INTRODUCTION TO THE SUBJECT,

OBJECT, PRIMARY DIVISION

AND
CLASSIFICATION OF SURVEYING
• SURVEYING:
The art of determining the relative
positions of distinctive features on the
surface of earth or beneath the surface of
earth, by means of measurements of
distances, directions and elevations, is
called surveying.
 OR
Surveying is the art of making such
measurements as will determine the
relative positions of points on the surface
of the earth in order that the shape and
extent of any portion of the earth’s
surface may be ascertained on a map or a
plan.
 OR

A process of determining the position of

points on the surface of earth or beneath
the surface of earth in a horizontal plane
is called “Surveying”.
LEVELLING:

Leveling is the art of determining and

representing the relative heights of
different points on the surface of earth.
(OR)
Leveling is the art of determining the
position of points in a vertical plane.
• Importance of Surveying
The planning and design of all Civil
Engineering projects such as construction of
highways, bridges, tunnels, dams etc are
based upon surveying measurements.
Moreover, during execution, project of any
magnitude is constructed along the lines and
points established by surveying. Thus,
surveying is a basic requirement for all Civil
Engineering projects.
 Other principal works in which surveying is
primarily utilized are:
•  To fix the national and state boundaries;
• To chart coastlines, navigable streams and
lakes;
• To execute hydrographic and oceanographic
charting and mapping; and
• To prepare topographic map of land surface
of the earth.
 Objectives of Surveying:
•  To collect field data;

•  To prepare plan or map of the area surveyed;

•  To analyze and to calculate the field parameters for

setting out operation of actual engineering works.

•  To set out field parameters at the site for further

engineering works.
 PRIMARY DIVISIONS OF SURVEYING:
Surveying may be divided into two general classes:
• Plane Surveying,
• Geodetic Surveying.
Plane Surveying:
In plane surveying the curvature of earth is not
taken into account, as the survey extends over small
areas. The earth’s surface is considered as plane, the
line connecting any two points as a straight line. The
degree of accuracy required in this type of surveying is
comparatively low. As a rough estimate, American
surveyors put the limit of 260 km2 (100 sq.miles) for
treating the surveys as plane.
Geodetic Surveying:
The geodetic surveying is called as trigonometrical
surveying it is necessary to take into account the
curvature of earth, since large distance and areas are
covered. Since the shape of earth is spherical, the line
connecting any two points on the surface of earth is
curved or is an arc of a great circle. This type of
surveying is concerned with govt. agencies.
The object of Geodetic Surveying is to determine the
precise positions/measurements (such as engineering.
topographical, cadastral surveys, etc) on the surface of
the earth; therefore this survey is only conducted
through the agencies of government.
CLASSIFICATION
OF
SURVEYING
Surveying may be classified in different ways:
CLASSIFICATION
BASED
UPON THE NATURE OF THE FIELD OF SURVEYS:
(1) LAND SURVEYS:
It is further divided into four parts.
(a) Topographical Survey:
This is done for determining the natural features of a
country such as hills, valleys, rivers, nullas, lakes, woods, etc
and also the artificial features such as roads, railways are
determined.
(b) Cadastral Survey:
In this type of survey the additional details such as
boundaries of fields, houses and other properties,
pathways are determined.
(c) City Survey:
This type of survey is done for laying out plots and
constructing streets, water supply systems and sewers.
(d) Engineering Survey:
It is used for determining quantities and for collecting
data for the design of engineering works such as roads,
railways, reservoirs and works connection with water
supply, sewerage, etc.
 Engineering Survey is further sub-
divided into:
1. Reconnaissance Survey:
It is used for determining the feasibility and
rough cost of the scheme.
2. Preliminary Survey:
It is used for collecting more precise data to
choose the best location for the work and to
estimate the exact quantities and costs.
3. Location Survey:
This Type of survey is used for setting out the
work on the ground.
(2) MARINE OR SEA SURVEY

This survey is done for finding objects from

water, sea; etc. This is also done for navigation
purpose.

(3) ASRONOMICAL SURVEY

This type of survey is done for getting

knowledge about the astronomical objects such
as moon, stars, etc.
 CLASSIFICATION
BASED
UPON THE OBJECT /PURPOSE OF
SURVEYS:
(1) Geological Survey:
This type of survey is to be carried out to
determine the different strata in the earth’s
crust.
(2) Archaeological Survey:
This type of survey is to be carried for unearthing
relics of antiquity (ancient times).
(3) Mine Survey:
This type of survey is to be carried for exploring
mineral wealth such as gold, silver, coal, etc.
(4) Military Survey:
Military survey is done for determining points of
strategic importance both offensive and
defensive for locating suitable locations.
 CLASSIFICATION
BASED
UPON THE METHODS /EMPLOYED IN SURVEY:
(1) Triangulation Survey:

In this type of survey the whole area which is to be surveyed is

divided into a number of triangles.

(2) Traverse Survey:

In this type of survey there is the series of connecting lines, length

of these lines is measured with the chain or tape and angles are
measured with the help of angle measuring instrument.

There are two types of this survey:

(a) Closed traverse Survey

(b) Open traverse Survey

 CLASSIFICATION
BASED
UPON THE INSTRUMENTS EMPLOYED:

(1) Chain Surveys:

This type of survey is also called triangulation survey. In
this type of survey sides of triangles are measured with
the chain or tape, so we can say that angular
measurements are concerned with this type of survey.

(2) Compass Surveys:

This survey is used for measuring angles.
(3) Plane table Surveys:
This is a graphical method of survey, in which field work
and office work (plotting) both are done simultaneously
(at a time) .In this survey plane table instrument is used.
(4) Theodolite Survey:
In this we can easily find horizontal and vertical angles by
using theodolite and lengths are measured by using chain
or tape, etc.
(5) Tachometric Survey:
In this type of survey horizontal, vertical angles and
distance are measured directly
(6) Photographic Survey/Aerial Survey:

In this type of survey photographs of the area are

taken .There are two types of photographic survey.

(a) Ground Photography:

In this photographs of ground are taken, which are used for

plans or projections.

(b) Aerial Photography Survey:

This type of survey is done by the help of areoplanes to

drive out the photographs of hilly areas.

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