Haramaya University

Haramaya Institution of Technology

Civil Engineering

Department
Surveying Engineering I
April 13, 2025 1
 What is surveying ?
HaramayaUniversity
Environmental and Earth
Sciences
Department

April 13, 2025 2

April 13, 2025 3
 Definition of surveying
 Surveying is the art of measuring distances between
objects.
 surveying is art of measuring angles between lines of
determining the direction of lines.
 surveying is Science of establishing points by
predetermined angular and linear measurements.
 surveying the art of setting out or locating the points on
4
the ground from the plan or map.
 …contd
In generally Surveying is the science and art of determining
the relative or absolute positions of points above, on, or
beneath(below) the earth’s surface.
 Surveying is an art:- because it depends on the skill,
ability, experience and judgment of the surveyor.
Surveying is also a science:- because, both field and office
procedures rely up on a systematic body of knowledge, related
primarily on mathematics, physics ,geodesy and astronomy
etc. 5
 Relative Location of a city or destination when its relationshi
p to another place or nearby landmarks
For example, Haramaya University(HrU) is found at about 5 km
North- east of Haramaya City.
 In this example, it is obvious that the (relative position)
location of Haramaya University is described in reference to
Haramaya City.
 Absolute Location: is the definitive location of a place using
a recognized coordinate system. In terms geographical
coordinate system latitude, longitude and elevation, and in
terms of Cartesian co ordinate (X,Y,Z)
For example, HrU is found In terms of Cartesian co ordinate
system located at x=175102 y= 1041269 z=2037
For example, HrU is found In terms of geographical coordinate
system located at 90241 59.4711 N 420021 14.2811 E6
 Purpose of surveying
 Surveying is the art of measuring distances, angles, directions,
locations, elevations, etc. this measurement called the survey data.
 Survey data is portrayed graphically by the construction of top maps,
plan maps, profiles, cross sections, and diagrams.
 The first stage in most the of projects is generally to survey the area
and to prepare plan maps or top maps.
 These survey data are used in the preparation of the detailed
drawing, design and estimate of cost the project.
There are generally three fundamental purposes for measuring
surveying data.
 To determine the relative positions of existing points or new points
of objects on or near the surface of the earth.
 To prepare appropriate map or plan of the objects for different
purpose.
 To layout or mark(Setting out) the desired positions of new points or
April 13, 2025 7
objects which are to be placed or constructed on or near the surface
 The shape of the earth
 The shape of the earth is an oblate spheroid. It is an
ellipsoid of revolution, flattened at the poles and bulging at
the equator (see figure 1.1). The length of the polar axis
(minor axis) is about 12713.168 km and that of the
equatorial axis (major axis) is about 12756.602 km as
computed by Clark in 1866.Thus the polar axis is shorter
than the equatorial axis by about 43.43km.
 Because of the curvature of the earth’s surface,
the measured distances on earths are actually
curved.
 However, when the distances are small,
compared with the radius of the earth, there is
no significant difference between the curved
distances and the corresponding straight-line
distances, and the curvature of the earth can
be neglected.

April 13, 2025 9

Classification of surveying
Primary divisions of surveying is categorized in to
two based on whether the curvature of the earth is
considered or whether the earth is assumed to be a flat
plane.

i. Plane Surveying

ii. Geodetic Surveying

April 13, 2025 10

I Plane Surveying :-the type of surveying in which the
surface of the earth is considered as a plane, or in which its
spheroidal shape (the curvature of the earth) is neglected, with
regard to any measurements..It is applicable for small area
(less than 250 square kilometer) such as for construction site
surveys in land administration.
E.g. Cadastral surveying ,Topographical surveying and
Engineering surveying

04/13/25 Compiled By: Mikir K. 11

II Geodetic Surveying :- is the type of surveying in
which the curvature of the earth is taken in to
consideration, and a very high standard of
accuracy is maintained.
♠The curved surface of the earth is considered by
performing the computation on an ellipsoid.
♠The main object of geodetic surveying is to
determine the precise location of a system of
widely spaced points on the surface of the earth.
E.g.is used to map a large areas and to establish
networks of points on the earth for horizontal and
vertical control.

April 13, 2025 12

Based on its application
Based on the purpose or function for which they are
conducted, surveys may be classified in to following
types:
I Route(Road) surveying
-These surveys are special types of surveys conducted along a
proposed route for establishing precise position of
highway, railway, sewer line etc.
-In general, route surveying also includes the staking out and
calculation of the earth work.
II Hydrographic Survey: - These surveys are conducted on
or near the body of water, such as lakes, rivers, bays,
harbors. conducted to determine the configuration of the
bottom of the body of water.
April 13, 2025 14
III. Property survey(cadastral survey)
It is performed in order to establish the positions of boundary
lines and property corners.
Are usually performed

- when ever ownership is to be transferred

- when a large tract of land is to be subdivided in to

smaller parts called parcels.

- before the design and construction of any public or

private land- use project can get underway

- to mark property corners with permanent monument .

April 13, 2025 15
IV Control Survey
Made to establish the horizontal
and vertical positions of arbitrary
points.
It consists of establishing the
horizontal and vertical positions of
widely spaced control points using
the principles of geodetic surveying.

