DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEYING

SURVEYING TECHNOLOGY AND MAPPING SYSTEMS (SV 223)

MAJOR PROJECT COMPUTATIONS WITH REPORT

i. Control Traverse
ii. Detail Survey (DTM PICK-UP)

By NAPO Methuselah – 18400681 – BTSR2

Lecturer concerned: Mr. KAPI

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INTRODUCTION:

This project report is the output of Surveying Technology and Mapping Systems (SV223) project
carried out by our group, The Group #09 in the PNG University of Technology, Taraka Campus.
This project is all to do with Digital Terrain Modeling of both man-made and natural features for
the specified area, and as for our group, we were required to do the DTM around SANDOVA
BUILING. In order to produce this, all features located on the site must be picked up but prior to
this a control traverse is to be run around the interested site whereby the bearing/azimuth and
coordinates are oriented from two old bench marks (BM44 and BM46). From this control traverse,
the features were picked up and later manipulated to produce the desirable output which is the
Digital terrain Model of the features by the use of computer software like Civil CAD and Magnet
Office.
It also will discuss how we employ the use of Total Station and the pokko stick in picking the
features on the site and recording them electronically in the total Station.

Therefore, below stated are the project’s aim, the instrument used, the description of procedures
we actually applied, these includes; the reconnaissance survey, the running of controls,
computations, the points pick up, and finally the plotting of the topographic map of the area
surveyed. It also discusses the challenges faced and how helpful and beneficial the project is to
our wealth of knowledge.

AIM:

To:
➢ Learn how to collecting (pick – up) field data into Total Stations electronically for a
specific desired area
➢ Importing the raw data, editing and generating contours, topographic, plans, 3D
views…etc.
➢ Practice outputting of the collected raw data into maps and plans.

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EQUIPMENT LIST:

Total Station

Total Station is an equipment used in surveying, designed

for measuring horizontal and vertical angles, inclusive of
measuring sloping distance of object to the instrument. It is

a combination of electronic theodolite and electromagnetic

distance measuring (EDM) instrument. It also consists of

a micro-processor with a memory unit which deals with
recordings, readings, and the fundamental calculation of

measurements.

Single Prism

Survey prisms are a specially designed retro reflector, specifically a

corner reflector, that is used to reflect the Electronic Distance
Measurement (EDM) beam from a total station. A survey prism
reflects the EDM beam back to its source with both a wide angle of
incidence and with high precision. Prisms reduce the scatter of the
beam as it is reflected back to the total which allows for both a more
accurate measurement and a longer range that the measurement can
be made.

5m Tape Measure

A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to

measure size or distance. In this particular project, it was uses to
measure the height of targets and instrument heights.

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Pokko Sticks

A pokko stick is also referred to as ranging rod (or range rod) and is
a surveying instrument used for marking the position of stations, and
for sightings of those stations, as well as for ranging straight lines.

Hammer

Used to drive the surveying pegs into the ground when doing
reconnaissance survey.

Dumpy Pegs

Dumpy pegs are also known as markers in surveying to

represent points or stations; they come in different forms
(i.e. wood, metal plastic, etc.)

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Galvanized Nails

These galvanized nails come in different sizes. In this particular

survey, these nails were used to mark the center of a point (i.e.
wooden peg).

Field Book

Mainly used for manually field data recording or for noting

down important notes while in the field.

Walkie Talkie(radio)

Used as the main communication device in the work field.

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Umbrella

Used as the main cover or shelter while out in the field.

Tripod Stand

A tripod is a three-legged stand, important in providing the foundation for

laser levels and other leveling instruments such as: rotary laser levels, line
laser levels, dot laser levels, builder's levels, transit levels, automatic levels
and even sometimes torpedo laser levels.

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STEPS/ PROCEDURES:

We carried out the following steps/ procedures during the course of our project to successfully
complete our project. There were two (2) independent procedures with different instrument used
to complete setting out of the project and are described independently below.

1. CONTROL TRAVERSING

1.1. RECONNAISSANCE
We walked through the site to perform the recon of the traverse lines, its visibilities and existing
BM’s were considered together with the descriptions prepared. Control points/stations (CP) along
the level line was established according to the standards we set. These CPs were part of the same
traverse legs we established.
The Control Stations we established were done within the interested area and they were placed in
a way that a station could be visible from three stations and since our project is locate around the
SANDOVER building, obstacles or disturbances was not really much of a problem. We pegged
our CPs in between the two existing BMs - BM 46 and BM 44. There were total only two CPs
established, which we mark as CP1 an CP2.

