CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 1/9

Problem 18.01: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are

Surveying FE Review 80 ft. and 100 ft. with a 60° angle between them. The length
of the third side of the parcel (ft.) is most nearly:
A. 91.65 ft.
B. 86.66 ft.
C. 80.00 ft.
D. 100.00 ft.
Fall 2017

Problem 18.01: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are Problem 18.01: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are
80 ft. and 100 ft. with a 60° angle between them. The length 80 ft. and 100 ft. with a 60° angle between them. The length
of the third side of the parcel (ft.) is most nearly: of the third side of the parcel (ft.) is most nearly:
A. 91.65 ft. A. 91.65 ft.
B. 86.66 ft. B. 86.66 ft.
C. 80.00 ft. C. 80.00 ft.
D. 100.00 ft. D. 100.00 ft.

Solution: Use the Law of Cosines to determine the length

Solution: Two triangle sides, b and c, and angle A, are of side a. The formula for the Law of Cosines is given in the
known (see figure). NCEES Handbook, Mathematics, page 23.

Problem 18.02: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are

Problem 18.01: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are 80 ft. long and 100 ft. long, with a 60° angle between them.
80 ft. and 100 ft. with a 60° angle between them. The length The third side is 91.65 ft. long. The remaining two angles of
of the third side of the parcel (ft.) is most nearly: the parcel are most nearly:
A. 91.65 ft. A. 49°, 71°
B. 86.66 ft. B. 64°, 56°
C. 80.00 ft. C. 30°, 90°
D. 100.00 ft. D. 60°, 60°

Solution: Using the Law of Cosines:

a2 = b2 + c 2 - 2bc cos  A 
2 2

a2 =  80  + 100  - 2  80 100  cos 60o   91.65 ft.
CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 2/9

Problem 18.02: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are Problem 18.02: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are
80 ft. long and 100 ft. long, with a 60° angle between them. 80 ft. long and 100 ft. long, with a 60° angle between them.
The third side is 91.65 ft. long. The remaining two angles of The third side is 91.65 ft. long. The remaining two angles of
the parcel are most nearly: the parcel are most nearly:

A. 49°, 71° A. 49°, 71°

B. 64°, 56° B. 64°, 56°
C. 30°, 90° a = 91.65 C. 30°, 90° a = 91.65
D. 60°, 60° D. 60°, 60°

Solution: Since the three sides of the triangle are given,

Solution: Three triangle sides, a, b, c, and angle A, are
use the Law of Sines to determine the associated angles.
known (see figure).
The formula for the Law of Sines is given in the NCEES
Handbook, Mathematics, page 23.

Problem 18.02: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are Problem 18.02: Two sides of a triangular-shaped parcel are
80 ft. long and 100 ft. long, with a 60° angle between them. 80 ft. long and 100 ft. long, with a 60° angle between them.
The third side is 91.65 ft. long. The remaining two angles of The third side is 91.65 ft. long. The remaining two angles of
the parcel are most nearly: the parcel are most nearly:
A. 49°, 71° A. 49°, 71°
B. 64°, 56° B. 64°, 56°
C. 30°, 90° a = 91.65 C. 30°, 90° a = 91.65
D. 60°, 60° D. 60°, 60°

Solution: a b c Solution: 100

= = = 105.83  C = 70.9o
sin  A  sin B  sin  C  sin  C 
91.65 80 100 80
= = = 105.83  B = 49.1o
sin  60  sin B  sin  C  sin B 
= 105.83

Problem 18.03: In an equilateral triangular-shaped parcel, Problem 18.03: In an equilateral triangular-shaped parcel,
the height (altitude) of the triangle is 5 ft. less than its side the height (altitude) of the triangle is 5 ft. less than its side
length. The side length (ft.) of the triangle is most nearly length. The side length (ft.) of the triangle is most nearly
equal to: equal to:
A. 10 ft. A. 10 ft.
B. 20 ft. B. 20 ft.
C. 30 ft. C. 30 ft.
D. 40 ft. D. 40 ft.

