MYANMAR MARITIME UIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF PORT AND HARBOUR ENGINEERING

Surveying
PH 3001 Surveying And Geospatial
Engineering

22nd November 2024

Introduction to Surveying

Definitions:

• Surveying is the art of determining the relative positions of

different objects on the surface of the earth by measuring the
horizontal distances between them, and by preparing a map to
any suitable scale. Thus, in this discipline, the measurements
are taken only in the horizontal plane.

• Levelling is the art of determining the relative vertical distances

of different points on the surface of the earth. Therefore, in
levelling, the measurements are taken only in the vertical plane.
Object of Surveying

• The aim of surveying is to prepare a map to show

the relative positions of the objects on the surface
of the earth. The map is drawn to some suitable
scale. It shows the natural features of a country,
such as towns, villages, roads, railways, rivers,
etc. Maps may also include details of different
engineering works, such as roads, railways,
irrigation canals, etc.
Uses of Surveying
Surveying may be used for the following various applications.
1. To prepare a topographical map which shows the hills, valleys, rivers,
villages, towns, forests, etc. of a country.
2. To prepare a cadastral map showing the boundaries of fields, houses and
other properties.
3. To prepare an engineering map which shows the details of engineering
works such as roads, railways, reservoirs, irrigations canals, etc.
4. To prepare a military map showing the road and railway communications
with different parts of a country. Such a map also shows the different
strategic points important for the defence of a country.
5. To prepare a contour map to determine the capacity of a reservoir and to
find the best possible route for roads, railways, etc.
6. To prepare a geological map showing areas including underground
resources.
7. To prepare an archeological map including places where ancient relics
exit.
Classification of Surveying

Primary Classification
• Surveying is primarily classified as under:
1. Plane Surveying, and
2. Geodetic Surveying
1. Plane Surveying – surveying with the reference base for fieldwork
and computations are assumed to be a flat horizontal surface.
• Generally within a 12 mile radius the pull of gravity is very
nearly parallel to that at any other point within the radius and
thus horizontal lines can be considered straight.
• Plane surveying is done on an area of less than 250km² (15.81
km x 15.81 km).

2. Geodetic Surveying – surveying technique to determine relative

positions of widely spaced points, lengths, and directions which
require the consideration of the size and shape of the earth. (Takes
the earth’s curvature into account.)
• Geodetic surveying is conducted by the Survey of India
department, and is carried out over an area exceeding 250km².
 Geodetic Surveying
• Geodesy is the science of measuring the size and shape of the earth
• Geodetic Surveying is when all distances and horizontal angles
are projected onto the surface of the spheroid which represents mean sea
level on the earth.
(Geodetic surveying is the survey in which the curvature of the earth is taken
into account and higher degree of accuracy in linear and angular
observations is achieved.)
• Geodetic Position referenced to geodetic latitude and longitude.
• Latitude – angle between the direction normal to spheroid and at station
and the plane of the equator.
• Longitude – angle between the meridian of origin (Greenwich) and the
meridian through the station.
E ar
th’s
Su
rf a ce

P
h
 An ellipsoid of revolution is the figure which would be obtained by rotating an ellipse about
So we squash the sphere to fit better at the poles.
its shorter axis. The GRS80 ellipsoid is used for the NAD83.
This creates a spheroid

Close Fit At The Equator

But The Poles Are Out

b = 6,356,752.31414 m
a = 6,378,137.00000 m

GRS80 fits geoid to about +/- 300’

a= 6378137.00000 meters
NAD83 uses the b= 6356752.31414 meters

f= 1/(a-b)/a = 298.2572220972
GRS80 Ellipsoid
Reference Ellipsoids
Basic Concept

a = semi-major axis
b = semi-minor axis
b
f = flattening
a b a b
f 1  
a a
 “Figure” of the Earth
Best-fit ellipsoid
(e.g., GRS-80, WGS-84)
 Example Reference Ellipsoids

Ellipsoid Equatorial Axis Polar Axis Association

Clarke, 1866 12,756,412.8 m 12,713,167.6 m NAD27 datum
GRS80 12,756,274 m 12,713,504.6 m NAD83 datum
WGS84 12,756,274 m 12,713,504.6 m GPS
ITRS 12,756,272.98 m 12,713,503.5 m ITRF

GRS = Geodetic Reference System

WGS = World Geodetic System
ITRS = International Terrestrial Reference System
Ignoring Earth Curvature

 Distance
( 5 m
006m iles
0. +0
800 .25
”)

8000.000m ( 5 miles)

1000 km

 998.95 km
Ignoring Earth Curvature (2)

 Level line

Horizontal plane
1 mile (1609 m)

8 inches ( 20
cm)
Level surface
 7 Types of Surveys:

