UNIT-I

FUNDAMENTALS AND CHAIN SURVEYING

Part A
1) Define surveying.
2) What are the types of surveying? What are the primary divisions of surveying ?
3) State the principle of surveying.
4) Why not part to whole Explain.
5) Differentiate plan and map?
6) What are source of errors?
7) What are the kinds of errors? Give example?
8) Classify surveying based on accuracy?
9) Mention the different types of chain
10) Which type of areas is best suited for chain surveying?
11) What are accessories used in chain surveying?
12) What are errors in chaining?
13) Define Ranging?
14) What are the types of Ranging?
15) Defines check lines
16) Define tie stations
17) What is cross staff? Mention its types?
18) What are the types of optical square?
19) What are the well conditioned and ill conditioned triangles?
20) What is mean by representative fraction of scale?
21) Why is it necessary to draw a scale on the map at the time of Plotting?
22) Calculate the sag correction for a 100m tape weighting 1.3kg and used under a pull of
9 kg in equal spans of 25m each.
23) A 100m tape is held 2m out of a line. What is the true length?
Part B
1. Explain the principles of surveying? With a simple sketch state the construction and use
of a cross staff
2. a. Explain the different method of ranging with neat sketch.
b. What are the accessories for a chain survey? Explain the functions of each.

3 How chain can be done on an uneven ground or sloping ground? Point out the
advantages and disadvantages of this method.
4 Explain different corrections that can be applied to chain or tape.
5 Explain in details how a chain traversing can be done.
6 The distance between two points measured with a Gunters chain was found to be 7500
links. The same distance was measured with an Engineers chain and was found to be
4930 feet. If the Gunters chain was 0.25 Link too short, what was error in engineers
chain?
7 A chain was tested before starting a survey and was found to be exactly 20m and 20cm.
The area of the plan drawn to a scale 8cm to 1cm was 220sq.cm. Find the true area of
the field.
8 A 30m chain was found to be 0.1m too long after chaining 2400m. If the chain was
correct before commencement of the work, find the true distance.
9. A 30m steel tape was standardized on the flat and was found to be exactly 3mm under
no pull at 66F. It was used in catenar to measure a base of 5 bays the temperature
during the measurement was 92F and the pull exerted during the measurement was
10kg. The area of the cross section of the tape was 0.08 sq.cm and the specific weights
6
of steel is 7.86 g/cc. A = 0.0000063 per 1F and e = 2.109 x 10 kg/sq.cm. Find the true
length of the line.
10 A steel exactly 30m long at 18C when supported throughout its length under a pull of
8 kg, A line was measured with a tape under a pull of 12 kg and found to be 1602 m. the
mean temperature during the measurement was 26 C. Assuming the tape to be
supported at every 30m, calculate the length of the line, given that cross sectional area
of the tape is 0.04 sq.cm, the weight of 1 cc = 0.0077 kg, the co efficient of expansion =
3
.000012 per 1C, and the modulus of elasticity = 2.1 x 10 kg / sq.cm
UNIT-II
COMPASS SURVEYING
Part-A

i.
ii.

1. Mention different types of compasses?

2. Define the terms
a. Bearing
b. Meridian
c. Types of bearing and meridian
3. State the conversion rule for W.C.B to R.B
4. What is different between fore bearing and back bearing?
5. Convert
12430 to RB
N1048W to W.C.B
6. Find the bearing of line AB whose FB is 1448 and S1440E
7. Define dip.
8. How dip eliminated?
9. Define magnetic declination. What are the types?
10. Find the magnetic declination at a place if the magnetic bearing of the sun at noon is
i) 18400