Solution: An equilateral triangle has three sides of equal

length. This implies that each internal angle is 60°. The
figure illustrates the relationship between the side and the
altitude.
CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 3/9

Problem 18.03: In an equilateral triangular-shaped parcel, Problem 18.04: Which of the following statements is NOT
the height (altitude) of the triangle is 5 ft. less than its side correct?
length. The side length (ft.) of the triangle is most nearly
equal to: A. A leveling staff is a crew assigned to a route
surveying task under the supervision of a licensed
A. 10 ft. professional surveyor.
B. 20 ft. B. A leveling staff is a rod used in surveying.
C. 30 ft. C. A level line is one where all points are normal to
D. 40 ft. the direction of the force of gravity.
D. A freely-suspended plumb-bob shows the
direction of the gravitational force.
Solution:
sin  A  = sin B  =
CD
AC
=
a-5
a

= sin 60o 
a - 5 =  0.866  a

 0.134  a = 5  a = 37.31 ft.

Problem 18.04: Which of the following statements is NOT Problem 18.05: A surveyor takes several leveling readings.
correct? The instrument is on a known point of elevation of 123.45 ft.,
and the height of the instrument (HI) is 5.15 ft. To determine
A. A leveling staff is a crew assigned to a route the elevation of the underside of a beam, an inverted sight
surveying task under the supervision of a licensed (IS) reading of 3.13 ft. is obtained. To determine the elevation
professional surveyor. of a point on a slope, a reading of 4.32 ft. is obtained. The
B. A leveling staff is a rod used in surveying. elevations of the underside of the beam and the point on the
C. A level line is one where all points are normal to slope (ft.) are respectively most nearly:
the direction of the force of gravity.
D. A freely-suspended plumb-bob shows the
A. 128.60 ft., 126.58 ft.
direction of the gravitational force.
B. 131.73 ft., 124.28 ft.
C. 125.47 ft., 132.92 ft.
Solution: Statements B, C and D are correct. Statement A D. 121.43 ft., 113.98 ft.
is incorrect.

Problem 18.05: A surveyor takes several leveling readings. Problem 18.05:

The instrument is on a known point of elevation of 123.45 ft.,
and the height of the instrument (HI) is 5.15 ft. To determine Solution:
the elevation of the underside of a beam, an inverted sight
Elevation at Sta. B = Elevation at Sta. A + HI + IS
(IS) reading of 3.13 ft. is obtained. To determine the elevation
= 123.45 + 5.15 + 3.13 = 131.73 ft.
of a point on a slope, a reading of 4.32 ft. is obtained. The
elevations of the underside of the beam and the point on the Elevation at Sta. C = Elevation at Sta. A + HI - FS
slope (ft.) are respectively most nearly: = 123.45 + 5.15 – 4.32 = 124.28 ft.
CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 4/9

Problem 18.05: Problem 18.06: A closed traverse has six segments and
Solution: four interior angles measuring 90° each. The sum of the
remaining interior angles is most nearly:
Elevation at Sta. B = Elevation at Sta. A + HI + IS
= 123.45 + 5.15 + 3.13 = 131.73 ft. A. 0o
B. 90o
Elevation at Sta. C = Elevation at Sta. A + HI - FS C. 180o
= 123.45 + 5.15 – 4.32 = 124.28 ft. D. 360o

A. 128.60 ft., 126.58 ft.

B. 131.73 ft., 124.28 ft.
C. 125.47 ft., 132.92 ft.
D. 121.43 ft., 113.98 ft.

Problem 18.06: A closed traverse has six segments and Problem 18.07: The table below shows differential leveling
four interior angles measuring 90° each. The sum of the data using a transit level. The starting station is of known
remaining interior angles is most nearly: elevation. Find the elevation of station D.

A. 0o Station BS (m) FS (m) Elevation (m) Notes

B. 90o A 3.95 500.00 Benchmark
C. 180o B 2.47 6.34
D. 360o C 3.81 5.51
D 6.78
Solution: For a polygon of n sides, the internal angle is
expressed as:
A. 508.40 m
Sum of the interior angles  180  n  2  B. 489.77 m
 180  6  2   720
C. 510.23 m
D. 491.60 m
Sum of two unknown angles = 720o – 360o = 360o

Problem 18.07: The table below shows differential leveling Problem 18.07: The table below shows differential leveling
data using a transit level. The starting station is of known data using a transit level. The starting station is of known
elevation. Find the elevation of station D. elevation. Find the elevation of station D.