1.2. CHECKING AND CALIBRATING THE INSTRUMENT

The second and the most important activity we did was checking the instrument, i.e. the Total
Station (SOKKIA SET 5X & SET 550), as for our group, we used Sokkia Set 550RX and the
prisms that were actually going to be used in the field work before taking them to the field. We
made sure that the:
➢ Instruments were in good condition with no damages,
➢ Batteries fully charged and
➢ Adjusting and levelling screws to their original position.
After the checks were done, we took the instruments carefully to the project site.

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1.3. ADOPTION OF DATUM

According to the instruction provided, we were told to adopt our datum from the 2 Permanent
Bench Marks (PSMs) so we adopted our datum to be used for traversing from two PSMs; BM44
and BM46.
➢ We set up the Total Station at BM44 and back sight to BM46 where a prism was set to
adopt our datum and then confirmed the azimuth reading by sighting to PM46. The
reading differed from the known bearing (calculated from 2002 coordinates) by about
4 seconds, so we appreciated the line from BM 46 to BM 44 to be our datum then we
started to traverse.

1.4. CONTROL TRAVERSING

➢ After adopting and accepting the datum, we sight to the first control station to (CP01)
where a prism was set. We observed the back sight bearing (face-left and face-right),
fore sight bearing (face-left and face-right), the horizontal distance and other necessary
measurements and then manually recorded them into the field book.

➢ After that we packed up the instruments and moved to the next station. We set up the
Total Station at a CP01 and set up one prism on the fore station (CP02) and another on
the previous occupied station (BM44) which is the back sight.

➢ Then we focused to BM44 and set the back sight which was the horizontal angle from
CP01 back to BM46 that was equal to the face-right when we set up at BM46 (Face-
left +180°). After setting the back-sight orientation, we then turn the total station in the
clockwise direction and took the foresight reading to CP02 from CP01. We then
observed and manually recorded the foresight bearing (face-left and face-right), back
sight bearing (face-left and face-right), the horizontal distance plus other necessary
measurements into the field book. After that we packed up the instruments and moved
to the next station.

➢ Finally, we set up at BM44, back sight to CP02 (the last CP) using our traverse
bearing and fore sight to BM46 to confirm the bearing and distance of the line from
BM46 to BM44 to compare it with the calculated datum from the 2002 Coordinates
Sheet. Where, this was used as our azimuth and we end up with the readings of known
datum (268° 39’ 41” & 155.555 m) while the calculated datum was (268˚39’45” &
155.626 m), where, we were ended up with 21” and 0.016m. Since the miscloses were

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between the accepted limits, we appreciated that angular and linear miscloses and
moved on.
➢ After that we packed up the instrument that were used and brought them to the store
room because we were done with the running of the control traverse.

1.5. COMPUTATIONS
➢ This procedure mostly involves office work; therefore, we stayed away from the project
site and did the computations of the Traverse bearing reductions, the Co-ordinates and
the Reduced Levels (RL’s) of the Control Stations.
➢ Using the raw data collected from the field book, we did our reductions, adjusted
bearings to the control traverse, latitude and departure calculations and finally,
calculate the coordinates of the 2 CP’s that were being placed in the traverse together
with the 2 BM’s (46 & 44).

2. DIGITAL TERRAIN MODEL PICK UP

In carrying out the DTM surveying, the traverse was all adjusted so we went ahead, set up on the
adjusted stations and we picked the points as discussed below.
2.1. STATION SET UP & ORIENTATION
The first process after setting up the instrument was station orientation. The coordinates used were
the adjusted coordinates. So, upon arriving at location all equipment were unloaded and organized
for set up. After setting up the instruments upon the desired points we made sure that all levels and
sight targets of the survey points were on the cross hairs. We made sure both target height and
instrument heights were recorded and made ready to be entered. We created a job and set it as
current, if all jobs were taken we had to overwrite a job that doesn’t have many points.
Firstly, we oriented the instrument by entering the coordinates of the Instrument (Total Station),
to help orientate the current occupied station to our working coordinates, the data entered were:
➢ The station (i.e. BM 44) coordinates (Eastings, Northings, Zenith Angle)
➢ Date
➢ Code
➢ Point number
➢ Operator
➢ Time
➢ Instrument height

