Mulungushi University

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Third Year 2nd Semester– Civil
Engineering
Lecturer: Frank Mwangilwa
MSc Eng. , MEIZ, R.Eng
 Course contents
1. Introduction to surveying
2. Chain surveying
3. Levelling
4. Angular Measurements
5. The Co-ordinate Systems
6. Areas and volumes for earth works
7. Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing
 Prescribed Text Book：
1. Bannister A. and Raymond S. 2002. Surveying, 8th Ed. Longman Group, ISBN 0
582 98862 4

Recommended Text Book：

1. 1. Kahmen H. and Faig W. Surveying, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin. 1988
2. Shepherd F.A. Engineering Surveying, Problems and Solutions, Edward Arnold
Publishers. 1983. ISBN 0-7131-3478-X
3. Uren J.,and Price W.F., Surveying for Engineers, 3rd ed. MacMillan 1994, ISBN
0-333-57705-1.

4. Schofield W. Engineering Surveying Volume I, Butterworths 1984.

5. Schofield W. Engineering Surveying Volume II, Butterworths 1984
6. William I & Maclennan F, Surveying for construction, 5th Ed. McGraw-Hill,
2006, London
7. Ramsay J. P. Wilson, Land Surveying, 3rd Ed. Macdolnald and Envans Ltd, 1985,
Suffolk
Mode of delivery：
Lectures: 4 hours per week
Tutorials: 1 hour per week

Laboratory: 3-hour session per week

Evaluation:
Continuous Assessment (CA) : 40 %
Assignments/Quizes 5%
Tests 20 %
Field Assignments 10 %
Group Project 5%
Final Theory Examination: 60 %
Total: 100 %
 Policy

 Professional behavior expected

 punctual
 courteous, respectful and non-distractive
 TURN cell phones OFF or switch it to a vibration
mode in class
 Academic dishonesty
 representing the work of others as your own will
result in a grade of 0.0 for the course. In most cases,
formal disciplinary action will also be initiated
 How to do well in this course

 Study/Read the literature

 Do the homework/assignments
 Find a study group
 Utilize office hours
 Ask questions during office hours
 Review homework/assignments and exam solutions
 If you are having trouble, let me know
 Contacting The Instructor
Outside of Class and Office Hours

 Make an appointment in class or office hours

Chapter 1: Introduction to Surveying

Road map:
1. Definition
2. Scope of surveying
3. Units of measurements
4. Measurements and errors
5. Maps and plans
 1.1 Definition of Surveying

“Those activities involved in planning and execution of

surveys for the Location, Design, Construction,
Operation and Maintenance of Civil and other
Engineering Projects”
1.1 Definition of Surveying

Surveying is the process of determining

the relative position of natural and
manmade features on or under the
earth’s surface by measuring the
horizontal and vertical distances,
angles and presentation of this
information either graphically in the
form of plans or numerically in the form
of tables, and the setting out of
measurements on the earth’s surface
 Objective of Surveying

To prepare a map or
To establish the To select a suitable
plan. To show the
boundaries of land site for an
relative position of
engineering project.
objects on the
surface of the earth
 Uses of Surveying
 To prepare a Topographical Map which shows hills, valleys,
rivers, forests, settlements etc.

 To prepare a Cadastral Map which shows the boundaries of

fields, plots, houses and other properties

 To prepare Engineering Map which shows the properties of

engineering works such as buildings, roads, railways, dams,
canals, etc.
 To prepare a Contour Map to know the topography of the area
to find out the best possible sites for roads, railways, bridges,
reservoirs, canals, etc.
 To prepare Military Maps, Geological Maps, Archeological
Maps etc.
 To set out works and transfer details from the work on the
ground.
Topographical Map
Cadastral Map
Engineering Map
Contour Map
Geological Map of Zambia
Archeological Map of Zambia
Military Map
 Primary Divisions of Surveying
Plane Surveying
 Type of surveying in which the earth is considered
as a plane and the curvature is ignored.
 In such surveying, the line joining two stations is
considered straight.

Geodetic Surveying
 Type of surveying in which the curvature of the
earth is taken into consideration.
 The line joining any two stations is considered as
curved line.
 Plane surveying Vs. Geodetic surveying

Plane Surveying Geodetic Surveying

1 The earth surface is considered as a plane surface The earth surface is considered as curved surface

2 The curvature of the earth is ignored The curvature of the earth is not ignored

3 The line joining any two stations is considered to The line joining any two stations is considered as a curved
be straight line line
4 The triangle formed by any three points is The triangle formed by any three points is considered as
considered as a plane spherical.
5 The angles of the triangles are considered as plane The angles of the triangles are considered to be spherical
angles
6
 Fundamental Principles of Surveying

Principle 1 Principle 2

LOCATE A POINT BYATLEAST TWO

WHOLE TO PART
MEASUREMENTS

Locate a new station by atleast two

Always work from whole measurements whether linear or
to part angular from fixed reference points
 Objective of Surveying
 The object of surveying is the preparation of plans and
maps of the areas.

