Survey 1

Notes for Introduction to Surveying

Objective of Lesson 1
The objective of Lesson 1 is to deal with the introduction and basics of surveying (importance,
objectives, divisions, classifications and principles)
Definition of Surveying
Surveying is defined as the science of making measurements of the earth specifically the surface of
the earth. This is being carried out by finding the spatial location (relative / absolute) of points on or
near the surface of the earth.
Different methods and instruments are being used to facilitate the work of surveying.
The primary aims of field surveying are :
To measure the Horizontal Distance between points.
To measure the Vertical elevation between points.
to find out the Relative direction of lines by measuring horizontal angles with reference to any
arbitrary direction and
To find out Absolute direction by measuring horizontal angles with reference to a fixed direction.
These parameters are utilized to find out the relative or absolute coordinates of a point / location.
Importance of Surveying to Civil Engineers
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 establish control points;
to execute hydrographic and oceanographic charting and mapping; and
To prepare topographic map of land surface of the earth.

Survey-I

Sanjit Kr. Bhattarai

Objectives of Surveying
To collect field data;
To prepare plan or map of the area surveyed;
To analyses 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.
Divisions of Surveying
The approximate shape of the earth can best be defined as an oblate tri-axial ovaloid. But, most of
the civil engineering works, concern only with a small portion of the earth which seems to be a plane
surface. Thus, based upon the consideration of the shape of the earth, surveying is broadly divided
into two types.
Geodetic Surveying
Plane Surveying
Fundamental assumptions in Plane surveying
All distances and directions are horizontal;
The direction of the plumb line is same at all points within the limits of the survey;
All angles (both horizontal and vertical) are plane angles;
Elevations are with reference to a datum.
Classifications of Surveying
Based on the purpose (for which surveying is being conducted), Surveying has been classified into:
Control surveying: To establish horizontal and vertical positions of control points.
Land surveying: To determine the boundaries and areas of parcels of land, also known as property
survey, boundary survey or cadastral survey.
Topographic survey: To prepare a plan/ map of a region which includes natural as well as and manmade features including elevation.
Engineering survey: To collect requisite data for planning, design and execution of engineering
projects. Three broad steps are
1) Reconnaissance survey: To explore site conditions and availability of infrastructures.
2) Preliminary survey: To collect adequate data to prepare plan / map of area to be used for planning
and design.

Survey-I

Sanjit Kr. Bhattarai

3) Location survey: To set out work on the ground for actual construction / execution of the project.
Route survey: To plan, design, and laying out of route such as highways, railways, canals, pipelines,
and other linear projects.
Construction surveys: Surveys which are required for establishment of points, lines, grades, and for
staking out engineering works (after the plans have been prepared and the structural design has
been done).
Astronomic surveys: To determine the latitude, longitude (of the observation station) and azimuth
(of a line through observation station) from astronomical observation.
Mine surveys: To carry out surveying specific for opencast and underground mining purposes.
Principles of Surveying
The fundamental principles upon which the surveying is being carried out are
Working from whole to part.
After deciding the position of any point, its reference must be kept from at least two permanent
objects or stations whose position have already been well defined.
The purpose of working from whole to part is
to localize the errors and
To control the accumulation of errors.
This is being achieved by establishing a hierarchy of networks of control points. The less precise
networks are established within the higher precise network and thus restrict the errors. To minimize
the error limit, highest precise network (primary network) Figure 1.1 of control are established using
the most accurate / precise instruments for collection of data and rigorous methods of analysis are
employed to find network parameters. This also involves most skilled manpower and costly
resources which are rare and cost intensive. Further elaboration has been done in Lesson 3 under
"Overview of Land Surveying".
Operations in Surveying
Operations in surveying consists of :
Planning
Field Observation
Office Works and Setting out Works

Survey-I

Sanjit Kr. Bhattarai