5.

TOPOGRAPHIC
SURVEYING
Purpose of topographic surveys
To prepare topographic map of an area for
planning, design and
construction/development of engineering
projects
Survey physical features-relief feature
(land form) natural features, man-made
features
Contents of a topographic map/plan
Definition of Topographic Map: map
showing physical features and terrain
morphology or undulation.
Main contents:
o Contour lines for depicting relief
information,
o Physical features (natural & artificial)
represented by symbols like:
 Roads, railways settlements, water bodies,
forest, bushland, cultivation valleys etc
Methods of Preparing Topographic Maps

Manual/mechanical methods
o Plotting manually
o Stereoplotter (mechanical)
Automated method by use of computer
linked to plotting device
Analytical stereoplotter
Wild A8 Stereo plotter
Wild A8 Stereo plotter
Automated method
There are different softwares for processing and
analysing survey data such as; AutoCAD,
LisCAD, ArcGIS etc
The softwares are capable of
Computations of: Traverse, Triangulation,
intersection, resection, GNSS data, earthworks etc
Plotting contours, sections (profile and cross
sections), details (features)
Generating DEM/DTM
Making adjustments
Steps for Undertaking Topographic
Surveying
Reconnaissance
Establishment of 3D controls
Measurements to locate physical features-
linear and angular
Reductions of measurements
Plotting the survey in plan
 Personnel required for
topographic surveying
The number of field party for topographic
surveying depends on the instruments to
be used.
2 persons is a minimum requirement
Methods of establishing 3D controls

Spirit levelling with horizontal control

measurements (Traversing, Triangulation,
intersection, resection),
 GNSS
Tacheometric
Measurements to be undertaken
for topographic surveys
Linear: slope distances, height differences
(elevations)
Angular: vertical and horizontal angles
The two measurements are used for
determination of 3D coordinates
Topographic Surveys Field
Procedures-Total Station
Centering instrument on control point
Levelling the instrument
Eliminating Parallax
Positioning target/reflector at desired
point(known point-RO)
Taking measurements of points of interest
(details) sufficient for plotting contours
and physical features of the area
Topographic Surveys Field
contd..
Recording data in data collector or in the
microprocessor. Recorded instrument and
reflector heights.
Shifting instrument from station to station
if necessary(for large sites).
The procedures are repetitive every time
the instrument is shifted from one station
to another.