ENGINEERING SURVEY FIELDWORK REPORT

ECG 422
OPEN-ENDED LAB
SEMESTER 1 (20234)

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT : INTRODUCTION TO SURVEYING EQUIPMENT

DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 12/10/2023
GROUP : GROUP 3
GROUP MEMBERS :1. NIKMAT AIMAN BIN MOHD NAZLI
(2023680126)
2. NUR FATHEHAH BT ROSALAM (2023885096)
3. NURUL ATHIRAH BINTI AHMAD MURAD
(2023899236)
4. NUR IRDINA NADHIRAH BINTI MUHAMMAD
HASMAN (2023862564)
5. NORSHAZA SYAHIRAH BINTI ZULKEFLI
(2023899454)
LECTURER : IR. TS. DR DEEPAK TIRUMISHI JADA
LEVEL OF OPENESS : 0

MARKS COMMENTS
INTRODUCTION
BASIC CONCEPTS
METHODOLOGY
RESULTS
DISCUSSION 1 2 3 4 5
CONCLUSION 1 2 3 4 5
ORGANIZATION 1 2 3 4 5

TOTAL MARKS
TABLE OF CONTENT

NO. TITLE PAGES

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Objectives 1

3.0 Learning Outcomes 1

4.0 Problem Statement 2

5.0 Surveying Equipment 3-6

5.1 Tapes and Chain 7–8

5.2 Prismatic Compass 9 – 10

5.3 Automatic Level 11 – 12

5.4 Digital Theodolite 13 - 14

6.0 Discussion 15

7.0 Conclusion 15
1.0 Introduction

Surveying is the process of determining the relative positions of natural and man-
made features above or below the earth's surface, the presentation of this information
either graphically in plan form or numerically in tabular form, and the setting of
measurements on the earth. surface. It usually involves measuring, calculating,
drawing up a plan, and determining a specific location. The main purpose of surveying
in civil engineering is to determine the three-dimensional relationship between different
locations. Knowing information such as distances and angles between points and lines
helps engineers determine how to draw up plans for public buildings, houses, roads,
bridges and various other construction and infrastructure projects.

Unquestionably, maintenance of surveying equipment, tools and supplies is an

important part of engineering surveying. Proper care in the use, storage, transportation
and adjustment of equipment is a key factor in the successful completion of a survey.
Lack of good maintenance practices can affect survey efficiency and accuracy. This
manual addresses the various types of surveying equipment used by the Department's
construction/survey staff, maintenance and care of the equipment and general
procedures for surveying using such equipment. The majority of surveys performed
are using total stations, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), engineer levels (optical
and digital) and data collectors.

2.0 Objective

The objective of Survey Engineering is to determine surface of the earth, figuring out
the locations of points in three dimensions as well as the distances and angles that connect
them. It is employed in the constructions, maps, and structure, Civil engineering, land
development, and building projects.

1
3.0 Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, we would be able to learn:

1. The ability to run and conduct experiments, interpret the data

obtained and draw conclusions based on what we obtained by
using the knowledge of survey engineering
2. To be knowledgeable of surveying equipment for measuring
distance and observing angles.
3. To identify the height, horizontal distance, and vertical distance.

4. To understand horizontal and perpendicular lines.

5. To figure out the survey line's magnetic bearing, true bearing,

quadrantal bearing, and bearing.

1
4.0 Problem Statement

As Engineering Surveyors we will use a wide variety of instruments to assist our

work on site. The ones usually used are Total Station, GPS and Dumpy Level or Digital
Level. when the drawing and calculation work is carried out, the surveyor will be able to
identify any issues or problems in the design or anything they see in terms of the
practicality of building the structure. Once the design is plotted and the calculations are
completed, work on the site will begin. The surveyor will first establish a network of
control points around the site in predetermined positions with the engineer and supervisor
on site. The control point should be in a useful, safe and easily accessible area and most
importantly in an area that will not be disturbed.

Some common problems encountered in survey engineering work:

• equipment that is broken and in poor condition is a major

problem in surveying. this is because the equipment
provided is not all new. Students need to check, choose
and ensure that the measuring equipment is in good
condition before starting the survey work to avoid any
problems

• Data error is also a major factor in the survey. so we need to

set the equipment correctly and precisely because it will
cause the subsequent data to be corrupted and inaccurate

• Uncertain weather is the main problem that we usually face,

for example when the weather is rainy or to hot during survey
work, it will cause the risk of the equipment being damaged,
so we need to be prepared by carrying an umbrella when the
work is being carried out to ensure that the equipment is in a
safe condition.

2
5.0 Surveying Equipment

As a person involved in surveying work, knowledge about measuring tools must be

known such as how to operate them correctly. This is because each measuring tool
has a different function.

