CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

THE POLYTECHNIC, IBADAN.

STUDY GUIDE

ON

ENGINEERING SURVEY I

SUG 208

BY

A. G. Okeniyi

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Definition
Engineering survey is a branch of the engineering arts that deals with the production of
construction documents (drawing) used for setting out of an engineering project and the
preparation of “as built” drawing. It is similar to other engineering subjects like theory or design
of structures in the sense that
apart from the possession of common sense and the interest for the subject, mathematical
background and power of imagination are also required.

1.2 Principles of Engineering Surveying

These principles are in addition to the general principles of survey. They summarize the general
characteristics and processes of engineering survey.

(i) Possibility of chosen two points and take observations between them will always be
ascertained.

(ii) Other points are located relative to the previous ones.

(iii) In engineering surveying observations (measurements) are generally horizontal vertical or

angular
(iv) Presentation of engineering measurements, made to an approved scale.

1.3 Scope of Engineering Surveying

The following are relative to a particular type of engineering project:

(a) Consultation to relevant existing document, site observations and preparation of scaled
drawing of an engineering project.
(b) Setting out of an engineering project and construction control and supervision.
(c) Presentation of AS BUILT or AS MADE drawing for record purpose especially in road or
railway construction. For pipe line it is termed “AS LAID” d1awing.

1.4 TYPES AND SCALE OF PLANS

The types and scales of plans for construction of engineering project is normally dictated by
type of the proposed project. However, for any type of project the following types of plan
required for its construction from its beginning to end.

(i) Survey Plan – Produced with reference to the original site survey (Family survey)

(ii) Location Plan – Prepared to describe the location of project.

(iii) Setting out / foundation plan – This shows the relation between different points.

(iv) Working Plan

(v) Record Plans: These are “as built” and “as laid” drawings (plans)

1.5 Setting Out

Setting out in engineering term could be defined as a practical/physical process where position
and
levels of any new engineering project -already recorded on a working drawing are transferred
to the
ground. . The process of setting out involves the following control measures:
Horizontal Control: Ensuring accurate positioning of relative points on horizontal plane.
Vertical Control: Correct definition of elevated points. . Works Control: Measures proper
verticality, accurate excavation and control of embankment slope?
Stages of Setting Out Are:

(1) Base Line: This may be any of these,

i. Center line of a new road, railway e.t.c.

ii. Building line for small and domestic project
iii. Center of columns or stanchions in large project.
iv. A line parallel to the longest construction line.
(2) Subsidiary lines, obtained from the base line.
(3) Reference marks: Needed in case of destruction of the setting out pegs. Characteristics of
reference
marks are:
i. Not like to be disturbed
ii. Easily located
iii. Possibility of alternative pegs for location makes easy.

Assignment
Describe the procedure of setting out for:
(i) Sewers and drains (FT: 1st 20, DPP: 1st 70 )
(ii) Roads and railways (FT: 2nd 20, DPP: 2nd 70)
(iii) Buildings (FT: last 20, DPP: last 60)
2.0 C U RVES
2.1 Introduction

Curves as related to civil engineering practice is that portion of a route or alignment at

which there is a continuous change of direction, while moving along the length of the route.
Curves are generally required in the design of roads, railway, kerb lines, pipelines, tunnels e.t.c,
it may be horizontal (circular and transition curves) or vertical in nature and consists of the
operations of design and setting out. Circular curves are also known as triangle curves. They are
curves of constant radius and it is required to connect two straight legs on the ground. and it
may be set out using several methods based on the magnitude of its length and radius.

Fig. 1: Element of curves

2.2 Analysis of Curve

In analyzing curves mathematically, it is important to note that;

1. Every curve is part of a circle.

2. A curve line is connection of small line at constant change of angle

(direction), within digital concept

Now, considering Fig. 1 above, the subject curve for analysis is AHB. Within the concept of any
route oriented civil engineering project like roadway, this curve is fixed to connect first leg with
second leg of the plotted chained and traversed route under Basic Principles in Surveying II.

The following terms are used to define the various parts of the curve:
ϴ = angle of deflection / deviation
 T= AP = PB = Tangent length

R= Radius of the curve

L = AHB =. Arc length

B = crown/ apex of the curve

A = Tangent point 1 ( TP 1)

B = Tangent point 2 (TP 2)

AB = Chord (long) to the curve (C)

AH = HB = small chord ( c)

HM = Height of the crown or versed sine of the chord

2.3 Curve data formulae

1. Tangent length, T: considering the right angle triangle OAP = OBP, angle ½ϴ is opposite of
the Tangent length T,

Tan ½ϴ = T/R

T = R Tan ½ϴ (i)

2. Arc Length, L: by simple proportion of the circumference of a circle and the angle
substended, Fig. 2.
θ

θ
2𝜋𝑅
360

Fig. 2: Curve length and the angle substended in a circle

 ⁄ = ⁄

L = ⁄ , θ considered in degree

L = R θ, θ in radian (ii)

3. Deflection angle (ʆ): These are small angles at which the small straight lines are connected to
form a particular curve or circle. An elemental curve line appears straight to overlap with an
elemental chord line substending deflection angle (ʆ) with two (2) equal radius, R;

Sin ʆ = ⁄

Note, further research analysis beyond the scope of this class gave the following needed
expression.