ii) 35024
11. How local attraction can be eliminated?
12. Define traverse?
13. Define agonic and isogonic lines
14. How local attraction can be detected?
15. What are the types of traverse?
16. What is local attraction?
17. What are errors in compass survey?
18. Define the variation of declinations?
19. What is different between magnetic bearing and true bearing?
20. What are the temporary adjustments in compass?
Part B
1. Explain with neat sketches the different types of compasses.
2. Differentiate prismatic and surveyor compass.
3. How closing error can be adjusted by using graphical method?
4. Examine the following notes on a compass survey for local attraction. Determine correct
bearings. Also determine the included angles at A,B,C,D and E.
Station
FB
BB
A
S100W
N850E
B
S770E
N100E
C
N050
N750W
D
N540W
S020
E
S880W
S500
5. The following angles were observed in clockwise direction in an open traverse angle
ABC = 12415, angle BCD = 15630 angle CDE = 1020 angle DEF = 9515 angle
EFG = 21530 magnetic bearing of line AB was 24130.what would be the bearing of
line FG = ?.
6. Explain different method of plotting a compass traverse?
7. The following are the magnetic bearings of a closed traverse ABCD carried out in an
area under the influence of local attraction. Find the correct magnetic bearings, if the
magnetic declination for the area is 145E,find also the true bearings.
Line
AB
BC
CD
DA

Magnetic bearing
FB

BB

2114
13820
20218
29341

20230
31820
2323
11120

8. The bearing of one side of a regular pentagon was found to be N300E. Find bearings of other
lines. The following angles were observed in clockwise direction in an open traverse angle ABC
= 12415, angle BCD = 15630 angle CDE = 1020 angle DEF =

9515 angle EFG = 21530 magnetic bearing of line AB was 24130.what would be the
bearing of line FG =?.
9. Explain different method of plotting a compass traverse?
The following are the magnetic bearings of a closed traverse ABCD carried out in an area
under the influence of local attraction. Find the correct magnetic bearings, if the magnetic
declination for the area is 145E, Find also the true bearings.
Line
AB
BC
CD
DA

Magnetic bearing
FB

BB

2114
13820
20218
29341

20230
31820
2323
11120

The bearing of one side of a regular pentagon was found to be N300E. Find bearings of
other lines.
UNIT-II
PLANE TABLE SURVEYING
Part-A
1. What is plane tabling?
2. Mention the suitability and unsuitability of plane tabling?
3. What are the equipments used in plane tabling?
4. What are the methods of plane tabling?
5. What are the accessories of plane tabling?
6. State two point problem and three-point problem.
7. What are the temporary adjustments in plane tabling?
8. State any two lahmans rule.
9. What is resector and resection?
10. When strength of fix is good?
11. When strength of fix is bad?
12. What are the errors in plane tabling?
13. What is back ray method?
14. What is triangle of error?
Part B
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Explain radiation method of plane tabling.

Explain intersection method of plane tabling.
Explain traversing method of plane tabling.
Explain two-point problem.
Explain three-point problem.
Explain strength of fix.

UNIT-III
LEVELING
Part A
1. Define leveling.
2. What is the principle of leveling?
3. Mention the types of level.
4. Mention the types of leveling staves.
5. What are back sights and fore sights?
6. Define height of instrument.
7. Define intermediate sight.
8. Define change point.
9. Define BM. Explain its classification.
10. Define parallax. How is it eliminated in a level?
11. Mention the temporary adjustments of leveling.
12. Define level book.
13. Mention the method of reduction of levels.
14. Mentions the arithmetical check in rise and fall method and height of collimation method.
15. The observed staff reading on a staff held at A was 2.625m. the staff was found to be
15cm off the vertical through its bottom. Find the correct staff reading.
16. The staff reading on a certain peg is 3.820 when the staff is held 0.25m out of plumb bob
in its total length of 4 m.find the correct staff reading for staff held VL.
17. How leveling can be done when the staff station was too long or too high?
18. How to level cross a pond or a lake?
19. How its possible for leveling, if the BM lies above the line of collimation.
20. Mention the different types of leveling errors.
21. Find the refraction correction for a distance of 6000m.
22. Find the curvature correction for a distance of 9000m.
23. Calculate the combined correction for value 6000m & 9000m.
24. Find the distance of visible horizon from the top of the light house, 30.48m high.
25. What is reciprocal leveling? Mention the advantages?
26. Mention the permanent adjustments of a dumpy level.
27. Why is it necessary to bring the bubble to mid run just before taking the reading?
28. What is the need for balancing the fore sight and back sight distances?
Part B
1) Explain the different types of levels and staves with neat sketches.
2) a) Mention the differences between height of collimation method and rise and fall
method
b) Record the following observations in the form of a leveling field book and obtain the
reduced level of the each point. Give the necessary checks.
Reading on inverted staff on point A whose reduced level is 52.345 = 3.565
Reading on staff on point B natural ground = 0.855

