Introduction to Surveying

MODULE 1 LESSON 1
Surveying

mathematical science used to determine and delineate the form, extent, and position
of features on or beneath the surface of the Earth for control purposes—that is, for
aligning land and construction boundaries, and for providing checks of construction
dimensions. Land boundaries are set or measured for accurate description; the
topography of landforms and natural or artificial objects are depicted on maps; and
major construction and civil engineering works such as dams, bridges, railways, and
roads are controlled by surveying methods. The measurements of a survey are
linear or angular, and principles of geometry and trigonometry are usually applied.
 TYPES OF SURVEYING
I. PLANE SURVEYING
Plane surveys treat any small segment of land or water as a horizontal plane. Such surveys are
customarily projected and calculated on a horizontal rectangular grid, oriented north-south and
east-west, although the grid can be oriented in an arbitrary, rather than true, north-south direction.
From a given starting point, or station, of known or assigned coordinates, the horizontal distance is
measured to another point, then to another convenient point, and then to succeeding points, to
close on the original point or on any point of known coordinates. A succession of such lines or
courses forms a traverse.
II. GEODETIC SURVEYING

For large areas, surveys must take into account the basic shape of the Earth, the geoid, and are therefore
called geodetic surveys. These surveys are based on a spheroidal shape approximating the geoidal or
geographic (nearly spherical) shape of the Earth at sea level. They are based on a true north-south
meridian as defined by the Earth's rotational axis and on spherical geometry. Typically, a road-route
survey extending for many kilometers would require geodetic adjustment to avoid accumulation of
error resulting from the convergence of meridians.
III. LAND SURVEYING
Land surveys are made to establish boundaries of land areas by setting corner markers or
monuments, to ascertain coordinates of these corners, and to obtain boundary and area information
required for record-deed descriptions and for plotting areas of property. Property surveys are
accomplished with a degree of precision depending on the value of the land involved, and permanent
visible and recoverable monuments are set at the corners. These markers are desirable for public
record and to ensure correct title for the rightful owner of the land. In addition to surveying
techniques, land surveyors must also be knowledgeable in property law; registration of practitioners
is usually required by law.
IV. TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYING
Topographic surveys are three-dimensional; they employ the techniques of plane surveying and
other special techniques to establish both horizontal and vertical control. The relief or configuration
of the terrain and the natural or artificial features are located by measurement and depicted on a flat
sheet to form a topographic map. Contour lines, connecting points of the same elevation, are used to
portray elevations at any one of various intervals measured in meters or feet. Much topographic
mapping is done by means of aerial photogrammetry, which uses stereoscopic pairs of photographs
taken by aerial surveys and, more recently, from artificial Earth satellite. Horizontal and vertical
ground surveys must appear in the photographs. These photos are then reconstituted into stereo
models for drafting true-scale maps. Precise cameras are required; and precision-mapping equipment
is used to depict natural and artificial objects in true position and to show true elevations for all
points in the mapped area. Elevations on topographic maps are shown chiefly by use of
superimposed contour lines, connecting points of equal evaluation, to give a readable picture of the
terrain.
V. ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION SURVEYING
Engineering surveys establish control points by traverse, baseline, or other methods to obtain
information required for engineering designs and to set out construction from design drawings by
use of these control points. Topographic surveys, and the maps produced by them, provide
horizontal location information and elevations needed for the design of structures such as
buildings, dams, canals, roads, bridges, power lines, and sewers. Using the engineering designs,
these works are then laid out from the same control points used in the original engineering
surveys. Construction surveying involves the guidance and supervision of engineering surveying
dealing with the laying out and building of highways, bridges, dams, tunnels, buildings, and
other structures.
VI. CARTOGRAPHIC SURVEYING AND CARTOGRAPHY
Surveys to set control points and to obtain detail for map and chart making are called cartographic
surveys. Charts and maps of a small scale (covering large areas) are compilations of larger-scale
maps with much detail omitted. Coastal charts depict the shoreline, but show only significant
navigation aids along the shorelines and indicate water depths. Air-navigation charts show only
significant geographical features, obstructions, air lanes, radio beacons, and guidance features such
as railways and roads.
VII. HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING
The surveying and mapping of sea, river, harbor, or lake bottoms to ensure safe navigation depths
are done by hand soundings located by observations to or from control points on shore. Sonar
soundings with simultaneous radar-type location of the sounding vessel also permit rapid and exact
charting. Farther out from the shore, less accuracy of location results; Loran devices are used for this
purpose, and satellite-navigation devices are also used for fairly accurate offshore positioning of
vessels furnished with modern equipment.
 BASIC SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS

