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SURVEYING
TYPES OF SURVEYING (CLASSIFICATION OF SURVEYING)
SURVEYING:
Surveying is a scientific method which determines the three-dimensional positions and
angles of relative points on the surface of the earth. Different types of surveying
methods are used in construction which is described below.

TYPES OF SURVEYING:
Surveying may be divided into two general categories.
1. Geodetic Surveying and
2. Plane Surveying.

1. GEODETIC SURVEYING:
Geodetic surveying is a particular type of surveying where the curvature of the earth is
taken into account. Since the earth has a spherical shape, the line connecting any two
points on the earth’s surface is curved or is an arc. Hence it involves spherical
trigonometry. In geodetic surveying, large distances and areas are measured and its
degree of accuracy is comparatively high.

2. PLANE SURVEYING:
Plane surveying is a specific type of surveying where the surface of the earth is
considered as plane and the curvature of the earth is not taken into account. The line
connecting any two points is a straight line and the angles of polygons are plane angles.
This type of surveying is suitable for small and flat areas, and its degree of accuracy is
comparatively low. In America, the limit for treating a surface as a plane is about to 250
km2.
Note: The difference in length between the arc and the subtended chord on the surface
of the earth is only about 0.1 m in 18.2 km, 0.3 m in 54.3 km and 0.5 m in 91 km
respectively.

CLASSIFICATION OF SURVEYING:

A. CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THE NATURE OF

THE FIELD:
1. Land Surveying.
2. Marine Surveying.
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3. Astronomical Surveying.
Land surveying can be sub-divided into following categories:

 Topographical Surveys.
 Cadastral Surveys.
 City Surveys.
 Engineering Surveys.

Land surveying mainly deals with the natural and artificial features of a country such as
hills, rivers, buildings, towns, villages etc.

B. CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THE OBJECT OF

THE SURVEY:
1. Archaeological survey.
2. Geological Survey.
3. Mine Survey.
4. Military Survey.

C. CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THE

INSTRUMENTS :
1. CHAIN SURVEYING:
Chain surveying is the simplest method of surveying in which the linear measurements
are directly taken in the field and the angular measurements are not taken. This type of
surveying is used over small and leveled area.

2. PLANE TABLE SURVEYING:

In plane table surveying the field work and plotting is done using a graphical method. It
is mostly adapted for small and medium scale mapping where great accuracy is not
required.

3. COMPASS SURVEYING:
In this surveying, a compass is used to determine the direction of survey lines, and the
length of survey lines are measured by a chain or tape.

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4. TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING:
Tacheometric surveying is a method of surveying in which the horizontal and vertical
distances of relative points are determined without using any sophisticated instruments
such as chain , tape etc.

5. THEODOLITE SURVEYING:
In this surveying, a theodolite is used to measure the horizontal and vertical angles.

6. PHOTOGRAPHIC AND AERIAL SURVEYING:

This types of surveying are done by taking photographs from elevated ground stations.

D. CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THE METHODS

OF SURVEY:
1. Triangulation Survey
2. Traverse Survey.

TYPES OF SCALES IN SURVEYING

TYPES OF SCALES IN SURVEYING:
Since the surveyed area is very large, it is never possible to make full size drawing. For
convenience it is generally necessary to draw them to a reduced size, this operation is
called “drawing to scale”.
There are two types of scales used in surveying.
1. Numerical scale.
2. Graphical scale.

A. NUMERICAL SCALE:
Numerical scale is also further classified into two general types.
1. Engineer’s Scale
2. Fraction Scale.

1. ENGINEER’S SCALE:
In engineer’s scale, the scale of a map or drawing is the proportion which every
distance on the map or drawing bears to the corresponding distance on the ground.
Example: 1 cm = 10 m

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This means, 1 cm on the drawing represents 10 m on the ground, the scale of the map
is 10 m to 1 cm.

2. FRACTION SCALE:
The scale is also expressed by means of a vulgar fraction whose numerator is
invariable unity. The fraction is called “Representative Fraction” or RF. It is, therefore,
the ratio of map distance to the corresponding ground distance. In forming the
representative fraction both numerator and denominator must be reduced to the same
denomination.
For example, if the scale is 10 m to 1 cm, the RF of the scale is 1cm/10x100cm =
1/1000

B. GRAPHICAL SCALE:
On a graphical scale, the units of measurement should always be stated.
Characteristics Of a Good Scale are:
1. It should read to the greatest accuracy required.
2. It should be convenient to use.

PLANE SURVEYING
PLANE SURVEYING:
Plane surveying is a specific type of surveying where the surface of the earth is
considered as plane and the curvature of the earth is not taken into account. The line
connecting any two points is a straight line and the angles of polygons are plane angles.
Plane surveying is suitable for small and flat areas and its degree of accuracy is
comparatively low. In America, the limit for treating a surface as a plane is about to 250
km2.
Note: The difference in length between the arc and the subtended chord on the surface
of the earth is only about 0.1 m in 18.2 km, 0.3 m in 54.3 km and 0.5 m in 91 km
respectively.

1. CHAIN SURVEYING:
Chain surveying is the simplest method of surveying in which the linear measurements
are directly taken in the field and the angular measurements are not taken. This type of
surveying is mostly suitable when,
1. The area is small.
2. The ground is fairly level and open.
3. Plans on a large scale are required.
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2. PLANE TABLE SURVEYING:

In plane table surveying the field work and plotting is done using a graphical method. It
is mostly adapted for small and medium scale mapping where great accuracy is not
required.

3. COMPASS SURVEYING:
In this surveying, a compass is used to determine the direction of survey lines, and the
length of survey lines are measured by a chain or tape.

4. THEODOLITE SURVEYING:
In this surveying, a theodolite (a surveying instrument) is used to measure the horizontal
and vertical angles.

5. LEVELLING:
Leveling is a method of surveying which determines the heights or elevations of relative
points on the surface of the earth.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TOTAL STATION

TOTAL STATION SURVEYING:
Surveying is one of the most important jobs which must be done before starting a new
construction project. Total station is the latest instrument nowadays most commonly
used by the surveyors on the job location.
Total station consists of an electronic theodolite, an electronic distance measuring
device (EDM) and a micro processor having a memory unit. By using this instrument it
is possible to find out the coordinates of a reflector adjusting the cross hair of the
instrument and at the same time measuring the vertical angles, horizontal angles, and
slope distances. A micro processor deals with the recording, readings, and the
fundamental calculation of measurements.
The major advantages and disadvantages of total station are as following:

ADVANTAGES OF TOTAL STATION:

1. Quick setup of the instrument on the tripod by utilizing the laser plummet.
2. Programmed with on board area computation for computing the area of a field.
3. It supports local languages.
4. It shows the graphical view of land and plots.
5. No recording and writing errors.
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6.It gives more accurate measurements than other conventional surveying instruments.
7. Data can be saved and transferred to a PC.
8. It has integrated database.
9. Computerization of old maps.
10. All in one and multitasking instrument, from surveying to GIS creation by using the
appropriate software.
11. Faster work, saves time, quick finishing off the job.

DISADVANTAGES OF TOTAL STATION:

1. The instrument is costlier than other conventional surveying instruments.
2. It might be troublesome for the surveyor to investigate and check the work when
surveying.
3. Working with total station is not so easy, as more skilled surveyors are required to
conduct a total station survey.
4. To check the survey work thoroughly it would be necessary to come back to the office
and prepare the drawings by using the right software.

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