DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION 2021

SECOND YEAR MAIN EXAMINATION FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
DEGREE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING, BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN CIVIL
ENGINEERING, BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
GGE 1205: SURVEYING 1
DATE: 2nd DECEMBER 2021 TIME: 11.00am-1.00pm
Instructions: ATTEMPT QUESTION ONE AND ANY OTHER TWO QUESTIONS
QUESTION ONE [30 MARKS]
(a) Clearly elucidate the following terms as used in Surveying. [4 Marks]
(i) Bearing
(ii) Precision
(iii) Level surface
(iv) Height of collimation
(b) Briefly discuss the following modern methods of surveying.
(i) Global Navigation Satellite Systems [2 Marks]
(ii) LiDAR [2 Marks]
(c) In levelling across a river, reciprocal levelling observations provided the following results
for staves held vertically at A and B from levels’ station X and Y on each bank respectively.
Staff reading of A from X= 2.753m
Staff reading of A from Y=3.030m
Staff reading of B from X= 3.550m
Staff reading of B from Y=3.895m
Given the reduced level of A as 1973. 47m above mean sea level, determine the
reduced level of point B. [3 Marks]
(d) Determine the actual distance AB measured by a near-infrared beam of light generated by
an EDM and propagate through the atmosphere, given that the modulated frequency of
signal was 32MHz, the actual group refractive index (na) for atmosphere at the time of
observation was 1.004, the velocity of electromagnetic energy in vacuum was

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 2.998×108m/sec, the phase angle of the return signal was 98˚ 33’ 47″, and the number of
full wavelengths was 27. [4 Marks]
(e) Discuss three main methods for fixing positions in a horizontal plane. [6 Marks]
(f) The levelling data was collected and booked as shown in table 1. The main purpose was to
determine the existing ground level of a proposed standard gauge railway route from bench
mark A which has reduced level 1593.721m above the datum and closed on another
benchmark B at chainage 0+300 with a reduced level of 1593.323m above datum. Using
rise and fall method prepare the field book sheet and determine the reduced levels for the
all chainages. Also apply the arithmetic checks and distribute the error of closure
appropriately. (You must show your working) [9 Marks]
Table 1
Station (m) Backsight (m) Intermediate Foresight (m)
foresight(m)
A 3.244
0+00 2.791
0+50 0.871
0+75 4.011
0+100 1.782 2.432
0+110 0.997
0+120 2.334
0+140 1.324
0+150 3.018 3.717
0+200 4.013 2.718
0+220 3.336
0+250 3.227 4.771
0+275 2.901
0+300 2.444

QUESTION TWO [20 MARKS]

(a) Briefly differentiate between the spirit level levelling and precise levelling. [4 Marks]
(b) Surveying is based on simple fundamental principles which should be taken into
consideration to enable one achieve good results. Discuss [6 Marks]
(c) Using angles to the right as shown in figure 1 calculate the azimuths and back azimuth
of lines: B-C, C-D, D-E, E-F and F-A. [5 Marks]

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 Figure 1
(d) To check the adjustment of the dumpy level, pegs A, B, C and D were set out on a
straight line such that AB=BC=CD=25m. The level was first set up at peg B and
readings were taken to a staff at peg A and then at peg C. The level was then moved to
D and readings again taken to a staff held first at A and then at C as shown in table 2.
Table 2
Instrument position Staff Reading (m)
B 2.972 m at peg A 2.372 m at peg C
D 3.595m at peg A 3.045m at peg C
Determine using two-peg test method: Whether or not the instrument is in adjustment
and if not compute the collimation error and determine the adjusted staff readings at
peg A and C from instrument at peg D and the reduced level of station C given the
reduced level at peg A as 3146.789m above datum. [5 Marks]

QUESTION THREE [20 MARKS]

(a) Briefly explain the role played by the following instruments in surveying and mapping
technologies. [5 Marks]
(i) GPS receiver
(ii) Level
(iii)Total station
(iv)Compass
(v) Ranging rods
(b) A field was measured using 30 m chain which in real senses is supposed to be long by
15cm. The area was calculated as 320m² after applying correction. Later it was found that
the chain is supposed to be short by 15 cm, calculate the true area. [4 marks]
(c) Discuss Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM) instrument and the principle it
employs in distance measurement [5 Marks]

(d) Determine the area of Parcel shown in figure 3 using coordinate method [6 Marks]

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 Figure 3
QUESTION FOUR [20 MARKS]
(a) With an aid of the diagrams, discuss the following basic surveying methods
(i) Plane surveying [2 Marks]
(ii) Geodetic surveying [2 Marks]
(b) Discuss how sag and inconsistent pull introduce errors in chain surveying illustrating how
these errors can be corrected [4 Marks]
(c) A sewer line is to be laid from point A to L such that the elevation of sewer line at station
L coincides with the existing ground level at the same point. Table 3 shows the leveling
data recorded for the existing ground. Complete the field book sheet using height of
collimation method given the reduced level at station K as 1714.123m. Also, determine the
depth of excavation or fill at point J and F given that the gradient of the sewer line from
station L to A is -1 in 50. Also apply the arithmetic checks. (Show all the working).
[12 Marks]
Table 3
Station Back sight (m) Intermediate Foresight Remarks
Foresight (m) (m)
BMA 2.123 BM@A
A 1.771 0+000m
B 2.918 0+020m
C 3.912 4.001 0+030m
D 2.555 0+040m
E 2.798 0+045m
F 4.211 3.011 0+050m
G 2.418 0+055m
H 3.223 0+060m
I 2.781 0+070m
J 2.717 1.791 0+100m
K 3.221 R.L0+120
1714.123
L 1.918 0+130m

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QUESTION FIVE [20 MARKS]
(a) Using suitable diagram, discuss the following uses of levelling highlighting also how are
applicable in the field of building technology
i. Longitudinal profiling [2 Marks]
ii. Cross- section profiling [2 Marks]
iii. Contouring [2 Marks]
(b) All survey operations are subjected to errors of observations and it is thus essential to know
their characteristics, magnitudes and behavior in order to be in a position to assess whether
the observations conform to the required standards of accuracy for particular technique
applied. Giving examples discuss the three kinds of errors that may be encountered in
surveying. [6 Marks]
(c) Table 4 shows the observed lengths (in meters) and azimuth for an open traverse.
Determine the coordinates of pints T2 to T6 given the coordinate of point T1 as
(124317.234mN, 99457.657m). [8 Marks]
Table 4

Traverse Azimuth Distance (m) Final Final Remarks

line Northings(m) Easting (m)
TR1

T1-T2 71045'57" 988.235 TR2

T2-T3 129043'39" 801.555 TR3

T3-T4 870 57'19" 897.817 TR4

T4-T5 310041'17" 960.660 TR5

T5-T6 222041'38" 943.890 TR6

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