SURVEYS and

INVESTIGATION
 
Presented by: Cristopher Alipe  

SURVEY REQUIREMENTS
FOR DESIGN
1.0 HIGHWAY PROJECT

Factors taken into account in the location of

any highway project :
character and purpose of the road;
nature and volume of present and anticipated
traffic; and
amount of funds available for the project.
A. Highway Survey Requirements

1. Reconnaissance
2. Route Selection
3. Preliminary Survey
4. Office Projection
5. Final Location Survey
1. Reconnaissance

a) Area Reconnaissance
Topographic maps and/or planimetric maps
aerial photographs
photo mosaics
geological or soils maps
Geologic Map
b) Route Reconnaissance

1) Ground Investigation
 Soil condition (character of soil including
classification)
 Availability of good road building materials
 Effect of the proposed road construction
on existing land use
 Values of grade and curvature at critical
points
Study all stream crossings of importance to
verify the suitability of the sites.
Examine/Investigate the roads and controls
(Examples of positive controls: Favorable
bridge site, saddle and negative controls:
dams, swampy areas).
b) Route reconnaissance

2) Aerial Photographs
2. Route Selection

• Select choice to one (1) or two (2) best locations within

the general route.
• R-O-W cost and land use, length, alignment and grade,
waterway crossings, construction cost and benefit to
users shall be considered.
• A benefit-cost ratio shall be established for each route.
• Selection may be concluded not until field verification is
made.
3. Preliminary Survey

Involves instrument survey undertaken on the

most possible route chosen.
A topographic map shall be prepared on which
the centerline of the proposed road is projected
with respect to the topography.
Topographic survey and mapping may be
done either by:
a) Aerial Photogrammetric Mapping
b) Ground Survey
4. Office Projection

The best line is projected on the topographic

map and several lines shall be tried so as to
obtain the most economical line without
increasing the cost of survey.
5. Final Location Survey

a) Staking the Centerline

Traverse
   Cross Section and Profile
 b) Surface Drainage Survey
 c) Right‑of‑Way Survey
d) Parcellary Survey
R-O-W Survey

• Names of owner and boundaries of all tracts of

private properties, as well as, names of tenants
occupying the land
• Number and description of all crops, buildings
and improvements including standing timber
• Assessed value of all lands and improvements
• Location of all monuments
• Location and ownership of all public utilities
• Width of existing R-O-W where the location
follows existing road or trail
• Conditions and uses to which these properties
are put
• Items that may cause variations in R-O-W costs
• Info.on property boundary lines, ownership and
property improvements
Parcellary Survey

• Shall be undertaken after the final location survey

of a road has been fixed and duly approved for the
purpose of segregating the designed road r-o-w
from the lots affected and accurate areas are to be
obtained.
• The segregation of the road r-o-w involves
subdivision survey in case of decreed lots,
amendment survey in the case of un-surveyed lots.
B. Maps and Plans

A topographic map of existing or proposed

works submitted for projections, review,
approval and/or design shall be prepared in a
standard manner.
1. Plotting and Preparation of Plans (Refer to
DPWH Design Guidelines, Criteria and
Standards, Part I – Survey and Investigation,
p. 53-)
Preliminary Survey Plans
Final Survey Plans
Parcellary Survey Plans
C. Survey Report

1. Identification and History of the Survey

2. Traffic
3. Topography, Existing Land Use, and Utilities
(identified by approximate stationings)
4. Proposed Alignment and Grades
5. Foundation Conditions
6. Drainage
7. Construction Materials
8. Right‑of‑Way
9. Maintenance of Traffic (where necessary)
1. Identification and History of the Survey

• Name, number, termini or other identification of

the road
• Description & stationing of beginning and
ending points indicating length of project,ties
with any existing coordinate system and with
established datum and errors of closure
• Dates of commencement and completion of
various surveys, interruption, delays in works,
etc.
• Record of conferences with local officials
relative to the project.
2. Traffic

• Design speeds
• Type and width of pavement, no.of lanes, width of
center division, if any
• Width and character of shoulders
• Maximum degree of curvature
• Maximum allowable grade
• Vertical and horizontal sight-line requirements,
required frequency of passing sight distances
• Treatment of intersections, grade separations,
interchanges, etc.
• Extent of any control of access
3. Topography, Existing Land Use and Utilities

