FIELD WORK OPERATIONS

1. What is surveying?
 Surveying is the determination of the relative spatial location of the points on
or near the surface of the earth. As defined by webster, it is the branch of
applied mathematics which teaches the art of determining the area of any
portion of the earth’s surface, the length and directions of the boundary lines,
the contour of the surface, and of accurately delineating the whole on paper.
2. Relevance of surveying in architecture?
 The basis on which the architects work to design both the terrain and the
buildings is the survey produced by surveyors. In order to precisely locate
buildings and other elements on the site during construction, the 'setting out'
portion of surveying is helpful. The larger and more varied the topography of a
site, the more important it is to have a survey. In short, surveying is significant
in architecture in the sense that architects design buildings with consideration
for the existing context, including the topography of the site.

3. Surveying field notes

 The only reliable and long-lasting record of the actual work done in the field is
found in surveying field notes.
 The information that must be gathered for every survey should be thoroughly
examined before starting, and all relevant information should be collected on
the spot.
 The field notes serve as the survey's official record. Because of this, notes
must be complete, readable, concise, comprehensive, and logically organized
in accordance with standard practice.
 Office staff who have not visited the field site or are unfamiliar with the
circumstances on the project site sometimes use or refer to the field notes in
engineering application surveys. They rely entirely only upon what has been
recorded.
 A completed record written in a disorderly and confused manner often causes
more mistakes and erroneous information.
 It is essential that notes be intelligible to others without verbal explanations.
 Field work observations should be recorded directly in the notebook at the
time observations are made.
 In court, field notes may be used as evidence.

4. Field notebook
 In actual use, the field notebook should be made of high-quality rag paper,
have a hardboard or leather cover, and be pocket-sized.
 There are three different ways that the field notebook can be bound:
conventional, ring, or looseleaf.
 In certain technical schools, students are instructed to prepare and submit
their field notes on bond paper rather than in field notebooks.
5. Types of Notes
 Sketches
 A nice sketch will aid in giving the correct impression. Most of the time,
sketches are produced approximately to scale rather than to exact
scale. They are of varying sizes and were drawn by hand. Note that a
sketch that is overloaded with irrelevant information is usually
confusing.
 Tabulations
 These are the best format for displaying a list of numerical values that
have been recorded in the field. With this format, errors are avoided,
checking is quick and simple, time is saved, the calculation is clear to
others, and the task of the person reviewing the field notes is made
easier.
 Explanatory Notes
 These notes give a detailed description of the work that has been done
in the field. These are used to clarify what numerical data and sketches
are unable to do. They are typically written in the same line as the
numerical data they explain on the right-hand page of the field
notebook.
 Calculations
 A significant portion of surveying work involves calculations of some
sort or another. Most calculations used in surveying are accomplished
algebraically utilizing basic arithmetic operations and trigonometric
functions. Values are currently calculated using electronic desk
calculators, handheld calculators, or digital computers.
 Combination of the Above
 The practice used in most extensive surveys is a combination of the
above. The surveyor should be able to determine for himself which
type of combination would be most logical to use in portraying the type
of data gathered in the field.

6. Information Found in Field Notebooks

 Name of the Project or Title of the Fieldwork
 It is always important to state the name of the project or the title of the
fieldwork. Always specify the survey's location and, if possible, its
nature or purpose.
 Time of Day and Date
 These entries are important to record the remarks, provide a timeline,
and correlate other surveys.
 Weather Conditions
 Temperature, wind velocity, typhoons, storms, and other weather
conditions, such as in surveying operations.
 Names of Group Members and Their Designations
 It is necessary to identify the leader of the party, the instrument man,
the tape man, and all other survey party members. This information will
be required for future reference and recordkeeping purposes.
  List of Equipment
 Each piece of survey equipment used, along with its make, model, and
serial number, must be listed. The sort of instrument used and how it is
adjusted all significantly impact the survey's accuracy.

7. Recording observed data

 DIRECT MEASUREMENTS
 A direct measurement is a comparison of the measured quantity with a
standard measuring unit or units employed for measuring a quantity of
that kind.

