Field Notes: Computations
Field Notes: Computations
Field Notes: Computations
Field notes are the only record that is left after the field survey party departs the
survey site. If these notes are not clear and complete, the field survey was of
little value. It is therefore necessary that your field notes contain a complete
record of all of the measurements made during the survey and that they include,
where necessary, sketches and narrations to clarify the notes.
(1) Tabulations. Tabulations are the numerical measurements that are recorded in columns
according to a prescribed plan. Spaces are also reserved to permit necessary computations. Tabulations,
with or without added sketches, can also be supplemented with descriptions.
(2) Sketches. Sketches add much to clarify field notes and should be used liberally when
applicable. They may be drawn to an approximate scale, or important details may be exaggerated for
clarity. A small ruler or triangle is an aid in making sketches. Measurements should be added directly
on the sketch or keyed in some way to the tabular data. A very important requirement of a sketch is
legibility. See that the sketch is drawn clearly and large enough to be understandable.
(4) Combinations. Two, or even all three, of the methods can be combined, when necessary,
to make a complete record.
b. Field Notebook. A field notebook is a permanently bound book for recording measurements
as they are made in the field. Several types are available to record the different kinds of surveying
measurements. The front cover of a field notebook should be marked with the name of the project its
general location, the types of measurements recorded, the designation of the surveying unit, and other
pertinent information as specified by the engineering officer. The inside front cover should contain
instructions for the return of the notebook, if lost. The right-hand pages should be reserved for an index
of the field notes, a list of party personnel and their duties, a list of the instruments used (plus the dates
and the reasons for any instrument being changed during the course of the survey), and a sketch and
description of the project. Throughout the remainder of the notebook, the beginning and ending of each
day's work should be clearly indicated. When pertinent, the weather, including temperature and wind
velocities, should also be recorded. To minimize recording errors, all data entered in the notebook must
be checked and initialed by someone other than the recorder.
(1) Legibility. All field notes should be lettered legibly. A mechanical pencil or a number 3
or 4 hard-lead pencil, using sufficient pressure, will ensure a permanent record. Numerals and decimal
points should be legible and permit only one interpretation. Notes must be kept in the field notebook
and not on scraps of paper for later transcription. Separate surveys should be recorded
on separate pages
or in different books.
(2) Erasures. Erasures are not permitted in field notebooks. Individual numbers or lines
recorded incorrectly are lined out and the correct values added. Pages that are to be rejected are crossed
out neatly and referenced to the substituted page. This procedure is mandatory since the field notebook
is the book of record and is often used as legal evidence.
(3) Abbreviations. Standard abbreviations, signs, and symbols are used in field notebooks.
If there is any doubt as to their meaning, an explanation must be given in the form of notes or legends.
(1) Additional Persons. To improve the efficiency of the different leveling operations,
additional personnel are required. A second rod man to alternate on the backsights and foresights will
speed up leveling. A recorder will allow the instrument man to take readings as soon as the rod men are
in position. For surveys with numerous side shots, extra rod men will eliminate waiting periods while
one or two persons move from point to point. In surveys requiring a shaded instrument, an umbrella
man can allow the recorder to concentrate on note keeping.
(2) Combined Party. Leveling operations may be run along with a traverse or as part of a
taping survey. In these instances, the leveling party may be organized as part of a combined party with
personnel assuming duties as required by the workload and as assigned by the party chief.
c. Stadia Party. A stadia party should consist of three people: an instrument man, a note
keeper, and a rod man. However, two rod men should be used if there are long distances between
observed points so that one can proceed to a new point while the other is holding the rod on a point
being observed. The note keeper records the data the instrument man calls out and makes the required
sketches.
Surveying Types. Generally, surveys are classified by names descriptive of their functions,
such as property surveys, mine surveys, hydrographic surveys, and so on. Although surveys are
classified by many different names, the methods and instruments used are basically the same. Some of
the types of surveys that you might perform as a construction surveyor are discussed below.
a. Land Surveys. A land survey is conducted to establish the exact location, boundaries, or
subdivision of a tract of land in a specified area. This type of work is sometimes referred to as cadastral
surveying. When this work is primarily done within city limits, it is referred to as city surveying. At
present, land surveys generally consist of the following chores:
Establishing markers or monuments to define and thereby preserve the boundaries of land
belonging to an individual, a corporation, or the government.