1. Transit or Theodolite - use to measure angles

2. Tripod and Level Rod
3. Surveying Tape - use to measure horizontal distances
FILED NOTES - records of the results of field measurements sketches and related
observations
Types of Notes

1. Sketches
2. Tabulations
3. Explanatory Notes

4. Computations

5. Combinations of the above

Rules for Field Notes

1. Record all field data carefully in a field book at the moment they are determined

2. All data should be checked at the time they are recorded. If possible, two members of the field
crew should take the same reading independently.
3. An incorrect entry of measured data should be neatly lined out, the correct number entered next to
or above it.
4. Field notes should not be altered, and even data that are crossed out should still remain legible.

5. Original field records should never be destroyed even if they are copied for one reason or another.
6. A well-sharpened medium hard pencil should be used for all field notes.
7. Sketches should be clearly labeled, including the approximate north direction. Do not crowd
sketches together on a page.
8. Show the word VOID on the top of pages that for one reason or another are invalid; put a diagonal
line across the page.
9. The field note should contain the name, address and phone number of the owner, in ink, on the
cover. At least one page at the front of the book is reserved for the table of contents. Pages should be
numbered throughout the field book.

10. Each new survey should begin on a new page.

11. For each day of work, the project name, location and date should be recorded in the upper corner
of the right-hand page.

12. It is good practice to record the instrument type and serial number, as well as the weather
conditions on the day of the survey.
 Information Found in the Field Notebooks

1. Title of the field work or Name of the Project

2. Time of Day and Date
3. Weather Condition
4. Names of Group Members and their Designations
5. Lists of Equipments
 The Field Survey Party
1. Chief of Party - the person responsible for the overall direction, supervision, and operational
control of the survey party. He is also responsible for the logistical and technical requirements, and
problems of the field survey operation.

2. Assistant chief of Party - the person whose duty is to assist the chief of party in the
accomplishment of the task assigned to the survey party.

3. Instrumentman - the person whose duty is to set up. level and operate surveying instruments
such as the transit, level, theodolite, sextant, plane table and alidade, etc.

4. Technician - the person who is responsible for the use and operation of all electronic instruments
required in a field work operation.

5. Computer - the person whose duty is to perform all computations of survey data and works out
necessary computational checks required in a field operation.
6. Head Tapeman - the person responsible for the accuracy and speed of all linear measurements with
tape.
7. Recorder - the person whose duty is to keep a record of all sketches, drawings, measurements and
observations taken or needed for a field work operation.
8. Rear Tapeman - the person whose duty is to assist the head tapemen during taping operation and in
other related work.

9. Flagman - the person whose duty is to hold the flagpole or range pole at selected points as directed by
the instrumentman.

10. Rodman - the person whose primary duty is to hold the stadia or leveling rod when sights are to be
taken on it.
11. Pacer - the person whose duty is to check all linear measurements made by the tapeman.

12. Axeman/ Lineman - the duty is to clear the line of sight of trees, brush and other obstructions in
wooded country.
13. Aidman - the person whose duty is to render first aid treatment to members of the survey party.

14. Utilitymen - the persons whose duties are to render other forms of assistance needed by the
survey party, or as directed by the chief of party.