Station BS (m) FS (m) Elevation (m) Notes Station BS (m) HI (m) FS (m) Elevation (m)
A 3.95 500.00 Benchmark A 3.95 503.95 500.00
B 2.47 6.34 B 2.47 500.08 6.34 497.61
C 3.81 5.51 C 3.81 498.38 5.51 494.57
D 6.78 D 6.78 491.60

A. 508.40 m  BS  3.95  2.47  3.81  10.23 A. 508.40 m

 FS  6.34  5.51  6.78  18.63
B. 489.77 m B. 489.77 m
C. 510.23 m C. 510.23 m
D. 491.60 m ELED  ELE A  BS  FS D. 491.60 m

 500.00  10.23  18.63  491.60

CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 5/9

Problem 18.08: A pile is made of recycled aggregate Problem 18.08: A pile is made of recycled aggregate
material. The pile has a diameter of 100 ft. at the base, and material. The pile has a diameter of 100 ft. at the base, and
25 ft. at the top. It is 25 ft. high. The volume of the pile (yd3) 25 ft. at the top. It is 25 ft. high. The volume of the pile (yd3)
is most nearly: is most nearly:

A. 105,000 yd3 A. 105,000 yd3

B. 5,787 yd3 B. 5,787 yd3
C. 3,860 yd3 C. 3,860 yd3
D. 2,576 yd3 D. 2,576 yd3
Solution: Generally, if the properties of two end sections are
given from which the end areas can be readily computed,
the volume equals the average cross-sectional area
multiplied by the height.

Problem 18.08: A pile is made of recycled aggregate Problem 18.08: A pile is made of recycled aggregate
material. The pile has a diameter of 100 ft. at the base, and material. The pile has a diameter of 100 ft. at the base, and
25 ft. at the top. It is 25 ft. high. The volume of the pile (yd3) 25 ft. at the top. It is 25 ft. high. The volume of the pile (yd3)
is most nearly: is most nearly:

A. 105,000 yd3 A. 105,000 yd3

B. 5,787 yd3 B. 5,787 yd3
C. 3,860 yd3 C. 3,860 yd3
D. 2,576 yd3 D. 2,576 yd3
 100 
2
 d12
Solution: A1    7,854 ft 2
4 4
Solution: In the NCEES Handbook, Civil Engineering,   25 
2
 d 22
page 176, is the Average End Area method and is A2    491ft 2
expressed as: 4 4
L  A1  A2 
V
2 V
L  A1  A2 


25 ft . 7,854 ft 2  491ft 2   104,312 ft 3
 3,863 yd3
2 2

Problem 18.09: What is the southern azimuth of a line with Problem 18.09: What is the southern azimuth of a line with
a bearing of S12° 34' 56"E? a bearing of S12° 34' 56"E?

A. 12°34'56" A. 12°34'56"
B. 77°25'04" B. 77°25'04"
C. 167°25'04" C. 167°25'04"
D. 347°25'04" D. 347°25'04"

Solution: Azimuths are generally expressed from the

north. However, there are exceptions: some navigation
systems use south as the reference plane.

The rotation of the azimuth is always clockwise. In this

case, the bearing needs to be subtracted from 360° to
determine the azimuth from the south.
CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 6/9

Problem 18.09: What is the southern azimuth of a line with Problem 18.10: Line AB bears N 12° 34' 56'' E, and line AC
a bearing of S12° 34' 56"E? bears S 12° 34' 56'' E. The deflection angle between the
lines is:
A. 12°34'56"
B. 77°25'04" A. Straight East or 90°
C. 167°25'04" B. 25° 09' 52" (Left)
D. 347°25'04" C. 167° 25' 04" (Left)
D. 154° 50' 08" (Right)

Solution: The azimuth from the south is:

360° - 12° 34' 56" = 347° 25' 04"

Problem 18.10: Line AB bears N 12° 34' 56'' E, and line AC Problem 18.10: Line AB bears N 12° 34‘ 56'‘ E, and line AC
bears S 12° 34' 56'' E. The deflection angle between the bears S 12° 34' 56'' E. The deflection angle between the
lines is: lines is:

