SURVEYING

Lecture 01 | Introduction
1. Definition of Surveying

2. Course Learning outcome

3. Objectives of Surveying

4. Classification of Surveying

5. Operation/process of Surveying

6. Principle of Surveying

7. Importance of Surveying

CONTENT OUTLINE
 Definition of Surveying

Surveying is the art of measuring distances, angles and

positions on or near the surface of the earth.

Surveying is the technique of determining the relative

position of different features on, above or beneath the
surface of the earth by means of direct or indirect
measurements and and represent them in a usable form, or
to establish the position of points or details.

Different methods and instruments are being used to

facilitate the work of surveying.
 Learning outcome

● student should be able to:•Understand elements of site

surveying

● Conduct principles and procedures in surveying

● Use scale measurement in survey

 Objective | Simplified

● To collect field data;

● To prepare plan or map of the area surveyed;

● To analyse and to calculate the field parameters for

setting out operation of actual engineering works.

● To set out field parameters at the site for further

engineering works.
 Objective | Detailed

The primary aims of field surveying are :

● Measuring the Horizontal Distance between points.
● Measuring the Vertical elevation between points.
● Assess the Relative direction of lines by measuring
horizontal angles with reference to any arbitrary
direction and
● Calculate Absolute direction by measuring horizontal
angles with reference to a fixed direction.

These parameters are utilised to find out the relative or

absolute coordinates of a point / location.
 SURVEYING
Plane Survey

Primary
Classification

Geodetic Survey

SURVEYING
Based on Method

Based on Instrument

Secondary
Classification
Based of Purpose

Based of Places

Classification
Primary Classification
 Primary Classification
Division/ Category
Based upon the consideration of the shape of the earth,
surveying is broadly divided into two types.

1. Geodetic Surveying

2. Plane Surveying
 Primary Classification
Division/ Category

1. Geodetic Surveying : In this branch of surveying, the true

shape of the earth/curvature is taken into consideration.
This type of surveying is being carried out for highly
precise work and is adopted for surveying of large area
(< 200 sq. km) and degree of accuracy is also great.
Geodetic survey is used to provide control points to
which small surveys can be connected

2. Plane Surveying: In this method of surveying, the mean

surface of the earth is considered to be a plane surface.
This type of survey is applicable for small area (less than
200 square kilometer).

This course is restricted to the different aspects of plane surveying. Henceforth, in this course work, the
word surveying implies plane surveying.
Secondary Classification
 Classification based on Method

An alternative classification may be based upon the

instruments or methods employed, such as:

1. Triangulation surveying
2. Traverse surveying:
 Classification based on Method

i) Triangulation surveying: In the triangulation method of

surveying method the entire surveying area initially is
divided into a network of triangles. There are two types of
triangles in surveying.

A. Well-conditioned triangle: All the angles are more than

30 degrees and less than 120 degrees.
B. ill-conditioned triangle: If any of the angles is less than
30 degrees or greater than 120 degrees, the triangle is
called an ill-conditioned triangle.

In triangulation surveying, the well-condition triangles are

preferred because of their Sharpe apex points.
 Classification based on Method

ii) Traverse surveying: In traversing the linear

measurements are taken with a chain. The angular
measurements are measured with a magnetic compass.
There are two types of traverse surveying is performed.

● The open traverse surveying is done for the surveying of

boundary lines, and road alignments.
● In closed traverse surveying, the surveying area is
enclosed within a closed boundary with survey lines.
 Classification based on instruments

An alternative classification may be based upon the

instruments or methods employed, such as:

1. Chain survey
2. Compass survey
3. Plane table survey
4. Theodolite survey
5. Tacheometric survey
6. Photographic surveying
7. Electromagnetic distance management (EDM) surveying
8. Total-station surveying
9. Photogrammetric survey
10. Satellite-based survey/ GPS

REFERENCE
 Classification based on instruments

Chain/tape surveying: Generally linear measurements are

taken with a chain and tape. But In Chain surveying, no
angular measurements are taken. The principle of chain
surveying is triangulation.

Compass surveying: In compass surveying both the linear

and angular measurements are taken. Horizontal angles are
measured with a compass ( prismatic or surveyors
compass) and linear measurements are taken with tape or
a chain.
It is also known as “directional surveying” or “bearing
surveying.”
 Classification based on places

1. Land Surveying
I. Topographical surveying
II. Cadastral surveying or Public land surveying
III. City surveying

2. Hydrographic surveying: The survey of water bodies such as

lakes, streams, and coastal waters.

3. Underground surveying: For the preparation of underground

plans, fixing the direction and layout of tunnels and shafts, etc.

4. Aerial Survey: Collecting geographical information using aerial

photography such as UAVs, balloons, helicopters, and airplanes.
 Classification based on places

1. Land Surveying
I. Topographical surveying
II. Cadastral surveying or Public land surveying
III. City surveying

2. Hydrographic surveying: The survey of water bodies such as

lakes, streams, and coastal waters.

3. Underground surveying: For the preparation of underground

plans, fixing the direction and layout of tunnels and shafts, etc.

