TRAINING CENTER FOR APPLIED GEODESY

AND PHOTOGRAMMETRY
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN

Surveying Fieldwork

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Nota Bene

Always bring scientific calculator
Buy and always bring Engineer’s Field Book
Buy and bring safety vest during Fieldwork

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Engineer’s Field Book

Hardbound Cover
Cover Page

General
Tables and
Useful Data
Tabular and Grid Pages 3
Field Notes

• Constitute the only reliable and permanent record of actual
work done in the field

• If notes are incorrect or incompletely done – time, money

and effort in data gathering are wasted

• The quality of field work is reflected directly in the manner

he keeps his field record

• Field notes become the official record of the survey

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Field Notes

 Types of notes

1. Sketches
2. Tabulations
3. Explanatory notes
4. Computations
5. Combination

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Types of Notes

1. Sketches

• Rarely made to exact scale, but mostly made approximately

to scale
• Drawn free hand and of liberal size
• Features shown by conventional symbols
• Sketch crowded with unnecessary data is often confusing

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Types of Notes

2. Tabulations

• Series of numerical values observed in the field are best

shown in a tabulated format
• The format prevents mistakes, allows easy checking, saves
time, make the calculations legible to others and simplify
the work of the person checking the field notes

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Types of Notes

3. Explanatory notes

• Provide written description of what has been done in the

field
• Employed to explain numerical data and sketches
• Placed on the right hand page of the field notebook in the
same line with the numerical data that they explain

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Types of Notes

4. Computations

• Form a large part of the work of surveying

• Mostly algebraic by the use of simple steps and
trigonometric functions
• Graphical solutions using accurately scaled drawings are
used
• Portrayal of calculations should be clear and orderly
arrangement in order that these will easily be understood by
persons other than the one who made the calculations
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Types of Notes

5. Combinations

• Practice used in most extensive surveys

• 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

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Field Notes

 Information Found in Field Notebooks

1. Title of the Field Work or Name of the Project

2. Time of Day and Date
3. Weather Conditions
4. Names of Group Members and Their Designations
5. List of Equipment

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Information Found

1. Title of the Field Work or Name of the Project
• The official name of the project or title of the fieldwork
should always be identified
• Location of the survey, nature or purpose should be stated

2. Time of Day and Date

• Entries are necessary to document the notes and furnish a
time table as well as to correlate different surveys
• Time table, precision, problems encountered and other
factors affecting the survey are referenced from
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Information Found

3. Weather Conditions
• Weather conditions such as rain have a decided effect upon
accuracy in surveying operations

4. Names of Group members and their designations

• Chief of party, instrument man, and other members of the
survey party, and their obligations must be identified
• Necessary for documentation purposes and other future
reference
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Information Found

5. List of Equipment
• All survey equipment used must be listed including its
maker brand and serial number
• Type of instrument used, its adjustment all have definite
effect on the accuracy of a survey
• Proper identification of a particular equipment used aids in
isolating errors in some cases

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Recording Observed
Data

To eliminate common mistakes in note keeping, the following
guide points are given

1. Follow a consistent simple style of writing

2. Use of sharp pencil
3. Record directly in the field book immediately following a
measurement, rather than on a sheet of scratch paper for
copying

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Recording Observed
Data

4. Do not erase recorded data. If a number has been recorded
incorrectly, a line is run through it without destroying its
legibility and the correct value is written above the mistake. If
entire page is to be deleted, diagonal lines are drawn from
opposite corners and “VOID” is lettered prominently
5. Avoid crowding observed data in the field notebook
6. Always bring along a straight edge for ruling lines, and a
small protractor for laying off angles in the field book

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Recording Observed
Data

7. To avoid misinterpretation of data, use sketches other than
tabulations. Also use explanatory notes
8. Indicate north at the top of the page of the field notebook
for all sketches shown in plan and draw a meridian arrow
9. Tabulated values should be kept inside the column rulings,
with the decimal point and digits aligned vertically. Notes
should not be made to appear either more precise or less
precise than they really are

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Recording Observed
Data

10. Computations made in the field should be recorded in the
field notebook in order that they can be checked later. The
checks are necessary to determine if there is a need to repeat a
particular observation or measurement
11. Number every page of the field notebook. There should be
no doubt with regard to the correct sequence of recorded field
data

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Survey Party

1. Chief of Party 9. Flagman
2. Assistant Chief of Party 10. Rodman
3. Instrument man 11. Pacer
4. Technician 12. Axeman/ Lineman
5. Data processor 13. Aidman
6. Recorder 14. Utilitymen
7. Head Tapeman
8. Rear Tapeman

