Elementary Surveying 1

Prepared by: Engr. Harry Neil A. Latina, RCE

Introduction to Surveying
 What is Surveying
 It is the art of science in determining
linear and angular measurements to
establish the form extend and relative
precision of points, lines and areas near
the surface of the earth or on other extra
terrestrial bodies through mathematics
and the use of specialize equipment and
techniques.
 One of the oldest arts practiced by man is
surveying.
 Surveyors cover a wide range in scope
and complexity from the staking out of
simple structures or the surveying of
small parcels of land to the extensive and
difficult surveys required in the
construction of subdivisions, bridges,
highways, canals, dams, railroads,
wharves, missile and rocket launching
sites, drainage and irrigation system on
the earth’s surface.
Bridge
Highways
Canal
Railroads
Wharves
 Two General Classifications of
Surveying
 Plane Surveying
• Surveys that are limited extend distance and
areas involved are so small curvature of the
earth is neglected.
 Assumptions
 A level line is considered mathematically straight
 All distance and directions are horizontal
 The direction of the plumb line is considered to be same at
all points within the limit of surveys.
 All points within the limit of surveys.
 All angles horizontal and vertical angles are considered
plane.
 Elevation are with reference to a datum.
Examples of Surveying
Works
 Geodetic Surveying
• Are surveys of wide extent which take into
account the spheroidal shape of the earth.
• Which are usually of a national character,
are mostly undertaken by government
agencies to serve as a basis for the
production of accurate base and
topographic maps.
Topographic Map
 Types of Surveys
 Cadastral Surveys
• Are usually closed surveys which are
undertaken in urban and rural locations for
the purpose of determining and defining
property lines and bounderies, corners and
areas.
 City Surveys
• Are surveys of the areas in and near a city
for the purpose of planning expansions or
improvements, locating property lines,
fixing reference monuments, determining
physical features and configuration of the
land and preparing maps.
 Construction Surveys
• These are surveys which are undertaken at
a construction site to provide data regarding
grades, reference lines, dimensions, ground
configuration, and the location and
elevation of structures which are of concern
to engineers, architects and builders.
 Forestry Surveys
• A type of survey executed in connection
with forest management and mensuration,
and the production and conservation of
forest lands.

 Hydrographic Surveys
• Refer to surveying streams, lakes,
reservoirs, harbors and oceans, and other
bodies of water.
 Industrial Surveys
• Sometimes known as optical tooling. It
refers to the use of surveying techniques in
ship building, construction and assembly of
aircraft, layout and installation of heavy and
complex machinery.
 Mine Surveys
• Are surveys which are performed to
determine the position of all underground
excavations and surface mine structures, to
fix surface boundaries of mining claims,
determine geological formations.
 Photogrammetric Surveys
• A type of survey which makes use of
photographs taken with specially designed
cameras either from airplanes or ground
stations.
 Route Surveys
• Involves the determination of alignment,
grades, earthwork quantities, location of
natural and artificial objects in connection
with the planning, design and construction
of highways, railroads, pipelines and canals.
 Topographic Surveys
• Are those made for determining the shape
of the ground, and the location and
elevation of natural and artificial features
upon it.
 Importance of Surveying
 To fix the national state and boundaries.
 To chart coastline and navigable
streams and lakes.
 To establish control points.
 To execute hydrographic and
oceanographic charting and mapping.
 To prepare topographic maps of the area
surveyed.
 To collect field data.
 To prepare plan or map of the area
surveyed.
 To analyze and to calculate the field
parameters for setting out operations
of actual engineering works
 To set out fields parameters at the
site for further engineering work.