EXAMPLES:
1. Applying a wire or tape to a line
2. Determining a horizontal or vertical angle with a transit
3. Fitting a protractor between to intersecting lines to determine the
intersection angle

 INDIRECT MEASUREMENTS
 When it is not possible to apply a measuring instrument directly to a
quantity to be measured an indirect measurement is made.

8. Abbreviations commonly used in surveying

 TP= Turning point
 BS= Backsight
 FS= Foresight
 BM= Benchmark
 HI= Height of Instrument
 CL= Center Line
 PI= Point of Intersection
 PC= point of curvature
 PT= point of tangency
 PI= point of intersection
 POB= Point of Beginning
 PRC= Point of Reserve Curve
 SC= Standard Corner
 SCM= Steel Rebar
 SRS= Steel Rod Set
 FB= Fore bearing
 BB= Back bearing

9. The Field Survey Party

 Chief of Party
 The person who is responsible for the overall direction, supervision,
and operational control of the survey party. He is also responsible for
its logistical and technical requirements, and problems of a field survey
 operation. Prior to the execution of a survey project, he consults or
confers with superiors regarding the project to be undertaken. He is
responsible for submitting survey reports and records. He prepares
cost estimates of survey projects.
 Assistant Chief of Party
 The person whose duty is to assist the chief of party in the
accomplishment of the task assigned to the survey party. He takes
over the duties of the chief of party during the absence of the chief. He
conducts ground reconnaissance and investigates sites of a proposed
project to gather necessary data prior to the start of a survey work. He
is primarily responsible for the employment of surveying equipment,
instruments and accessories used in the survey operation. He prepares
field and office reports and survey plans for submission to the chief of
party.

 Instrument man
 The person whose duty is to set up, level, and operate surveying
instruments such as the transit, engineer’s level, theodolite, sextant,
plane table and alidade, etc. He also assists the technician in the
operation of electronic surveying equipment.
 Technician
 The person who is responsible for use and operation of all electronic
instruments required in a field work operation. It is his duty to see to it
that these equipment's are functioning properly, are regularly
calibrated, and are in proper adjustment.
 Computer
 The person whose duty is to perform all computations of survey data
and works out necessary computational checks required in a field work
operation.
 Recorder
 The person whose duty is to keep a record of all sketches, drawings,
measurements, and observations taken or needed for a field work
operation. He keeps table of schedules of all phases of work and the
employment of the members of the survey party.
 Head Tapeman
 The person responsible for the accuracy and speed of all linear
measurements with tape. He determines and directs the marking of
stations to be occupied by the surveying instruments and directs the
clearing out of obstructions along the line of sight. He inspects and
compares tapes for standard length prior to their use in taping
operations.
 Rear Tapeman
 The person whose duty is to assist the head tape man during taping
operations and in other related work.
 Flagman
  The person whose duty is to hold the flagpole or range of pole at
selected points as directed by the instrument man. He helps the
tapeman in making measurements and assists the axeman in cutting
down branches and in clearing other obstructions to line of sight.
 Rodman
 The person whose primary duty is to hold the stadia or leveling rod
when sights are to be taken it.
 Pacer
 The person whose duty is to check all linear measurements made by
the tapeman. He assists the tapeman in seeing to it that mistakes and
blunders in linear measurements are either reduced or eliminated. He
may also perform the job of a rodman.
 Axeman/Lineman
 The person whose duty is to clear the line of sight of trees, bush, and
other obstructions in wooded country.

 Aidman
 The person whose duty is to render first aid treatment to members of
the survey party who are involved in snake and insects’ bites,
accidents, and other cases involving their health, safety, and wellbeing.
 Utilityman
 The person whose duties are to render other forms of assistance
needed by the survey party or as directed by the chief of party.

