Fundamentals of Surveying Basic

Concepts

Chapter One
Basic concepts
1.1 Introduction
This chapter will define surveying and some of the essential terms used in surveying.
Surveying may be simply defined as the art of making measurements. Surveying
involves the measurements of distances, angles and elevations. It also involves staking
out the lines and grades needed for the construction of buildings, roads, dams, and other
engineering structures. In addition to the field measurements, surveying includes the
computation of areas, volumes, and other quantities, as well as the preparation of
necessary maps and diagrams. Surveying has many industrial applications: for example,
setting equipments, assembling aircrafts, laying out assembly lines, and so on. In addition
it includes the processing of converting the measurements into positional information
such as maps and coordinates. The survey activities are not limited to the surface of the
earth but extend to the sea and deep underground, as well as extraterrestrial space.
More precisely, Surveying can be defined as the art and science of determining the
relative positions of various points on, above or below the surface of the earth.
When we say the relative positions of points it means that determining the relative
positions of points in reference to another point or reference point/station.
The Art and Science of Surveying
Surveying is the art and science of measuring and locating points and angles on, above,
and below the surface of the earth. In this definition, the terms “art” and “science” are
used because good surveying is both. Webster defines art as “skill acquired by
experience, study, or observation” and “the conscious use of skill and creative
imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects. “An example of the art of
surveying is being able to reconnoiter a site and determines the “best” instruments and
methods to use to collect the desired data.
Best is a very subjective term. What is best for one individual, crew, or site may not be
the best if the conditions change, such as moving to a different site, completing a
different type of survey, or working for a different government agency. The best
instruments and methods produce the required data with the least consumption of
resources.

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 1

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

This includes determining what data needs to be collected, the most appropriate
surveying method to use, the best location of the instruments, and so on. For professional
surveyors, and for commercial construction operations, time is money. An experienced
surveyor can look at a site and determine the best method for collecting the necessary
data. This ability is an art because it cannot be learned from a textbook or in a classroom.
This “art” is developed through natural abilities and from experience. In many cases,
standards and procedures have been developed to provide guidance in this area. For
example, if the purpose of a survey is to establish the legal description of a parcel of land,
then standard procedure requires that an instrument that measures angles with known and
verified accuracy be used. Distances must also be measured within the stated limits and a
procedure called “balancing the traverse” should be used.
Surveying is also a science. Webster defines science as, “knowledge covering general
truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through
scientific method.” This definition is appropriate for many aspects of surveying. The
principles and practices that have been developed to collect accurate data provide an
example of the use of science in surveying. Accurate data is valuable in surveying, while
inaccurate data can be costly because it may result in design errors. A rule to remember is
that bad data is worse than no data. Procedures have been developed and tested over time
that if followed, control errors. These include procedures to set up and use the
instruments, record data, and perform mathematical procedures used to complete the
calculations.
Simply stated, surveying involves the measurement of distances and angles. The
distances may be horizontal or vertical in direction. Simply, the angles may be measured
in a horizontal or vertical plane. Frequently distances are measured on a slope, but they
must eventually be converted to a corresponding horizontal distance. Vertical distances
are also called elevations. Horizontal angles are used to express the directions of land
boundaries and other lines.
There are two fundamental purposes for measuring distances and angles. The first is to
determine the relative positions of existing points or objects on or near the surface of the
earth. The second is to layout or mark the desired positions of new points or objects
which are to be placed or constructed on or near the surface of the earth.

