ST.

JOHN PAUL II COLLEGE OF DAVAO

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Physically Detached Yet Academically Attached

Week 4
Lesson Title Control Surveying
Differentiate the types and classes of control surveys, identify
Learning Outcome(s) necessary control stations to be used, and familiarize the
process of control surveying.
Time Frame

At SJPIICD, I Matter!
LEARNING INTENT!
Terms to Ponder
This section is where you can have a better understanding of the definition of
terminologies used in this topic and throughout the simplified course pack of
General Surveying 1. You may refer to this section in case of difficulties in
understanding the content of the course pack. I suggest you also take these
terms by heart to store the definitions in your long-term memory and use them
in the next courses that you will take.

Ellipsoidal height or geodetic height is the distance represented by a

coordinate pair on the reference ellipsoid to the point on the surface of the
earth which is measured along a line perpendicular to the ellipsoid.

Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system for capturing,

storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth's surface.

Land Information System (LIS) is a geographic information system for

cadastral and land-use mapping, typically used by local governments.

The orthometric height of a point on the Earth's surface is the distance from
the geoidal reference surface to the point, measured along the plumb line
normal to the geoid.

Traverse is a series of connected lines whose lengths and directions are to be

measured.

Triangulation is a surveying method that measures the angles in a triangle

formed by three survey control points.

Trilateration is a method of surveying in which the lengths of the sides of a

triangle are measured, usually by electronic means, and, from this information,
angles are computed.

Essential Content
CONTROL SURVEYS

A control survey provides a framework of survey points, whose relative

positions, in two or three dimensions, are known to prescribed degrees of
accuracy. The areas covered by these points may extend over a whole country
and form the basis for the national maps of that country. Control surveys
provide horizontal and vertical positions of points to which supplementary
surveys are adjusted.

The methods used for control surveys are:

SCP GE 100 | 41
 ST. JOHN PAUL II COLLEGE OF DAVAO
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Physically Detached Yet Academically Attached

Traversing
Triangulation
Trilateration
A combination of triangulation and
trilateration
Satellite position fixing
Inertial position fixing

While these above-mentioned methods

establish a network of points, single points
may be fixed by intersection and/or
resection.

CONTROL SURVEYING

Control Surveying is the determination of the precise position of a series of

stations distributed over an area to serve as the origin or reference for checking
subsequent surveys used in engineering projects like property delineation,
topographic and hydrographic mapping, and construction planning and design.
Control networks which cover the whole country have been conducted with
better accuracy and less stringent technique,
with the use of artificial satellites. These
stations are linked to local networks that
have been adapted for special surveys
connected with projects such as dams, roads,
railways and pipelines, large or small
construction sites, etc. The purpose of a
control system is to prevent the accumulation
of errors, by connecting detail work to a
consistent geometrical system of points,
which are accurate enough for the project.
Great care is taken to ensure that this control
is sufficiently accurate.

CLASSES OF CONTROL SURVEYS

Control Surveys shall be fixed in a position on the surface of the earth by

monuments of permanent nature. As per DAO No. 2007-29, control surveys are
defined and classified into geodetic and project control surveys.

Geodetic control surveys consist of triangulation, traverse, trilateration, GPS,

and any combination, which together with leveling and astronomic
observations. It determines the accurate geographic positions of points on the

the determination of the position of points through satellite surveys or

photogrammetric aerial triangulation. Geodetic control surveys shall be made
under the general instruction contained in the special publications used by the
Coast and Geodetic Surveys Department of NAMRIA for the first, second, and
third-order control work.

Project control surveys consist of traverse, triangulation, or any combination,

which together with leveling, shall determine the positions of control points
between stations of geodetic accuracy over an area of limited extent, such as
isolated tracts of lands, group settlements, barangay areas, municipalities or
group of municipalities. There are three classes of project control namely:

Primary Control azimuth shall be determined to the nearest one second

of the arc, and the distances shall be measured twice to the nearest
millimeter, taking into account the temperature, sag, pull, grade, and sea
level correction when using a survey tape.

SCP GE 100 | 42
 ST. JOHN PAUL II COLLEGE OF DAVAO
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Physically Detached Yet Academically Attached

Secondary Control azimuth shall be determined to the nearest fifteen

(15) seconds of arc or less and the distances shall be measured once to
the nearest millimeter, taking into account the temperature, sag, pull,
grade, and sea level correction when using a survey tape.
Tertiary Control azimuth shall be determined to the nearest one minute
of arc or less and the distances shall be measured once to the nearest
centimeter, taking into account the temperature, pull, sea level, and sag
corrections when using a survey tape.