• Gen. description of the topography of the area

with particular reference to swamps, rock and
other natural obstacles
• Gen.description of property along proposed R-
O-W and present use with special note of
cemeteries,public parks, golf courses, etc.
• Locations, size, type, profile and ownership of
water, gas, sewer and power lines and any
other utilities.
4. Proposed Alignment and Grades
• Relationship to any existing road or roads
• Alignment control points and their influence and
locations
• Alternate locations considered, with advantages and
disadvantages of each and reasons for selection of line
adopted
• Critical points controlling the establishment of the final
grade, with upper and lower limits, reasons for the
grade line recommended, possibilities of adjusting
grade, etc.
• Discussion of any weak points in the proposed line and
grade and reasons why these were not improved.
5. Foundation Conditions

• Classification of soil materials

• Statement of rock occurrences and
recommendations for subsurface inv.
• Description of swamps or marshy areas and
depth to hard strata
• Possible occurrences of slides, inferior soil
• Recommendations for use of sub-base,
removal and replacement of inferior foundation
soils, etc.
D. Special Considerations
• Amount and character of clearing and grubbing
required, indicating sizes of all large trees
• Statement of type, width of present surface of roads
and driveways, approaches that must be constructed
• Recommended treatment of all intersections with
railroads
• Recommended treatment of all intersections with
existing highways
• Retaining walls
• Private wells, springs, water supply pipes, drains etc.,
with recommended treatment for each case
6. Drainage

• Weather condition prior to and during soils and

drainage surveys
• Drainage scheme for the project
• List of existing culverts and bridges showing locations,
sizes, lengths, conditions and a statement to their
adequacy
• List of proposed culverts and bridges
• Description of existing sewer systems, ditches, gutters,
and other drains
• Notation of any location requiring high grade line to
prevent flooding.
7. Construction Materials

• Location, quality, available quantity and haul of

local materials
• Recommendations for securing borrow within
highway limits
• Recommendations for securing borrow outside
highway limits
8. Right-of-Way (ROW)

• Description of ROW to be acquired, giving

general condition of houses, barns and other
buildings along the route, with approx. valuation
• Statement of the anticipated damages to be
incurred because of the necessity for moving
buildings, replacing trees or shrubs,etc.
• ROW difficulties involved in setting grade
• Any other pertinent data
9. Maintenance of traffic (where necessary)

• Recommendation for handling traffic, whether

project route or detour
• Proposed detour routes including length, type
and condition of detour roads,and statement as
to capacity and condition of critical bridges.
Topsoil locations, with depth to which stripping is
possible
Amount and condition of existing guard rail, single
posts, etc.
Type and condition of existing property line fences
Station location traverse joints at ends of project if
connection is to be made to existing concrete
pavement
Complete list of survey data‑maps, profiles, field
books, cross section sheets, etc. accompanying the
report
Names and positions of engineers making the report
and of all survey personnel
Date of report
SURVEY FOR BRIDGE PROJECT

Bridge site location survey is undertaken to

determine the following:
1. Most suitable location for a bridge where the
initial cost of the structure, its maintenance and
operation in the future will be the most
economical; and
2.The design and quality of the structures will fit
the alignment and profile to combine
advantageously with the highway system
viewed as a whole.
A. Survey Requirements

1. Reconnaissance Survey
2. Topographic and Hydrographic Surveys
3. Final Location of Bridge Site
B. Maps and Plans

Plotting and Preparation of Plans

Maps and plans shall be plotted and prepared in accordance with the
DPWH Design Guidelines, Criteria and Standards, Part I – Surveys
and Investigations.
1. Reconnaissance Survey

• Shall be undertaken to determine the most

economical and most feasible location of a
bridge along the general route of a proposed or
existing road.
• Can be done by the use of maps, examination
of the ground as viewed from an airplane,
stereoscopic examination of aerial photos and
site visit.
2. Topographic and Hydrographic Survey

