An Introduction to Land Surveying for Professional Engineers

This discussion provides an overview of the types of surveys and equipment that are used for performing control and topographic surveys. It covers the various types of engineering surveys used to support facility design and construction, the different survey equipment and instruments, and the general field and office procedures that are performed. "Topographic surveying" encompasses a broad range of surveying and mapping products, ranging from aerial mapping to ground and underground surveys. "Control surveying" likewise can cover wide area geodetic surveys to construction stakeout. The following definitions illustrates how topographic and control surveying falls under the overall "surveying and mapping" field: "Surveying and Mapping: a process of direct measurement and analysis specifically designed to document the existence, the identity, the location, and the dimension or size of natural or artificial features on land or in the air, space or water for the purpose of producing accurate and reliable maps, suitable for visualization if needed, of such documentation." "Topographic Survey: a survey of selected natural and artificial features of a part of the earth's surface to determine horizontal and vertical spatial relations." "Control Survey: a survey which provides horizontal or vertical position data for the support or control of subordinate surveys or for mapping." "A topographic map shows, through the use of suitable symbols, (1) the spatial characteristics of the earth's surface, with such features as hills and valleys, vegetation and rivers, and (2) constructed features such as buildings, roads, canals, and cultivation. The distinguishing characteristic of a topographic map, as compared with other maps, is the representation of the terrain relief." The guidance and instructions in this discussion focus on the performance of site plan surveys required for the design and construction of facilities and civil works projects. Control survey methods will focus on those surveys required to support detailed site mapping.

Pagina's: 98, Paperback, Independently published