The importance of surveying in architecture cannot be overstated.
Surveying
is a fundamental process that plays a crucial role in the design, planning, and
construction of architectural projects. Here are some key reasons why
surveying is so important in architecture:
1. Site Analysis: Surveying provides essential information about the
project site, including its topography, boundaries, existing structures,
utilities, and environmental conditions. This data is crucial for
architects to understand the site’s constraints and opportunities, and
to develop designs that are tailored to the specific site characteristics.
2. Accurate Measurements: Precise measurements obtained through
surveying are essential for the creation of accurate architectural plans,
drawings, and models. This ensures that the final built structure aligns
with the intended design and meets all relevant building codes and
regulations.
3. Structural Integrity: Surveying helps identify potential issues with the
site’s soil conditions, groundwater levels, and other factors that can
impact the structural integrity of a building. This information allows
architects to design foundations and structures that can withstand the
specific site conditions.
4. Construction Planning: Surveying data is used to plan the construction
process, including the placement of temporary structures, equipment,
and materials. This helps optimize the construction workflow and
minimize potential disruptions or delays.
5. Landscape Design: Surveying provides information about the site’s
topography, vegetation, and drainage patterns, which is essential for
the design of the surrounding landscape and outdoor spaces.
6. Legal Compliance: Surveying data is often required for obtaining
necessary permits and approvals from local authorities, ensuring that
the proposed project complies with all relevant zoning laws, building
codes, and environmental regulations.
7. Project Monitoring: Ongoing surveying during the construction process
helps ensure that the project is being built according to the approved
plans and specifications. This helps identify and address any
discrepancies or issues that may arise.
Chain Surveying equipment
Chain:-The chain is usually made of steel wire, and consists of long links
joined by shorter links. It is designed for hard usage, and is sufficiently
accurate for measuring the chain lines and offsets of small surveys. Chains
are made up of links which measure 200mm from center to center of each
middle connecting ring and surveying brass handless are fitted at each end.
Tally markers made of plastic or brass are attached at every whole meter
position or at each tenth link. To avoid confusion in reading, chains are
marked similarly form both end (E.g. Tally for 2m and 18m is the same) so
that measurements may be commenced with either end of the chain.
Steel Bands: This may be 30m, 50m or 100m long and 13mm wide. It has
handles similar to those on the chain and is wound on a steel cross. It is
more accurate and but less robust than the chain. The operating
tension and temperature for which it was graduated should be indicated on
the band.
Tapes: Tapes are used where greater accuracy of measurements are
required, such as the setting out of buildings and roads. They are 15m or
30m long marked in meters, centimeter and millimeters. Tapes are classified
into three types; Arrows: Arrow consists of a piece of steel wire about 0.5m
long, and are used for marking temporary stations. A piece of coloured
cloth, white or red ribbon is usually attached or tied to the end of the
arrow to be clearly seen on the field.
Pegs: Pegs are made of wood 50m x 50mm and some convenient length.
They are used for points which are required to be permanently
marked, such as intersection points of survey lines. Pegs are driven with a
mallet and nails are set in the tops.
Ranging Pole: These are poles of circular section 2m, 2.5m or 3m long,
painted with characteristic red and white bands which are usually 0.5m long
and tipped with a pointed steel shoe to enable them to be driven into the
ground. They are used in the measurement of lines with the tape, and for
marking any points which need to be seen.
Optical Square: This instrument is used for setting out lines at right angle to
main chain line. It is used where greater accuracy is required. There are two
types of optical square, one using two mirrors and the other a prism.
Cross Staff: This consists of two pairs of vanes set at right angle to
each other with a wide and narrow slit in each vane. The instrument is
mounted upon a pole, so that when it is set up it is at normal eye level. It is
also used for setting out lines at right angle to the main chain line.
Clinometer: This instrument is used for measuring angles of ground slopes
(slope angle). They are of several form, the common form is the watking’s
clinometer, which consist of a small disc of about 60mm diameter.
Abney Level: This instrument is generally used to obtain roughly the slope
angle of the ground. It consists of a rectangular, telescopic tube (without
lenses) about 125mm long with a graduated arc attached. A small bubble is
fixed to the vernier arm, once the image of the bubble is seen reflected in
the eyepiece the angel of the line of sight can be read off with the aid of the
reading glass.
Necessary precautions in using chain Surveying instruments
1. After use in wet weather, chains should be cleaned, and steel tapes should
be dried and wiped with an oily rag.
2. A piece of coloured cloth should be tied to arrow (or ribbon –
attached) to enable them to be seen clearly on the field.
3. Ranging rods should be erected as vertical as possible at the exact
station point.
4. The operating tension and temperature for which steel bands/tapes
are graduated should be indicated.
5. Linen tapes should be frequently tested for length (standardized) and
always after repairs.
6. Always keep tapes reeled up when not in use.
Difference Between Prismatic Compass and Surveyor Compass
The following table shows the difference between prismatic compass and
surveyor compass:
SN. Prismatic Compass Surveyor Compass
1. The prism is used to obtain readings in this compass. It has no prism
on it. Reading is done with the naked eye.
2. Whole circle bearing (W.C.B) can be determined with a prismatic
compass. Reduced bearing can be determined using a surveyor’s compass.
3. Prismatic compass graduations range from 0 to 360°. The surveyor
compass is divided into four quadrants, with graduations ranging from 0 to
90° in each.
4. The sight vane is provided by a mirror in a prismatic compass. There
is no mirror linked to the objective vane of a surveyor compass.
5. Reading the graded circle while seeing the object is possible without
shifting the location of the eye. It is impossible to sight the object and
read the graduated circle at the same time without shifting the position of
the eyes