Name: Rosalie P.

Olicia Course and Block: BSARCH2A Subject: Surveying Date: Feb 06, 2024
ASSIGNMENT 01

What is Surveying? the same direction expressed as a bearing

and as an azimuth. An interior angle, by
Surveying is the technique of
contrast, is an angle measured between two
determining the relative position of different
features on, above or beneath the surface lines of sight, or between two legs of a
of the earth by means of direct or indirect traverse.
measurements and finally representing Diagrams of Azimuths (degrees) and
them on a sheet of paper known as plan or
Bearings (Cardinal Directions)
map.
According to the American Congress
on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM),
Surveying is the science and art of
making all essential measurements to
determine the relative position of points or
physical and cultural details above, on, or
beneath the surface of the Earth, and to
depict them in a usable form, or to establish
the position of points or details.
Surveying also includes the Fig. 1: Azimuths and bearings.
technique of establishing points by
predetermined angular and linear
measurements. From the plans, sections, What is Azimuth in Surveying?
and maps prepared by surveying, the area Azimuths are defined as horizontal
and volume of a particular plot of land can angles that are measured from the
be calculated. A map represents the reference meridian in the clockwise
horizontal projection of the area surveyed direction. Azimuths are also called a whole
and not the actual area. But the vertical circle bearing system (W.C.B). Azimuths are
distance can be represented more correctly used in compass surveying, plane
by drawing sections. surveying, where it is generally measured
from the north. But azimuths are measured
During a survey, surveyors use from the south by astronomers and in the
various tools to do their job successfully and military.
accurately, such as total stations, GPS
receivers, prisms, 3D scanners, radio
communicators, digital levels, dumpy
level and surveying software etc.

Surveyors express angles in several

ways. When specifying directions, as is
done in the preparation of a property survey,
angles may be specified as bearings or
azimuths. A bearing is an angle less than
90° within a quadrant defined by the
cardinal directions. An azimuth is an angle
between 0° and 360° measured clockwise
from North. "South 45° East" and "135°" are
 Fig. 2: Whole bearing System or  An art paper or sheet is fixed on a
Azimuths calibrated plane table
 The field observations are taken and
recorded side by side on the paper
and eventually the map is prepared.
Types of Surveying Ordinary Leveling
Surveying can mainly be classified into 2
groups-  The elevations of different points on
the earth surface are determined.
Plane Surveying  Provides all the elevation data
Geodetic or Trigonometrical Surveying needed for construction activities
Geodetic Surveying

Plane Surveying Geodetic surveying deals with vast areas,

so curvature has to be considered. Geodetic
Plane surveying deals with small surveying can be subdivided in the following
areas on the surface of the earth assuming ways:
the surface of the land to be plane. So
curvature of the earth is neglected. Plane
surveying can further be subdivided in the Triangulation
following ways:
 A network of well-defined triangles is
formed on the plot of land to be
Chain Surveying surveyed.
 One of the lines is considered as the
 Area to be surveyed is divided into a baseline, all other lines and angles
number of triangles are then measured accordingly.
 The length of the sides is measured
and the interior details recorded Reciprocal Leveling
 Whole are then plotted on a drawing  Used in leveling across streams,
sheet to a suitable scale to produce gullies, and other obstructions to
the map eliminate instrumental errors
Traverse Surveying  Level readings are taken from two
setups at two different points
 The plot of the plan is enclosed by a  The difference in levels between two
series of straight lines making sites with obstructions is determined
angles with each other. through this survey
 The length of the lines and angles
are measured and plotted with Tacheometry or Stadia Surveying
details on a drawing paper to a  A telescopic sight instrument is used
suitable scale to produce the map
to measure distances
Plane Table Surveying  It incorporates a theodolite
controlled by an operator and a level
 The observations and plotting are staff held by another surveyor at a
done simultaneously distance.
  Both vertical and horizontal infrastructure. Horizontal curves are
distances are computed through typically characterized by their circular
stadia (the two horizontal markings shape, but they can also be parabolic or
on a theodolite) readings spiral in nature, depending on specific
design requirements.
Astronomical Surveying