 The earliest surveys were performed only for the

purpose of recording the boundaries of land. Due to
advancement in technology, the science of surveying
is now called Geomantic Engineering.

 The practical importance of surveying cannot be over-

estimated. In the absence of accurate maps, it is
impossible to lay out the alignments of roads,
railways, canals, tunnels, transmission power lines,
and microwave or television relaying tower.
 Principle 1

 In surveying large areas, a system of control

points are identified and located with high
precision.

 Then secondary points are located using

lesser precise methods

 The details of the localized areas are

measured and plotted wrt the secondary
control points
 Principle 2

 After deciding the position of any point, its reference must be kept from at least two
permanent objects or stations whose position have already been well defined
 That is…Control points are selected in the area and distance between them is
measured accurately. A line joining these two points is plotted to scale on a drawing
sheet.
 The desired new point can be plotted by making suitable measurements from the
given control point
 The new stations are located by linear or angular measurements or by both
Classification of Surveying
 Classification of Surveying

 Chain Survey: This is the simplest type of survey in which only linear measurement are made with a
chain or a tape
 Compass Survey: In compass survey angles are measured with the help of a magnetic compass.
 Chain and Compass survey: In this survey linear measurements are made with a chain or a tape and
angular measurements with a compass.
 Plane Table Survey: It is graphical method of surveying in which field works and plotting both are done
simultaneously.
2. Surveying Based on Instruments
 2. Surveying Based on Instruments
CHAIN Simplest type of surveying in which only linear measurements are made with a chain or tape
SURVEY
 2. Surveying Based on Instruments
COMPASS This type of survey is used to determine angles with the help of a magnetic compass
SURVEY
 2. Surveying Based on Instruments
LEVELLING This type of survey is used to determine the vertical distances (elevation) and relative heights of points
SURVEY
with the help of an instrument known as level
 2. Surveying Based on Instruments
PLANE It is a graphical method of surveying in which field works and plotting are done simultaneously
TABLE
SURVEY
 2. Surveying Based on Instruments
THEODOLITE It’s a precision instrument for measuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes
SURVEY
2. Surveying Based on Instruments
TACHEOMETRIC It’s a system of rapid surveying by which positions; both horizontal and vertical of points
SURVEY on the earth’s surface relatively to one another are determined without using a chain or tape
or a separate leveling instrument
2. Surveying Based on Instruments
EDM SURVEY Electronic distance measuring instrument is a surveying instrument for
measuring distance electronically between two points through electromagnetic
waves.
Classification based on Purposes
Geological Survey: In this both surface and subsurface surveying are
conducted to locate different minerals and rocks. In addition, geological
features of the terrain such as folds and faults are located.

Mine Surveying: Mine surveys include both surface and underground

surveys. It is conducted for the exploration of mineral deposits and to guide
tunneling and other operations associated with mining.

 Archeological Survey: It is conducted to locate relics of antiquity,

civilization, kingdoms, forts, temples, etc.

Military Survey: It has a very important and critical application in the

military. Aerial surveys are conducted for this purpose. It is conducted to
locate strategic positions for the purpose of army operations.
Classification based on Purposes
 Triangulation: Triangulation is a basic method of surveying. When the area to be surveyed is large,
triangulation is adopted. The entire area is divided into a network of triangles.

 Traversing: A traverse is a circuit of survey lines. It may be open or closed. When the linear measurements
are done with a chain and tape and the directions or horizontal angles are measured with a compass or a
theodolite respectively, the survey is called traversing.
Classification Based on Nature of Fields
Land Survey: Land survey is done on land to prepare plan and maps of a
given area. Topographical, city, cadastral survey are some of the examples
of land surveying.

Hydrographic survey: This surveys are conducted on or near the body of

water such as lake, river, coastal area This survey consists of locating
shorelines of water bodies.

Astronomic Survey: The surveys are conducted for the determination of

latitudes, longitudes, azimuths, local time, etc. for various places on the
earth by observing heavenly bodies.