ʆ = 1718.9 ⁄ in minutes (iii)

4. Versed sine (MH): It is the off-set from long chord line to the apex of the curve, which must
be estimated. Considering the right angle triangle OMA = OMB in Fig. 1,

OM = R Cos ½θ

While, MH = R – OM
MH = R – R Cos ½θ
MH = R (1 – Cos ½θ) (iv)

2.4 Radius and Degree of Curve

From the definition, the degree of curve widely adopted is the angle substended at the centre
by an arc of 100m. Thus, consider an arc 100m substending angle, D which is equal to the angle
of deviation,

Then, RD = 100

R= X , since D is in degree.

Therefore,

R= , D is the curve degree

Exercise
A 20m chords are required for setting out a curve, calculate the deflection angle if angle, θ at
intersection is 40.

2.5 Designation of Curves

Curve can be designated in two ways, namely;
(a) By radius, this has being the usual method 6. g 400m curve, 600m curve e. t. c
(b) By the number of degrees of the angle subtended at the center by a chord 100m links long
e. g 2° chord e. t. c.

2.6 Methods of Setting out

Circular curves may be set out using;
i. One theodolite and a tape.
ii. Two theodolites
iii. Tape or chain only
iv. Optical square Coordinates.
Meanwhile Methods (i) and ( ii) are treated for this class.

Method One
Setting-out using one theodolite and a tape. As usual, chords should not be more than ⁄
in length

Procedure:
a) Calculations in the office
(i) Obtain the first sub-chord c' = C - EA

(ii) Calculate deflection angle (ʆ) for chord length C from ʆ = 1718.9 x ⁄ (minutes).
(iii) Calculate deflection angle (ʆ) for the first sub-chord cl from ʆl = cl ⁄ .

(iv) Estimate the final sub-chord and it’s deflection angle ʆ" = c” ⁄

(v) Prepare a table of deflection angles to obtain values for various points,
(Hint, ½θ = ʆ' + ʆ + ʆ + ... + ʆ + ʆ”)
b) Field work of setting-out
(i) Set up instrument at point A
(ii) From point A set out ʆ' using the angular value in table a(v) above
(iii) Take first chord point a distance cl from point A on the line to that first chord point.
(iv) Again, from point A set out ʆ'+ ʆ for the line to the second chord as in (iii)
(v) Repeat the same process to set out the remaining pegs
(vi) Note that first chainage point from B on BF will be C - c“.

Example
Tabulate the setting out data requ1red to peg a circular curve using a theodolite and tape at a
continuous chainage with pegs at interval of 25m, if the two straight AP and PB intersect at an
angle of deflection of 12o 20l. It is expected that the two straights will be connected by a curve
radius 600m while the chainage of the intersection point is 1 + 273.1
k.

The setting out data is generated by tabulation from 00o 00l 00ll directional reference from A
through P, see Table 1 below.
Table 1: Setting out data using one theodolite and a measuring tape

When the curve is to deflect from B to the left, the telescope will be traversed anticlockwise, The
deflection angle to be set out are (360 - ʆ’), (360 - (ʆ’ + ʆ)) etc.

Method Two
Setting-out using two theodolites: This method is generally adopted when the ground between the
tangent points A and B is of such character that chaining or taping proves difficult e.g very steep, slopes,
water lodge area etc points. For this approach, Fig.3, two surveyors (in white) and two instruments as
well as one Assistant (in brown) with orange ranging pole are needed.
Considering Fig. 3 below, it will be seen that if deflects angle ʆE from the tangent length AP and the
theodolite at B so set that it deflects 360o - ½θ + ʆE from tangent length PB, the two lines of sight will
intersect at point B. Hence, to locate B, the Assistant surveyor is directed in direction of the broken blue
arrowed line to point D, then points C and E thereafter. At these points, the cross hairs in the field of
view of both instruments intercept the ranging pole, the two Surveyors will identified and inform the
Assist. Surveyor to mark the point respectively. The process is repeated to locate other points.
 Fig. 3: Setting out using two theodolites

Thus, using our previous example, the setting out data is obtained as follows.
Table 2: Setting out data using two theodolites
2.7 Possible Difficulties In Setting Out Curve
Normal procedure of setting out on site may be prevented by following two common
obstructions. Meanwhile, problems of this feature can easily be overcome if setting out is done by
means of co-ordinates system.
(1) The inaccessible intersection point (P) e.g. route along mountain for road projects.
(2) Obstructions to sighting the deflection angles e.g when sighting to position pegs for setting out is
obstructed building structures

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