10. Surveyors hand signals

11. 1. ALL RIGHT. When the alignment for a plumb line, a range pole, a stake, a
hub, or any other item used
12. as a target is OK, or when the instrument man has completed all actions at
the site, the instrument man
13. will give the "all right" sign. Waving both arms up and down while extending
them out horizontally from
14. the shoulders is how it's done. When an instrument man aligns a target by
extending both arms
15. horizontally from the shoulders without waving them, it implies the target
should be held steady while a
16. brief check of its location is made.
17. 2. TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. When lining in a target on a predefined
line, the instrument man gives
18. this signal. It's delivered by reaching out with the appropriate hand from the
shoulder. A lengthy distance
19. must be covered by a gradual hand motion; a little distance must be covered
by a quick, short motion.
20. 3. GIVE ME A BACKSIGHT. When the instrument man wants a target kept at
a previously located spot, he
21. sends this signal. It's done by raising one arm and stretching the palm of the
hand upward.
22. 4. GIVE ME A LINE OR THIS ISA HUB. The rodman or chainman gives this
signal to indicate a hub or to
23. request a line on the point denoting the exact location. It is demonstrated by
holding a range pole
24. horizontally overhead.
25. 1. ALL RIGHT. When the alignment for a plumb line, a range pole, a stake, a
hub, or any other item used
26. as a target is OK, or when the instrument man has completed all actions at
the site, the instrument man
27. will give the "all right" sign. Waving both arms up and down while extending
them out horizontally from
28. the shoulders is how it's done. When an instrument man aligns a target by
extending both arms
29. horizontally from the shoulders without waving them, it implies the target
should be held steady while a
30. brief check of its location is made.
31. 2. TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. When lining in a target on a predefined
line, the instrument man gives
32. this signal. It's delivered by reaching out with the appropriate hand from the
shoulder. A lengthy distance
33. must be covered by a gradual hand motion; a little distance must be covered
by a quick, short motion.
34. 3. GIVE ME A BACKSIGHT. When the instrument man wants a target kept at
a previously located spot, he
35. sends this signal. It's done by raising one arm and stretching the palm of the
hand upward.
36. 4. GIVE ME A LINE OR THIS ISA HUB. The rodman or chainman gives this
signal to indicate a hub or to
37. request a line on the point denoting the exact location. It is demonstrated by
holding a range pole
38. horizontally overhead.
39. 1. ALL RIGHT. When the alignment for a plumb line, a range pole, a stake, a
hub, or any other item used
40. as a target is OK, or when the instrument man has completed all actions at
the site, the instrument man
41. will give the "all right" sign. Waving both arms up and down while extending
them out horizontally from
42. the shoulders is how it's done. When an instrument man aligns a target by
extending both arms
43. horizontally from the shoulders without waving them, it implies the target
should be held steady while a
44. brief check of its location is made.
45. 2. TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. When lining in a target on a predefined
line, the instrument man gives
46. this signal. It's delivered by reaching out with the appropriate hand from the
shoulder. A lengthy distance
47. must be covered by a gradual hand motion; a little distance must be covered
by a quick, short motion.
48. 3. GIVE ME A BACKSIGHT. When the instrument man wants a target kept at
a previously located spot, he
49. sends this signal. It's done by raising one arm and stretching the palm of the
hand upward.
50. 4. GIVE ME A LINE OR THIS ISA HUB. The rodman or chainman gives this
signal to indicate a hub or to
51. request a line on the point denoting the exact location. It is demonstrated by
holding a range pole
52. horizontally overhead.
53. 1. ALL RIGHT. When the alignment for a plumb line, a range pole, a stake, a
hub, or any other item used
54. as a target is OK, or when the instrument man has completed all actions at
the site, the instrument man
55. will give the "all right" sign. Waving both arms up and down while extending
them out horizontally from
56. the shoulders is how it's done. When an instrument man aligns a target by
extending both arms
57. horizontally from the shoulders without waving them, it implies the target
should be held steady while a
58. brief check of its location is made.
59. 2. TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. When lining in a target on a predefined
line, the instrument man gives
60. this signal. It's delivered by reaching out with the appropriate hand from the
shoulder. A lengthy distance
61. must be covered by a gradual hand motion; a little distance must be covered
by a quick, short motion.
62. 3. GIVE ME A BACKSIGHT. When the instrument man wants a target kept at
a previously located spot, he
63. sends this signal. It's done by raising one arm and stretching the palm of the
hand upward.
64. 4. GIVE ME A LINE OR THIS ISA HUB. The rodman or chainman gives this
signal to indicate a hub or to
65. request a line on the point denoting the exact location. It is demonstrated by
holding a range pole
66. horizontally overhead.
67. 1. ALL RIGHT. When the alignment for a plumb line, a range pole, a stake, a
hub, or any other item used
68. as a target is OK, or when the instrument man has completed all actions at
the site, the instrument man
69. will give the "all right" sign. Waving both arms up and down while extending
them out horizontally from
70. the shoulders is how it's done. When an instrument man aligns a target by
extending both arms
71. horizontally from the shoulders without waving them, it implies the target
should be held steady while a
72. brief check of its location is made.
73. 2. TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. When lining in a target on a predefined
line, the instrument man gives
74. this signal. It's delivered by reaching out with the appropriate hand from the
shoulder. A lengthy distance
75. must be covered by a gradual hand motion; a little distance must be covered
by a quick, short motion.
76. 3. GIVE ME A BACKSIGHT. When the instrument man wants a target kept at
a previously located spot, he
77. sends this signal. It's done by raising one arm and stretching the palm of the
hand upward.
78. 4. GIVE ME A LINE OR THIS ISA HUB. The rodman or chainman gives this
signal to indicate a hub or to
79. request a line on the point denoting the exact location. It is demonstrated by
holding a range pole
80. horizontally overhead.