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➢ Temperature
➢ Air pressure
➢ Atmospheric correction factor
➢ Wind
➢ Weather
Secondly, we entered the back-sight coordinates of the target instrument; single prism (i.e. BM46),
we set our back sight to adopt our datum, this helped cross check the integrity of the line to see if
were still within the desired orientation and to help position the Detail Terrain Modelling with
preference to the coordinates.
2.2. DTM PICK UP
The following procedures and techniques were employed to pick up the features on the surface of
the interested parcel of land. We were not assisted nor thought how to pick the points so the
following techniques are the best techniques of our ability that we applied.
i. Picking up of road

To pick the road, we code them according to the parcel of area that they enclose and put a number
in front so that the magnet office will connect them as strings. We started at our first station (BM
46) which is the area right beside the road junction that connects the road leading towards the main
UNITECH Entrance Gate, the road leading to the SFC (Students Facility Centre) and the one going
down straight to male color lodges. We code the natural surface near the kerb: NS, top of kerb:
tok, bottom of kerb: BOK, edge of bitumen as EOB and center line: CL.

ii. Natural Surface (NS)

a. The natural surface refers to the topography of the land surface itself; the rises and falls.
We wanted to obtain a well detailed topography of the land surface; thus, in reading the
natural surface within our boundary; we tried to pick a lot of gridded points as well as
picking random points to account for the really small areas. The code we used for natural
surface was NS.

b. When picking the NS for an area, for instance an area such as the SANDOVA loan, we
would pick up the larger areas in a grid-type pattern. With two/three pokko sticks aligned
and picking the points in intervals (approximately 10 interval). For the smaller areas
difficult for grid-interval picking, we would continue with random points.

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c. Once we began picking up the natural features, we would continue until completing the
whole area observable by the total station, or until we saw that the next area would be much
easily observed by the next station.

iii. Buildings and Footpaths

a. When picking buildings such as the SANDOVA-building, with the conventional

rectangular/square shapes, only three corners can be picked as the fourth would be
completed/drawn in the software but we made it our responsibility to pick the four sides
including the foundation slab.
b. Picking the footpaths, we employ the same concept as for picking buildings. The only
difference is that most of the slabs have shifted on top of the other probably due to
seismic activity thus; creating humps and while doing the pickup we tried to pick those
slabs to basically shows the difference in elevation of the slabs.

3. PLOTTING USING MAGNET OFFICE & Auto CAD

Actually, we did not use the magnet office in this project due to the limited time we had.

The final after picking all the details of the interested area by occupying the control stations,
we were ready to process the raw data. After the end of each day we usually extracted the data
first before handing in the instrument.

i. The jobs we created and used during the pick are extracted from the instrument by
downloading it to an external drive (flash drive).

ii. Our raw data should have been placed into the Magnet office and used the Magnet
Office software to interpolate the data collected and edit them and see how the
features picked up will look like onto something like a plan or the digital format of
the features.

iii. Our raw data unfortunately, has been delayed to be processed due to the
unavailability of the Magnet Office License which and so we were waiting for it to
be renewed but since we were running against the time, the completion of our
project may well be very much depending on that, with that being the reason we
can only have our SDR files attached with the report for submission.

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RESULTS

i. TRAVERSE BEARING REDUCTION

BS TO SET-UP @ FS TO

BM 46 @BM 44 CP #01

TH = 1.524 m HI = 1.513 TH = 1.479 m

HD = 155.629 m HD = 73.574 m
S = 155.629 m S = 73.575 m
H = 155.629 m H = 73.574 m
V = 0.378 m V = -0.036 m

FL = 88˚39’41” FL = 142˚59’59”
FR = 268˚39’48” FR = 323˚00’08”

Reducing Bearing Reduced Bearing

= (41′ + 48")/2 = (59′ + 68")/2
= 44.5" ≈ 45 = 63.5 ≈ 64
= 45" − 4" = 45" − 4"
= 88˚’39’41” = 143˚00’00”

