SURVEYING (UNIT1)- Introduction to Surveying

SURVEYING-CIVL105(UNIT1)

• Surveying is the art of determining the relative positions of

the different objects on the earth by measuring the horizontal
distances between them, and by preparing a map to any
suitable scale.
• Thus , in this discipline, the measurements are taken only in
the horizontal plane.
• Levelling is the art of determining the relative vertical
distances of different points on the surface of the earth.
Therefore, in leveling, the measurement are taken only in the
vertical plane.
Levelling Operation
 USES OF SURVEYING

• Plans prepared to record property lines of private, public and

government lands help in avoiding unnecessary controversies.
• Maps prepared for marking boundaries of countries, states,
districts etc., to avoid disputes.
• Locality plans help in identifying location of houses and offices
in the area.
• Road maps help travellers and tourist.
• Topographic maps showing natural features like rivers,
streams, hills, forests help in planning irrigation projects and
flood control measures.
 USES OF SURVEYING

• For planning and estimating project works like roads, bridges,

railways, airports, water supply and waste water disposal
surveying is required.
• Marine and hydrographic survey helps in planning navigation
routes and harbours
• Military survey is required for strategic planning.
• Mine surveys are required for exploring mineral wealth.
• Geological surveys are necessary for determining different
strata in the earth crust so that proper location is found for
reservoirs.
 USES OF SURVEYING

• Astronomical survey helps in the study of movements of

planets and for calculating local and standard times

• Archeological surveys are useful for unearthing relics of

antiquity
 Basic classification of surveying

• 1. Plane Surveying

• 2. Geodetic Surveying
 Plane Surveying

• 1. Plane Surveying- In plane surveying the curvature of the earth is not

taken into considerations . This is because plane surveying is carried out
over a small area.
• The surface of the earth is considered as plane . The line joining any two
points is considered to be straight .
• Plane surveying is conducted by state agencies like irrigation department
, railways , PWD etc .
• Plane surveying is done on an area of less than 250 sq.km
Earth as spheroid
 Basic classification of surveying

• Geodetic Surveying
• Surveying technique to determine relative positions of widely spaced
points, lengths, and directions which require the consideration of the size
and shape of the earth. (Takes the earth’s curvature into account.) so the line
drawn between two points will be CURVED line & the triangle formed will
be SPHERICAL triangle.
• Therefore Geodetic surveying is done normally on an area more than 250
sq.km.
Great circle and spherical triangle
 Question

• Which of the following surveying is required for strategic planning

• (A) Mine Survey
• (B) Military Survey
• (C) Marine Survey
• (D) Geodetic Survey
 Question

• The curvature of the earth is taken into consideration in which of the

following surveying
• (A) Mine Survey
• (B) Plane Survey
• (C) Marine Survey
• (D) Geodetic Survey
Classification of surveying
 Photographic and Astronomy Surveying

• When the survey is carried out by taking photographs with a

camera fitted in an aeroplane, it is called aerial or photographic
surveying.
• This survey is recommended for the development of projects in
place where ground survey will be slow and difficult because of
a busy or complicated area.

• Astronomy Surveying - Astronomical survey helps in the study

of movements of planets and for calculating local and standard
times.
 Hydrographic Surveying

• It deals with the survey of water bodies like streams, lakes,

coastal water, and consists in acquiring data to chart the shore
lines of water bodies.
• It also determine the shape of the area underlying the water
surface to assess the factors affecting navigation, water
supply, etc.
 The general principle of surveying

• 1. To work from whole to the part.

• 2. To locate a new station by at least two measurements (linear

or angular) from the fixed point
 TO WORK FROM WHOLE TO THE PART

• According to this principle, the whole area is first enclosed by

main station and main survey lines.
• The area is then divided into a number of parts by forming well
conditioned triangle.
• The purpose of principle is to prevent accumulation of error.
The error can always be detected and eliminated.
• Where as the reverse process is followed, then the minor error in
measurement will be magnified in the expansion and a stage will
come when these errors will become absolutely uncontrollable.
Well conditioned and Ill-conditioned triangle
 Some related terms

• Base Line - It is the longest main survey line on a fairly level ground and
passing the center of the area. It is the most important line as the direction
of all other survey lines are fixed with respect to this line .
• Check Line - Check line or proof line is a line which is provided to check
the accuracy of the field work. The measured length of the check line and
the computed one must me same .
Quick Recap
• Main stations – Vertices of triangles
• Base Line – Longest line and accurately measured
• Tie line – Run between lines to locate details
• Check lines – To check accuracy of measurement
 TO LOCATE A NEW STATION

• According to this principle, the new station should always be

fixed by at least two measurement. i.e linear and angular
from fixed reference points.
• Linear measurements refer to horizontal distances measured
by tape
• Angular measurements refer to magnetic bearing or
horizontal angles measured with the help of prismatic
compass or theodolite
 Scale

• It is not always possible to represent the actual length of an

object, in order to accommodate it on the drawing, in some
• proportion.
• The ratio by which the actual length of the object is reduced or
increase is known as the scale.
 Types of Scales

• 1. Full-size scale : Same

• 2. Reducing Scale : If the actual length is reduced in order to

accommodate it on the drawing sheet

• 3. Increasing or enlarging scale: If the actual length is

enlarged in order to bring out its details more clearly it on the
drawing sheet
Representative faction (RF)
 Question

• As per the first principle of surveying the area is divided into number
of parts forming which type of triangle
• (A)Isosceles triangle
• (B)Well conditioned triangle
• (C)ILL-conditioned triangle
• (D)Scalene triangle
 Question

• Which of the following is the longest main survey line on a fairly level
ground and passing the center of the area
• (A) Tie line
• (B) Check line
• (C) Base line
• (D) Curved line
 Question

• If you are assigned a task of survey for the construction of road, which
scale you will choose from the following
• (A)Full size scale
• (B)Reducing scale
• (C)Increasing scale
• (D)Enlarging scale
 Start of Survey Process

• PROCEDURE
• 1. Reconnaissance
• 2. Equipment – chain/tape, arrows, ranging rods, ranging poles,
offset rod, pegs etc
• 3. Marking stations
• 4. Triangulation
• 5. Locating details
 Reconnaissance

• Reconnaissance operations are conducted to get the idea about

the terrain and any special or difficult features(like is there a
river near the site, is it a desert, is it a mountainous area, is it a
marsh area) that may be encountered during a regular survey.
• Distance may be roughly estimated by pacing or by measuring
with tapes.
• Sufficiently notes and sketches are drown for further use during
such survey.
Reconnaissance
Measurement(Tapes)
 STEEL TAPES

• Steel tapes are made of galvanized steel or stainless steel

• Lengths from 1 m to 50 m
• Marked in meters, decimeters and centimeters with end
section in millimeters
• Costly but very accurate
• Can be pulled out with the handle and rolled back automatically
• • Used for accurate survey work
 ACCESSORIES

• 1. Ranging rods
• 2. Ranging poles
• 3. Arrows
• 4. Offset rod
• 5. Wooden pegs
• 6. Other equipment for clearing bushes, cleaning ground
Figure of some accessories