Establishing horizontal and vertical control that will serve as the framework of the
survey.
Determining the horizontal location and elevation (usually called "side shots") of ground
points to provide enough data for plotting when the map is prepared.
Locating natural and man-made features.
Computing distances, angles, and elevations.
Drawing the topographic map.
c. Engineering or Construction Surveys. An engineering or a construction survey is conducted
to
obtain data for the various phases of construction activity.
Obtaining reconnaissance information and preliminary data that engineers require for
selecting suitable routes and sites and for preparing structural designs.
Defining selected locations by establishing a system of reference points.
Guiding construction forces by setting stakes or marking lines, grades, and principal
points and by giving technical assistance.
Measuring construction items in place to prepare progress reports.
Dimensioning structures for preparing as-built plans.
(1) Terms. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) applies the term engineering
surveys to all of the above objectives and construction surveys to the last three objectives only. The
Army Corps of Engineers, on the other hand, applies construction surveys to all of the above objectives.
(2) Structures. Engineering and/or construction surveys from part of a series of activities
leading to the construction of a man-made structure. The term "structure" is usually confined to
something that is built of structural members, such as a building or a bridge. It is used here in a broader
sense, however, to include all man-made features, such as graded areas; sewer, power, and water lines;
roads and highways; and waterfront structures.
d. Route Surveys. A route survey is conducted for locating and constructing transportation or
communication lines that continue across country for some distance, such as highways, railroads, open
conduit systems, pipelines, and power lines. Generally, the preliminary survey for this type of work
takes the form of a topographic survey. In the final stage, the work may consist of the following:
Locating a centerline, usually marked by stakes at 100-foot intervals (called stations).
Determining elevations along and across a centerline for plotting a profile and cross
sections.
Plotting a profile and cross sections and fixing grades.
Computing the volumes of earthwork and preparing a mass diagram.
Staking out the extremities for cuts and fills.
Determining drainage areas to be used for ditches and culverts.
Laying out structures, such as bridges, culverts, and so on
Control Types. Control surveys establish reference points and reference lines for detail surveys.
Control may be either horizontal or vertical.
a. Horizontal Control. Horizontal control is a basic framework of points in which the
horizontal position and interrelationship of have been accurately determined.
(1) Horizontal Control by Traversing. A surveying traverse is a sequence of lengths and
directions of lines between points on the earth, obtained by or from field measurements and used in
determining the positions of the points. A surveying traverse may determine the relative positions of the
points that it connects in a series.
(2) Horizontal Control by Triangulation. Triangulation is a method of surveying in which
the stations are points on the ground that are located in a series of triangles. The angles of the
triangulation net are measured by using instruments, and the lengths of the sides are derived by
computation from selected sides that are termed baselines-the lengths of which have been obtained from
precise direct measurements on the ground.
b. Vertical Control. Vertical control (also called elevation control) is a series of bench marks or
other points of known relative vertical position that are established throughout a project. In a
topographic survey, for example, a circuit of bench marks is established over an area at convenient
intervals (usually every half mile along a coordinate system on government property) to serve as starting
and closing points for leveling operations. They also serve as reference marks for grades and finished
floor elevations for structures in subsequent construction work. Since these bench marks will be needed
from time to time to establish other elevations, it is important that the work be accurately done so that
elevations referred to by one bench mark will check with those referred to by any other bench mark in
the circuit. The bench marks must be established in a definite point of more or less permanent character
so that they will not be disturbed.
This is a part of the field notebook where the project's name can be found.
The time and date of the surveying are recorded in this section of the field notebook.
The weather conditions of the surveying day are reported in this section of the field notebook.
The names of the group members, as well as their designation, are kept in this section of the field
notebook.