ELEMENTARY SURVEYING

SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Astrolabe — The astrolabe of Hipparchus is considered to be one of the best known of the
measuring instruments. It was developed sometime in 140BC, and further improved by
Ptolemy.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Telescope – The invention of the telescope in 1607 is accredited to Lippershey. In 1609,
Galileo constructed a refracting telescope for astronomical observations.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Trantsit - The invention of the transit is credited to Young and Draper who worked
independently from each other sometime in 1830.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Semicircumferentor – An early surveying instrument which was used to measure and lay off
angles and establish lines of sight by employing peep sights. 
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Plane table – It consists of a board attached to a tripod in such a way that it can be leveled
or rotated to any desired direction.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Dioptra –which was perfected by Heron of Alexandria, was used in leveling and for
measuring horizontal and vertical angles. It consists of a copper tube supported on a
standard and could be rotated in either a horizontal or vertical plane.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Roman Groma – It is an instrument for aligning or sighting points. It consisted basically of
cross arms fixed at right angles and pivoted eccentrically upon a vertical staff.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Libella – The instrument had an A - frame with a plumb line suspended from its apex and
was used to determine the horizontal.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Vernier – The vernier is a short auxiliary scale placed alongside the graduated scale of an
instrument, by means of which fractional parts of the smallest or least division of the main
scale can be determined precisely without having to interpolate.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Compass – The magnetic compass came into wide use during the 13th century for
determining the direction of lines and in calculating angles between lines.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Gunter's Chain – The Gunter's Chain, which was invented by Sir Edmund Gunter in 1620,
was the Forerunner of instruments used for taping distances. It is 66ft long and contains
100 links. Each link is 0.66ft long.
DEVELOPMENT OF SURVEYING
INSTRUMENT
 Chorobates - This instrument was designed for leveling work. It consisted of a horizontal
straight-edge about 6m long with supporting legs, and a groove 2.5cm deep and 1.5m long
on top.
INSTRUMENTS CARE AND ADJUSTMENTS
BY SURVEYORS
INSTRUMENTS CARE AND
ADJUSTMENTS
BY SURVEYORS
 If there is good experience in handling the equipment, the works can be carried out with
great experience and precision. This knowledge on handling will make us understand the
limitations of the instrument and can take proper care of these equipment.
 INSTRUMENTS CARE AND ADJUSTMENTS
BY SURVEYORS
 There are many instruments like the level, theodolite, etc. that
requires great care with delicate handling. There are many
delicate parts in the instruments, if any of the parts get
affected, it will bring total complaint and total loss.
 INSTRUMENTS CARE AND ADJUSTMENTS
BY SURVEYORS
 The relative positions of the instruments must be checked
while taking out the instrument and during its placement back
after the use.
 Straining the parts of the instrument will result in the incorrect
measurements.
 THE PRECAUTIONS THAT MUST BE TAKEN
ARE:
The instrument must not be lifted by holding the telescope or
the circular plate. We must hold the foot plate or the leveling
base.
 The movement of the instrument from one place to another
must be carried out by placing it on the shoulder. All the
clamps are set tightly.
THE PRECAUTIONS THAT MUST BE TAKEN ARE:
 When not in use, the lens must be covered.
 Setting up the instrument on a smooth floor without any kind
of precautions must be avoided.
 The instrument must not be exposed to dust and dampness or
direct sun rays. A waterproof cover can be used to cover and
protect it.
THE PRECAUTIONS THAT MUST BE TAKEN ARE:
 Not leave the instrument without any guard.
 The steel tape after use must be cleaned and kept dry. While
measuring, vehicles are not allowed to move over it.
 In case of compass instrument, the compass must not be
allowed to swing without any need. This is lifted off the pivot
when not in use.
EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES USED
IN CONSTRUCTION SURVEYING
EQUIPMENT AND TECHNIQUES USED IN CONSTRUCTION
SURVEYING
 Surveying equipment, such as levels and theodolites, are used for accurate
measurement of angular deviation, horizontal, vertical and slope distances.
With computerization, electronic distance measurement (EDM), total
stations, GPS surveying and laser scanning have supplemented the traditional
optical instruments.
ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
(EDM), TOTAL STATIONS, GPS
Questions and clarifications?