RCTI

DLS –Stage 1, Term 1

Survey Control

Simon Muthee Lecture: Introduction 1

 Content

1. Definition of Survey Control

2. Methods of Providing Control

3. Construction of Survey Marks/ Monuments

2
 Objectives

Learners should be able to:

• Explain the meaning and purpose of survey control

• State the methods of providing control

• Describe the different methods of constructing survey marks

3
 1.0 Introduction
• Surveying is the science of determining the position, in three
dimensions, of objects on, above, under or near the earth’s
surface both natural or man-made.
• Control Survey is the process of determining of horizontal
and vertical positions of arbitrary positions or stations
precisely. These stations form a control network.
• A control network is the framework of survey stations whose
coordinates have been precisely determined and are often
considered definitive.
Cont Intro…
• These stations are the reference monuments, to which
other survey work of a lesser quality is related.
• Therefore, a control survey needs to be precise, complete
and reliable and it must be possible to show that these
qualities have been achieved.
• Control Survey is done using equipment of proven
precision, and with methods and data processing capable
of giving numerical measures of their precision and
reliability.
Cont Intro…
• This principle of using control networks as the basis is
known as ‘Surveying from the whole to the part’ principle.
• Some controls may have only have the horizontal
coordinates/dimensions known i.e X,Y coordinates and are
known as horizontal controls
• Others have only the vertical dimension i.e Z coordinate
(height above a given datum).
• The purpose and nature of a project determines the
surveying specifications needed. Thus the design of the
control stations
 1.1 Methods of Providing Control

Classically the methods of providing control can be divided

into two:
i. Horizontal /Planimetric Control Methods
ii. Vertical Control Methods

Figure 1: Control Network

 Cont methods…
i. Horizontal Control Methods
a. Traversing- Observe adjacent horizontal angles and distances.
b. Triangulation- Observe all the horizontal angles.
c. Trilateration- Observe all horizontal distances.
d. Triangulateration- Observe all horizontal angles and distances.
e. Astronomic – Use the observable stars/celestial bodies to fix
position.
f. Space Techniques- use of global navigation satellite system to fix
position
Cont methods…
ii. Vertical Control Methods
a. Differential Levelling- measurement of the vertical
distances between points, starting from a known point
(bench mark) to determine the height of the new point.
b. Trigonometric Heighting- used where difficult terrain, such
as mountainous areas, precludes the use of conventional
differential levelling.
• It may also be used where the height difference is large but
the horizontal distance is short such as heighting up a cliff
or a tall building.
Cont methods…
• The vertical angle and the slope distance between the two
points concerned are measured.
c. Barometric Heighting-barometric readings used to
determine the approximate elevation difference in an area
 1.2 Survey Marks

• These are objects used/placed to the show the position of a

boundary, control point, bench mark, change point, setting out
point. Could be temporary or permanent
• A monument- as any object, natural or artificial, which is fixed
permanently on the ground, and is referred to in a legal
document, and provides evidence of the boundaries of a parcel
of land.
• A good monument should be permanent, stable, certain in
identity and visible
Cont Survey Marks…..

• The materials/ objects used vary on the purpose.

• Monuments and their stability are integral parts of the accuracy
of each survey project.
• Inaccurate survey control monumentation can contribute to
costly errors in all phases of project design and development.
Types of Marker/Monuments:
1. Pillars
Permanently constructed monument with cement that is precisely
located. Mostly used for high order/ primary control station. Has a
provision to mount the instrument
Cont Survey Marks…..

Fig 2: Long Pillar

Cont Survey Marks…..
• Short pillar could be used for precise secondary controls
or primary controls

Fig 3: Short Pillars

Cont Survey Marks…..
2. Pipe in Concrete (PIC)

• 300 mm long pipes in concrete and mostly used in

Cadastral survey (beacons)
• Iron or PVC

Figure 4: Pipes ( Iron)

Cont Survey Marks…..
3. Angle Iron in Concrete (AIC)

Fig 4: Angle iron

Cont Survey Marks…..
4. Iron Pins
a. Iron Pin/Nails

Fig 5: Iron Pins

Cont Survey Marks…..
b. iron Pin in Concrete (IPC)
• Used in Cadastral Surveying and benchmarks
(3rd order)

Fig 6: IPC
Cont Survey Marks…..
b. iron Pin in Concrete Underground (IPCU)
• Used in Cadastral Surveying and benchmarks
(3rd order)

Fig 7: IPCU
Cont Survey Marks…..
5. Others
• Woodens pegs