We already discussed the objective & principles of surveying.
Surveying is like a travel plan for a trip. It guides you through the project. It helps to dictate the sequences and route map for the entire project. Here we are going to discuss the types of surveying.
The primary methods of surveying are
We knew that the earth is in sphere shape.
In surveying, when the earth’s surface is assumed to be a plane, and the curvature of the earth is omitted, it is called Plane Surveying.
The earth’s surface not considered as plane and curvature of the planet also taken into account for measurement is called Geodetic Surveying.
Difference between the Plane and Geodetic Surveying
Plane Surveying | Geodetic Surveying |
Earth is considered as a plane. | Earth is considered as a sphere(Curved Surface). |
The line joining 2 points will be considered as a straight line. | The line joining 2 points will be considered as a curved line. |
The triangle formed by 3 points will be considered as a plane triangle. | The triangle formed by 3 points will be considered as a spherical triangle. |
Suitable for an area of less than 250 Km2. | Suitable for the area more than 250 km2. |
The classification of surveying is dependent on the nature of the field, objective & instruments.
The chain survey is the conventional method of surveying, which is used to survey small land. The survey areas are divided into a number triangle and can be calculated. The chain of length is around 20m to 30m. This survey method has been suitable for minor uneven surface land.
Compass Surveying
The compass survey principles are traversed.
The survey points are connected as a series of lines and
Two different types of instruments are used in compass surveying.
We have discussed this in detail on Compass Surveying.
The plane table survey is suitable where the area is not larger & does not require high accuracy.
The fieldwork points are simultaneously plotted on the drawing, which is placed over the plane table. The plotted points are correlative with each other.
Theodolite Surveying
Theodolite surveying used where high accuracy of results required.
The telescope, which is mounted on the theodolite instrument, can rotate 360 degrees in both horizontal & vertical directions. So the measurement can be taken both horizontally & vertically. The vertical & horizontal angle can calculate the length of the survey points.
Theodolite Surveying is used in all types of construction roads, bridges, dam & pipeline projects.
Tacheometric Surveying
The tachymetric survey is used mainly in contour surveying.
The measurement of the distance can be taken in both horizontal & vertical directions. The stadia distance and reduced level will be calculated for the distance of the points.
Dumpy Level or Auto Level
The dumpy level or auto level instrument survey is mostly used where the earth’s surface is uneven. The measurement can be measured in a 360-degree horizontal direction.
The reduced level points are calculated by the height of the collimation or by the rise and fall method.
Aerial Surveying
To discover the overview of an area, aerial surveying is carried out from the aeroplane or helicopter. The photographs will be taken from an elevated position to identify the object clearly from the top angle.
Total Station
The technology improvement of theodolite is a total station.
The total station is an electronic instrument that is mostly preferred for surveying at present. The measurement of distances & angles are recorded in the device & can quickly get the result through a computer.
Hope you learned about the types of surveying.
Happy Learning 🙂
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Thank you, Bala <3