• Establish the horizontal and vertical controls of

the project.
• Set at least 2 permanent transit points on each
bank of the river referenced by at least 3
reference points. Establish permanent and
properly reference benchmarks on each side of
the river bank.
• Topographic survey shall always start from a
base line to be established by points on the
banks of the river. Profiles and cross sections
shall be
referred to this base line. Profile along the
centerline of the bridge shall be extended at
least 100 m beyond both ends of the bridge.
Topographic and river surveys shall be
extended at least 200 m upstream and
downstream from the centerline of the bridge
so as to obtain information for the necessary
river control or training works.
Profile along the centerline of the river
channel shall be extended at least 100-200 m
upstream and downstream from the
centerline of the bridge.
Elevations of experienced lowest water level,
ordinary flood water level and the maximum
flood water level shall be noted.
Info.on debris, velocity and direction of flood
flow, presence of rocks, tidal fluctuations,
currents,etc.
If the proposed bridge is for the separation
of highway grades, the area to be
mapped must be large enough to include
interchange ramps. The profiles and
cross sections of the intersecting roads
shall be taken for a sufficient distance to
include any revision that may be made.
C. Survey Reports

A descriptive report shall be prepared and

submitted together with the survey plans,
profiles and cross sections. The report shall
contain among others, the following:
  1. Topographic and River Conditions
2. Comments and Recommendations
3. Right-of-Way - If road ROW acquisition is
to be made, a parcellary survey of the
affected area shall be undertaken.
Surveys and Investigation
Building Project
A. Survey Requirements

1. Site Survey
2. Topographic Survey
3. Right-of-Way   
1. Site Survey

• Slope
• Land capability
• External and internal natural drainage
• Flooding areas
• Availability of water, communication facilities,
etc.
• Supply and services
• Zoning ordinance/land use plan of the locality
Site Survey

• Right-of-way
• Aesthetic features
• Land-use related problems such as flooding,
deforestation, conversion of prime agricultural
lands, land speculation,pollution,blight
congestion, incompatible uses, fault zones, etc.
• Development potentials (agricultural, mining,
urban development)
B. Maps and Plans

Plotting and Preparation of Maps/Plans

A topographic/hydrographic map of the sites
shall be drawn to an appropriate scale as may
be required to show the following:
• Contour lines at one-meter interval (maximum)
• Orientation/meridian
• Surface soil condition (whether swampy,
grassland, rocky, etc.)
•A comprehensive description of horizontal
and vertical controls. Base lines shall be tied
to existing controls with azimuth and
distance. Benchmarks shall be shown on the
map with detailed description and elevations.
•Existing improvements and other features
as taken in the topographic survey.
•River cross-sections and road cross
sections spaced at appropriate intervals.
•Profiles of connecting roads, profile of
riverbed along centerline of channel.
•Ordinary water levels, minimum and
maximum flood elevations.
•Standard title blocks (Refer to appropriate
Contract Drawings)
•Vicinity map showing existing landmarks
and major improvements within five (5)
kilometers radius.
Survey Reports

The technical report shall consist of descriptions,

observations, results and summaries for all
survey/ investigations/ laboratory analysis
conducted which include the following, together
with comments and recommendations:
Site investigation
Topographic/hydrographic surveys
Soil subsurface investigations
Right-of-Way
 SURVEY FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND
URBAN DRAINAGE PROJECTS

Surveys for flood control and drainage projects

involve obtaining topographic, hydrographic
and location maps.
Topographic surveys often cover a large tract
of land or the whole drainage area of a river
basin for basin‑wide flood control planning or
the whole of an urban district for an overall
urban drainage system.
Hydrographic surveys cover survey of an inland
body of water or water‑logged areas made to
determine its retarding capacity as a temporary
reservoir of floodwaters (or for reclamation
purposes).
Location surveys which include strip topography
and cross sections, such as river surveys for river
control or training works and road surveys for
drainage works are usually utilized for detailed
engineering.
Sometimes, flood damage surveys are also made
for feasibility studies. These involve instrument
surveys to obtain information on flood heights and
flood damage appraisal.
The analysis and evaluation for average annual
flood damage include hydrologic analysis.
Reconnaissance survey shall also be undertaken
for flood control projects.
Requirements and Procedures

Establishment of horizontal and vertical control

points
1. Topographic Survey
2. River/Hydrographic Survey
a) Hydrographic Survey
b) River Survey or Location Survey
- Cross-section
- Profile
Topographic Survey

