Christian Kyle Porras

BSCE 2-A2

1. Discuss the importance of surveying field notes. What is the importance of

surveying field notes?
Field notes are the records that are left after the field survey party leaves the survey
site. It is essential that the field notes contain a thorough record of all the measurements,
information, calculations, and observations made by the surveyor during the survey and if
necessary, includes sketches and narrations to elucidate and validate the notes. These
become the permanent record of the survey. Keeping good field notes is highly important
and these should be examined and checked if accurate, legible, complete, and clear before
leaving the field. Field notes should be made and recorded in such a way that even
someone not belonging to the original crew could easily understand how, when, where, for
what purpose, and by whom the survey was done. Field notes are important because they
are the permanent records of the survey and it is where the data and measurements are
written, it is in the field notes that we understand the survey much more. Losing the field
notes means losing also the work itself.

2. What are the common types of notes kept in practice? How do each notes used in
the survey?
The recording of Field Notes usually goes in three forms: Tabulation, Sketches, and
Descriptions. They can be combined, either two of them or even all three forms may be
combined, if necessary to make the field note complete.
Tabulation- the numerical measurements are recorded in columns according to an
ordered or made plan. Some spaces are reserved for necessary computations.
Sketches- to clarify the field notes, sketches are added and should be used liberally
when applicable. Sketches are made to draw an approximate scale or even exaggerate
important details for clarity. Measurements are then added directly to the sketches or put
in some way to the tabular data. Legibility is an important requirement of a sketch as it
should be drawn clearly and vividly to be understandable.
Description- can be only one or two words that will clarify the recorded
measurements. It could be a narration if it will be used at a future time to locate a survey
monument. Tabulation with or without added sketches can also be supplemented with
descriptions.

3. Who are the persons who may compose a field survey party? Discuss their duties
and/or responsibilities.
A field survey party is composed of the following people:
Christian Kyle Porras
BSCE 2-A2

1. Chief of Party- the chief of the party is the one who is responsible for the overall
direction, the supervision, and operation of all control in the survey party. He/She us also
the one who is in charge of the logistical and technical requirements, and problems in the
field survey operation.

2. Assistant Chief of Party- the assistant chief of party is the person whose duty is to assist
the chief of party in the accomplishment of the task assigned to the survey party. If the chief
of party is absent, the assistant chief of the party takes over the duties.

3. Instrument Man- the instrument man is the person whose duty is the setting up, leveling,
and aerating of the surveying instruments such as the transmit, engineer's level, theodolite,
plane table, and alidade, and etc.

4. Technician- it is the person who is in charge and responsible for use and operation of all
electronic instruments in a field work operation. He/she makes sure that these equipments
are functioning properly.

5. Computer- it is the person whose duty is to do all computations of survey data and works
out necessary computational checks required in a field work operation.

6. Recorder- the person whose duty is to keep a record of all sketches, drawings,
measurements and observations taken or needed for a field work operation.

7. Head Tapeman- the head tapeman is the one in charge for the accuracy and speed of all
the linear measurements with the tape. He/she also determines the marking of stations
that will be occupied by the surveying instruments and directs the clearing of obstructions.

8. Rear Tapeman- the rear tapeman is the person who is responsible for assisting the head
tapeman during taping operations and other related work.

9. Flagman- the flagman is the one who is in charge of holding the flagpole or range pole at
selected points directed by the instrument man. He/she also helps the tapeman in making
measurements.
Christian Kyle Porras
BSCE 2-A2

10. Rodman- the rodman is the person who is responsible for holding the stadia or levelling
rod when sights are to be taken on it.

11. Pacer- the pacer is the one whose job us to check all linear measurements that are made
by the tapeman. He/she helps the tapeman in spotting the mistakes and blunders in linear
measurements so that it could either be reduced or eliminated.

12. Amman/Lineman- the amman or the lineman is the one who is responsible for the
clearing the line of sight from trees, brush, and other obstructions. And is also in charge of
the security and safety of the members of the survey party.

13. Aidman- in charge of the rendering of first aid treatment to members of the survey
party who are a victim of snake and insect's bites. Also in charge of safety and well-being.

14. Utility Men- these are the people whose duty is to render other forms of assistance
needed by the survey party. A survey vehicle is used, and a utility man is designated as
driver.