April 13, 2025 16

V. Topographic Survey
- Made to gather data to produce a
topographic map showing the configuration
of the terrain and the location of natural
and man-made objects. Example Top Map
of ASTU

April 13, 2025 17

VI. Construction survey
Made to lay out, locate and monitor public and private
engineering works.
- is performed in order to mark the position of new points on
the ground
- It is applicable in most of engineering projects in order to
represent the location of building corners, road center lines,
pipe lines, bridges, canals…etc.
VII.Boundary Survey: Made to determine the length and
direction of land lines and to establish the position of these
lines on the ground.
VIII. Mining Survey: Made to control, locate and map
underground and surface works related to mining operations.

April 13, 2025 18

X. Photogrammetric Survey: is a science of taking measurements with the
help of photographs.
 Made to utilize the principles of aerial photogrammetry, in which
measurements made on photographs are used to determine the positions
of photographed objects.
photogrammetric surveys are generally used for topographic of vast
areas.

XII. Astronomical survey: generally involve imaging or "mapping" of

regions of the sky using telescopes.
XIII.Other types of Surveying
•City survey
•Satellite survey
•Geological survey
•Engineering
April 13, 2025 survey 19
 Classification of Surveying
Based on instruments used
Based on the instruments used, surveys can be
classified as the following:
1.Chain or tape surveying - is the simplest type of
surveying instrument in which linear measurements are
taken with a chain or tape

2.Compass surveying - is a type of surveying, the

horizontal angles are measured with the help of a
magnetic compass, in addition to the line or
measurements with a chain or a tape.
April 13, 2025 20
3.Leveling survey This is a type of survey in which
a leveling instrument is used for determination
of relative elevations (levels) of various points
in the vertical plane.

April 13, 2025 21

4. Plane Table Surveying In plane table surveys, a map is prepared
in the field while viewing the terrain after determining the directions of
various lines and taking the linear measurement with telescopic alidade
5.Tachometric Surveying:This is a rapid and economical survey by
which the horizontal distances and the difference in elevation are
determined indirectly using optical theodolite and graduated rod.
6.Digital Theodolite surveys(EDM): A theodolite is a very precise
instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles and horizontal
and vertical distance.

April 13, 2025 22

7 satellite survey(GPS):The Global Positioning System
(GPS) is a satellite based global navigation system that
provides a precise location at any point on the Earth’s
surface.

April 13, 2025 23

 Basic measurements in surveying
Horizontal distance:- A horizontal distance is measured
in a horizontal plane.
Vertical distances:- A vertical distance is measured along
the direction of gravity at that point.
The vertical distances are measured to determine the
difference in elevations (height) of the various points.
Horizontal angle:- A horizontal angle is measured
between two lines in a plane that is horizontal at that
point.
Vertical angle:- Vertical angles are measured between
two lines in a plane that is vertical at a point.
04/13/25 24
Discuss in Group about basic measurements in
surveying

04/13/25 Compiled By: Mikir K. 25

 Alpha() =zenith angle, Beta()= vertical angle
Teetta(Ø) =horizontal angle
AB = horizontal Distance , BD = vertical Distance

26

INSTRUMENT
 Operations in Surveying
• Operations in surveying consists of :
1.Planning To decide
• the methods to be adopted for surveying
• the resources (instruments & personnel) to be used
• the control points / stations to be used ( those already
available and/ or to set up).The planning operation needs a-
priori field visit and this is known as reconnaissance
2.Field Observation It involves
• Collection of field data by making necessary measurements;
• Recording of observed data in a systematic manner.
• Before starting any field observation, the permanent
adjustments of all the instruments need to be checked
thoroughly by trained personnel and if required, it must be
adjusted.
3.Office Works It involves
• Processing, analysing and calculation of observed data;
• Preparation of necessary data (for making plan or map of th
e area);
• Making of a plan or map of the area;
• Computation of relevant field parameters as per design for s
etting out engineering works at site.
4.Setting out Works
•To locate and establish different parameters / dimensions at
the site as per design for further engineering works.
 Importance of Surveying
surveying is basically an art and science of measuring land
and mapping. Surveying plays an essential role in the
planning, design, layout and construction of our physical
environment and infrastructure.
The planning and design of all Civil Engineering projects
such as construction of highways, bridges, tunnels, dams etc
are based upon surveying measurements.
 during execution, project of any magnitude is constructed
along the lines and points established by surveying.
Thus, surveying is a basic requirement for all Civil
Engineering projects.

April 13, 2025 29

The entire scope of profession is wide; some of them may be
used for the following various application
Prepare navigation charts for use in the air, on land and at
sea.
Develop data banks of land-use and natural resource
information
 Determine facts on the size, shape, gravity, and magnetic
field of the Earth
to establish control points;
April 13, 2025 30
To execute hydrographic and oceanographic charting and mapping
To prepare topographical map which shows the hillss,rivers,vsalleys,
forests,villages etc of country
To prepare acadstral map showing the boundaries of private and
public lands fields,houses and other prpperties
To pre pare an engineering map which shows the details of
engineering works such as roads, railways,irrigation canals, reservoirs etc
To prepare amilitary map showing the road and railway
communications with different parst of country such as a map shows the
different strategic points important for the defence of a country
To prepare acontour map to determine the capacity of a reservoir and
to find the best possible route fo roads,railways,etc
To prepare an archeological map including places where ancient relics exist
To prepare ageological map showing areas including underground
resources
04/13/25 31