TRIPOD

A tripod is a three-legged stand, important in

providing and supporting the weight and
maintining the stability the foundation for laser
levels and other leveling instruments

LEVELING STAFF

A level staff, also called levelling rod, Leveling

rod is an instrument used to determine the
difference in height between two points or
heights of points above a vertical
datum.Levelling rod cannot be used without a
levelling instrument.

TAPE MEASURE

Tapes are used in surveying to take linear

measurements measuring horizontal, vertical
or slope distances. A surveyor’s tape measure
must be precise, reliable, and versatile.
Whether users marking a boundary or verifying
distances.

3
 SAFETY VESTS

Safety vests are the safety gear that is

necessary to keep personnel visible to
other people, especially when working
along roads or other places and helps
ensure that the surveyor is not struck by a
moving vehicle.

AUTO LEVEL/DUMPY LEVEL

Auto level is optical instrument used to

establish or verify point in the same
horizontal plane. It operates on the
principle of establishing a visual level
relationship between two or more
points, for which an inbuilt telescope
and a highly accurate bubble level are
used to achieve the necessary
accuracy. It is widely used in surveying
to measure height differences and to
transfer, measure, and set heights of
known objects or marks.

ROD LEVEL BUBBLE

The rod level is a surveying accessory
that’s used to help users plumb a
levelling rod. Users just screwing or
clamping the rod level bubble on the
levelling rods, the bubble of the rod must
be centre at eye level.
TOTAL STATION

Total stations are mainly used by land

surveyors and civil engineers, either to
to measure distance, level, angle, and
elevation at a specific location. The total
station is a device that determines the
horizontal and vertical datums in a
specific region.

4
 SPRAY PAINT

To mark the position of the nail.

UMBRELLA NAILS

To mark the position between distance to

distance.

HAMMER

To knock a nail into the road.

SURVEYING ARROWS

Arrows are used to mark the position of the

ends of the chain on the ground. Arrow is
used to mark the end of the tape or chain
during measurement process.

5
 PRISM POLES

Prisms are used by surveyors and

engineers to measure the change in
position of a target that is assumed to be
moving. are considered reflectors that are
used to reflect the EDM beam from a total
station.

6
5.1 Tapes and Chain

Tapes and chain an old method of surveying that involves measuring distances
and angles between points on the ground with a chain or tape measure. The chains
are made of tempered steel wire, 8 or 10 SWG, and were made up of links that
measure 200 mm from centre to centre of each middle connecting ring. Swivelling
brass handles were fitted at each end, and the total length was measured over
the handles. It is normally 20 m or 30 m long. Tally markers, made of plastic, were
attached at every whole metre position, and those giving 5 m positions were of a
different colour.

Tapes are made of synthetic material, glass fibre being typical, or of coated
steel or plain steel. It is like a much longer flexible ruler consisting of a case,
thumb lock, blade, hook, and sometimes a belt clip. A tape measure will have
imperial readings, metric readings or both. The tapes are graduated every 5 mm
and figure every 100 mm; the first and last metre lengths are graduated in
millimetres. Whole metre figures are again shown in red at every metre. It is
normally 20 m, 30 m, 50 m and 100 m long.

Equipments for Linear Measurements

1.Abney level (If necessary) 2.Tape or chain

3.Ranging rods

7
 4. Arrows (for marking tape lengths) 5. Pegs and hammer

Procedures

1. Then the tape is pulled from the first point to the second point and the ranging rod is held
about 0.3 m short of the end. The steel bands are checked and examined for full length
and defects

2. The band is held firmly at the first station and sights the control lines by sighting the first
and the second pole.

3.The band is straightened past the rod by sending gentle ‘snakes’ down the band.

4. An arrow is marked at the end of the band indicating that the band is straight into the
control line.

5. The procedures was repeated above until all CPs have been linearly measured.

8
 5.2 Prismatic Compass

A prismatic compass is a navigation and surveying instrument which is extensively

used to find out the bearing of the traversing and included angles between them, waypoints
(an endpoint of the lcourse) and direction. The compass consists of a circular box, which
balance the magnetic needle on a hard steel pivot. The needle is of broad form, which
carries a graduated aluminium ring to degrees and half degrees.

Equipment for Magnetic Bearing Observation

1.Prismatic Compass with 3.Plum bob (To transfer the point on the
tripod legs ground and at least two (2) units)

2.Tripod (At least two (2) units) 4. Pegs and hammer (If necessary)

9
Procedures

1. The instrument is set at station A and it is centred and levelled with the
help of a plum bob. The instrument is then temporarily adjusted by levelling
both the bubble tube for the instrument to be perpendicular to the vertical
axis.

