Surveying

Topics
 Surveying
 Definition
 Objectives
 Principles of Surveying
 Classification
 Plan and Map
 Scales used for Maps and Plans
 Accuracy
 Precision
Surveying
 Definition: Surveying is the science and art of
determining the relative positions of various points
above, on or below the surface of the earth.

 The relative positions can be determined by

measuring:
 Horizontal Distance
V
 Vertical Distance HA
H
VA
 Horizontal Angle
 Vertical Angle
Surveying
 Various Stages of Surveying :
 To survey the land and prepare Plans
 Plans are used in the preparation of the detailed drawing,
design and estimate of the project
 After finalising the drawings, setting out is done by
establishing various points and lines on the ground from
the drawing
History of Surveying
 The Babylonians practiced some type of surveying
as early as 2500 B.C.
 Surveying in some forms was used in India and
Egypt to divide the land for taxation purposes from
1400 B.C.
 Surveying methods were used for Control points in
Nile civilization.
 Romans developed improved methods of surveying
during Roman period. They used odometers and
groma (for measuring Right angles)
 In Twentieth Century, precise levelling instruments,
modern optical theodilites and EDM were invented.
Objectives
1.To prepare a plan/map to show the relative position of the
object on the surface of earth.
2.To collect essential data for the earthwork.
3.To measure the area and volume of the site.
4.To construct any structure on the ground according to it’s
drawing.
5.To determine fields parameter and properties, for planning and
execution of various projects.
6.To estimate the quantity of the products to be used and its cost
7.To record property lines of private, public & government lands,
which helps in avoiding unnecessary controversies.
Uses of Surveying

 To prepare a topographical map which shows hills,

valleys, rivers, forests, villages and towns etc.
 To prepare a cadastral map which shows the
boundaries of fields, plots, houses and other properties.
 To prepare an engineering map which shows the
position of engineering work such as buildings, roads,
railways, dams, canals.
 To prepare a contour map to know the topography of the
area to find out the best possible site for roads, railways,
bridges, reservoir, canals, etc
Uses of Surveying

 Surveying is also used to prepare military map,

geological map, archaeological map etc.
 For setting out work and transferring details from the
map on the ground.
Principles of Surveying
 Always work from the whole to part
 First establish accurately a large main A
framework consisting of widely
spaced control points D G E
 Between the large main framework,
subsidiary small framework can be
J H
established by relatively less accurate
surveys B F C
 Thus the errors will be localised and
are not magnified
Principles of Surveying
 Always make provisions of adequate
checks
 There is always possibility of making
A
errors while taking the measurement, Check Line
recording the observations, computing
and plotting the results
 There should be suitable provision for
checks
 Adopt a method which automatically B D C
reveals the mistakes
 Same party should measure in reverse
direction
 Two different parties should take the
measurements independently
Principles of Surveying
 Always choose the method of survey that is the most
suitable for purpose
 Cost of surveying increases an increase in accuracy
 High accuracy requires very costly precise instruments,
more fieldwork and more extensive computations
 Eg: Land survey in rural area where the cost of land is
low, can be done with accuracy of 1 in 1000, using a
chain
 Eg: Survey of residential plot in big city where the cost of
land is high, accuracy of 1 in 10000 or more is required
and done with steel or invar tape
Principles of Surveying
 Always record field data carefully
 Measurements taken in the field must be recorded in
proper field book instantly
 Record must be in standard form and clearly written with
black ball pen or hard pencil 3H or 4H
 It may be in the form of tables, sketches, description or all
 In case of mistake, a line should be drawn to cross it
Classification of Surveying
 Primary Divisions of Surveying is made on the basis
of:
 Curvature of the Earth is Considered
 Earth is assumed to be Flat

 Shape of the earth is Oblate Spheroid.

 Length of Polar Axis = 12713.168 Km
 Length of Equatorial Axis = 12756.604 Km
 Difference = 43.434 Km (0.34%)
 For understanding consider Earth as Sphere
 Due to the curvature of earth’s surface, the measured
distances are actually curved. However, when the
distances are small, curvature can be neglected and there
is no difference between curved distance and straight line
distances.
Classification of Surveying
 Surveying is Primarily divided into:
 Plane Surveying
 Geodetic Surveying

 Plane Surveying
 Curvature of Earth is neglected and assumed as flat
surface.
 Horizontal distances and angles are projected onto a
horizontal plane.
 A horizontal plane at a point is the plane which is
perpendicular to the vertical line at that point. The vertical
line is indicated by a freely suspended plumb bob.
 Used for small areas i.e. Less than 250 sq. Km.
Classification of Surveying
 Geodetic Surveying
 Curvature of earth is taken into consideration.
 High standard of accuracy is maintained.
 Main object of Geodetic Survey: Determine the precise
location of a system of widely spaced points on the
surface of the earth. These points are used as control
stations.
Classification of Surveying
 Classification is done based on:
 Function
 Instruments Used

 Functional Classification of
Surveying:
 Control Surveying: Establishing the
horizontal and vertical positions of
widely spaced Control points using
principles of geodetic survey. In
India it is done by Survey of India.
Classification of Surveying
 Land Surveying: To determine the boundaries and areas
of tracts of the lands. Also known as property survey,
boundary survey or Cadastral survey

 City Survey: Conducted within limits of a city for urban

planning for layouts of streets, buildings, sewers, pipes
etc.