Change of instruments position.

Reading on staff on point B on ground = 1.210
Reading on inverted staff on point C = 3.975
Use rise and fall method and height of collimation method.
3) The following consecutive readings were taken along AB with a 4m leveling staff on
continuously slowing ground at intervals of 20m : 0.34m on A,
1.450,2.630,3.875,0.655,1.745,2.965,3.945,1.125,2.475,3.865 on B.
The elevation A was 60.350. enter the above readings in a level book form and work out
RLs by rise and fall method. Also find the gradient of the line AB.
4) Explain, in details, the different types of leveling.
5) Insert the missing enters and rebook by rise and fall method. Apply usual checks.
BS
IS
FS
HI
RL
Remarks
X
279.080
277.650
OBM
2.010
X
X
278.070
3.370
0.400
X
278.680
2.980
X
1.410
280.640
X
281.370
TBM

6) What is sensitiveness? How is it measured? Explain.

7) The following notes refer to reciprocal levels taken with one level.
Staff Reading on
B
Inst.at A
Remarks
P
1.820
2.740
Dist PQ = 1010m
Q
RL of P = 126.380
Find (a) true RL of Q (b) Combination for curvature and refraction (c) Angular error in
collimation adjustment of the inst.
What will be the difference in answers are interchanged?
8) Two points A and B are 1200m apart across a wide river. The following reciprocal levels
are taken with one level.
Staff reading on
Inst station
A
B
A
1.485
2.365
B
1.035
1.402
The error in the collimation adjustment of the level is +0.008m in 60m. Calculate the true
difference of level between A and B and the error due to refraction only.

9) In testing a dumpy level for the collimation error, the following observations were
obtained.
Staff readings on
Level at
Remarks
A
B
C
1.465
2.005
C Is exactly midway between A &B
D Is midway between A & C and in same St. line
D
1.310
1.660
as A,C &B.
Dist between A &B = 80m
Find out the staff readings on A and B in order that the line of collimation is truly Hl when
the instruments was at D.
10) The following reciprocal level were taken during the testing of a dumpy level.
Staff reading on
Level at
A
B
A
1.370
2.105
B
1.140
1.765
Is the line of collimation adjustments? Find the true readings.
UNIT-IV
LEVELLING APPLICATIONS
Part A
1. Define contouring and contours.
2. Defines topographic maps.
3. Define contour interval and horizontal equivalent.
4. What are the factors on which the choice of contour interval depends?
5. How a hill and a depression can be differentiated using contouring?
6. Define horizontal and vertical control.
7. Mention the different methods of contouring.
8. Mention the methods of interpolating contouring.
9. Define contour gradient.
10. What are the uses of contour maps?
11. Define LS and CS.
12. What are the uses of contours?
13. Mention the graphical methods of determining areas.
14. State mid ordinate and average ordinate rules.
15. State trapezoidal and simpsons rule.
16. Define median and double median distance.
17. How areas are computed by map?
18. Why simpsons rule is used for odd number of ordinates only?
19. What is the uses of planimeter?
20. What are the methods adopted for estimating volume?
21. define prismoid.
22. State prismoidal rule and average and end area method.
23. Mention the curvature correction for 2 level sections.
24. How Volume is estimated using contouring plan?