BS TO BM 44 @ CP #01 FS TO CP #02

TH = 1.644 m HI = 1.484 m TH = 1.401 m

HD = 73.577 m HD = 46.258 m
S = 73.577 m S = 46.258 m
H = 73.577 m H = 46.258 m
V = 0.202 m V = -0.058 m

FL = 323˚00’00” FL = 98˚36’15”
FR = 142˚59’56” FR = 278˚35’57”

Reducing Bearing Reduced Bearing

= (60" + 56")/2 = (75′ + 57")/2
= 58" = 66"

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= 58" + 2" = 66" + 2"
= 323˚00’00” = 98˚36’08”

BS TO CP #01 @ CP #02 FS TO BM 46

TH = 1.492 m HI = 1.520 m TH = 1.560 m

HD = 46.291 m HD = 95.454 m
S = 46.291 m S = 95.454 m
H = 46.291 m H = 95.454 m
V = -0.053 m V = 0.409 m

FL = 278˚36’08” FL = 43˚24’57”
FR = 98˚36’38” FR = 223˚24’34”

Reducing Bearing Reduced Bearing

= (38” + 08”)/2 (57” + 34”)/2
= 23” = 45.5” ≈ 46”
= 23” – 15” = 46” – 15”
= 278˚36’08” = 43˚24’31”

BS TO CP #02 @ BM 46 FS TO BM 44

TH = 1.499 m HI = 1.570 m TH = 1.517 m

HD = 95.418 m HD = 155.626 m
S = 95.419 m S = 155.626 m
H = 95.418 m H = 155.626 m
V = -0.389 m V = -0.352 m
FL = 268˚39’40”
FL = 223˚24’31” FR = 88˚39’34”
FR = 43˚24’15”
Reduced Bearing
Reducing Bearing
= (31” + 15”)/2 (40” + 34”)/2
= 23” = 37”
= 23” + 8” = 37” + 8”
= 223˚24’31” = 268˚39’45”

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ANGULAR MISCLOSURE
AM = Calculated data - Known
= 268°40′45" - 286°39′ 41"
= 00°00′04"
Therefore, now we can use this corrected bearing 286°39′ 41" for line BM 46 – BM 44

= 00°00’21” ÷ 4
= 00°00’01”

Since the calculated AM exceeds the known AM, on each station, 00°00’01” is being subtracted.

Bearing Distributions:
LINE BEARING CORRECTION ADJUSTED
BEARING
BM 44 – CP 01 143˚00’00” -00˚00’01” 142˚59’59”
CP 01 – CP 02 98˚36’08” -00˚00’01” 98˚36’07”
CP 02 – BM 46 43˚24’31” -00˚00’01” 43˚24’30”
BM 46 – BM 44 268˚39’45” -00˚00’01” 268˚39’44”

Or we just made correction to line BM 46 – BM 44 and got 286°39′ 40"

Departure and Latitude:

LINE AZIMUTH DISTANCE LATITUDE DEPARTURE

BM46-BM44 143˚00’00” 73.574 -58.7588 44.2779
BM44-CP01 98˚36’08” 46.258 -6.9180 45.7376
CP01-CP02 43˚24’31” 95.455 69.3453 65.5964
CP02-BM46 268˚39’40” 155.626 -3.6363 -155.6175
∑= 370.913 0.0304 -0.0056

LINEAR MISCLOSURE(LM)

𝐿𝑀 = √(∆𝐿)2 + (∆𝐷)2 = √(0.0304)2 + (−0.0056)2 = 0.0309

LINEAR ACCURACY(LA)
LA = LM ÷ Σ dist.
= 0.0309 ÷370.913

= 1: 12004.75728
≈1: 12,000

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CORRECTION OF LATTITUDE AND DEPARTURE

The following formulas shows how the corrections of latitudes and departures have been made.
The corrected latitudes and departures were also recorded in the table below.

