Methods and Unit 6: Surveying

Technologies used in Assignment

Surveying
MATT ELLMORE - 1023808
Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................2
The methods and technologies underpinning linear, levelling and angular measurements
surveys.......................................................................................................... 2
Linear surveys............................................................................................... 2
Levelling survey.............................................................................................2
Angular survey.............................................................................................. 3
Systematic errors found in surveying measurements....................................................3
what are systematic errors................................................................................3
examples of systematic errors............................................................................3
checks which can be done on total station to maintain accuracy..................................4
Bibliography.................................................................................................... 4

Criteria

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Introduction
There are three main methods for surveying, which all are used in a setting out project, and
use a variety of different equipment. These methods are old and have been used for years and
as the methods has stayed relatively the same the equipment that we have used has changed
with new technologies which speed up the process and achieve higher accuracy.
In this document I will explain the three methods; linear, levelling and angular surveys, and
will show their different use cases and how they are linked together to give a record of the
site’s layout and elevations.

The methods and technologies underpinning linear,

levelling and angular measurements surveys.

Linear surveys
This method of surveying is used to measure the
distance from a line feature on the site are, to
complete this survey the surveyor will need to
have a fibre tape, from 30 to 50 meters, a steel
tape of 8 meters and steel pegs to hold the fibre
tape tight and give accurate readings in the
running measurements.
This first thing to do to set up a linear survey is
to walk around the site and plan where the
framework should be, the framework is the
collection of linked linear surveys which will
cover the whole site and the positioning of the
framework is important so that it can cover all
the site. To makes the framework it square and
correct, tie lines are used to measure the
diagonals of the framework to make sure that
they are the same. Then a check line is additional
measurements which adjusts the framework to
the edge of the site.
Once the framework is set then the
measurements can start, this is a running
measurement which can be used to profile the
edges of paths, with a regular measurement from
the tape and the edge of the path, then they can
be plotted on a graph and the profile of the edge
of the path will be shown in plan, then methods
can also be used to location the whereabouts of
trees and bushed on site by using the trilateration
method where for distances longer than 5 meters
it is more accurate than the offset method. The
method is: measure the tape from the object to
the tape at and angle, then measure from the

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object again to the other side of tape measure so that an equilateral triangle is formed with
the two tape measures, this is more accurate as there are two measurement proofing its
whereabouts.

Levelling survey
This method is used to establish the elevation of the ground on site, this can be important to
work out cut and fill for highways, or to understand levelling of the ground for foundations.
The equipment required for this are an E staff, a fibre tape and an auto level, or a robotic
total station and a 360 prism can be used for higher accuracy as the measurements are not
done on line of sight.
The first step is to establish where the tape should go, as where the tape is, is where the
levelling survey will be located. Next set up the auto level and take a reading from the staff on
the OSBM to work out height of calumniation, then the survey can begin, firstly take a reading
at the start of the tape and record the reading on the staff and the distance on the tape (0m)
then move the staff to the next significant elevation change, this should not be regular but
just as many measurements as required to get an idea of the elevation, then record the
distance on tape and elevation on staff, carry this on until the end of tape. All points on the
tape should be intermediate sights only if the auto level has not moved and can see all the
points, if the auto level needs to change then the last point becomes a backsight then
continue with the survey. Once completed the survey then you can create a cross sectional
drawing from the data. It is important when creating the graph that you use an exaggerated
scale so that you can see the elevation realistically.

Another survey which utilises levelling surveying techniques is a grid survey, this is used to
understand the elevation of an area of ground and how the elevation changes throughout the
area. To do this a grid should be formed over the ground wanting to be surveyed, this can be
done using a series of tape measures, if the ground has visual elevation changes then the grid
should be smaller, like a 3x3, however if the ground is relatively flat then the grid can be
much greater, like a 5x5 or even a 8x8. Then using a total station and a 180 prism, the
elevation for each point on the grid. From this data you can workout the contours which is a
line which represents an elevation over the grid, this then can be used to interpretate the
ground, if the lines are closer together then the ground is steep and if they are really far apart
then the ground is relatively flat.

