length of just one side, the other
CONTROL SURVEY
→ 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 to be
used for checking of subsequent surveys to be used
in engineering projects like property delineation,
topographic and hydrographic mapping, and
construction planning and design. Control networks
which cover the whole country have become been
conducted with better accuracy and less stringent
technique, with the use of artificial satellites. These
stations are linked to local networks which have
been adopted 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.
HORIZONTAL CONTROL POINTS
TECHNIQUES
A. Triangulation (Trigonometric Survey)
✓ In the past it was difficult to accurately
measure very long distances, but it was
possible to accurately measure the
angles between points many kilometers
apart, limited only by being able to see
the distant beacon. This could be
anywhere from a few kilometers, to 50
kilometers or more.
✓ Triangulation is a surveying method
that measures the angles in a triangle
formed by three survey control points.
Using trigonometry and the measured
ENGG_CE_2: FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
distances in the triangle are calculated.
The shape of the triangles is important
as there is a lot of inaccuracy in a long
skinny triangle, but one with base
angles of about 45 degrees is ideal.
✓ Each of the calculated distances is then
used as one side in another triangle to
calculate the distances to another point,
which in turn can start another triangle.
This is done as often as necessary to
form a chain of triangles connecting the
origin point to the Survey Control in
the place needed. The angles and
distances are then used with the initial
known position, and complex
formulae, to calculate the position
(Latitude and Longitude) of all other
points in the triangulation network.
✓ The angles in the triangles are
measured using a theodolite, which is
an instrument with a telescope
connected to two rotating circles (one
horizontal and one vertical) to measure
the horizontal and vertical angles. A
good quality theodolite used for
geodetic surveys would be graduated to
0.1 second of an arc and an angle
resulting from repeated measurements
would typically have an accuracy of
about 1 second of arc, which is
equivalent to about 5 cm over a
distance of 10 kilometers.
STEPS IN TRIANGULATION WORK:
a) Reconnaissance
b) Measurement of Base Lines
c) Erection of Signals and Towers
d) Measurement of Angles
e) Astronomic Checks
f) Office Computations
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 B. Trilateration side CB is 340degrees 15mins 20secs and
✓ In the 1950s, accurate methods of the coordinates of station B are
measuring long distances (typically 30 Xb= 10150.022 m and Yb= 9450.085 m.
to 50 km) were developed. They used Assuming that the lengths are free from
the known speed of light (299,792.458 systematic errors, determine the following
km per second) and the timed reflection preliminary data which are to be used in
of a microwave or light wave along the subsequent adjustment by trilateration.
measured line.
Known as Electromagnetic Distance a) Interior angles of each side of the triangle
Measurement (EDM), the two initial b) Azimuth from the south of sides AB and
types of instruments were the CA
“Tellurometer”, which used a c) Coordinates for points A and C
microwave, and “Geodimeter”, which
used a light wave.
✓ The distances in a triangle could then
be measured directly instead of
calculating them from the observed
angles. If needed the angles could be
calculated. The process of calculating
positions through the chain of triangles
is then the same as for triangulation.
Sometimes both angles and distances
were measured in some triangles to
check on the observations and improve
the accuracy of the calculations.

Illustrative Problems:
1. In a triangulation, an eccentric station is
occupied instead of the true station A.
Observations then are made to true station
A and to station B. The observation are as
follows:
LINE AZIMUTH DISTANCE
Ecc A – True A 15830’50” 4.50 m
Ecc A – B 21643’20.5” 18,642.00 m
Find the azimuth of line thru A to B

2. The lengths of the sides of triangle ABC, as

measured with an EDM instrument are
AB= 923.245 m, BC= 517.328 m, and CA=
896.126 m. The azimuth from the south of

ENGG_CE_2: FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

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