25. What is mass haul diagram?

26. Define lead and lift.

Part B
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Explain the characteristics of contours.

Explain the methods of locating contours.
Explain the interpolation of contours with neat sketch
Explain the uses of contours maps.
Explain about the Mass hall Diagrams with neat sketch.
Derive the formulas for calculation of areas and Volumes.
Drive on expression for simpsons rule and trapezoidal rule.
The following offsets were taken from a chain line to a hedge.
Distance in m
0 6 12 18 24 36 48 60 72 81 90
Offsets in m
Calculate the area using (i) Simpsons rule (ii) trapezoidal rule
9. Certain field has three straights sides PQ, QR, RS and an irregular side PS. Calculate
the area Of the field from the following data.
PQ = 130m, QR =200m, PS = 150m, PR = 230m. Offset taken outwards from PS to the
irregular boundary at chain ages 0,30,60,90,120 and 150 Have values 0,3.2,1.6,6.8,4.0 and 0
10. The following perpendicular offsets were taken at 10 metres intervals from a survey
line to a an irregular boundary line. 3.25,5.60,4.20,6.65,8.75,6.20,3.25,4.20,5.65.
calculate the area using average ordinate rule, trapezoidal rule and simpsons rule .
11. A railway embankment is 10m wide with side slopes 2:1. Assuming the ground to be
level in a direction traverse to the centerline , calculate the volume contained in a
length of 150m, the central heights at 30m intervals beings 2.5,3.00,4.00,3.75, and
2.75 respectively.
UNIT-V
THEODOLITE SURVEYING

Part-A
1. What is tacheometric surveying?
2. List out the different methods of tacheometry.
3. Define stadia method of tacheometry.
4. List out the different stadia methods.
5. What are the three types of telescope used in stadia surveying?
6. What are the advantages of an anallatic lens used in tacheometer?
7. Compare tangential and stadia method.
8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of subtense method over stadia method?
9. What are the errors that may arise in stadia?
10. Give the precision of stadia survey.
11. Define stadia intercept.
12. What is the principle of stadia method?
13. What is tacheometry?

14. Give the use of Analytic lens.

15. What is the difference between theodolite and tacheometer?
16. Movable hair method is not adopted generally, why?
17. What is multiplying constant and additive constant?
18. Give the expression for RL of staff above the station in stadia fixed, when line of sight is
inclined and staff normal to it.
19. Give the expression for V in tangential method.
20. What is a subtense bar?
21. In the fixed hair method, the line of sight is horizontal and staff is held
vertically. If additive constant is zero, multiplying constant is 100 and distance
two hairs is 2.7m, determine the horizontal distance between the two stations.
22. What is theodolite?
23. Mention the Classification of Theodolites.
24. Mention the parts of Theodolites
25. What is the use of peep sight and plummet?
26. Define the following terms: a. Vertical axis
b. Horizontal axis
c. Line of sight / line of collimation.
d. Axis of level tube
e. Centering
f. Transiting
g. Swinging the telescope
h. Face left / face right observation
i. Telescope normal
j. Telescope inverted
k. Changing face.
27. What are the temporary adjustment of theodolite?
28. What are the advantage of method of repetition?
29. What is direction method?
30. What are the fundamental lines of a transit theodolite?
31. What are the sources of errors in theodolite?
32. Define latitude and departure
33. What is northing and southing?
34. What is easting and westing?
35. Define closing error.
36. What are methods of balancing the traverse?
37. What is the use of Gales traverse table?
38. Mention some cases of omitted measurements.
39. How omitted measurements can be calculated?
40. What is trigonometric levelling?
Part-B
1. The following readings were taken on a vertical staff with a tacheometer
fitted with an analytic lens and having a constant of 100.