A. Straight East or 90° A. Straight East or 90°

B. 25° 09' 52" (Left) B. 25° 09' 52" (Left)
C. 167° 25' 04" (Left) C. 167° 25' 04" (Left)
D. 154° 50' 08" (Right) D. 154° 50' 08" (Right)

Solution: A deflection angle is the Solution: A deflection angle is the

difference in angle from the prolongation
of the back line to the forward line along
a traverse.
The difference in angle between AB' and AB is the sum of
the angles 12°34'56" and 12°34'56" which is 25°09' 52".
difference in angle from the prolongation
of the back line to the forward line along
a traverse.
Since line AC is located at the left hand side of the
prolongation line, it is deflected to the left.

Problem 18.11: The table below shows length and Problem 18.11: The table below shows length and
azimuthal angles for lines in a closed traverse, ABCD. What azimuthal angles for lines in a closed traverse, ABCD. What
is the correction to the departure of CD, using the transit is the correction to the departure of CD, using the transit
rule? rule?
Line Length(ft.) Azimuth angle Line Length(ft.) Azimuth angle
AB 850.00 80° 30' AB 850.00 80° 30'
BC 1250.00 136° 15' BC 1250.00 136° 15'
CD 1000.00 220° 30' CD 1000.00 220° 30'
DA 1850.00 325° 20' DA 1850.00 325° 20'

A. + 0.192 ft  Departures   L sin

B.
C.
- 0.192 ft
- 0.343 ft
  
 850 sin 80.5  1,250 sin 136.25 
D. + 0.343 ft   
1,000 sin 220.5  1,850 sin 325.33 
 1.004
CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 7/9

Problem 18.11: The table below shows length and Problem 18.11: The table below shows length and
azimuthal angles for lines in a closed traverse, ABCD. What azimuthal angles for lines in a closed traverse, ABCD. What
is the correction to the departure of CD, using the transit is the correction to the departure of CD, using the transit
rule? rule?
Line Length(ft.) Azimuth angle Line Length(ft.) Azimuth angle
AB 850.00 80° 30' AB 850.00 80° 30'
BC 1250.00 136° 15' BC 1250.00 136° 15'
CD 1000.00 220° 30' CD 1000.00 220° 30'
DA 1850.00 325° 20' DA 1850.00 325° 20'

DepCD
Correction DepCD   1.004 ft  A. + 0.192 ft
 Departures B. - 0.192 ft
649.448 C. - 0.343 ft
  1.004 ft 
838.343  864.391  649.448  1052.282 D. + 0.343 ft

 0.192 ft

Problem 18.11a: The table below shows length and Problem 18.11a: The table below shows length and
azimuthal angles for lines in a closed traverse, ABCD. What azimuthal angles for lines in a closed traverse, ABCD. What
is the correction to the departure of CD, using the compass is the correction to the departure of CD, using the compass
rule? rule?
Line Length(ft.) Azimuth angle Line Length(ft.) Azimuth angle
AB 850.00 80° 30' AB 850.00 80° 30'
BC 1250.00 136° 15' BC 1250.00 136° 15'
CD 1000.00 220° 30' CD 1000.00 220° 30'
DA 1850.00 325° 20' DA 1850.00 325° 20'

A. + 0.203 ft  Departures   L sin

B.
C.
- 0.203 ft
- 0.343 ft
  
 850 sin 80.5  1,250 sin 136.25 
D. + 0.343 ft   
1,000 sin 220.5  1,850 sin 325.33 
 1.004

Problem 18.11a: The table below shows length and Problem 18.11a: The table below shows length and
azimuthal angles for lines in a closed traverse, ABCD. What azimuthal angles for lines in a closed traverse, ABCD. What
is the correction to the departure of CD, using the compass is the correction to the departure of CD, using the compass
rule? rule?
Line Length(ft.) Azimuth angle Line Length(ft.) Azimuth angle
AB 850.00 80° 30' AB 850.00 80° 30'
BC 1250.00 136° 15' BC 1250.00 136° 15'
CD 1000.00 220° 30' CD 1000.00 220° 30'
DA 1850.00 325° 20' DA 1850.00 325° 20'

