significant Figures • Rule 3
6. 450 • 2 Significant Figures • Rule 3
 Rounding Off Numbers
General Rules:

• Rule 1: Digit is Less Than 5. When the digit to be dropped is less than 5,
the number is written without the digit.

• Rule 2: Digit is Equal to 5. When the digit to be dropped is exactly 5, the

nearest even number is used for the preceding digit.

• Rule 3: Digit is Greater Than 5. When the digit to be dropped is greater

than 5, the number is written with the preceding digit increased by one.
 Rounding Off Numbers
• Rule 1: Digit is Less Than 5. When the digit to be dropped is less than 5, the number is written without the digit.

• Rule 2: Digit is Equal to 5. When the digit to be dropped is exactly 5, the nearest even number is used for the
preceding digit.

• Rule 3: Digit is Greater Than 5. When the digit to be dropped is greater than 5, the number is written with the
preceding digit increased by one.

• 26.243 • 26.24 • Rule 1

• 234.276 • 234.28 • Rule 3
• 35.175 • 35.18 • Rule 2
• 175.285 • 175.28 • Rule 2
• Error – difference between the measured value and the true value.
• Mistakes – unintentional fault of conduct arising from poor
judgement.
• Blunder - a big mistake

Sources of Errors in Making Measurement:

• Natural Errors
• Instrumental Errors
• Personal Errors
Types of Errors:
• Systematic Error – effects can be eliminated by applying corrections.
• Accidental Error – error which remain after mistakes and systematic
errors have been eliminated.

Magnitude of Errors:
• Discrepancy – difference between two measured value of the same
quantity.
• Precision – denotes the repeatability among various measurement of
the same quantity and is based upon the refinement of measurement
and size.
• Accuracy – denotes absolute nearness to the truth.