Question 1(a) Answers

i. Geodetic Surveying- can be used to map out the entire continent, measure size and shape
of the earth or in carrying out scientific studies such as determination of the earth’s
magnetic field and direction of continental drifts.
ii. Cadastral Surveying- is another branch of surveying used to determine property
boundaries for example, boundaries of fields, houses and plots of land, legislative area
and even countries
iii. Engineering Surveying- these are surveys undertaken to provide information for
construction of civil engineering and building projects. It is used to determine the exact
position of objects on the earth’s surface whether natural or man-made.
iv. Topographical Survey- these are surveys where physical the features on the earth’s
surface such as hills, valley, mountains, rivers and man-made features like roads and
houses are measured and maps prepared to show their relative positions both horizontally
and vertically.
v. Hydrographic Surveying- hydro survey is undertaken to gather information in the marine
environment and used for off shore oil exploration and production, design, construction
and maintenance of harbors, inland water routes, pollution control and ocean studies.

Question 1(b) Answers

i. It is used for setting benchmarks which are points used to measure the elevation of a
construction site.
ii. It is used to monitor the progress of a construction project.
iii. It is used to make sure that the work is of high quality and meet the required standards.
iv. It is used to estimate the quantity of materials needed for a construction project
v. It is used to determine the best location for a construction project looking at factors like
terrain, the presence of water bodies and the availability of utilities.

Question 1(c) Answers

Geodetic Surveying Plane Surveying

Uses more precise instruments and modern Uses normal instruments like chain,
technology like GPS measuring tape, theodolite
 Survey accuracy is high
Used for large scale projects
The earth surface is considered as curved
surface
The line joining any station as considered
spherical
Survey accuracy is low
Used for smaller scale projects
The earth surface is considered plain surface
The triangle formed by any three points is
considered as plain

Question 2(a) Answers

i. Planning: It involves determining the purpose of the survey, the location of the survey
and the type of equipment that will be needed. It also includes creating a budget and
timeline for the project.
ii. Fieldwork: This is when the actual surveying is done. It includes setting up equipment,
taking measurements and recording data.
iii. Processing: This is when data collected in the field is used by the surveyors to create
accurate representations of the site. The data is also used to create plans and profiles
which are two-dimensional representations of the site.
iv. Reporting: This is when the results of the survey are presented in a report or other format.

Question 2(b) Answers

i. Principle of working from whole to part- this surveying principle involves laying down
an overall system of stations whose positions are fixed to a fairly high degree of accuracy
as control, and the survey of details between the control points maybe added on the frame
by less elaborate methods.
ii. Location of point by measurement from two points of reference- the relative position of
the desired points to be surveyed must be located by taking the measurement from at least
two points of reference.
iii. Consistence of work- keeping consistency in the method, instrument, reading, noting
observations helps to gain the desired level of accuracy
iv. Accuracy required- the proper method and instrument must be used for the survey work
on the basis of the degree of accuracy required.
v. Independent check- every measurement that is taken in the field must be re-checked by
an independent field test method and observations
Question 2(c) Answers
 i. Chain Surveying- it’s a process of taking direct measurement although not necessarily
with a chain and is the simplest and oldest form of land surveying of an area using linear
measurements only. It uses chain or tape measure to measure distances and angles
ii. Compass Surveying- it measures the direction of the survey line by using a magnetic
compass with linear measurements made using the chain or tape.
iii. Plane table surveying- it’s a quick survey carried out in the field with the measurements
and drawings made at the same time using a plane table.
iv. Theodolite surveying- is a method that uses a theodolite, which is a precision instrument
that can measure horizontal and vertical angles.
v. Total station surveying- this method uses a total station which is an electronic instrument
that combines the functions of a theodolite, electronic distance meter and data collector.
This instrument can take measurements and record data in one step.
Question 3(a) Answers
i. Engineering Surveying- these are surveys undertaken to provide special information for
construction engineering and building projects.
ii. Remote sensing- can be used to create detailed maps of an area
iii. Cadastral surveying- surveys undertaken to define and record the boundary of properties,
legislative area and even countries
iv. Plane survey- is a method that uses plane table to measure horizontal and vertical angles.
v. Geodetic survey- they are used to map out the entire continent, the size and the shape of
the earth
Question 3(b) Answers
i. A surveyor has a responsibility of completing the task required in the most efficient
manner and on time
ii. A surveyor has a responsibility to the client or employer to produce what the client
requires within the budget restraints
iii. A surveyor has a responsibility to the community to ensure that work undertaken does not
damage property or interfere with community members
iv. A surveyor has a responsibility to ensure that all members of the team the training needed
v. A surveyor has a responsibility to adhere to laws and regulations that govern their work
such as those related to land use
vi. The role of a surveyor is to accurately measure the earth’s surface
vii. The role of a surveyor is to plan and design projects that will be built on the surface
viii. The role of a surveyor is to map out the location of features on the earth’s surface
ix. The role of a surveyor is to record measurements made
x. The role of a surveyor is to interpret those measurements and create maps and plans
based on the measurements
xi. A surveyor’s task involves the determination of property boundaries i.e. cadastral
surveyor
xii. A surveyor’s task involves the location of detail on the earth’s surface for the production
of maps i.e. topographical surveyor
xiii. A surveyor’s task involves the setting out of buildings, sewers, drains and bridges and the
preparation of detailed drawings and plans i.e. engineer surveyor
xiv. A surveyor’s task includes the setting out of mine lease boundaries i.e. mine surveyor
xv. A surveyor’s task includes determining the size and shape of the earth i.e. geodetic
surveyor
Question 4(a) Answers
i. Instrumental errors- includes errors like imperfect adjustment, defective level bulb, tripod
legs loose, staff not vertical and staff standardized lead to erroneous readings
ii. Errors of manipulation- it includes errors like careless levelling up of the instrument, the
bulb not being central at the time of taking reading, the parallax not removed properly
and the staff not being held vertical
iii. Errors due to settlement of level and staff- its an error when staff and level are set up on
soft ground hence resulting in errors in levelling
iv. Error due to natural causes: it’s when curvature and refraction, sun and wind makes
correct readings impossible.
v. Common mistakes in levelling: these are mistakes like reading the staff upwards instead
of downwards, the staff held upside down, entering a reading in the wrong column,
reading the wrong number of metres and decimeters and the staff not being fully
extended that causes errors in levelling
Question 4(b) Answers
i. Accuracy- is a measure of how close a measurement is to the true value
ii. Precision- is a measure of how close a series of measurements are to each other
iii. Error- is the difference between a measurement and the true value
iv. Correction- is a change made to a measurement to account for error
Question 4(c) Answers