2. The instrument is then adjusted for observation of bearings by observing

the magnetic north to determine the magnetic bearings for the lines to be
observed.

3. Two tripods with plum bobs are set and temporarily adjusted at station
C and B, respectively.

4. Point C is sighted by targeting the plum bob and observes the back
bearing of line AC. Then point A is sighted and observes the fore bearing
of line AB. The readings are then recorded.

5. The instrument is then shifted to point B and it is set up as in (2) and (3).

6. Procedures (4) to (6) are then repeated until all CPs are located and
observed.

10
 5.3 Automatic Level.

An automatic level is an optical equipment used to establish or check points

in the same horizontal plane during the leveling process. It is used in
conjunction with a leveling staff to determine the relative heights of objects or
markers. It is commonly used in surveying and construction to measure height
differences as well as to transfer, measure, and fix the heights of known
objects or markers.

Equipment for Levelling

1. Automatic Level including Tripod 2. Levelling Staff (2 units)

3. Tape 4. Staff Bubble

5. Hammer

11
Procedures

1) First staff is sited on the Benchmark (BM) having RL 44.562 m. The

next staff is then sited about 20 m from BM.

2) The instrument is then positioned and temporarily adjusted between

the two staffs and readings are taken. For first staff, the reading is
recorded as back sight whereas second staff is recorded as fore
sight. If staff is located in between these two readings, the readings
are recorded as intermediate sight.

3) The instrument is then shifted to the next point and temporarily

adjusted but staff noted as fore sight from the first reading is not
shifted and the reading is recorded as back sight. Staff from BM is
shifted to another point and noted as CP (Change Point) about 20 m
apart from the previous point and the reading is recorded as fore
sight.

4) Steps (2) and (3) are repeated until staff is sited on one of the control
points. (Note: Determine the nearest control point from the closed
traverse)

5) Then steps (2) and (3) are again repeated until the last CP is sited
on the BM forming a closed loop. Then the procedures are repeated
for the next loop on the traverse point. This procedure is known as
flying level.

12
 5.4 Digital Theodolite

Equipment for Horizontal and Vertical Angle Observation

1. Theodolite with Tripod 2. Tripod (At least two (2) units)

3. Plum bob (To transfer the point on the 4. Tape (For linear measurement)
ground if necessary)

5. Pegs and hammer (If necessary)

13
Procedures

1. The prismatic compass is set at station A and it is centred and levelled with the help of
a plum bob. The instrument is then temporarily adjusted by levelling both the bubble tube
for the instrument to be perpendicular to the vertical axis.

2. The instrument is then adjusted for observation of bearings by observing the magnetic
north to determine the magnetic bearing for the last line to be observed.

3. The prismatic compass is then replaced by the theodolite, which is temporarily adjusted
and the bearings of the last line is inserted into the theodolite and noted as back bearing.
(Note: The position of the theodolite is face left)

4. Two tripods are set and temporarily adjusted at station E and B, respectively. Prisms are
placed on to the tripod as the station target.

5. Point E is sighted by observing the back bearing of line AE. Then point A is sighted and
observes the fore bearing of line AB. The readings are then recorded as face left.

6. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis are rotated 180 o and sight the back bearing of
the same line. (Note: The theodolite is in face right)

14
6.0 Discussion

In this study, measuring work has several types of measuring equipment that have
their own functions. All these measuring tools have their own advantages and
disadvantages.

In order to find optimal work results. The measuring tools used must also be suitable
for the work to be done. when the measurement work is carried out, various precautions
must also be taken in handling the tool to avoid damage to any part of the equipment.

In every survey work made there is a slight error mainly due to mistakes in readings or
instruments not being set up correctly. to ensure that this does not happen, various
preventive measures must be taken, namely ensuring that the device's temporary
adjustment including centering, leveling, and parallax removal and readings must be taken
3 times as a precaution to reduce errors in the data obtained. In addition, we must always
be careful when transferring the readings into the data sheet to facilitate the work of
preparing a plan for detail. Therefore, as a person involved in surveying work, exposure in
more depth related to tools and functions related to surveying work is very important to
ensure that the work carried out is always a success.

7.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, we learned about the equipment and the right procedure that
would be necessary for us to carry out the land survey activity on a daily basis in
the field. Course ECG 422 required us to be proficient in, or at least have the
fundamental knowledge needed to handle equipment like a compass, total station
and other accessible equipment. With exposure to surveying equipment we could
understand basic tools that serve as the purpose in more complex surveying
techniques. Other than that, precision and accuracy of the equipment was important
because it can affect the achievement of desired result for any surveying projects.

15