LCD
Correction DepCD   1.004 ft  A. + 0.203 ft
perimeter B. - 0.203 ft
1,000
  1.004 ft  C. - 0.343 ft
850  1,250  1,000  1,850 D. + 0.343 ft

 0.203 ft
CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 8/9

Problem 18.12: A 2,500-m long trapezoidal open channel is Problem 18.12: A 2,500-m long trapezoidal open channel is
constructed at a specified slope of 1.5%. If the base constructed at a specified slope of 1.5%. If the base
elevation at the channel inlet is 90.357 m, the base elevation at the channel inlet is 90.357 m, the base
elevation at the channel outlet should be most nearly: elevation at the channel outlet should be most nearly:
A. 127.9 m A. 127.9 m
B. 100.875 m B. 100.875 m
C. 52.8 m C. 52.8 m
D. 37.5 m D. 37.5 m

Solution: The problem concerns open channel flow;

therefore, the slope should be directed downwards.

 1.5 
EL2  EL1    2,500 m
 100 
 1.5 
EL2  90.357 m    2,500 m  52.857 m
 100 

Problem 18.13: Two cross-sections of a proposed roadway
are located at Station 1+65.00 and 3+50.00. One cross-
section needs 200 ft2 of cut and the other needs 125 ft2 of
fill. The net excavation (yd3) required between the two
sections is most nearly:
Problem 18.13: Two cross-sections of a proposed roadway
are located at Station 1+65.00 and 3+50.00. One cross-
section needs 200 ft2 of cut and the other needs 125 ft2 of
fill. The net excavation (yd3) required between the two
sections is most nearly:

A. 30,000 yd3 A. 30,000 yd3

B. 13,800 yd3 B. 13,800 yd3
C. 1,100 yd3 C. 1,100 yd3
D. 257 yd3 D. 257 yd3

Solution: The volume is calculated using the average

end area method from the Earthwork Formulas section of
the NCEES Handbook, Civil Engineering, page 176:
L  A1  A2 
V
2

Problem 18.13: Two cross-sections of a proposed roadway Problem 18.14: Excavated soil from a barrow pit is
are located at Station 1+65.00 and 3+50.00. One cross- stockpiled in a conical shape. The stockpile has a diameter
section needs 200 ft2 of cut and the other needs 125 ft2 of of 20 m at its base and a height of 15 m. Its volume in m3 is
fill. The net excavation (yd3) required between the two most nearly:
sections is most nearly:
A. 5,000 m3
A. 30,000 yd3 B. 2,500 m3
B. 13,800 yd3 C. 1,600 m3
C. 1,100 yd3 D. 1,000 m3
D. 257 yd3

Solution:

V
 350  165  200  125 
 6,938 ft 3  257 yd3
2
CIVL 4197 FE Surveying Review 9/9

Problem 18.14: Excavated soil from a barrow pit is Problem 18.14: Excavated soil from a barrow pit is
stockpiled in a conical shape. The stockpile has a diameter stockpiled in a conical shape. The stockpile has a diameter
of 20 m at its base and a height of 15 m. Its volume in m3 is of 20 m at its base and a height of 15 m. Its volume in m3 is
most nearly: most nearly:

A. 5,000 m3 A. 5,000 m3
B. 2,500 m3 B. 2,500 m3
C. 1,600 m3 C. 1,600 m3
D. 1,000 m3 D. 1,000 m3

Solution: The shape of the stockpile in this problem is Solution: V 

 base area  height 
conical. As given in the NCEES Handbook, Civil Engineering, 3
page 176, the volume of a cone V is:    20m 2 
  15m 
V
 base area  height  

4 


 
314.15m2 15  m
 1,571m3
3 3 3

Problem 18.15: A 300 m long runway measures 20 mm on Problem 18.15: A 300 m long runway measures 20 mm on
an aerial photo. The scale of the photo is most nearly: an aerial photo. The scale of the photo is most nearly:

A. 1:1,500 A. 1:1,500
B. 1:15,000 B. 1:15,000
C. 1:15 C. 1:15
D. 1:666 D. 1:666

Solution: Photo scale:

Distance at ground
  1:
Distance in photo

300 m 1,000 mm
m 
  1:  1: 15,000
20 mm

Surveying FE Review

Fall 2017

Questions?