 Aerial Survey: An aerial survey is conducted from aircrafts, aerial cameras

take photographs of the surface of the earth in overlapping strips of land.
This is also known as photography survey.
The process of surveying is in three stages namely:

 Taking a general view or RECONNAISSANCE

 Observation and measurements
 Presentation of data
 Uses for survey data
 To measure and plot relative positions of both man made
and natural features
 Setting out man made features on the ground (e.g.
buildings, roads, canals etc)
 Survey measurements used in calculating areas and
volumes of materials during construction projects
 Survey data used in producing infrastructure maps used
in decision making
 Survey data used in producing maps used for navigation
 Precise survey measurements used in determining the
shape and size of the earth and monitoring earth
movements
 Geodetic Survey

 Precise measurements over large areas

 Earth curvature taken into account

 Sophisticated equipment and software used

 Used for scientific studies such as determination

of shape of the earth and monitoring earth
movements
 Determination of earth magnetic field
 Plane Surveying braches
 Topographic surveys
 Producing maps depicting earth topography, which
includes natural and man made features
 Engineering surveys
 Embraces survey works before, during and after
any engineering construction works
Plane Surveying braches

 Cadastral surveying
 Performed to produce property boundary
maps for legal purposes
 Hydrographic surveys
 Performed in marine environment e.g.
coastlines and lakes
Survey measurement
Methods of making measurement on earth
 Direct methods (involve direct measurement in the
field)
 Conventional surveying
 Astronomic measurements (measuring to
stars
 Satellite geodesy (measuring to satellites)
Indirect methods
Basic principles in Surveying
 Principle of working from the whole to the part
 Fundamental rule to work from the whole to the
part`
 Always have precise control followed by subsidiary
survey
 Errors that may arise are then contained within the
framework
 Importance of scientific honest
 Honest is essential in field work and booking notes
 This applies to the surveyor and assistants

 Check on measurements

 back
Basic principles in Surveying
 Check on measurements
 All surveys should be checked in such a way that
the errors will be apparent before the survey is
complete
 Concentration and care are necessary in order that
all necessary measurements are taken
 Survey records and computations such as field
notes, level books, field books, setting out records
and sketches should be kept clear so that others
can easily understand them
 All measurement should be checked to avoid
expensive mistakes
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.3 Units of measurements

1.3 Units of measurements
 There are three systems used for plane angles, namely the sexagesimal, the
centesimal and radiants (arc units).
 Sexagesimal measure angles in degrees (°), minutes (Ꞌ) and
seconds (ꞋꞋ) of arc, i.e.

and an angle is written as, say, 125° 46Ꞌ 35ꞋꞋ.

The centesimal system is quite common in Europe and measures angles in gons (g),
i.e.
1 gon = 100 cgon (centigon)
1 cgon = 10 mgon (milligon)
1.3 Units of measurements
1.3 Significant Figures
 Engineers and surveyors communicate a great deal of their professional
information using numbers.
 that the number of digits used, correctly indicates the accuracy with which the
field data were measured
 By definition, the number of significant figures in a value is the number of digits
one is certain of plus one usually the last, which is estimated
 The number of significant figures should not be confused with the number of
decimal places.
 further rule in significant figures is that in all numbers less than unity, the number
of zeros directly after the decimal point and up to the first nonzero digit are not
counted.

 For Example:
 Two significant figures: 40, 42, 4.2, 0.43, 0.0042, 0.040
 Three significant figures: 836, 83.6, 80.6, 0.806, 0.0806, 0.00800
1.3 Significant Figures
1.3 Significant Figures
In multiplication and division, the answer should be rounded off to
the number of significant figures contained in that number having
the least number of significant figures in the computational
process.
For instance, 214.8432 × 3.05 = 655.27176, when computed on a
pocket calculator;
however, as 3.05 contains only three significant figures, the correct
answer is 655.
Consider 428.4 × 621.8 = 266 379.12, which should now be
rounded to:
 266 400 = 2.664 × 105, which has four significant figures.
Similarly, 41.8 ÷ 2.1316 = 19.609682 on a pocket calculator and
should be rounded to 19.6.
As a general rule, when field data are undergoing computational processing which involves several intermediate stages, one extra
digit may be carried throughout the process, provided the final answer is rounded to the correct number of significant figures.
Rounding off numbers

 It is well understood that in rounding off numbers,

54.334 would be rounded to 54.33, whilst
54.336 would become 54.34.

However, with 54.335, some individuals always round up, giving 54.34, whilst
others always round down to 54.33. This process creates a systematic bias and
should be avoided.

 The process which creates a more random bias, thereby producing a more
representative mean value from a set of data, is to round up when the preceding
digit is odd but not when it is even. Using this approach:
 54.335 becomes 54.34,
 whilst 54.345 is 54.34
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors
1.4 Measurements and errors