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Introduction to Construction Surveying
Construction Surveying :
It is the establishment of the marks and lines to define the position and level of the elements for
construction work , so that the works may proceed with the reference to them .
The aim of the construction surveying are :
1-Points of known plan position must be established within or near the site from which the design
points can be setout in their correct plan position (this involves the horizontal control techniques)
points of known elevation relative to greed datum are required within or near the site from which
the design points can be set out at their reduced level , (this involves the vertical control techniques)
accurate method must be adopted to establish design points from the horizontal and vertical control
(this involves positioning techniques) .
2- Before any form of construction can began , a preliminary survey is required , the result will be
controlled plan and computer file of the area at suitable scale ( usually 1:500 or larger ) showing all
the existing detail this is known as survey plan or site plan .
the proposed scheme is drawn on the site plan this becoming lay out or working drawings.
all relevant dimensions are shown on these .
3- The basic procedures involved in setting out utilize conventional surveying instrument and
techniques , given sufficient working practice , an engineer can become highly professional at under
taking setting out activities .
To gain the working practice , the following points should be followed :
1- Keep careful records ,
a-Any thing which has influence on the work progress
b- Record the name who gave the instruction
c- Information about control points .
d-Keep the records neat and understandable
2- Adopt sensible filling procedure :
a- As the work proceeds fill in forms which controls the quantities and the progress .
b-Keep these records on daily or weekly basis .
c-At the end of the month you will have all information required for quantities to prepare for
payments.
3-Look after instruments and use them safely .
a- Do not treat instruments badly .
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b-Carry out routine checks and adjustments .
c- Protect them from getting wet .
4- Check the drawings and data :
a-Before setting out make sure that the correct information is at hand .
b-Information's may be in the form of :
*Paper drawing
*Graphical out put on screen
*Tabulated sheets for distance ,angles ,coordinates , heights
*Check the information's before using them ,
5- Visit the site ( walk the site )
a- Visit the site to obtain Knowledge about the topography
b- Consider hampers for layout
c- Report about any discrepancy between the plans and the actual topography .
6- Fix the control points
a- Inspect the vertical control and the horizontal control
b- check the values in horizontal and vertical before using them .
c- place the required control and additional in safe area
d- Control points should be protected
7- Work to the program :
a- Bar chart form for each item is prepared
b-Using this program start the work
c- It is advisable to work always ahead of the program
8- Work to the specification
a- In the documents of the contract details of variants to tolerance are given for different parts of the
project .
b-Suitable techniques and equipments must be used to achieve the required specifications
9- Check the work :
a- Each setting out must be incorporated with checks .
The rule .The work is not completed until it has been not checked
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b- For checking do not carry out same operation again
c- Any check must be independent from the initial method used .
for example :
* points fixed from one position should be checked from another and if possible from a third .
* If four corners of a building have been established , the two diagonals should be measured and
checked
*All leveling lines should start from Known point and closed to another point .
*Once a distance has been set out , it should be measured twice , once at each end .
*Points set out inter-resection should be checked y measuring appropriate distances .
10- Communicate :
a- Communicate with personal involved in the construction
b- Try to solve disputes
c- Be clear in instruction
d- Report any errors found as soon as possible ( do not try to hide error )
The principles of setting out
For the construction to be located correctly on site , accurate setting out procedures must be
employed : these procedure include a range of horizontal and vertical control methods and
positioning techniques .
the procedure requires the establishment of horizontal and vertical control points on or near the site
as close as possible to the design points .
from these control points , design points are set out using tape , theodolite , total station and G.P.S ,
the procedure used will enable the correct H and V positions of design to be established .