σ ∆𝐿 σ ∆𝐷
Correction for latitude= ∆𝐿 = 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡. ቀσ 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡.ቁ Correction for departure= ∆𝐷 = 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡. ቀσ 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡.ቁ

LINE CORRECTION CORRECTION FOR

FOR LATITUDE DEPARTURE
BM46-BM44 0.0128 -0.0026
BM44-CP01 0.0060 -0.0011
CP01-CP02 0.0038 -0.0006
CP2-BM46 0.0078 -0.0013
∑= 0.0304 -0.056

LINE Unadjusted Unadjusted Adjusted Adjusted

latitude departure Latitude Departure
BM46-BM44 -58.7588 44.2779 -3.6499 -155.6149
BM44-CP01 -6.9180 45.7376 -58.7648 44.2790
CP01-CP02 69.3453 65.5964 -6.9228 45.7382
CP2-BM46 -3.6363 -155.6175 69.3375 65.5964
0.0304 -0.0056 0 0
∑=

ii. TRAVERSE STATION COORDINATES CALCULATIONS.

Here is the small formula on how we have computed the coordinates of each
stations using the datum given and are plotted in the table below. As for us, in this
project, we took BM 44 as our datum.

➢ Coordinates of BM 44
E = 499 175.590
N = 9 262 356.190

The formulas for computing ∆𝑬 𝒂𝒏𝒅 ∆𝑵

∆𝑬 = ∆𝑬𝑩𝑴𝟒𝟒 ± 𝑳𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆
∆𝑵 = ∆𝑵𝑩𝑴𝟒𝟒 ± 𝑫𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆

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Coordinates:
Station Eastings Northings
BM 46 499 331.204 9 262 359.840
BM 44 499175.590 9 262 356.190
CP 01 499 219.869 9 262 297.425
CP 02 499 265.607 9 262 290.502

TRAVERSE STATION REDUCED LEVELS CALCULATIONS.

This is how the RLs were calculated and were plotted in the table below:

Below is the given RL of BM 44 as the datum to calculate others including the calculated RL for BM 44.

➢ RL of BM 44
= 54.540

i. RL of CP 01
RLCP01 = RLBM44 + HI ± VC - HT
= 54.540 + 1.513 ± (Cos 143˚00’00” × 73.574) – 1.479
= 54.538

ii. RL of CP 02
RLCP02 = RLCP01 + HI ± VC - HT
= 54.538+ 1.484 ± (Cos 98˚36’08” × 46.258) – 1.401
= 54.563

iii. RL of BM 46
RLBM46 = RLCP02 + HI ± VC - HT
= 54.563+ 1.520 ± (Cos 43˚24’31” × 95.454) – 1.560
= 54.932
iv. RL of BM 44

RLBM44 = RLBM46 + HI ± VC - HT
= 54.932+ 1.570 ± (Cos 268˚39’45” × 155.626) – 1.517
= 54.932

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Reduced Levels:
STATION REDUCED
LEVEL
BM 44 54.932
BM 46 54.932
CP 01 54.538
CP 02 54.563

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DISCUSSION

The practical was almost carried out successfully, as required, but one of the bottom-line
problems that we encountered, is the time. As beginners, we really need more time, both out
doors and indoors to know exactly what we are doing and how it is done, however due to the
limited time allocated to complete the project, we rushed to complete the project as soon as
possible, and that results in some of the mistakes or gross errors that were made in the booking
which result in the sketching part of it, that is, when entering the recorded data in to the Magnet
Office and view its topographic cross section in the DEMO MODE since our department’s
license was expired. However, we carefully go through the field book and identify the Mistakes
that were made and adjust them and also based on some of the data that were collected, we made
some assumption to actually come up with a better measurement, (either the bearing, distance, or
elevation,) that matches its position so when entering it in to the Magnet Office, it displays better
result as expected. So far, so good and challenging, but all is well.

ACKNOWELEDGEMENT

I would like to take this time to acknowledge and say thanks much, much a lot to you MR. KAPI
for everything; one way or the other, directly or indirectly for the tireless efforts and inputs you
as our best lecturer has imparted to us in guiding us this far in the progress in our major project
for this semester 2020. Although, we did not complete the project thoroughly but, the project
itself has boosted our understanding in what we just did in the control survey and the DTM as
well. For that I salute you and all the best in your life.
Apart from that, I would also like to take this time to acknowledge the store room keeper – for
lending the instruments needed to run the project, my best hardworking group members and also
some of the final year students who may help with an idea or two.

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REFERENCES

SV 223 LECTURE NOTES FROM 2020

SV 224 LECTURE NOTES FROM 2020

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