 The meridian, azimuth, latitude,

longitude, etc. of the plot to be
surveyed is determined with the help
Types of Horizontal Curve
of celestial bodies.
In surveying and highway
Photographic surveying
engineering, several types of horizontal
 Maps are prepared from curves in surveying are used. The main
photographs taken from suitable purpose is to change the direction of a road
camera stations; the stations can be or railway alignment smoothly. Here are the
even airplanes. main types of horizontal curves:
 The output is a map, a drawing or a Circular Curve: A circular curve is the most
3D model of some real-world scene common type of horizontal curve. It follows
or object. a circular arc and is defined by its radius.
Circular curves are used when a gradual
change in direction is required, and they
Types of Curves In Surveying provide a constant radius throughout the
curve.
In surveying, two primary types of
curves are us. These are Horizontal curves
and Vertical curves. Horizontal curves are
used to transition smoothly between straight
sections of a road or railway. Vertical
curves, on the other hand, are employed to
provide a gradual change in elevation along
the alignment. These curves play a crucial
role in transportation infrastructure design.
These also ensure safe and comfortable
travel by minimizing abrupt changes in
direction and gradient. By understanding
these curves effectively, engineers can
create well-designed and efficient
transportation systems.

Circular curve
Horizontal curves
Horizontal curves are essential
elements in surveying and civil engineering
projects. They are used to smoothly
transition between straight sections of
roads, railways, or other linear
Compound Curve: A compound curve Reverse Curve
consists of two or more circular arcs with
different radii and centers. These arcs are Spiral Curve: A spiral curve, also known as
connected smoothly to create a compound a transition curve or clothoid, is a special
curve. Compound curves are used when a type of curve. It provides a smooth transition
more gradual transition is needed between between a straight section and a circular
two different alignments. curve. It is not a true circular arc but follows
a mathematical spiral shape. Spiral curves
are used to ensure a gradual change in
curvature. These minimize abrupt changes
in centrifugal force encountered by vehicles.

Compound Curve

Reverse Curve: A reverse curve consists of

two circular curves with opposite directions. Spiral Curve
It typically involves a tangent section
between the two curves. Reverse curves Transition Curve: A transition curve in
are used when a significant change in surveying is used to provide a smooth
alignment direction is needed. They help transition between a tangent section and a
provide a smooth transition between the two circular curve. It gradually increases or
curves. decreases the curvature. It is often
employed when a vehicle or train needs to
transition from a straight path to a circular
curve or vice versa.
 Transition Curve to improve the vertical alignment and overall
safety of the roadway.
Vertical Curves

Vertical curves play a vital role in surveying

and civil engineering projects, particularly in
the design and construction of roads,
highways, and railways. These curves are
used to smoothly transition between
different grades or slopes along the vertical
axis. By connecting different sections of
varying elevation, vertical curves ensure a
safe and comfortable ride for vehicles and
reduce the strain on drivers.
Valley curve
Types of Vertical Curve
Sag Curve: A sag curve, also known as a
In highway design, there are three main concave curve or depression curve, is used
types of vertical curve in surveying used to when transitioning from a steeper grade to a
transition between different grades along flatter or level grade. It is designed to
the road alignment: provide a smooth transition by gradually
lowering the road alignment. Sag curves are
Summit Curve: A summit curve is used to commonly used in hilly or mountainous
transition from an ascending or uphill grade terrains to maintain a consistent speed and
to a descending or downhill grade. It is ensure good driver visibility.
designed to provide a smooth and gradual
transition between the two grades. The
summit curve allows drivers to maintain a
constant speed and provides adequate
stopping sight distance at the highest point
of the curve.

Sag Curve

Summit Curve

Valley Curve: A valley curve is used to

transition from a descending or downhill
grade to an ascending or uphill grade. It
allows for a smooth and gradual transition
between the two grades, ensuring driver
comfort and maintaining appropriate sight
distances. Valley curves are typically used