University of Science and Technology of Southern

Philippines
Cagayan De Oro Campus
College of Engineering and Architecture Department
of Geodetic Engineering

GE 221 General Surveying 2

Laboratory Activity No. 4
TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY

INTRODUCTION:

Topographic surveying is a fundamental practice in geomatics engineering that involves the precise measurement
and representation of the Earth's surface features. It provides essential data on land elevations, natural terrain
variations, and man-made structures, which are crucial for civil engineering, urban planning, and environmental
management. The primary objective of a topographic survey is to generate an accurate representation of the
terrain through contour maps, elevation profiles, and digital terrain models (DTMs).
OBJECTIVES:
After this laboratory activity the students will be able to :
1. Conduct Topographic Survey Field Data Gathering
2. Generate Topographic Surveying Output in a form of Contour Maps
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS:
1. Total Station – 1 Set
2. Tripod – 1 unit
3. Range Pole – 1 unit
4. Point Markers (Markers, Nail with cap, or wooden stakes)
5. Steel Tape
6. Fiberglass Tape
7. Prism – 1 set
PROCEDURE:

Topographic Survey Data Gathering:

A. Checkerboard Technique
1. Find a clear area where you can lay-out at least 15m x 15m rectangle.
2. Using tape/total station, Lay-out the points on grid as shown in Figure 1. This is a checkerboard or a grid
with 3m interval. Mark each point using either nail with cap or wooden stakes.
3m
A 100.00 101.23 100.76 102.03 101.34
3m

F
1 2 3 4 5 6

Figure 1. Sample Checkerboard Lay-out with Grid Point Elevations

3. Set-up the total station at point A1 on the grid. Assume that the elevation of station of A1 is 100m. Measure
and record the HI in line with A1 since we observed it at A1. Set a fix height of rod. Measure the height of
the rod and record it as RR per STA OBS. Using total station determine the elevation of each points by
measuring the VD. You may determine VD by clicking either a ∠i or DIST, then MEAS (F4). Fill-out Table 1
with the data gathered and values computed. Use the formula for values as discussed in previous lectures
and laboratories.

Table 1. Checkerboard Technique Topographic Point Elevation Data

STA OCC. STA OBS. HI RR VD DE ELEV

A1 1.55 1.67 0.095 0.025 100
A2 1.55 1.67 0.112 0.008 99. 975
A3 1.55 1.67 0.063 0.057 99. 967
A4 1.55 1.67 0.065 0.055 99. 91
A5 1.55 1.67 0.048 0.072 99. 855
A6 1.55 1.67 0.047 0.073 99. 783
B6 1.55 1.67 0.073 0.047 99. 71
B5 1.55 1.67 0.069 0.051 99. 663
B4 1.55 1.67 0.066 0.054 99. 612
B3 1.55 1.67 0.084 0.036 99. 558
B2 1.55 1.67 0.67 0.053 99. 522
B1 1.55 1.67 0.127 0.007 99. 469
C1 1.55 1.67 0.093 0.027 99. 476
C2 1.55 1.67 0.071 0.049 99. 449
C3 1.55 1.67 0.079 0.041 99. 4
C4 1.55 1.67 0.099 0.021 99. 359
C5 1.55 1.67 0.087 0.033 99. 338
C6 1.55 1.67 0.091 0.029 99. 305
D6 1.55 1.67 0.058 0.062 99. 276
D5 1.55 1.67 0.070 0.05 99. 214
D4 1.55 1.67 0.086 0.034 99. 164
D3 1.55 1.67 0.076 0.044 99. 13
D2 1.55 1.67 0.067 0.053 99. 086
D1 1.55 1.67 0.074 0.046 99. 033
E1 1.55 1.67 0.053 0.067 98.987
E2 1.55 1.67 0.065 0.055 98.92
E3 1.55 1.67 0.083 1.037 98.865
E4 1.55 1.67 0.079 0.041 98.828
E5 1.55 1.67 0.077 0.043 98.787
E6 1.55 1.67 0.051 0.069 98.744
F6 1.55 1.67 0.027 0.093 98.675
F5 1.55 1.67 0.052 0.068 98.582
F4 1.55 1.67 0.065 0.055 98.514
F3 1.55 1.67 0.072 0.048 98.459
F2 1.55 1.67 0.082 0.038 98.411
F1 1.55 1.67 0.060 0.098 98.373
 B. Cross-Profile Technique
4. Find a road with at least 30m in length area.
5. Using tape/total station, lay-out the stations (0+000.00 to 0+030.00) at road centerline (CL) with 5m
interval. Using marker/nail with cap, mark the location of station at CL. Refer to Figure 2.

Figure 2. Sample Cross Profile Lay-out Plan View and Typical Section View

6. Set-up the total station at a place where it is safe from traffic, stable, and is able to view all the points
along the road from station 0+000.00 to 0+030.00. Name the station T1. Assume the elevation of T1 to be
100m. Measure and record HI in line with T1. In each point determine the elevation and offset from
centerline of each point. Do the same procedure as in step 3 to determine the elevation at point. In
measuring offset use tape to determine the offset distance from centerline. At centerline facing towards
next station, offset at left side is negative and offset at right side is positive. Input the data in Table 2