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 2

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

The survey measurements must be made with precision in order to achieve a maximum of
accuracy with a minimum expenditure of time and money. Generally, the practice of
surveying is an art, because it is dependent upon the skill, judgment, and experience of
the surveyor and an applied science, because field and office procedures rely up on a
systematic body of knowledge, related primarily to mathematics and physics.
1.2 Primary Division of Surveying
Primary divisions of surveying are made on the basis whether the curvature of the earth is
considered or the earth is assumed to be a flat plane. Because of the curvature of the
earth’s surface, the measured distances on earth are actually curved. However, when the
distances are small, compared with the radius of the earth, there is no significant
difference between the curved distances and the corresponding straight – line distances,
and the curvature of the earth can be neglected.
Surveying is thus primarily divided in two types:
1. Plane surveying
2. Geodetic Surveying
1. Plane surveying- is the type of surveying in which the curvature of the earth is
neglected and it is assumed to be a flat surface. All horizontal distances and
horizontal angles are assumed to be projected on a horizontal plane. A horizontal
plane at a point is the plane, which is perpendicular to the vertical line at that point.
2. Geodetic Surveying: is the type of surveying in which the curvature of the earth is
taken in to consideration and a very high standard of accuracy is maintained. The
main objective of geodetic surveying is to determine the precise location of a system
of widely spaced points on the surface of the earth.
1.3 Importance of Surveying
Surveying plays an essential role in the planning, design, layout and construction of our
physical environment and infrastructure. The term infrastructure is commonly used to
present all the constructed facilities and systems which allow human communities to
function. Surveying is the link between design and construction. Roads, Bridges,
Buildings, water supply sewerage, drainage systems and many other essential public
works, projects could never be built without surveying technology.

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 3

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

In addition to its customary applications in construction and land-use projects, surveying

is playing an increasingly important role in modern industrial technology.
Most commonly for ordinary local projects the surveying process starts with the
reconnaissance survey i.e. on arrival at the site the survey team simply walks over the
area with a view to establish the best sites for survey stations, and other purposes need to
be considered.
Next the necessary data for the project will be collected by the principle of basic
measurements in surveying, then computations of the collected data has to be done to
produce plans or topographic maps depending up on the objectives of the project. The
produced plans or maps are used for planning Engineering projects, marking boundary
corners or lines, computations of areas & volumes and other purposes. Surveying also
includes the art of setting out the new points on the ground from the plans or maps
according to the design of the project.
To summarize; the first stage in all big projects is generally to survey the area and
prepare plans or maps which will be used in the preparation of detailed drawings, design
and cost estimation of the project .After finalizing the design or detail drawing, setting
out will be done.
1.4 Classifications of Surveying
1.4 .1 Based on application area
As we mentioned at the beginning, the two fundamentals purposes for surveying are to
determine the relative positions of existing points and to mark the positions of new points
on or near the surface of the earth .within this frame work, many different kinds of
surveys are performed. Some specific applications or types of surveys are outlined briefly
as follows:
i. Property survey
A property survey is performed in order to establish the positions of boundary lines and
property corners. It is also referred to as a land survey or a boundary survey. Property
surveys are usually performed when ever land ownership is to be transferred or when a
large tract of land is to be subdivided into smaller parcels for development. Also before
the design and construction of any public or private land- use project can get underway, it
is necessary to accurately establish the legal boundaries of the proposed project site.

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 4

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

Constructing a structure on what later is found to be property that belongs to someone

else can be a very expensive mistake.
Any survey for establishing or describing land boundaries must be performed under the
supervision of a licensed land surveyor. Land surveys in urban areas must be conducted
with particular care, due to the very high cost of land. In rural areas less accuracy may be
accepted. Land surveys done to actually mark property corners with permanent
monuments are sometimes informally referred to as ‘’stakeout’’ ‘’out bound’’ or ‘’bar
job’’ surveys.
ii. Topographic Survey
A topographic survey is performed in order to determine the relative positions (horizontal
and vertical) of existing natural and constructed features on a tract of land. Such features
include ground elevations, bodies of water, vegetation, rock out crops, roads, buildings,
and so on.
A topographic survey provides information on the ‘’shape of the land’’ Hills, valleys,
ridges, and the general slope of the ground can be depicted graphically. The data obtained
from a topographic survey are plotted and drawn as a suitably scaled map called a
topographic map, or topo map.
The shape of the ground is shown with contours, or lines of equal elevation. Since a topo
map is always needed before the engineering and architectural design of any building or
other project can begin, a topo survey may also be referred to as a preliminary survey. Of
course an accurate property survey must always precede the topo survey, to establish the
boundaries of the project site.
iii. Construction Survey
A construction survey, also called a layout or location survey is performed in order to
mark the position of new points on the ground. These new points represent the location of
building corners, road center lines, and other facilities that are to be built. These positions
are shown on a site plan, which is essentially a combination of the property survey and
topo survey, along with the newly designed facilities. This also may be called a plot plan.
A site plan shows the location dimensions which are to be measured with reference to
boundaries or other control points. Vertical heights are given by elevations. Some times
horizontal positions may be given by coordinates.