1. Photogrammetry – mapping utilizing data obtained by camera or

other sensors carried in airplanes or satellites.
2. Boundary Surveying – establishing property corners, boundaries,
and areas of land parcels.
3. Control Surveying – establish a network of horizontal and vertical
monuments that serve as a reference framework for other survey
projects.
4. Engineering Surveying – providing points and elevations for the
building Civil Engineering projects.
 7 Types of Surveys:

5. Topographic Surveying – collecting data and preparing maps

showing the locations of natural man-made features and elevations
of points to the ground for multiple uses.
6. Route Surveys – topographic and other surveys for long – narrow
projects associated with Civil Engineering projects.
• Highways, railroads, pipelines, and transmission lines.
7. Hydrographic Surveying – mapping of shorelines and the bottom of
bodies of water.
• Also known as bathymetric surveying.
Application of surveying in Civil Engineering
• The planning and design of all Civil Engineering projects such
as construction of highways, bridges, tunnels, dams etc. are
based upon surveying measurements.
• Project of any magnitude is constructed along the lines and
points established by surveying. Thus, surveying is a basic
requirement for all Civil Engineering projects.
• Other principal works in which surveying is primarily utilized
are
• • to fix the national and state boundaries;
• • to chart coastlines, navigable streams and lakes;
• • to establish control points
• • to execute hydrographic and oceanographic charting and
mapping; and
• • to prepare topographic map of land surface of the earth.
Toposheets or Topographical Maps
􀁸 Topographical map is also known as Topographical Survey
Sheet or Toposheet.
􀁸 It is a multipurpose map drawn on large scale and covers a
small area.
􀁸 It shows both natural features such as relief, drainage,
vegetation, etc. and man made features such as roads, railways,
canals, etc.
􀁸 It shows even the small features in good details because it is
drawn on a large scale.
􀁸 The Topographical Maps are used by large number of
professionals including military personnel, administrators,
planners, researchers, travellers, etc.
􀁸 Most of the military operations are based on the study of
topographical maps.
􀁸 Future planning of any area also depends upon the study of
these maps.
Topographical Maps of survey of India
􀁸 The survey of India department was established in 1767 with headquarters at 1767.
This department has published many series of toposheets.
􀁸 International Series: This is drawn on 1:10,00,000 scale and is also known as one to
one million sheet. Each sheet has 4º latitude and 6º longitude. Heights are shown in
metres.
􀁸 India and Adjacent countries: They are also drawn on 1:10,00,000 scale. Latitude- 4º
and Longitude-6º. They have been given serial numbers like 45,46,47 etc. which are
known as index numbers. This series forms the base for other series.
􀁸 Topographical Maps of survey of India
􀁸 Quarter Inch to Mile series: 1 Inch = 4 miles or 1:2,53,440
􀁸 Each 1:1 million sheet is divided into 16 parts and each part is labeled from A to P
eg. 63A, 63B, 63C etc. Their latitudinal and longitudinal extent is 1º and they are
known as degree sheets. The new editions of these sheets have been published in
metric scale, 1:2,50,000 scale. Their contour interval is 100 metres.
􀁸 1:25,000 series- Each Sheet of 1:50,000 series is further divided into 4 parts. Two
parts along latitude and two parts along longitudes.
􀁸 They are numbered according to direction, such as 63K/12/NW, 63K/12/NE,
63K/12/SW, 63K/12/SE.
 Secondary Classification of surveying
1. Based on instruments:
• Chain survey: only linear measurements are made with chain or tape no angular
measurements are taken
• Compass survey: horizontal angles are measured with the help of magnetic
compass
• Plane table survey: The map is prepared in the field itself by determining the
directions of various lines making linear measurements, and plotting the details
on paper using a plane table
• Levelling survey: this type of survey is used to determine the elevations and
relative heights of the points with the help of instrument known as level.
• Theodolite survey: theodolite survey is primarily used in traversing and
triangulation for providing controls. The horizontal and vertical angles are
measured with the help of theodolite.
• Tacheometric survey: a special type of theodolite known as tacheometer, is used
to determine horizontal and vertical distances directly.
• Photogrammetric survey: measurements are made with help photograph.
• EDM Survey: linear measurements are made with the help of EDM instruments.
Secondary Classification

2. Based on methods:
(a) Triangulation surveying, and
(b) Traverse surveying.
3. Based on object:
(a) Geological surveying
(b) Mine surveying,
(c) Archaeological surveying, and
(d) Military surveying
4. Based on nature of field:
(a) Land surveying
(b) Marine surveying, and
(c) Astronomical surveying
How engineering surveys are conducted
• Engineering surveys are usually based on horizontal and
vertical control, which consists of a series of fixed points
located throughout a site whose positions must be determined
on some coordinate system.
• Horizontal control: defines points on a two dimensional
horizontal plane which covers the site
• Vertical control: is the third dimension added to the chosen
horizontal datum.
• The measurements for the control survey are taken using
different types of equipment depending on the size of the site.
• In small sites typically theodolites, and tapes are used to
observe horizontal control in the form of a traverse with
leveling providing the vertical control
Surveying Instrument

1- Transit and theodolite: Establish straight or curved lines,

horizontal and vertical angles.