Table 2. Checkerboard Technique Topographic Point Elevation and Offset Data

STA
STA OBS. HI RR VD DE ELEV OFFSET
OCC.
T1 1.57 1.75
0+000.00 SEL 1.57 1.75 0.234 -0.054 100 99.946
0+000.00 C2L 1.57 1.75 0.026 0.154 100.054 100.208
0+000.00 C1L 1.57 1.75 0.084 0.096 99.9 99.996
0+000.00 CL 1.57 1.75 0.057 0.123 99.804 99.927
0+000.00 C1R 1.57 1.75 0.016 0.164 99.681 99.845
0+000.00 C2R 1.57 1.75 0.083 0.097 99.517 99.614
0+000.00 SER 1.57 1.75 0.125 0.055 99.42 99.475
0+005.00 SEL 1.57 1.75 0.148 0.032 99.365 99.397
0+005.00 C2L 1.57 1.75 0.086 0.094 99.333 99.427
0+005.00 C1L 1.57 1.75 0.052 0.128 99.239 99.367

0+005.00 CL 1.57 1.75 0.078 0.102 99.111 99.213

0+005.00 C1R 1.57 1.75 0.118 0.062 99.009 99.071
0+005.00 C2R 1.57 1.75 0.249 -0.069 98.947 98.878
0+005.00 SER 1.57 1.75 0.250 -0.07 99.016 98.946
0+010.00 SEL 1.57 1.75 0.220 -0.04 99.086 99.046
0+010.00 C2L 1.57 1.75 0.111 0.069 99.126 99.195
0+010.00 C1L 1.57 1.75 0.064 0.116 99.057 99.173
0+010.00 CL 1.57 1.75 0.117 0.063 98.941 99.004
0+010.00 C1R 1.57 1.75 0.137 0.043 98.878 98.921
0+010.00 C2R 1.57 1.75 0.259 -0.079 98.835 98.756
0+010.00 SER 1.57 1.75 0.215 -0.035 98.914 98.879
0+015.00 SEL 1.57 1.75 0.224 -0.044 98.949 98.905
0+015.00 C2L 1.57 1.75 0.146 0.034 98.993 99.027
0+015.00 C1L 1.57 1.75 0.093 0.087 98.959 99.046
0+015.00 CL 1.57 1.75 0.129 0.051 98.872 98.923
0+015.00 C1R 1.57 1.75 0.133 0.047 98.821 98.868
0+015.00 C2R 1.57 1.75 0.293 -0.113 98.774 98.631
0+015.00 SER 1.57 1.75 0.274 -0.094 98.887 98.793
0+020.00 SEL 1.57 1.75 0.188 -0.008 98.981 98.973
0+020.00 C2L 1.57 1.75 0.118 0.062 98.989 99.051
0+020.00 C1L 1.57 1.75 0.090 0.09 98.927 99.017
0+020.00 CL 1.57 1.75 0.121 0.059 98.837 98.896
0+020.00 C1R 1.57 1.75 0.152 0.028 98.778 98.806
0+020.00 C2R 1.57 1.75 0.298 -0.118 98.75 98.632
0+020.00 SER 1.57 1.75 0.301 -0.121 98.868 98.747
0+025.00 SEL 1.57 1.75 0.335 -0.155 98.989 98.834
0+025.00 C2L 1.57 1.75 0.202 0.748 99.144 99.122
0+025.00 C1L 1.57 1.75 0.153 0.027 99.166 99.193
0+025.00 CL 1.57 1.75 0.101 0.079 99.139 99.218
0+025.00 C1R 1.57 1.75 0.185 0.022 99.06 99.055
0+025.00 C2R 1.57 1.75 0.314 -0.134 99.038 98.904
0+025.00 SER 1.57 1.75 0.689 -0.509 99.172 98.663
0+030.00 SEL 1.57 1.75 0.998 -0.818 99.681 98.863
0+030.00 C2L 1.57 1.75 0.904 -0.724 100.499 99.775
0+030.00 C1L 1.57 1.75 0.870 -0.69 101.223 100.533
0+030.00 CL 1.57 1.75 0.115 0.065 101.913 101.978
0+030.00 C1R 1.57 1.75 0.142 0.038 101.848 101.886
0+030.00 C2R 1.57 1.75 0.266 -0.086 101.81 101.724
0+030.00 SER 1.57 1.75 0.267 -0.087 101.896 101.809
Topographic Survey Plotting:

A. Checkerboard Technique
7. In Figure 3, plot the checker board with corresponding grid lines (i.e. Rows: A,B,C,D,E,F; Column:
1,2,3,4,5,6) in scale. Appropriate the scale accordingly and write it in the bottom right portion of Figure 3.
Plot the dimensions of single cell (i.e. 3m), refer to figure 1.
8. Plot the computed elevation of each point on grid accordingly.
9. Plot the Contour line with 5 cm (0.05 m) interval.
10. Refer to the youtube video provided.

Figure 3. Checkerboard Technique Plotting

B. Cross-Profile Technique
11. In Figure 4, Plot the cross-profile with corresponding stations as shown in Figure 2 in scale. Appropriate
the scale accordingly and write it in the bottom right portion of Figure 4.
12. Plot the computed elevation according to the measured offsets and station.
13. Plot the Contour lines with 10 cm (0.10 m) interval.
14. Refer to the youtube video provided
 Figure 4. Cross-Profile Technique Plotting

List of Group Members:

Ochigue, Laila S. Geraldez, Shane Anjonette
Sabit, Ernest Malik Jamero, Angelo
Narvasa, Cassey
Del Socorro, Charles
Jacutin, Janellisha
Sotto, Jelkent Breil
Llausas, Maria Jo