1

Surveying Review
A quick review of topics covered in CIVL 1101
Measuring distance
Measuring elevations using differential leveling
Conducting a topographic surveying
Developing a contour map/model
Distance Measurement
Distance is one of the most basic engineering
measurements
The four techniques we use are:
Pacing
Measuring wheel
Taping or chaining
Electronic distance measuring (EDM) devices
Pacing
Distance Measurement
The ability to pace distance is very useful
A person can determine their pace by counting the
number of paces necessary to walk a distance that
has been previously measured
A pace is defined as one step
A stride is consider two steps
Measuring Wheels
Distance Measurement
Taping or Chaining
Distance Measurement
For centuries engineers have measured distances with
ropes, lines, or cords
The term chaining is a carryover from
the time when the Gunter chain
was used (1600s)
The 66 foot chain is made of 100 7.92
inch links
Distance Measurement
Tapes are available in lengths up to 1000 feet;
precision of 1/1000 to 1/5000 are commonly
obtained
Taping or Chaining
2
Electronic Distance Measurements (EDM)
Distance Measurement
EDMs are very useful in measuring distances that
are difficult to access or long distances
Electronic Distance Measurements (EDM)
Distance Measurement
EDMs measure the time required for a light wave
to sent to a target and reflected back
Pacing 1/50 to 1/200 Reconnaissance
Odometer 1/200 Reconnaissance
Taping 1/1000 to 1/5000 Land surveys
EDM
0.04 to 1/300,000 All types of
surveying
Distance Measurement
Taping over Sloping Ground
Distance Measurement
If the taping is done
over sloping ground
where there is no
underbrush, the
taping must be done
in sections, referred
to as:
breaking the tape
40 feet 35 feet 30 feet
Hold the tape level
Use a plumb bob to locate
the point
Height less than
5 feet
Distance Measurement
Taping over Sloping Ground
Differential Leveling
Definitions
Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
Point A
Point B
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft
Elevation = 103.22 ft
3
Differential Leveling
Definitions
Bench mark (BM) - relatively permanent point of
known elevation
FS = 3.10 ft
Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
Point A
Point B
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft
Elevation = 103.22 ft
Differential Leveling
Definitions
Backsight (BS) - a sight taken to the level rod held at a
point of known elevation
(either a BM or TP)
Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
Point A
Point B
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft
Elevation = 103.22 ft
Differential Leveling
Definitions
Height of instrument (HI) - the elevation of the
line of sight of the telescope
Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
Point A
Point B
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft
Elevation = 103.22 ft
Differential Leveling
Definitions
Foresight (FS) - a sight taken on any point to
determine its elevation
Starting point
(elevation 100.00 ft)
Point A
Point B
BS = 6.32 ft HI = 106.32 ft FS = 3.10 ft
Elevation = 103.22 ft
Differential Leveling
Level Instrument
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
Elevation 100.00
BS
12.64
Point
BM
1
Elevation BS HI FS
BM
1
12.64 112.64 100.00
BS + Elevation = HI
4
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
Elevation 100.00
BS
12.64
FS
3.11
Point
BM
1
TP
1
Elevation BS HI FS
TP
1
BM
1
12.64 112.64
3.11 109.53
HI - FS = Elevation
100.00
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
Elevation 100.00
BS
12.64
FS
3.11
Point
BM
1
TP
1
Elevation BS HI FS
TP
1
BM
1
12.64 112.64
3.11 109.53
BS
10.88
10.88 120.41
100.00
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
Elevation 100.00
BS
12.64
FS
3.11
Point
BM
1
TP
1
Elevation BS HI FS
TP
1
BM
1
12.64 112.64
3.11 109.53
BS
10.88
10.88 120.41
FS
2.56
TP
2
2.56 TP
2
117.85
100.00
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
Elevation 100.00
BS
12.64
FS
3.11
Point
BM
1
TP
1
Elevation BS HI FS
TP
1
BM
1
12.64 112.64
3.11 109.53
BS
10.88
10.88 120.41
FS
2.56
TP
2
2.56 TP
2
117.85
BS
9.72
9.72 127.57
100.00
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
Elevation 100.00
BS
12.64
FS
3.11
Point
BM
1
TP
1
Elevation BS HI FS
TP
1
BM
1
12.64 112.64
3.11 109.53
BS
10.88
10.88 120.41
FS
2.56
TP
2
2.56 TP
2
117.85
BS
9.72
9.72 127.57
BM
2
FS
3.10
BM
2
3.10 124.47
100.00
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
Elevation 100.00
BS
12.64
FS
3.11
Point
BM
1
TP
1
Elevation BS HI FS
TP
1
BM
1
12.64 112.64
3.11 109.53
BS
10.88
10.88 120.41
FS
2.56
TP
2
2.56 TP
2
117.85
BS
9.72
9.72 127.57
BM
2
FS
3.10
BM
2
3.10 124.47
100.00
5
Differential Leveling
Computation of Elevations
Check the summation of the backsight and the
foresight with the change in elevation
+33.24 -8.77
Change in elevation = 33.24 -8.77 =24.47
Point
BM
1
TP
1
Elevation BS HI FS
12.64 112.64
3.11 109.53 10.88 120.41
2.56 TP
2
117.85 9.72 127.57
BM
2
3.10 124.47
100.00
Topographic Survey
Topography - defined as the
shape or configuration or
relief or threedimensional
quality of a surface
Introduction
Topography maps are very
useful for engineers when
planning and locating a
structure
The most common method of representing the
topography of an area is to use contour lines
Contours
A contour line is an
imaginary level line
that connects points
of equal elevation
Topographic Survey
Contours
Topographic Survey
Contours
Topographic Survey
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
90.00
91.00
92.00
93.00
94.00
95.00
96.00
97.00
98.00
99.00
100.00
101.00
102.00
103.00
104.00
105.00
106.00
Closely spaced contours indicate steep slopes
Widely spaced contours indicate moderate slopes
Contours should be labeled to the elevation value
Contours are not shown going through buildings
Contour line do not cross
Characteristics of Contours
Topographic Survey
6
Contour lines do begin or end on the plan
Depression and hill look the same; note the contour
value to distinguish the terrain
Important points can be further defined by including a
spot elevation
Contour lines tend to parallel each other on uniform
slopes
Characteristics of Contours
Topographic Survey
The first step in developing a contour map is measuring
the elevations of a group of points
It will be easier for us to establish a rectangular grid
of points (marked with flags) and measure the elevation
The location of the flag points can be established by
taping and checked by pacing or the odometer
Construction of Contours
Topographic Survey
Construction of Contours
N
A
D
C
B
Topographic Survey
Once your contour grid is established,
measure the elevation of each grid point
N
A
D
C
B
Topographic Survey
We want a contour map on 5 ft intervals
A
D
C
B
108
98
101
106
112
102
108
111
112
106
109
119
106
112
111
108
The grid is rectangular, the dimensions of the sides are
50 ft (north) and 100 ft (east)
Topographic Survey
Construction of Contours
The basic method for estimating contour is applied
to each grid cell individually
Use linear interpolation to find the location of the
desired contour interval
Let consider the cell in the upper lefthand corner
- remember the contour interval is 5 ft
Topographic Survey
7
Construction of Contours
D
98
101
102
108
First see if a contour
interval exist between
nodes of the grid cell; so,
estimate where along the
side the contour interval
would be located if
Apply simple linear
interpolation to each side
to locate the contour
interval
105
100
100
105
Topographic Survey
Lets look at the top edge of the grid cell
D
98
101
102
108
100
102 98
100
a slope

