Topographic & Detail Surveying

 Topographic Survey – A survey which has for its major purposes the
determination of the configuration (relief) of the surface of the earth (ground) and
the location of natural and artificial objects thereon.
(Source: ACSM-ASCE (1978) Definitions of Surveying and Associated Terms,
ASCE - Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice - No. 34)

 Detail implies features both above and below ground level and at ground level.
 Hard Detail - Buildings, roads, walls and other constructed features.
 Soft Detail - Natural features including rivers and vegetation.
 Overhead Detail - Power and telephone lines.
 Underground Detail - Water pipes and sewer runs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End products are basically the same except
 detail survey often produces plans that are of scales between 1:50 and 1:1000,
whereas topographic survey produces maps that are of smaller scales.
 As they are very similar in terms of surveying techniques, the following sections
will not attempt to distinguish the two.
 both terms, detail and topographic, will be used interchangeably.
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 Topographic & Detail Surveying
TECHNIQUES FOR LOCATING FEATURES
 All surveys are based on a framework of control points which must be established
on the ground before feature can be located.
 This network can be fixed by any or a combination of the following methods:
traversing, triangulation, trilateration, GPS etc..
 Using these control points, feature can be surveyed using two techniques.
 Offsets - lengths x and y are recorded in the field in order to locate a point of
detail P. The offsets are taken at right angles to the lines running between
control points.
 Ties - from two (or more) points are used to locate P.
P
P

y1 y2
y

A B A B

x
x1
x2

(a) Offsets (b) Ties

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TECHNIQUES FOR LOCATING FEATURES :

Radiation –
Treating each control point in turn as an origin and choosing reference
directions to other control points, polar coordinate systems can be adopted
for fixing detail.
This is known as locating detail by radiation where r and  are measured
in the field to locate P.

A B
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ACCURACY OF SURVEYS
 The accuracy required in surveying should always be considered
before the survey is started.
 This is governed by two factors:
 the scale of the finished product (plan or map), and
 the accuracy with which it can be plotted.

 For feature positions, it is usual to assume a plotting accuracy of 0.2

mm and for various scales this will correspond to certain distances on
the ground.
 These lengths are an indication of the accuracy required at the scales
in question. However, even if initially a plan is to be plotted at, say, 1
in 500, part of it may at a later date be enlarged to, say, 1 in 50 so it is
always better to take measurements in the field to a greater accuracy
than that required for the initial plan.

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METHODS OF OBTAINING TOPOGRAPHY

There are several methods used to obtain topography. They are:

(a) plane table; (obsolete)
(b) stadia; (obsolete)
(c) theodolite and tape; (for quick fixing of details)
(d) electromagnetic distance measuring equipment (or total station); and
(e) photogrammetry. (major mapping job)

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PLOTTING THE FEATURES

 The purpose of the plan usually defines the scale to which it is plotted. The most
common scale for construction plans is 1 in 500, with variations above or below
that, from 1 in 2500 to 1 in 250.
Manual method
 The network of control stations is first plotted on a coordinate grid.
 When plotting the detail and the spot heights, a protractor and scale rule are required.
 At each station in turn the protractor is orientated to the RO chosen for that station
and the bearings to each point of detail are marked off around the protractor, each
mark being identified by its reference number in the field booking.
 Each point of detail is then plotted by scaling the appropriate distance along each
direction and is shown on the plan by a circled dot against which is written the
reduced level.
 Using the field sketches, the detail is now filled in between these points and the
contours drawn by interpolation. All the above construction marks must be erased
after the plan has been inked in,

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Computer Systems
 “in-house” software to carry out this task.
 the directions and distances (or the coordinates) are input to the
computer, the software will change the input to two-dimensional
coordinates and plotted direct.
 A file is created to link the associated points
 there is now an abundance of computer plotting software available
that will not only produce a contoured plot, but also supply three-
dimensional views, digital terrain models, earthwork volumes, road
design, drainage design, digital mapping etc..
 To be economically viable, practically all major engineering/surveying
organizations use an automated plotting system.
 Very often the total station is purchased along with the computer
hardware and software, as a total operating system. In this way
interface and adaptation problems are precluded.

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 Topographic & Detail Surveying
Completing the Map
 The appearance of the completed map is a matter of the
greatest importance.
 It should be well arranged and neatly drawn to a scale
suiting the purpose for which it is to be used. It should
include a title, scale, legend, and meridian arrow.
 The lettering should be neatly and carefully performed
 The title box may be placed where it looks best on the sheet
but is frequently placed in the lower right-hand corner of
the map.
 It should contain the title of the map, the name of the
client, location, name of the project, date, scale, and the
name of the person who drew the map and the name of the
surveyor.
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CHECKLIST OF ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED ON A TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
 Location of site (key plan).
 Direction of north meridian.
 Available access to site (from highway, railroads, etc.).
 Information concerning site corners and monuments as well as the lengths
and directions of site lines and land area.
 Sufficient elevations to plot contours and show ridges and valleys.
 Locations and sizes of any roads (in use or abandoned) on or near site.
Similar information concerning railroads.
 Location of power lines, water lines, sewer lines, and other utilities on or
near site.
 Location and sizes of springs, streams, lakes, wells, and drainage ditches -
also culverts, bridges, and fences.
 Position and areas of forest land, cleared land, cultivated land, and so on.
 Description and location of any horizontal or vertical control monuments
on or near the land.
 Other significant features that the surveyor might think are of importance.
Included in this list might be information concerning the characteristics
and development of neighboring property.
 Title, scale, legend, and names of surveyor and draftsperson.
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 References
• Allan, A.L. (1997). Practical Surveying and Computations. 2nd Ed., Butterworth-
Heinemann.
• Bannister, A., Raymond, S. and Baker, R. (1998). Surveying. 7th Ed., Longman.
• Irvine, W. & Maclennan F. (2006). Surveying for Construction. 5th Ed., McGraw
Hill.
• Kavanagh, Barry F. & Bird, Glenn S.J. (2000). Surveying Principles and Applications.
5th Ed., Prentice Hall.
• Leick, A. (2004). GPS Satellite Surveying. 3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons.
• Petrie, G. & Kennie, T.J. (1994). Engineering Surveying Technology. J. Wiley &
Sons.
• Schofield W. & Breach M. (2007). Engineering Surveying. 6th Ed., Butterworth-
Heinemann.

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