ENGINEERING SURVEYS / ROUTE SURVEYS

- they are surveys made for the purpose of securing field data needed for the
selection, design, and construction of engineering projects like highways or
roads, railways, canals, transmission lines, and other similar projects.

STAGES OF ROUTE SURVEYING

1. RECONNAISSANCE – is a general study of the area where the project will be
constructed such that artificial and natural features are observed and is
performed by means of handheld surveying equipment like compass, tape, and
others.
Factors to be considered in choosing the best route during reconnaissance

1.Traffic. The volume of traffic must known or predicted so as to know the type of
road, including the quality, that is to be designed.

2. Land Use. Information must be gathered with respect to future plans for roads,
reservoirs, canals, airports, and other projects which may influence route/road
location.

3. Terrain. Terrain of the area must be determined so as to know the alignment,

slopes and grades of road curves.

2. PRELIMINARY SURVEY – it is the survey of the selected route particularly the

positioning of the final centerline. In this stage, horizontal and vertical controls
will be established on grounds.
3. LOCATION SURVEY – it is the staking, grading the final centerline of the
route/road.
4. AS-BUILT SURVEY

TYPES OF HORIZONTAL CURVES

There are four types of horizontal curves. They are described as follows:

1. SIMPLE. The simple curve is an arc of a circle (fig A). The radius of the circle
determines the sharpness or flatness of the curve. It consists of a circular arc with a
constant radius that extends from one tangent to another.

2. COMPOUND. Frequently, the terrain will require the use of the compound curve. This
curve normally consists of two simple curves joined together and curving in the same
direction (fig B).

3. REVERSE. A reverse curve consists of two simple curves joined together, but curving in
opposite direction. For safety reasons, the use of this curve should be avoided when
possible (fig C).

4. SPIRAL. The spiral is a curve that has a varying radius. It is used on railroads and most
modem highways. Its purpose is to provide a transition from the tangent to a simple
curve or between simple curves in a compound curve (fig D).

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