Staff station

Bearing

Staff readings

Vertical
angles
1.500 2.060 80
2.000 3.153 -50

A
B

4710
22710

0.940
0.847

Calculate the relative level of the ground at A and B and the gradient between A and B.
2. How do you calculate the horizontal and vertical distances between a
instrument station and a staff station when the line of collimation is
inclined to the horizontal and the staff is held vertically.
3. Explain the procedure of estimating the horizontal and vertical distances
where the line of collimation is inclined to the horizontal and the staff is
held normal to the line of collimation
4. The following notes refer to a line levelled tacheometrically with an
anallatic tacheometer, the multiplying constant being 100:
Inst.
station
P
P
Q

Height of
Staff
axis
station
1.5
B.M
1.5
Q
1.6
R

Vertical
angles
-612
75
1227

Hair readings
0.963, 1.515, 2.067
0.819, 1.341, 1.863
1.860, 2.445, 3.030

Remarks
R.L of B.M.
= 460.65 m
staff held
vertically.

Compute the reduced levels of P.Q and R and the horizontal distances PQ and QR.
5. A tacheometer is setup at an intermediate point at on a traverse course PQ. The
Following observations are made on the vertically held staff.
Staff
Station
P
Q

Vertical
Angle
836
66

Staff Intercept AxialHair

reading
2.350
2.105
2.055
1.895

The Instrument is fitted with an analytic lens and the constant is 100compute the length of PQ and R-C of Q that of P being 321.5m.
6. Calculate the horizontal and vertical distances using tangential tacheometry
when Both the observed angles are angle of elevation and angle of
depression.
7. A theodolite has a tacheometric multiplying constant of 100 and an additive constant of zero.

The centre reading on a vertical staff held at point B was 2.292 m when sighted

HOLY CROSS ENGINEERING COLLEGE

Survey I Question Bank
from A. If the vertical angle was +25 and the horizontal distance AB 190.326 m, calculate the
other staff readings and show that the two intercept intervals are not equal. Using these values,
calculate the level of B if A is 37.950 m angle of depression and the height of the instrument is
1.35 m.
8. Explain the different between tangential and stadia tacheometry. How will you
determine the stadia constants?
9. Two points A & B are on opposite sides of a summit. The tacheometer was set up at P on top of
the summit, and the following readings were taken.
Inst.
Height of Staff
Vertical
Hair
Remarks
station
axis
station
angles
readings
P
1.500
A
-10
1.150, 2.050, RL of P =
2.950
450.500m
P
1.500
B
-12
0.855, 1.605,
2.355
10. The following observation were made using a tacheometer fitted with an anallatic lens, the
multiplying constant being 100.
Inst.
Height of
Staff
WCB
Vertical
Hair readings
Remarks
station
axis
station
angles
O
1.550
A
3030
430
1.155, 1.755,
RL of O
2.355
= 150.00
B

7530

1015

1.250, 2.00,
2.750

Calculate the distance AB, and the RLs of A and B. Find also the gradient of the line AB.
11. Two observations were taken upon a vertical staff by means of a theodolite, the reduced level of
its trunnion axis being 160.95. In the case of the first, the angle of elevation was 436 and the
staff reading 0.75. In the case of second observation, the staff reading was 3.45 and the angle of
elevation 548. Calculate the reduced level of the staff station and its distance from the
instrument.
12. A staff was held vertically at distance of 45m and 120m from the centre of a theodolite fitted
with stadia hairs and the staff intercepts with the telescope horizontal were 0.447m and 1.193m
respectively. The instrument was then set over a station P of R .L 500.25m and the height of the
instrument was 1.45m. The hair readings on a staff held vertically at station Q were 1.20, 1.93
and 2.66m while the vertical angle was -930. Find the distance PQ and the RL of Q.
13. Explain the permanent adjustment of theodolite?
14.Explain the parts of theodolite?
15. How horizontal angles are measured using repetition a reiteration method?