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Angular survey (traverse survey)
this method is used to measure the distances and angles of stations around a site, and by doing
this then the points can be located on site and the surveying of the site can commence. The
advantage of this method is that the angles of between each point can be predetermined
mathematically by using the formula [n-2]x180 where n is the number of points in the traverse.
There are two type of traverse surveys, open and closed. An open traverse is a survey where
the end is on a unknown point, this is mainly used in road construction as the start and end are
at two different points. A closed traverse is where the start and end are in the same point at a
known location, this is used on sites to in setting out a building, this method is more accurate
as if there is a difference between the height of calumniation of the two points then the
surveyor knows that there is a error in the exercise however in a open traverse then there is
no proper way in checking for errors.
Firstly in this method the total station is set to the backsight which is the ordinate benchmark,
and the distance and angle is recorded, then the total station set to the foresight, making sure
that the station is rotated to the inside of the traverse so the internal angle can be recorded,
then the reading of the distance and angle are recorded, the difference between the angles is
the angle between the two points.
Then move the station in between the foresight and the next point, the foresight will then be
the backsight and the next point will be the foresight, then the same method is applied to
work out the distances and angles. This is repeated for every point in the setting out and
finished with a foresight back onto the ordinate benchmarks. The accuracy of the setting out
can be determined by the total internal degrees recorded verses the mathematical formula
used before the traverse, if the accuracy of setting out is too far out then the traverse has to
be redone. An error that can occur is face left and face right, and this is common with total
station methods of setting out. When performing a closed loop traverse the reading from the
total station needs to be done from face left then spun around to face right so that any errors
due to the line of collimation not being perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The middle value
between the face left face right is taken as the correct reading.
To increase the accuracy of a traverse robotics can be used, because this is done with one
person it reduces the chance of gross errors, and the operator just has to hold the total station
vertical on the points being measured.

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Systematic errors found in surveying measurements.
what are systematic errors?
Systematic errors occur when system that is used to survey is wrong or performed inaccurately
leading to a pattern of errors. The way you can tell systematic errors from other errors is that
if the survey is performed again with the same method, equipment and climate conditions
then the errors would be the same.

examples of systematic errors

An example of systematic errors is Equalisation errors which occur mainly with automatic
levels, where the level is setup to close to one point and too far to the other. This means that
then recording the readings from the staff the error from the furthest point would be much
greater compared to the reading from the close point which would result in an incorrect
elevation from the two points. The correct way to setup the automatic level is to position it
approximately in the middle of the two points to reduce or limit the error.
Another systematic error that can occur is face left and face right error, and this is occurs with
total station methods of setting out. When performing a closed loop traverse the reading from
the total station needs to be done from face left then spun around to face right so that any
errors due to the line of collimation not being perpendicular to the horizontal axis. The middle
value between the face left face right is taken as the correct reading.
When using a total station is important to calibrate the system with the current climate
conditions, this is because measuring over long distances the reading can change if the
temperature is high or cold, the longer the distance the more accurate the surveyor needs to
be in the climate settings, however in shorter measurements it is not as important. The
information that the total station needs for the climate settings are temperature, humidity,
air pressure and wind speed, note that other climate information may be required.

checks which can be done on total station to maintain accuracy.

The first check which should be done is to see if the total station is level. Firstly set up the
total station on a tripod which is level to the accuracy of line of sight, then position yourself
and the machine so that 2 foot screws are on the bottom and one in front, then turn the two
foot screws in the same direction to line up the bubble on the y axis, then use the last foot
screw to direct the bubble to the centre once complete d the total station is level. A check to
see if it is level if to spin the machine and if level then the bubble with remain perfectly in the
middle.

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The second check is the horizontal circle check. Once the first check is complete then select
are far off point which is well defined, this should be at least a 100 meters away, then read
and record the horizontal angle, after that then turn the total station to the opposite face and
sight the point again and record the horizontal angle again, and the difference between the
two horizontal angles should be 180 degrees, but the angular error is the amount of degrees
off from 180.
For example, is the first reading was 180 0 0 and the second reading was 0 0 3 then the
distance between the angles is 179 59 57 meaning the angular error is 3 second and if the
stated accuracy of the machine is 5 seconds, then the machine would be accepted as accurate
because it is within its tolerance of accuracy. If it isn’t then the machine shouldn’t be used
and should be recalibrated or repaired.
The third check is vertical circle check. Firstly select a far of point which is at least 100
meters away, and record down the vertical angle scale, then transit the telescope so the
opposite face is sighting the point then record the angle. When you as the first reading with
the second the total should come to 360 degrees with a tolerance of 5 seconds.

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Evidence

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Bibliography
assignment 1 setting out Matt Ellmore 102308 - student's own work from previous
assignment
Checks on total stations – by lssltd

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