Question 5(a) Answers

i. Levelling- is the process of determining the difference in elevation between two or more
points on the earth’s surface
ii. Datum- is a reference point from which all other measurements are taken
 iii. Level surface/Level line- level surface is a theoretical plane that is perfectly horizontal
and level line is a line tangent to a level surface
iv. Horizontal line/Horizontal surface- a line that is tangential to a level line at any particular
point and is perpendicular to the direction of gravity at that point
v. Datum surface- is an imaginary horizontal plane that is used as a reference point for
levelling
vi. Reduced level- the elevation of a point above or below the adopted datum
vii. Benchmark- is a fixed point of reference having a known elevation above or below a
particular datum
viii. Backsight- the first sight taken after setting up the level instrument
ix. Foresight- the last sight taken before moving the instrument to a new position
x. Intermediate sight- any sight taken between backsight and the next foresight
xi. Turning point-is point at which the direction of levelling changes
Question 5(b) Answers
i. Levelling staff
ii. Level
iii. Tripod
iv. The dumpy level
v. The automatic level
vi. The digital level
vii. The electronic level
viii. The theodolite level
ix. The global positioning system (GPS)

QUESTIONS

Question 1(a): Write brief notes on five branches of surveying [10 marks]

Question 1(b): Explain 5 uses of engineering survey in the civil construction industry [5 marks]

Question 1(c): Tabulate the difference between geodetic and plane surveying. [5 ]

Question 2(a): State and explain the basic procedure of all surveys [10 marks]

Question 2(b): List and explain five principles of engineering survey. [5 marks]

Question 2(c): List and explain five methods used in surveying [5 marks]

Question 3(a): Briefly define the following terms as used in site surveying [5]

i. Engineering Surveying
 ii. Remote sensing

iii. Cadastral surveying

iv. Plane survey

v. Geodetic survey

Question 3(b): State five responsibilities of a surveyor, five roles and five tasks of a surveyor
[15]

Question 4(a): List and explain five sources of error in levelling [10 marks]

Question 4(b): Describe the following terms [4 marks]

i. Accuracy

ii. Precision

iii. Error

iv. Correction

Question 4(c): With the aid of diagrams give a clear and precise distinction between accuracy
and precision. [6]

Question 5(a): Define the following terms used in levelling [10]

i. Datum

ii. Level surface/Level line

iii. Horizontal line/Horizontal surface

iv. Datum surface

v. Reduced level

vi. Benchmark

vii. Backsight

viii. Foresight
 ix. Intermediate sight

x. Turning point

Question 5(b): List three surveyor’s levelling instruments and also five other types of level.