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 5

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

Wooden stakes are used by the surveyors to mark the positions of the building, roads, and
other structures. An example of a drawing which includes location dimensions is shown
below figure 1.1 below.

Fig-1.1- Typical location dimension found on engineering or architectural plans,

for use during a stake out survey.
The wooden stakes serve as reference points for the construction contractor who actually
builds the project. They may be centerline stakes, offset stakes, or grade stakes.
Carpenters, masons, and other skilled professionals transfer measurements directly from
the survey points. The procedure of placing the markers is called staking out. Another
term used, especially for pipelines and roads, is giving line and grade.
iv. Control Survey
There are two kinds of control surveys horizontal and vertical. In a horizontal control
survey, several points are placed in the ground by the surveyor, using wooden stakes, or
more permanent markers such as iron bars and concrete monuments. These points, called
stations, are arranged throughout the site or area under study so that they can be easily
seen and surveyed. The relative horizontal positions of these points are established,
usually with a very high degree of precision and accuracy; this is done using traverse,
triangulation, or trilateration survey methods.

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 6

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

In a vertical control survey, the elevations of relatively permanent reference points are
determined by precise leveling methods. Marked or monumental points of known
elevation are called elevation bench marks (BMs). Boundary surveys or construction
surveys can be tied in to near by control surveys stations and Bench Marks. This
minimizes the accumulation of errors and the cost of making all the measurements
precise.

Fig-1.2-A horizontal control survey network showing traverse and triangulation

station points and course lines
v. Route Survey
A route survey is performed in order to establish horizontal and vertical control to obtain
topographic data and to lay out the positions of highways, rail ways, streets, pipelines or
any other ‘’linear’’ project. In other words, the primary aspect of a route survey is that the
project area is very narrow compared with its length, which can extend from many
kilometers and miles
vi. City surveys
These surveys are conducted within the limits of a city for urban planning. These are
required for the purpose of layout of streets, buildings, sewers, pips, etc.

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 7

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

vii. Mine surveys

These surveys are conducted to determine the relative positions and elevations of Mines,
shafts, bore holes etc for underground works. Mine surveys are useful to plan the working
of mines and to compute volumes of materials in mines.
viii. Hydrographic surveys
These surveys are conducted on or near the body of water, such as lakes, rivers, bays, and
harbors.
ix. Engineering surveys
Engineering surveys are conducted to collect data for the designing and planning of
engineering works such as building, roads, bridges, dams, reservoirs, sewers and water
supply lines. These surveys generally include surveys discussed above.
x. Astronomic surveys
These surveys are conducted for the determination of latitudes, Azimuths, local time etc.
for various places on the earth by observing heavenly bodies (the sun or stars).
xi. Satellite surveys
These surveys are conducted to obtain intercontinental, interdatum and interisland
geodetic ties the entire world over by artificial earth’s satellites.
xii. Geological surveys
Geological surveys are conducted to obtain information about different strata of the
earth’s surface for geological studies
1.4.2 Based on instruments used
Based on the instruments used surveys can be classified as under
i. Chain surveying : is the simplest type of surveying in which linear
measurements are taken with a chain or tape
ii. Compass surveying: In this type of surveying, the horizontal angles are
measured with the help of a magnetic compass, in addition to the line or
measurements with a chain or a tape.
iii. Leveling: this is a type of survey in which a leveling Instrument is used for
determination of relative elevations (levels) of various points on, above or
below the surface of the earth

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 8

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

iv. Theodolite survey: In this survey Theodolite is the main instrument used. It is
used for measuring both horizontal and vertical angles.
v. Tachometric Survey: This is a rapid and economical survey by which the
horizontal distances and the difference in elevation are determined indirectly
using a Theodolite and a graduated rod.
vi. Photogram metric survey: Photogrammetry is a science of taking measurements
with the help of photographs. Photogrammetric surveys are generally used for
topographic mapping of vast areas.

