MANILA: Room 206, JPD Building, CM Recto Avenue, Manila

CEBU: 4/F J. Martinez Bldg., Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City

Telephone Number: (02) 516 7559 (Manila) E-Mail: buksmarquez1 @yahoo.com
(032) 254-9967 (Cebu)

Refresher MODULE – M20 – Construction Surveying and Layout

Construction Surveying – often called “stake-out”, “lay-out” or “setting EDM – also known as Electronic Distance Measurement. It is a method
out”. It is an essential part of construction that is performed to
of determining the length between two points using
establish reference points and markers that will guide the
construction. It is also referred to as field engineering. electromagnetic waves. It is commonly carried out with
theodolites
Stakes / Survey Stakes – used to established control of alignment and Plumb Bob – also known as plummet, is a pointed object (made of wood,
grade during construction. Serve as markers to prepare job stone, lead or other metals) that is suspended from a string
sites and to mark out property boundaries. Stakes are usually and is used as a vertical reference line. It is a precursor to the
made of wood and have different uses: alignment stakes, spirit level and used to establish a vertical datum.
offset stakes, grade stakes, and slope stakes.
Sight Level – used in taping to keep the tape horizontal; and in leveling
Principles of Construction Staking to keep from setting the leveling instrument above or below
 Face Stakes in the Correct Direction the level rod. It consists of a metal tube on which a level vial
 Use the proper size stake is attached.
 Set stakes within tolerance Chaining Pins – also called the field engineer’s arrows. These pins are
 Place it solidly used to mark intermediate points when taping.
 Place it centered Range Poles – are used to make points in a surveying job more visible.
 Always Label This helps maintain alignment for taping and gives the
 Color Code the Flagging instrument person a target to sight on when turning an angle.
Steel Tapes – used in surveying for measuring horizontal, vertical, or
SURVEYING POINT FLAGGING COLORS
slope distances. It is typically made of steel ribbon varying in
Primary Control Red/White/Blue
Secondary Control Red/White width from 6 mm to 16 mm and available in lengths of
Building Control Red 1,2,10,30,50 and 100 meters.
Benchmark White/Blue Level Rods – also known as level staff. It is a graduated rod used to
Temporary Benchmark White determine differences in elevation of certain points.
Slope Stake Red/Blue
Finished Grade Blue Fieldwork Practices
Safety – a concept that includes all measures and practices taken to
Field Books / Field Notebooks – are used by surveyors to record data preserve the life, health, and bodily integrity of individuals. It
and make notes while they’re on a job site. They often contain can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to
information about field measurements and locations, as well achieve an acceptable level of risk.
as any topographical data. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – clothing or equipment designed
to reduce workers’ exposure to hazards when on worksite. It
Prob. To gather data and information in construction surveying, field is the last line of defense when engineering and
notekeeping is employed. What are some of the basic administrative controls are not feasible to reduce the risk to
practices for field notekeeping? acceptable levels.
I. Record Data Exactly Safety Equipment – include warning signs, safety cones, flashers and
II. Keep Field Book Safe barricades, etc.
III. Leave No Room for Interpretation
IV. Make References Measurement Principles
Weight – degree of reliability of a certain measurement
A. I. only B. I and III only
C. I, II, and III only D. All of the above Mistakes vs Errors
Mistakes – often arise due to carelessness, lack of understanding of the
Trend Charts – are simple but effective tools that show activities that are plans, lack of knowledge about measurement techniques as
ahead of schedule, on schedule or behind schedule. well as lack of knowledge about measure equipment.
Errors – are primarily due to human limitations or slight imperfections in
Common Tools and Equipment in Construction Survey the manufacturing of surveying instruments.
MISTAKES ERRORS
Tripod – a device used to support surveying instruments such as transits, due to human limitations or slight
due to carelessness
theodolites, total stations or levels. imperfections in equipment
Transit – an optical instrument with a built-in spirit level designed for large, costly typically small
can be reduced by employing proper
surveying and building construction. It is used for measuring can be eliminated by
techniques, math formulas, or proper
horizontal and vertical angles. It uses Vernier scales and checking and re-checking.
procedure.
external graduated circles for angular readings.
Theodolite – a surveying instrument with a rotating telescope (internal Systematic / Cumulative Errors – errors resulting from the observer, the
magnifying optical system) used in measuring horizontal and instrument, and the environment. The nature of this type of
vertical angles. Theodolites tend to have a more precise error is cumulative –it tends to increase in magnitude so long
reading and provide greater accuracy in measuring angles as conditions remain constant.
Accidental / Random Errors – errors that are beyond the control of the
than transits do.
surveyor. They are probabilistic in nature and often tends to cancel out.
 MANILA: Room 206, JPD Building, CM Recto Avenue, Manila
CEBU: 4/F J. Martinez Bldg., Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City
Telephone Number: (02) 516 7559 (Manila) E-Mail: buksmarquez1 @yahoo.com
(032) 254-9967 (Cebu)

