FUNDAMENTALS

OF SURVEYING
CE010

E.G. Escondo
COURSE TOPICS (PRELIM)
I. Introduction to the Course
II. Types of Surveying
III. Measurement of Distance, Errors in measurement
IV. Pacing
V. Measurement of Directions and Angles
VI. Bearing and Azimuth
VII.Magnetic Declination
Image Sources: https://www.geotrek.com.ph/
DEFINITION OF SURVEYING

“Surveying is the art of determining the positions of points on or near the earth’s surface by
means of measurements in the three elements of space; namely, distance, direction, and
elevation.” – Rayne and Schmidt

“Surveying is the branch of applied mathematics which teaches the art of determining the
area of any portion of the earth’s surface, the length and directions of the boundary lines,
the contour of the surface, and of accurately delineating the whole on the paper.” – Webster.
WHAT IS SURVEYING
Planning and design are based on the results of surveys, and construction is controlled by surveying.

Surveys cover a wide range in scope and complexity, from the staking out of simple structures or
the surveying of small parcels of land to the extensive and difficult surveys required in the construction
of subdivisions, bridges, highways, canals, dams, railroads, wharves, missile and rocket launching sites,
drainage and irrigation system.

Professionals in the different fields of engineering as well as geologists, architects, foresters,

agriculturists, and geographers are concerned with surveying as a means of planning and executing
their respective projects.
PLANE AND GEODETIC
SURVEYING
1. Plane Surveying – is a specific type of surveying where the surface
of the earth is considered as plane and the curvature of the earth is
not taken into account.

2. Geodetic Surveying – is the type of surveying in which the curvature

of the earth is taken into account and a very high standard of accuracy
is maintained.
DIFFERENCES OF PLANE AND
GEODETIC SURVEYING
PLANE SURVEYING GEODETIC SURVEYING
• Curvature of earth is not taken into • Curvature of earth is taken into account.
account.

• The line joining any two points is • The line joining any two points is treated
treated as a straight line. as the arc of the circle.

• Length up to 12KM is treated as plane • Length more than 12KM is treated as

surveying. geodetic surveying.
DIFFERENCES OF PLANE AND
GEODETIC SURVEYING
PLANE SURVEYING GEODETIC SURVEYING
• Knowledge of plane trigonometry is • Knowledge of spherical trigonometry is
required. required.

• Less accurate. • More accurate.

• Used in general civil engineering • Used for the precise location of a widely
survey project work distant area.
TYPES OF SURVEYING
 CADASTRAL
SURVEYS
Cadastral surveying is the sub-field
of cadastre and surveying that specialises in the
establishment and re-establishment of real
property boundaries.

Image Source: https://jocepsurvey.com/land-survey/

 CITY SURVEYS
City Surveys are surveys of the areas in and near a
city for the purpose of planning expansions or
improvements, locating property lines, fixing reference
monuments, determining the physical features and
configuration of the land and preparing maps.

Image Source: DPWH

CONSTRUCTION
SURVEYS

Construction surveys are surveys which are

undertaken at a construction site to provide
data regarding grades, reference lines,
dimensions, ground configuration, and location
and elevation of structures which are of
concern to engineers, architects, and builders.

Image Source: https://designworkssurveys.com/services/construction-

surveys/
 FORESTRY
SURVEYS
Forestry Surveys a type of survey executed in
connection with forest management and mensuration,
and the production and conservation of lands.

Image Source: http://www.timmons.com/what/land-

surveying/
 HYDROGRAPHIC
SURVEYS
Hydrographic Surveys refers to
surveying streams, lakes, reservoirs,
harbors, oceans, and other bodies of
water. These surveys are made to map
shore lines, chart the shape of areas
underlying water surfaces, and measure
the flow of streams.

.
Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrographic_survey
 INDUSTRIAL
SURVEYS
Industrial Surveys refer to the use of surveying
techniques in ship building, construction and assembly
of aircraft, lay-out and installation of heavy and
complex machinery, and in other industries where very
accurate dimensional layouts are required.

Image Source: http://www.survalign.com.au/industrial-

alignment
MINE SURVEYS
Mine Surveys are surveys which are
performed to determine the position of all
underground excavations and surface
mine structures, to fix surface boundaries
of mining claims, determine geological
formations, to calculate excavated
volumes, and establish lines and grades
for other related mining work.

Image Source: http://prashantedla.blogspot.com/2018/03/mine-

surveying-2.html
.
 PHOTOGRAMMETRIC
SURVEYS
Photogrammetric Surveys is the branch
of surveying in which maps are prepared from
photographs taken from ground or air stations.

Image Source: https://www.gisresources.com/basic-of-

photogrammetry_2/
ROUTE SURVEYS
Route surveys supplies the data
necessary to determine alignment,
grading, and earthwork quantities for the
design and construction of various
engineering projects such as roads,
railroads, pipelines, and utilities. When
accuracy matters, your choice of
land surveying companies matters

Image Source: https://jocepsurvey.com/construction-survey/

.
 TOPOGRAPHIC
SURVEYS
Topographic surveys shows the height, depth, size and
location of any manmade or natural features on a given
parcel of land, as well as the changes or contours in
elevation throughout the parcel. While
boundary surveys focus on horizontal
measurements, topographic surveys are about elevation.

Image Source:
https://theconstructor.org/surveying/topographic-surveying
-and-mapping/5435/
FOR THIS
COURSE, WE
WILL ONLY
FOCUS ON THE
BASICS OF
SURVEYING.