Bahir Dar Univeristy

School of Civil and Water Resource

Engineering

Surveying I (CEng 1120) -

4 CP
Definition of Surveying
Surveying :
is an art of determining
( measuring) the relative position
of an features (natural or man-
made) on or beneath the earth
surface by using different
instruments & methods.

These features may be

represented in analogue form as a
Application of Surveying
In engineering surveying, either or both
of the above formats may be used for
planning, design and construction of
works, both on the surface and
underground.
Surveying techniques are also used for
dimensional control or setting out of
designed constructional elements and
also for monitoring deformation
movements
Classification of surveying
Plane surveying :-
This is a kind of surveying in which the
earths surface is assumed to be plane.
i.e. the curvature. of the earth is ignored.
 This surveying extends small area when
is up to 260 km2 (250 km2).
Geometry and trigonometry is required
here.
These are mostly used in any engineering
work
Geodetic Surveying:-
This kind of surveying consider the
curvature of the earth (considering
the earth as spherical) while taking
measurements on the earths
surface.

This kinds of surveying covers large

portion of project area.
Other classification
Classified Classified
according to their according to their
field: purpose:
Topographical Engineering
Surveying Surveying
Cadastral Military Survey
Surveying Mine Survey
City Surveying Geological
Hydrographic Survey
survey Archeological
Astronomical Survey
survey
Classification based on
instruments
1. Chain Surveying
2. Compass Surveying (Compass, Tape)
3. Plane table Surveying
4. Theodolite Surveying (Theodolite,
Tape)
5. Tacheometer Surveying
(Tacheometer Only)
6. Triangulation Surveying.
7. Photogrammetric Surveying.
Plan, Map, Topographical Map
Plan
Representation of features on earth surface as projected on
horizontal plane.
Not necessary shows geographical position of the globe.
Map
Representation of earth surface on small scale.
Shows geographical position of globe.
The topography of terrain is showed by means of contours.
Standard symbols are used to give sufficient information and
scale is too Small.
Topographical Map
Large scale to enable the individual features shown on the
map to be identified on the ground by their shapes and
positions.
Stages of surveying works
Planning, analysis and decision:
method, instrument, time planning
Care and adjustment of instrument:
appropriate handling
Field works: involving the capture and
storage of field data
Office works: data processing, drafting,
computing and designing
Setting out work: marking the required
points according to the design on the field.
Units of measurement
Linear
m, cm, mm, ft, in…. 1 m = 100 cm =1000
mm =
(1/0.3048) ft =
(100/2.54) in
Angular
 Sexagestimal : degree, minute, seconds
1 = (10/9)
 Centesimal: gon, centigon, miligon gon
 Radian:  rad = 180 = 200 gon= (/180) rad
Reference System
is the complete conceptual definition of
how a coordinate system is formed. It
defines the origin and the orientation of
fundamental planes or axes of the
system.
Ellipsoid, Geoid
The physical shape of the real Earth is closely
approximated by the mathematical surface of the
rotational ellipsoid.
The ellipsoidal surface is smooth and convenient for
mathematical operations. This is why the ellipsoid is
widely used as the reference surface for horizontal
coordinates in geodetic networks. Examples: WGS 84,
Clarke 1880
On the other hand, the ellipsoid is much less suitable as
a reference surface for vertical coordinates (heights).
Instead, the geoid is used. It is defined as that level
surface of the gravity field which best fits the mean sea
level, and may extend inside the solid body of Earth
Relation between Geoid and
Ellipsoid
Types of coordinates
3D Cartesian Coordinates system
Plane coordinate
Y

Origi
n X
2D - Polar
Y

Origi
n X
Geodetic Coordinate System
Scale of the map
Engineer’s scale : 1 cm = 100 m

Fractional scale : 1:20000

Graphical scale:
END