• For areas more than 20,000 hectares, photogrammetric

method of topographic mapping is recommended.
Instrument survey may be preferred for areas less than
20,000 hectares
• The topographic survey for urban drainage projects
shall include among others the location and cross
sections of streets, existing permanent structures,
gates and entrances, fences and walls, drainage
manholes, inlets/catch basins and underground public
utilities.
• Strip topographic survey shall always start from a
base line to be established by permanent points
subject to the least disturbance which can be
occupied by the transit, and another permanent point
located at least 100 meters distance such as Bureau
of Lands Monuments or a church spire.
• Elevations at maximum floods and year of occurrence
shall be taken.
• Location of City, Municipality, Barrio/Sitio
• Location of waterways, streams, rivers and its
tributaries
River/Hydrographic Survey

• River surveys include strip topographic,

hydrographic and cross section surveys of
existing waterways within the limits, as
specified.
• Banks herein mentioned are defined as the
highest banks of the stream which can contain
flood water without flooding the adjacent land
areas.
a) Hydrographic Survey

• Traverse for detailed hydrographic survey shall start

and close at previously established horizontal and
vertical control stations of the project.
• Sounding points shall be made at a maximum of twenty
(20) meters distance interval.
• All hydrographic survey shall he in accordance with the
standards set by the BCGS.
• All elevations shall be based from known datum plane.
b) River Survey or Location Survey

• Cross sections of existing waterways shall be

taken in order to get the actual longitudinal and
traverse configuration of the river channel.
• Profile
Cross Sections

shall be taken in order to get the actual longitudinal

and traverse configuration of the river channel.
• The intervals between cross sections shall be 100
meters for straight and uniform river reaches, 50 meters
at minor river bends and 10 to 20 meters at sharp
bends.
• All cross sections shall be taken facing downstream
and shall be properly indicated and noted in the plans.
Cross sections shall be extended to the land side from
both banks In accordance with the following sizes of its
catch basin.
Maximum experienced flood level with year of
occurrence, ordinary flood level and low water level
shall be noted at every cross section taken.
Cross section of the river at bridge crossing shall be
taken showing the width and distance between piers
and abutments faces, elevation of the lowest member
of the bridge superstructure and elevation of top of
roadway extended at least 100 meters from bridge
abutment approaches.
Cross sections shall be obtained as accurately as
possible to get the abrupt changes in elevation of the
banks.
Field/Survey notes shall contain the time and date
when sounding was undertaken.
Profiles

• Profile shall be taken along the centerline and along the

left and right banks of the stream all throughout the
required length of the stream as specified. For
multi‑channel streams or rivers, profile along centerIine
of each channel shalI be taken.

• Profiles of sea bed extending at least 100 meters from

the shoreline taken along lines perpendicular to the
shore and spaced at least 100 meters apart and/or at
intermediate points along the prolongation of the river
mouth.
Survey Reports

• The report shall contain information such as:

hydrologic data (including sediment discharge);
subsurface data; source of construction
materials; watershed data which consist of the
drainage area and its watershed limit to be
delineated on the accompanying map;
topographic condition,
whether hilly, rolling or flat; vegetation, whether
forested or bare; types of vegetation; and
character of soil and geologic formation.

A descriptive report shall be submitted

together with the required survey plans and
maps.
Causes of flooding
Flood severity
Past changes of the river course for the last
five years and the years before that. River
courses for the past periods shall be
correspondingly shown in the accompanying
maps/plans.
Discuss all possible solutions to the flood
control problem and submit positive
recommendations.
Recommendation for alignment of
proposed earth dike, cut‑off channel or
revetments must always be accompanied
by a profile. Where watershed area involved
is of considerable size, state whether
reforestation of the denuded areas of the
watershed is recommendable as a measure
for flood prevention.
Discuss the history of existing and destroyed river
control works, giving year of construction, when
destroyed, causes of failure, effects on the regimen of
the stream, criticism on the designed structures,
suggestions for improvements, etc.
Accompany this report with photographs showing the
nature of destruction to private or public properties, the
site of proposed river control works, the scoured river
banks, constriction of floodway and sharp meanders of
the rivers, etc.