What is surveying and their uses and importance.

Team Anand


Surveying in construction is the process of determining the precise location and measurements of points, elevations, and lines on a site.


Surveying in construction is the act of measuring and mapping out a building site to ensure proper placement of structures. Surveying is a very important branch of civil engineering.

source ; freepik


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."

 

principle of surveying:-


There are two basic principles of surveying in civil engineering. Those principles of surveying are as follows:


(i) working from whole to part.


(ii) To locate a new station by taking at least two reference measurements ( linear or angular) from the fixed reference points.



Surveying Equipment & Their Uses :-


1.     Chains and Tapes

2.     Compasses and Clinometers

3.     Levels

4.     Leveling Staff,

5.     Hand level,

6.     Auto level/Dumpy level,

7.     Total Station,

8.     Theodolite,

9.     Prisms,

10. Plumb Bob Laser

11. GPS ( Global Positioning System)

12. LDM ( Laser Distance Meter)


Importance:-


1. Surveying helps to know the accurate soil profile, establish drainage paths, and prepare contour surveys.

 

2. Construction surveying provides crucial information about the boundaries and topography of a construction site, which is essential for site preparation and planning.

 

3. Surveying helps calculate the project’s possible alignment and the required amount of earthwork.

 

4. Construction surveying is used to determine the precise location and measurements of points, elevations, and lines required for the design and layout of a construction project.

 

5. Accurate construction surveying helps ensure that structures are built in the right place and in the right way, reducing the risk of mistakes that could impact the safety and stability of a building.

 

6. Surveying helps to know the accurate soil profile, establish drainage paths, and prepare contour surveys.

 

Surveying has a wide range of uses across different industries and applications. Some of the key uses of surveying include:


Land Development: Surveying is essential for subdividing land, establishing property boundaries, and creating land parcels for residential, commercial, and industrial development.


Construction: Surveying is crucial in construction projects for site planning, setting out building foundations, determining elevations, and ensuring structures are built according to design specifications.


Infrastructure Development: Surveying is used in the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, railways, pipelines, and utilities to ensure accurate alignment and precise location of infrastructure elements.


Mapping and Cartography: Surveying plays a vital role in creating accurate maps, charts, and geographic information systems (GIS) for navigation, urban planning, natural resource management, and environmental monitoring.


Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Surveying data is integrated into GIS to analyze spatial relationships, manage spatial data, and make informed decisions in fields such as urban planning, emergency response, transportation, and environmental management.


Mining and Exploration: Surveying is used in mining operations for prospecting, exploration, mine planning, and monitoring of excavation activities to ensure efficient resource extraction and safe working conditions.


Environmental Monitoring: Surveying techniques are employed in environmental assessments, monitoring changes in landscapes, detecting natural disasters, and assessing the impact of human activities on the environment.


Civil Engineering: Surveying is integral to civil engineering projects such as dams, levees, tunnels, and airports, providing accurate measurements for design, construction, and maintenance activities.


Forestry and Agriculture: Surveying is utilized in forestry and agriculture for land management, timber inventory, crop mapping, soil analysis, and precision farming practices.