4. Aerial Survey: Collecting geographical information using aerial

photography such as UAVs, balloons, helicopters, and airplanes.
 Classifications based on Purpose

Based on the purpose (for which surveying is being

conducted), Surveying has been classified into:

1. Control surveying
2. Land/cadastral/property/boundary survey
3. Topographic survey
4. Engineering survey
5. Route survey
6. Construction surveys
7. Astronomic surveys
8. Mine surveys
9. Geological Survey
10. Archaeological Survey
 Classifications based on Purpose

Based on the purpose (for which surveying is being

conducted), Surveying has been classified into:

1. Control surveying : To establish horizontal and vertical

positions of control points that serves as reference
framework to facilitate other surveys
2. Land/cadastral surveying : To determine the
boundaries and areas of parcels of land, also known as
property survey, boundary survey or cadastral survey.
3. Topographic survey : To prepare a plan/ map of a
region which includes natural as well as and man-made
features including elevation such as rivers, lakes, hills
etc.
 Classifications based on Purpose

4. Engineering survey: To collect requisite data for planning,

design and execution of engineering projects such as roads
and reservoirs, or those connected with sewage disposal or
water supply.
Three broad steps of Engineering survey are:
A. Reconnaissance survey : To explore site conditions and availability
of infrastructures.
B. Preliminary survey : To collect adequate data to prepare plan /
map of area to be used for planning and design.
C. Location survey : To set out work on the ground for actual
construction / execution of the project.

5. Route survey : To plan, design, and laying out of route

such as highways, railways, canals, pipelines, and other
linear projects.
 Classifications based on Purpose

6. Construction surveys : Surveys which are required for

establishment of points, lines, grades, and for staking out
engineering works (after the plans have been prepared and
the structural design has been done).
7. Astronomic surveys : To determine the latitude, longitude
(of the observation station) and azimuth (of a line through
observation station) from astronomical observation.
8. Mine surveys : To carry out surveying specific for
opencast and underground mining purposes.
9. Geological Survey: This is used for determining different
strata in the earth’s crust.
10. Archaeological Survey: This is used for unearthing relics
of antiquity.
Operations
 Operations in Surveying

1. Planning:
● Deciding method/resource/control, points
2. Field Work:
● Collection of field data by making necessary measurements
● Recording of observed data in a systematic manner.
3. Office Works
● Processing, analysing and calculation of observed data;
● Making of a plan or map of the area
● Computation of relevant field parameters as per design
4. Setting out Works
● To locate and establish different parameters / dimensions at the
site as per design for further engineering works.
 A satisfactory survey consists

● Field work.
● The field notes.
● The calculations.
● The permanent record.

Unless what each of these items implies is completed in a

thorough and workmanlike manner, the survey will be
imperfect, and usually inadequate. Such surveys commonly
prove to be both unsatisfactory and expensive.
Principles
 Principles of Surveying

There are two basic principles of surveying in civil

engineering. Those principles of surveying are as follows:

i. To work from whole to part.

The purpose of working from whole to part is
● to localise the errors and
● to control the accumulation of errors.

ii. 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. (At least 2 Fixed reference points)
 Let’s assume we need to survey the area of
ABCD.

During the measurement of the main survey

lines (i.e. AB, BC, CD, DA) suppose there was an
error in measuring CD.

Since CD is incorrect. So now if we calculate

the area at a whole, the error in line CD will
affect the total area.

But if we divide the total area into a

framework of triangles, the error in line CD
will no affect the total area. Hence the error
will be minimized.

REFERENCE
Explanation: Working whole to part
 Let’s assume we need to locate point X. two reference
points A and B are selected as fixed points and the length
AB is accurately measured.

The numbers 1 and 2 indicate the two measurements to be

taken.

Fig 1.1 - Here the lengths AX and BX are measured

Fig 1.2 - Here the angular measurements XAB and XBA are
measured and plotting these angles protractor, the position
of X can be determined.

Fig 1.3 - Here a line XC perpendicular to AC is measured

then, the position of X can be determined with the help of a
set square.

Fig 1.4- Here the angle XAB and distance AX are measured.
Then plotting angle XAB by protractor and extending the
length up to AX, the position of point X can be determined.

REFERENCE
Explanation: 2 fixed reference
Importance
 Importance of Surveying

● To prepare graphical data such as plan, section of an area to be

covered by the project. From these prepared maps and sections
the best possible alignment, amount of earthwork and other
necessary details depending upon the nature of the project can
be calculated.
● The planning and design of all Civil Engineering projects such as
railways, highways, tunneling, irrigation, dams, reservoirs,
waterworks, sewerage works, airfields, ports, massive buildings,
etc. are based upon surveying measurements.
● During execution of the project of any magnitude is constructed
along the lines and points established by surveying.
 Importance of Surveying

● The measurement of land and the fixation of its boundaries

cannot be done without surveying.
● The economic feasibility of the engineering project cannot be
properly ascertained without undertaking a survey work.
● The execution of hydrographic and oceanographic charting and
mapping requires.
● Surveying is used to prepare a topographic map of a land surface
of the earth.