1. All right

The "all right" is given by the instrument man when the alignment is
OK for a plumb line, a range pole, a stake, a hub, or any other
device used as a target, or when the instrument man has finished
all activities at your location. It is given by waving both arms up and
down while extending them out horizontally from the shoulders. If
the instrument man, in aligning a target, extends both arms out
horizontally from the shoulders without waving them, the signal
means that the target should be held steady while a quick check of
its position is being made.

2. Move right or left

This signal is given by the instrument man when lining in a target on

a predetermined line. It is given by moving the appropriate hand
outward from the shoulder. A slow motion of the hand means that
you must move a long distance; a quick, short motion means that
you must move a short distance.

3. Give me a backsight

This signal is given when the instrument man wants a target held at
a previously located point. It is given by extending one arm upward
with the palm of the hand forward.

4. Give me a line

This signal, given by the rodman or the chainman, is intended to

indicate a hub or to ask for a line on the point indicating the exact
location. It is given by holding a range pole horizontally overhead,
then moving it to a vertical position in front of the body. Sometimes
the range pole tip is set on the ground to serve as a pivot. Then the
pole may be swayed slowly to the left and/or right until the
instrument man picks up the signal.

5. Plumb the Rod

 The signal to plumb the rod to the desired direction (right or left) is
given by extending the appropriate arm upward and moving the
hand in the direction the top of the rod must be moved to make it
vertical.

6. Establish a Turning Point

This signal is given when the instrument man wants a turning point
established during traversing or leveling operations. It is given by
extending either arm upward and making a circular motion.

7. This is a turning point

The rodman gives this signal to indicate a turning point. This is

done using a leveling rod and applying the method described in
4.

8. Wave the Rod

This signal given by the instrument man to the rodman, is important

to get the lowest stadia reading. The instrument man extends
one arm upward, palm of the hand forward, and waves the arm
slowly from side to side. The rodman then moves the top of the
leveling rod forward and backward slowly about a foot each
way from the vertical.

9. Face the Rod

To give this signal, the instrument man extends both arms upward
to indicate to the rodman that the leveling rod is facing in the
wrong direction.

10. Reverse the Rod

The instrument-man gives this signal by holding one arm upward

and the other downward, and then reversing their positions with
full sidearm swings.

11. Move Forward

The instrument man gives this signal by extending both arms

out horizontally from the shoulders, palms up, then swinging the
forearms upward.

12. Move Back

The instrument man gives this signal by extending one arm out
horizontally from the shoulder, hand and forearm extended
 vertically, and moving the hand and forearm outward until the whole
arm is extended horizontally.

13. Come In

The chief of party gives this signal at the end of the day’s work
and at other times, as necessary.

14. Pick up the Instrument

The party chief gives this signal by imitating the motions of

picking up an instrument and putting in on the shoulder. The
party chief or other responsible member of the party gives this
signal, directing the instrument man to move forward to the point
that has just been established.

15. Up or Down

The instrument man gives this signal by extending one arm out
horizontally from the shoulder and moving it upward or
downward. This directs the rodman to slide the target up or down
on the rod.

16. Extend the Rod

The instrument man gives this signal when there is a need to

extend an adjustable rod. This happens when the height of the
instrument becomes greater than the standard length of the
extended adjustable level rod.