2- The level and rod: measure difference in elevations.

3- Steel tape: measure horizontal and slope distances.

4- Total station.

5- GPS (global positioning system) receivers.

Steel tape Level ( stadia principle )

Total station

Theodolite
GPS
Instruments…
Levelling Staff

Dumpy Level The Leveling Staff

 Leveling involves
measuring vertical distances
with reference to a
horizontal plane or surface.
 To do this, a leveling staff is
needed to measure vertical
Telescope is fixed cannot be tilted
distances and an instrument
or moved
known as a level is required
to define the horizontal
plane.

Instrument can be levelled

automatically within a certain tilt range

Digital level
Levelling staff
Survey Geographic Reference

Define reference as the surface of earth.

Latitude: East/West //equator.

- Max angle 90º north or south.

Longitude (Meridians): North/South converge at poles &

max angle = 180 degree east or west from the plane of
longitude Greenwich.
- used in geodetic not plane survey.
- Plane survey use coordinates grid system.
Survey Grid Reference

States and provinces have adopted a grid system best suited to

their needs.

- Limited in size: no serious error due to curvatures.

- Easy to use (plane geometry & trigonometry).

- Common datum for x & y dimensions.

- Easy to translate to geodetic survey.

Survey Vertical reference

Vertical dimension can be referenced to any datum.

- Mostly used datum is mean sea level MSL = 0.000 ft.
- Benchmarks  permanent points whose elevation has been
precisely determined.
Scale of Surveys
• Architectural Works, Building Works, Location Drawings:
1/50, 1/100, 1/200
• Site Plans, civil engineering works:
1/500, 1/1000, 1/1250, 1/2000, 1/2500
• Town surveys, highway surveys:
1/1250, 1/2000, 1/2500, 1/5000, 1/10000, 1/20000,
1/50000
• Mapping:
1/25000, 1/50000, 1/100000, 1/200000, 1/500000,
1/1000000
 The work of the surveyor
consists of 5 phases:

1. Decision Making – selecting method, equipment and final point

locations.
2. Field work & Data Collection – making measurements and recording
data in the field.
3. Computing & Data Processing – preparing calculations based upon
the recorded data to determine locations in a useable form.
4. Mapping or Data Representation – plotting data to produce a map,
plat, or chart in the proper form.
5. Stakeout – locating and establishing monuments or stakes in the
proper locations in the field.
Surveying Method chosen depends on:
• by the purpose of the survey e.g. map making, location of specific points,
definition of land ownership etc.,
• by the nature of the survey itself e.g. hydrographic, terrestrial, astronomic,
• according to the scale or accuracy of the survey,
• the type of instrument or instruments used

• e.g.
• prismatic compass,
• level
• theodolite,
• photograph (terrestrial or aerial).
Distance Measurements

Distance between two points can be horizontal, slope or

vertical and are recorded in feet (foot units) of meters (SI
units).
- Horizontal and slope distances can be measured by using
fiberglass, steel tape or EDM (electronic distance measuring)
+ difference in elevation and slope distance.
- Vertical distance can be measured by using tape as in
construction work or level and leveling rod
Unit of Measurement

There are two main measuring systems:

English system and Metric system (SI units).

- All countries will change to Metric system.

- Angles are measured by: Degrees, minutes and seconds.
- 1 revolution = 360 degrees, 1 degree = 60 minutes and 1
minutes = 60 seconds.
 Commonly used length units

• 1 mile = 5280 feet = 80 chains

• 1 chain = 66 feet = 100 links

• 1 rod = 16.5 feet

• 4 rods = 1 chain
Commonly used area units

• 1 acre = 43,560 square feet

• 10 square chains = 1 acre

• 1 square mile = 640 acres

• 1 hectare = 10,000 square meters

• 1 hectare = 2.471 acres

Location Methods

B B B

P P
C P

A A A

- (a): right angle offset tie.

- (b): the angle distance tie (polar tie).
- (c): angle at A and B of distance BP of AP (intersection
technique).
 Stationing

Along Baseline: stations

At night angle: offset dist.
Beg. 0+00 ft (m).

0+00 2+50 4+96 5+43.12