Chapter: 1 – Introduction (4 marks)
1.1 Definition
• Surveying is the art of determination of relative position of points on
above or below the surface of earth by means of measurement of
distance, elevation and direction.
• The process of surveying completes in three stages namely taking a
general view (recci), observation and measurement and presentation of
data (data computation and analysis, map plotting).
Objective of surveying
• To prepare plan and a map to show the relative positions of the objects on
the earth surface.
• Shows the natural features such as towns, village, pipelines, canals, roads,
railways, river etc. or to measure area of field, state, nation.
• Map is drawn to some suitable scale.
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1.2 History of surveying
• Human civilization (property ownership)
• Egyptian - Construction of pyramid
• Roman- series of engineering project about 5000 years ago.
• In ancient Egypt when Nile River overflowed its banks and washed out farms boundaries,
boundaries were re-established by a rope stretcher, or surveyor, through the application of
simple geometry.
• The nearly perfect squareness and north-south orientation of the Great Pyramid of Giza,
built 2700 BC, affirm the Egyptians' command of surveying.
• The Egyptian lands register (3000 BC).
• 1808 Napoleon Bonaparte divided land in parcels.
• In 1780's William Roy began the principle of triangulation of Britain.
• The main development took place in 19th century after invention of telescope.
• Now-a-day magnetic compass, leveling instrument, theodolite, EDM, GPS, total station etc.
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1.3 Principle of surveying
1. Working from the whole to the part
⮚ To establish a system of control points and fix them with higher precision.
⮚ To prevent the accumulation of errors.
⮚ To control and localize these errors within the frame work.
Otherwise, errors would expand to greater magnitudes if reverse process
followed.
2. Location of point by measurement from two control points
Survey stations are fixed by at least two measurements, either linear or angular
measurements or both linear and angular measurements from two control points.
3. Independent check
Errors can still occur in the finished plan even with all the checking procedures the
surveyor employs, for this reason final independent checks are required.
For example, the three angles of a triangle would be observed although only two
are required to define the shape. The third angle could be deduced but, when
measured, acts as independent check.
Similarly, although two measurements are sufficient to locate a station from the
two reference point, a third measurement is taken to serve as a check.
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4. Consistency
The degree of precision of work should be consistent. It should be of same accuracy and precise
throughout. To get more consistent of work, the following points should be considered:
The work should be completed with continue as possible.
If work is not compete in a day, work is carried out in next day at same climate conditions as before.
Use same instrument and equipment as possible for a project.
Surveyor should do same work to complete a work.
5. Economy of accuracy
used to accurately set up benchmarks and control elevations during construction projects.
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1.4 Classification of surveying:
A) Primary classification
B) Secondary classification
A. Primary classification.
On the basis of primary classification surveying can be divided into two main categories:
1) Plane surveying
• Spheroid shape of earth neglected. Earth surface is assumed plane. Curvature of earth is ignored.
• Lines joining any two points is considered to be straight and angle between these lines is taken as plane angle.
• Covers area only less than 260 km² (In some text 250 km²)
• Used for layouts of highways, railways, canal, boundary pillars, bridge, factory etc.
• First step of surveying and simple trigonometry is used.
2) Geodetic surveying
• Higher degree of precision for both linear and angular observations.
• Curvature of earth is taken into account.
• The line joining any two points is considered as curved line.
• Covers area larger than 260 km² (some text > 250 km²)
• Angles between curved lines are spherical angles and to solve problems spherical trigonometry is used.
• Conducted by survey department.
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B. Secondary classification.
1. Based on instruments
a. Chain surveying
b. Compass surveying
c. Plane table surveying
d. Theodolite surveying
e. Tachometric surveying
f. Photographic surveying
2. Based on methods
a. Triangulation surveying
b. Traverse surveying
3. Based on object
a. Geological surveying – to determine different strata in earth’s crust.
b. Mine surveying – exploring mineral wealth, coal, iron ores, copper, etc.
c. Archaeological surveying – to prepare maps of ancient culture.
d. Military surveying – maps of military importance
e. Engineering surveying – data for engineering works, roads, reservoir, etc.
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4. Based on nature of field
a. Land surveying
∙ Topographical survey – to determine natural/artificial features eg : river, lake, roads, village, etc.
∙ Cadastral survey – to fix property lines, boundaries, etc.
∙ City survey – w/s system, sewers, construction of street, etc.
b. Marine surveying
∙ Prediction of tides
∙ Determination of mean sea level
∙ Topographical map of shores
c. Astronomical surveying
∙ Used for determining absolute location
∙ i.e. latitudes of different places on the surface of earth by making observations to heavenly bodies
∙ eg: Stars and sun
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CE1 53 Engineering Surveying-I
Year/Part: I/II
Refrence Books:
• BC Punmia: Surveying and Levelling Vol I and II
• R. Agor: A Textbook of Surveying and Levelling
• BB Dhakal and BK Karki: Engineering Surveying I & II
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