CONTROL STATIONS

Control stations are usually small marks set immovably into the ground such
that the instrument or optical target can be set up above it, to an accuracy of
about 1mm in the horizontal plane. These include the horizontal control points
(latitude/longitude or plane coordinates), vertical control points (orthometric or
ellipsoidal heights), gravity values, and in some but rare cases, crustal motion
values (movement of points). A control point may have one or more of these
values attached to it. Control stations are vital in the establishment of the

giving locations of data entered into Land Information System (LIS), and
Geographic Information System (GIS).

In the past, vertical and horizontal control points are independently

established, but the common practice today in creating control networks
requires the establishment of points with known horizontal and vertical
measurements. Control points in the survey must be consistent with all other
points in the geodetic control, not just within that particular survey.

Control stations are not positioned in a predetermined location. It is normally

established by selecting a location where a control station would be useful and
is secured from being disturbed or moved. After the establishment of the
station, precise measurements are taken to determine where it has been
exactly placed.

Factors are influencing the control station position. They are as follows:

For setting out purposes or determination monitoring, it should be

placed where relevant places and features can be recognized easily
without obstruction in the line of sight. If the station is for combination
with other similar stations, then the different lines of sight from the
stations should form a well-conditioned shape, so that the positions of
the observed points will be found to be the greatest possible accuracy.
To fix the exact position of a new control station, it must be visible from
at least two (or more) other control stations. Sometimes, additional
control stations are introduced into a network because they will be
visible to several useful stations and will, therefore, improve the accuracy
to which reflect satellite signals towards the receiver.
If the station is to be used for GPS, then a large area of the sky should be
visible at the station, and there should not be any obstructions that
might affect satellite signals towards the receiver.
When leaving an instrument at a station, the station must be located in a
secure place to prevent the instrument from being stolen or disturbed
while the surveyor is away.

HORIZONTAL CONTROL

Horizontal control is made up of two or more points on the ground, established

either permanently or semi-permanently, and precisely fixed in position
horizontally by distance and direction, or coordinates.

SCP GE 100 | 43
 ST. JOHN PAUL II COLLEGE OF DAVAO
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Physically Detached Yet Academically Attached

Horizontal control can be established by the traditional ground surveying

methods of precise traversing, triangulation, trilateration, and a combination of
these basic approaches, or by the more current approaches like GPS. Also,
astronomical observations have been used to determine azimuth, latitude, and
longitude. Photogrammetric techniques have also been used to establish more
stable control in an area.

Until recently, triangulation and trilateration were found to be the most

economical method for establishing basic control for mapping projects
extending over large areas. These techniques are of use in GPS, which has not
only proven to be highly accurate but also more efficient. Monuments whose
positions have been established through higher-order control surveys and
referenced in the state plane coordinate systems are used to initiate surveys for
all types, but unfortunately more are needed in most areas.

VERTICAL CONTROL

Vertical control is provided by benchmarks in or near the track to be surveyed,

and it becomes the foundation for correctly portraying relief on topographic
maps. Vertical control is usually established by running lines of differential
levels starting from and closing on established benchmarks.

Project or temporary benchmarks are established

in planned locations, normally located near and
around the project area, and their elevations are
determined by including them as turning points in
differential leveling lines. With the rapidly growing
popularity of total stations, trigonometric leveling
has become practical and is now frequently used to
establish vertical control for mapping, especially in
rugged areas. GPS surveying may also be suitable
for establishing vertical control but the ellipsoidal
heights must first be converted to orthometric
height to become useful.

PROCESSES OF CONTROL SURVEY

SCP GE 100 | 44
 ST. JOHN PAUL II COLLEGE OF DAVAO
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Physically Detached Yet Academically Attached

To assess accessibility of the project area,

conditions of existing project control, and
Doing possibility of alternative project routes and points
Reconnaissance To assess feasibility of field methods and
alternative techniques and limitations in
environmental conditions

To assess the appropriate type of survey

Laying the markers to use, intervisibility of desired
project points, and sky visibility at desired
Stations points for astronomic observations or GNSS
positioning

Distance Different ways are done to measure lengths

Measurement
through satellite technology techniques.

Direction Bearing and angle measurements are

Establishment essential in surveying.

Position Determination of coordinates, may it be

Determination plane, map or geographic.

SELF-SUPPORT: You can click the URL Search Indicator below to help you further understand the lessons.

Search Indicator
Chandra, A. (2005). Surveying Problem Solving with Theory and Objective Type
Questions.

La Putt, J.P. (2014). Elementary Surveying 3rd Edition. Baguio Research and
Publishing Center.

Schofield, W. (2001). Engineering Surveying Theory and Examination Problems for

Students Fifth Edition. Butterworth-Heinemann.

SCP GE 100 | 45