Land surveying is taking a size, general view of a land by observation and measurement

determining the boundaries, position, quantity, condition and value of land. There a main
branches in land surveying but surveying falls into three easily recognisable states which is
taking a general view, observation and measurement and presentation. Firstly, taking a general
view is important as it indicated the need to obtain an overall picture of what is required before
any type of survey work is undertaken. In land surveying, this is achieved during the
reconnaissance. Next, observation and measurement denotes the next stage of any survey,
which in land surveying constitutes the measurement to determine the relative position and
sizes of natural and artificial features on the land. Third will be presentation, in any survey, the
data collected must be presented in a form which allows the information to be clearly
interpreted and understood by others. This presentation may take the form of written reports,
bills of quantities, data sheets and drawings, in land surveying maps and plans showing the
features on the ground in graphic miniature or plans. These three stages in in the process of
land surveying will be examined in greater detail.

Taking a general view is achieved during the reconnaissance. Reconnaissance is prior to a

survey may be considered as being divided into three parts. Firstly, decide on the purpose of
the survey. It is first necessary to understand the purpose of the survey before deciding on its
method treatment. There are four main branches of land surveying starting from geodetic
surveys. These are surveys, generally carried out on a national basis, which provide survey
stations, precisely located large distances apart. Account is taken of the curvature of the earth
and the accurate measurements used form part of the science of geodesy in which the size and
shape of the earth are examined. Geodetic survey stations are used as control points to position
both topographical and cadastral surveys when necessary. Second, topographical surveys.
These are surveys where the physical features of the earth are measured and maps and plans
prepared to show their relative position both horizontally and vertically. Depending on the
extent under survey, these may consist of either geodetic type surveys or plane surveys, where
no account is taken of the earth’s curvature.

Thirdly, cadastral surveys. These are surveys undertaken to define and record the boundaries
of properties, legislative areas and even countries. In some cases, cadastral surveys may be
almost entirely topographic features. Again, geodetic principles may have to be applied, such
as in the survey of the thirty – eight parallel dividing North and South Korea, but much of this
work consists plane surveying. The last one will be engineering or site surveys. These are
surveys undertaken to provide special information for construction projects. They are
essentially large scale topographic surveys, supplying details for particular engineering
schemes and could include the setting out of works on the ground. These are usually plane
surveys but on large projects such as motorways and pipelines, some geodetic control may be
necessary.

After doing the surveys, determine the accuracy to which measurements are required and
establish the method of measurement that is needed. There are two forms of measurement
required in land surveying which is linear and angular. Linear is the measurement of the
distance between points on the surface of the earth while, angular is the measure of the angle
between survey lines or between a reference direction or line and a survey line in either
horizontal or vertical plane. One or both of these forms of measurement are used in the four
basic methods of land surveying, which are chain surveying, triangulation, traversing and
levelling.

To develop a piece of land, my team must begin with land surveying. Firstly we must take a
general view of the land by obtaining the overall picture of what is required before any type of
survey work is undertaken. We have to decide the purpose of the survey and what are to be
done on the piece of land. If the land is to be used for plantation, then we must begin with the
topographical surveys. This is because these surveys shows where the physical features of the
earth are measured and maps and plans prepared to show their relative position both
horizontally and vertically. This can determine that the land is suitable for which types of crops.
Next, we must determine the accuracy to which measurements are required. This depends on
the best method presenting the survey information, the scale of such maps or plans as are
required and the degree of accuracy needed for any setting out which may be necessary.

Next, we have to plot the survey. It is known as plan drawing. This is necessary to ink it in, to
make a as a clear picture of the land surveyed. Inking is done by means of technical draughting
instruments such as technical pens, draughting rulers, protractor and others. In a complete
survey plan, normally content the following elements which are meant to optimise information
such as, title of the surveys, border, north point symbol and scale of survey, references and
symbols. After preparing the plan, we should do the levelling. Levelling is to determine the
relative altitudes of points on the earth’s surface. Which means the difference of two level of
two points.

Conclusively, there are the steps to develop the piece of land. We also can choose the type of
survey that we going to use such as traverse surveying, compass surveying, theodolite
surveying and chain surveying. If we choose one of the surveying method, the proper
equipment and knowledges are necessary to carry on the survey. We can hire an expert to carry
out the survey for us to develop the land. Firstly, we should concerned with the recording of
measurements which allow the size and shape of the earth to be determined. Next, involve in
collection, processing and presentation of the information necessary to produce maps and
plans. Finally, we will be able to locate on the surface of the earth the exact positions to be
taken up by new roads, dams or other civil engineering works.
 Reference

Website
 The Constructor - Civil Engineering Home; 2019. Branches of Surveying.
https://theconstructor.org/surveying/branches-of-surveying/6351/

Books

 Certificate in Plantation Management Notes on Introduction To Land Surveying &

GPS