1.5. Basic measurements in Surveying

Introduction as it is defined in section 1.1 generally surveying can be define as the art and
science of determining the relative position of various points on, above or below the
surface of the earth. These relative positions of points or the position of one point to
another point or the reference point can be defined by making some kind of
measurements of these measurements the basic ones are classified in to four:
1. Horizontal distance
2. Vertical Distance
3. Horizontal Angles and
4. Vertical Angles.
1. Horizontal Distance
Most surveying data are eventually plotted and drawn as a boundary plat, a topographic
map, a building site plan, a profile of the ground along a route or a series of route cross-
sections. With the exception of the last two types of drawings, the lines shown on the
paper represent projections of points on to a flat and horizontal surface. The drawing
paper represents the level reference plane. The scaled length of any line on the drawing is
proportional to the actual horizontal distance between its end points on the earth.
The tasks of determining the horizontal distance between two existing points and of
setting a new point at a specified distance from some other fixed position are fundamental
surveying operations. The surveyor must select the appropriate equipments and apply
suitable field procedures in order to determine or set and mark distances with the required
degree of accuracy. The most common methods for measuring horizontal distances
include: pacing, stadia, taping, and electronic distance measurement (EDM).

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 9

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

Generally, we can define horizontal distance between two points is the distance measured
between the points which are in a horizontal plane, the plane which is perpendicular to
the vertical direction at a point or direction of gravity at the points or the horizontal
projection of the slope distance between points which are on a slopping ground.
More precisely, horizontal distance is the distance measured between points which are in
a horizontal plane or the horizontal projection of the slope distance between points on a
sloping ground.

Fig 1.3-horizontal distance measurement over level ground

Fig-1.4-Measuring slope distance

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 10

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

2. Vertical Distances
The vertical direction is parallel to the direction of gravity; at any point, it is the direction
of a freely suspended plum bob cord or string. The vertical distance of a point above or
below a given reference surface is called the elevation of the point. The most commonly
used reference surface for measuring vertical distance is mean sea level (MSL). (The
words altitude & height are some times used in place of elevation)
Vertical distance between two points or between the point and reference surface is the
distance measured between the points which are in a vertical plane or a plane which is
parallel to the direction of gravity at that point and passing through the point or points

Fig –1.5-The relationship between vertical distance and direction of force of gravity

3. Horizontal Angle

One of the basic purpose of surveying is to determine the relative positions of points on
or near the earth’s surface. Assigning coordinates to a given point is a useful and
common way to indicate its position.
Horizontal angles are measured between two intersecting lines in a horizontal plane.
They are usually expressed in terms of degrees, minutes, and seconds of arc. The
horizontal angle between a given line and a specified reference line is called the direction

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 11

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

of the line. The reference line is called meridian. An angle measured between two
intersecting lines in a horizontal plane is called horizontal angle.

Fig-1.6-Measurment of horizontal and vertical angles.

4. Vertical Angles

A vertical angle between two lines of sight is measured in a plane that is vertical at the
point of observation. In modern surveying Instruments the up ward vertical direction is
usually used as a reference for measuring vertical angles, instead of the horizontal. That
direction is called the zenith direction, and the angle measured with respect to it is called
a zenith angle

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 12

Fundamentals of Surveying Basic
Concepts

Fig-1.7- Designation of Vertical angles or Zenith Angles

Relationship between Zenith and Vertical Angle.

Fig- 1.8- Relationship between Zenith and Vertical Angle

*In Surveying, angles as well as linear distances are usually measured in order to
compute the coordinates of any particular point.

Wolaita sodo University Department of civil engineering 13