= =
x
intercept 98 b = =
100
2(100)
50
4
x ft = =
4
100 98
100
x = +
100
98
102
F(x) = ax + b
Topographic Survey
Lets look at the bottom edge of the grid cell
D
98
101
102
108
105
108 101
100
a slope

= =
x
intercept 101 b = =
105
4(100)
57
7
x ft = =
7
105 101
100
x = +
100
101
108
F(x) = ax + b
105
Topographic Survey
Lets look at the left edge of the grid cell
D
98
101
102
108
100
101 98
50
a slope

= =
x
intercept 98 b = =
100
2(50)
33
3
x ft = =
3
100 98
50
x = +
100
98
101
F(x) = ax + b
105
100
Topographic Survey
Lets look at the right edge of the grid cell
D
98
101
102
108
105
108 102
50
a slope

= =
x
intercept 102 b = =
105
3(50)
25
6
x ft = =
6
105 102
50
x = +
100
102
108
F(x) = ax + b
105
100
105
Topographic Survey
Locate the contour intervals locations on the grid cell
D
98
101
102
108
Next, simply connect
points of equal contour
intervals
100
100
105
105
One grid cell down,
eight to go . . .
Topographic Survey
8
A
D
C
B
108
98
101
106
112
102
108
111
112
106
109
119
106
112
111
108
Repeating the linear interpolation for each of the
remaining grid cell gives:
Topographic Survey
Any Questions?
End of Surveying Review