 Topographical survey: Topography is defined as the

shape or configuration of the earth’s surface. Information
pertaining to reliefs and undulations on the earth’s
surface is generally shown in the form of contours of
equal elevations.
Classification of Surveying
 Route Survey: Special type of topographical survey
conducted along a proposed route for a highway, railway,
sewer line etc.

 Mine Survey: To determine the relative positions and

elevations of mines, shafts, adits, bore holes etc. for
underground works.

 Hydrographic Survey: Conducted on or near the body of

water, such as lakes, rivers, bays, harbours etc. For
locating shore lines, estimation of water flow and
determination of shape of area beneath the water surface.

 Engineering Survey: To collect data for the designing and

planning of engineering works such as building, bridges,
roads, dams, reservoirs, sewers and water supply lines.

Classification of Surveying
 Astronomic Survey: To determine the latitudes, longitudes,
azimuths, local time etc. for various places on the earth by
observing heavenly bodies (the sun and stars)

 Satellite Survey: To obtain intercontinental, interdatum and

interisland geodetic ties all over the world through artificial
earth satellites.

 Geological Survey: To obtain information about different strata

of earth’s surface for geological studies (Geological Maps).

 Construction Survey: This is the final survey. The points and

lines are established on the ground, and the layout plan of the
structure is marked on the ground. Stakes are driven for setting
out.
Classification of Surveying
 Miscellaneous Surveys:
 Archaeological Survey: To unearth relics and antiquity

 Military Survey: To determine the routes and points of strategic

importance

 Gravity Survey: To measure the intensity of the gravitational

force at various points

 General Survey: To acquire and accumulate qualitative

information and quantitative data for a specific purpose by
observing, counting, classifying and recording according to the
need. Eg: Traffic Survey
Classification of Surveying based on
Instrument
 Classification based on Instruments
used:
 Chain Survey:
Simplest survey used for linear
measurements
Chain or Tape is used
Accuracy is low

 Compass Survey:
Horizontal angles are measured
Magnetic Compass is used
Accuracy is low but better than Compass
survey
Classification of Surveying
 Levelling:
Relative elevations (levels) at various points
are determined with respect to reference plane
(datum)
Dumpy Level, Auto Level
Accuracy is Medium

 Plane Table Survey:

A map is prepared in the field while viewing
the terrain after determining the directions of
various lines and taking the linear
measurements
Plane Table, Alidade, Chain or Tape are used
Accuracy is low
Classification of Surveying
 Theodilite Survey:
Horizontal and Vertical angles can be determined.
Classified as: Traverse and Triangulation
Vernier or Transit Theodilite is used
Accuracy is high

 Tacheometric Survey:
Horizontal angles, distances and Elevations can be
measured
Tacheometer is used
Tacheometer is a Theodilite fixed with Stadia Diaphragm
having two horizontal cross hairs in addition to one
vertical cross hair
Accuracy is Medium
Classification of Surveying
 Photogrammetric Survey:
Measurements are taken with help of
Photographs and are used for
topographic mapping of vast areas
Drones, Satellites and Aeroplanes
were used
Accuracy is High

 EDM Survey:
Used for determining horizontal,
vertical angles and distances
Works on Trilateration principle
Accuracy is High
A Plan and A Map
 Plan: A graphical representation of features on or near
the Earth’s surface projected on a horizontal plane
 Plan represents the area on a horizontal plane, horizontal
distances are measured between various points on the earth’s
surface. A plan is drawn relatively on a large scale

 Map: Map is a Plan whose scale of the geographical

projection on a horizontal plane is small
 Map depicts additional features such as reliefs, harchures and
contour lines to indicate undulations of the ground

 Difference b/w Plan and Map

 Large scale representation of a small area are called Plans
 Small scale representation of a large area are called Maps
Map
Plan
Plan
Scale of a Map
 Scale: Ratio of distance on the map with the
corresponding distance measured on the ground
 Scales are represented as:
 Engineers Scale: One Cm on the plan represents whole
number of meters on the ground
Eg: 1Cm = 1 Km
 Representative Fraction (R.F.): Ratio of map distance to the
corresponding ground distance is independent of units of
measurement
Eg: 1: 1000 (1Cm = 10m, 1Cm = 1000Cm, 1: 1000)
 Graphical Scale: It is a line sub divided into plant distance
corresponding to convenient units of length
Accuracy & Precision
 Accuracy:
 Closeness of a measurement to its true value
 Precision:
 Closeness of a measurement to previously measured value. It
may or may not be accurate.
 A good surveyor should achieve both accuracy and
precision