Arba Minch University

Institute of Technology
Department of Civil Engineering
Course name: Surveying
Target group: G-2-AUP (A-C)

Shimelis Girma (M.Sc.)

 Chapter 1
Introduction to Surveying
Content

• Definition
• Need for surveying
• Types and principles of surveying
• Types of Surveying
• Principles of surveying

• Sources of errors
• Types of errors
• Accuracy and precision in surveying
• Some of surveying instruments
Definition
Surveying is the science and art of determining the
relative position of various points and those points are
found: above,
on or
beneath the surface of the earth.
• The relative positions are determined by measuring
• horizontal distance,
• vertical distances (elevations),
• horizontal angles and
• vertical angles
Surveying is the technique, profession and science of
determining the terrestrial or 3D position of points
through measurement of distance and angles between
them
Need for surveying

• To collect data which can be used for the preparation of

plan of buildings, roads, railways, pipelines, canals, etc.

• To layout dimensions shown on a design plan in order to

define precisely the field location for the proposed
project
Or
• To setout the prepared plan to the field location
Types of surveying

• Primary division of surveying

• The division is made on the basis of geometry of the
earth i.e. whether the curvature of the earth is considered
or assumed to be a flat plane.
• Because of the nature or curvature of the earth’s surface,
the measured distances on earths are actually curved
• However, when the distances are small, there is no
significant difference between the curved distances and
chord distance, and the curvature of the earth can be
neglected.
Types of surveying
• Primarily divisions:
• Plane surveying
• Geodetic surveying
 Plane surveying
• Curvature of the earth is neglected and it is assumed to
be a flat surface.
• All distances and horizontal angles are assumed to be
projected on to a horizontal plane.
• < 250 sq. km
• <18.5 km curve distance and chord distance is less
than 10mm.
Types of surveying
• Primarily divisions:
 Geodetic surveying

• Curvature of the earth is taken in to consideration, and a

very high standard of accuracy is maintained.

• The main objective is to determine the precise location

of a system of widely spaced points on the surface of the
earth.
Types of surveying
• Secondary classifications of surveying
a) Classification based upon nature of field:
• Land Surveying
• Marine Surveying
• Astronomical Surveying

b) Classification based on purpose:

• Geological Surveying
• Mine Surveying
• Archaeological surveying
• Military surveying
Types of surveying
• Secondary classifications of surveying
c) Classification based on instruments used:
• Chain surveying
• Compass surveying
• Plane table surveying
• Theodolite surveying
• Tacheometric surveying
• Photographic surveying

d) Classification based on methods used:

• Triangulation surveying
• Traverse surveying
Principles of surveying

• The general principle of surveying:

• To work from whole to part
• To locate a new station by at least two measurements
(linear or angular) from fixed reference point or Fixing a
point with reference to two fixed points
Sources of errors

• The true value of any quantity is never known.

• The true value of a quantity is a value which is
absolutely free from all types of errors.
• Error:
• is a value difference between measured (calculated or
observed) value of a quantity and its true value.
• Depending up on the source the errors can be classified:
a. Instrumental errors
b. Personal errors
c. Natural errors
Sources of errors

a. Instrumental errors:
• Errors occur due to imperfection of the instrument used
b) Personal errors:
• Errors occur due to human limitations, such as sense of
sight and touch.
c) Natural errors:
• Errors caused by changes in natural phenomena, such as
temperatures, winds, humidity, refraction, and magnetic
field
Types of errors

• Errors in surveying can be broadly classified into the

following three types.
i. Gross errors or Mistakes or blunders
ii. Systematic or cumulative errors
iii. Accidental or random errors

i. Gross errors or Mistakes or blunders

• Occur in measurements due to carelessness, inattention,
inexperience or poor judgment of the surveyor.
• E.g, if the surveyor reads 13m on a tape as 31m
Types of errors
ii. Systematic or cumulative errors
• Follow some well-defined mathematical or physical law
or system.
iii. Accidental or random errors:
• random in nature.
• do not follow any fixed pattern or law.
• can be positive or negative.
• errors occur due to:
• imperfection in the instruments
• human limitation or
• change in atmospheric conditions
Accuracy and precision in surveying
• Accuracy:
• the degree to which the result of a measurement,
calculation or specification conforms to the correct value
or a standard
Or
• Degree of conformity (closeness) of the measured to a
standard or true value.
• Precision:
• refers to the closeness of two or more measurements to
each other
Or
• how closely repeated measurements or observations
come to duplicating measured or observed value.
Accuracy and precision in surveying

• Very accurate surveys are both expensive and time

taking.
• Before commencing any survey work the following
factors must be considered:
• purpose of survey
• degree of precision required for that purpose.
• nature and extent of the country.
• source of error.
• availability of time for both fixed and office work.
• cost of the survey.
Surveying instruments
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