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Survey Party

1. Chief of Party
• Person responsible for the overall direction, supervision and
operational control of the survey party
• Responsible for its logistical and technical requirements and
problems of a field survey operation
• Prior to the execution of a survey project, he consults with
superiors regarding the project to be undertaken
• Responsible for submitting survey reports and records and
sees to it that these are complete, accurate and adheres to
prescribed technical standards and specifications
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Survey Party

1. Chief of Party
• Prepares cost estimates of survey projects and receives and
disburses the cash expenses of the survey party
• Act as an expert witness in court on matters relating to
technical description of land and other surveying matters

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Survey Party

2. Assistant Chief of Party
• Assist the chief of party in the accomplishment of the task
assigned to the survey party
• Takes over the duties of the chief of party during the
absence of the chief
• Responsible for the employment of surveying equipment,
instruments and accessories used in the survey operation
• Prepares field and office reports and survey plans for
submission to the chief of party
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Survey Party

2. Assistant Chief of Party
• Conducts ground reconnaissance and investigates sites of a
proposed project to gather necessary data prior to the start
of a survey work

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Survey Party

3. Instrument man
• Duty is to set up, level and operate surveying instruments
such as the transit, level, theodolite, etc.
• Sees to it that instruments to be used in a survey operation
are in good working condition and in proper adjustment
• Assists the technician in the operation of electronic
surveying equipment
• Works in coordination and as part of an instrument party
and exercises limited supervision over personnel doing
manual tasks
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Survey Party

4. Technician
• Responsible for the use and operation of all electronic
instruments required in a field work operation
• Duty is to make sure equipment are functioning properly,
regularly calibrated and are in adjustment
• Responsible for the establishment of a two-way
communication link by radio between the survey party and
the home office and between members of the survey party
where distant stations or long survey lines are involved

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Survey Party

5. Data processor
• Duty is to perform computations of survey data and works
out necessary computational checks required in a field work
operation
• Responsible for the utilization of electronic calculators,
computers, and assists in the operation of computerized
surveying systems or equipment

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Survey Party

6. Recorder
• Duty is to keep a record of all sketches, drawings,
measurements and observations taken or needed for a field
work operation
• Keeps table of schedules of all phases of work and the
employment of the members of the survey party

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Survey Party

7. Head Tapeman
• Responsible for the accuracy and speed of all linear
measurements with tape
• Determines and directs the marking of stations to be
occupied by the surveying instrument and directs the
clearing out of obstructions along the line of sight
• Inspects and compares tapes of standard length prior to
their use in taping operation and is responsible for
eliminating or reducing possible errors and mistakes in
taping

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Survey Party

8. Rear Tapeman
• Duty is to assist the head tapeman during taping operation
and in other related work

9. Flagman
• Duty is to hold the flagpole or range pole at selected points
as directed by the instrument man
• Helps the tapeman in making measurements and assists the
axeman in clearing other obstructions to line of sight
• Responsible for setting up reflectors, targets, prisms
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Survey Party

10. Rodman
• Duty is to hold the stadia or leveling rod when sighted

11. Pacer
• Duty is to check all linear measurements made by the
tapemen
• Assists the tapemen in checking for mistakes and blunders
in linear measurements and in reducing and eliminating
them
• Perform the job of a rodman
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Survey Party

12. Axeman/ Lineman
• Duty is to clear the line sight of trees and obstructions
• Responsible for the security and safety of the members of
the survey party at the survey site
• Provided with an ax and a rifle or a side arm as well

13. Aidman
• Duty is to render first aid treatment to members of the
party
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Survey Party

14. Utilitymen
• Duties are to render other forms of assistance needed by
the survey party or as directed by the chief of party
• Designated as driver if a survey vehicle is used
• Setting up camp site and required facilities
• Prepare and serve meals and look after the security of the
camp site
• Transportation of surveying equipment, accessories and
supplies
• Laying out of concrete monuments, markers and signals
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Survey Party

 When organizing a survey party, be FLEXIBLE
 Duties and responsibilities of members should always be
FIXED
 Make modifications to suit:
Work requirements and conditions
Problems in field operations
Availability of instruments

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Survey Hand Signals

 An arm and hand signal is any gesture or motion that
conveys information or gives a command, direction or
warning
 Usually employed due to the difficulty to communicate
verbally in the field due to distance, wind conditions and
surrounding noise

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Care and Handling of
Instruments

 General Guidelines:
1. Know how to use the instrument
2. Always place them in stable grounds when in use
3. Place them properly in their container
4. Do not use them if weather does not permit
5. Check their functionality before and after field work
6. If wet, dry them by carefully wiping excess water and do not put them
immediately in their storage/ container
7. Carry the instrument properly
8. Be mindful of the surrounding when transporting any equipment
9. Avoid playing with the instrument
10. Always make sure that the equipment is secure

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End