Precision vs Accuracy Procedures for Zenith Angle Measurement:

Precision refers to the degree of consistency of a group of observations  Level the instrument
Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measurement to its true value  Direct sight with the horizontal crosshair
 Read and record the direct vertical angle
Angle Measurement
Horizontal Angle – angles measured in a horizontal plane  Reverse sight with the horizontal crosshair
Vertical Angle – angles measured in a vertical plane  Read and record the reversed vertical angle
 Average the angles
Interior Angles – are horizontal angles that are measured from an
instrument that is set up on a point that is located between [Nov 2018/Nov 2021] In the standard practice of measuring vertical or
two points. These are often measured to determine the angle zenith angles, the following practices are of great importance:
of a closed geometric figure. I. Be sure the instrument is level
Deflection Angles – are horizontal angles that are measured from a II. Sight with the vertical cross-hair
prolongation of a preceding line. The measuring instrument is III. Sight exactly on the target
set up on the end of a line and sighted back onto that line.
IV. Sight direct and reverse
Angle Measurement – when it is desired to determine the value of an
angle between two lines, the angle is measured Which standard practices are true?
Angle Layout – when you want to locate a point on the jobsite and an A. I. only B. I and III only
angle needs to be turned to locate it, you are performing C. I, III, and IV only D. All of the above
angle layout
**One should direct sight with the HORIZONTAL CROSS HAIR**
Procedures for Field Angle Measurements
Direct – the simplest method of angle measurement and is performed Which of the following is the correct sequence in measuring traverse
most often by persons in the field. Angles are turned just one angles?
time to the points that are being established
Direct and Reverse – this process involved doubling angles which is used I. Turn the angles: direct and reverse
to eliminate instrumental errors and increase the precision of II. Locate the traverse points in the field
the angles turned. The angles are measured twice. III. Get the sum of all interior angles and compare it to (n-2)(180)
Closing the Horizon – this method is used as a simple check to ensure IV. Determine the average angle
that the angles about a point add up to 360 degree
Traverse Angles – measured when the relative location of a series of A. I, II, III, IV
control points to each other is needed. This involves B. I, III, II, IV
measured all of the angles of the traverse and determining if
C. II, IV, I, III
the traverse is a closed geometric figure.
D. II, I, IV, III
Layout – happens when control points have been established and direct
and reverse traverse angles have been measured. Angles will
be obtained from the plans or from calculations to layout the
construction points on the site. In the laying out of horizontal angles in the field, the following practices are
of great importance:
Measuring Traverse Angles (Standard Traverse Angle Practices)
 Locate the Traverse Points in the field I. Set the instrument to zero
II. Sight the instrument toe the foresight target
 Turn the angles direct and reverse
III. Release zero and turn the angle
 Determine the Average Angle IV. Sight towards the point
 Get the sum of all interior angles and compare it to (n-2)180 V. Mark line on the point

Horizontal Angle Layout A. I, III, IV, V

 Set-up on a control point B. I, II, III, IV
 Set the instrument to Zero (00°00°00°) C. I, II, III, V
 Sight the instrument to the backsight target (Important) D. All of the above
 Release zero and turn the angle
 Sight towards the point After setting the instrument to zero (00°00°00°), it is important to
sight the instrument to the “backsight” target.
 Mark line on the point
 Double-Center if Critical

Vertical or Zenith Angles

Standard Practices:
 Instrument is level
 Sight with Horizontal Crosshair
 Sight Exactly on the Target