definition
surveying may be defined as the science of determining
the position in three dimensions of natural and man
made features on or beneath the surface of the earth .
these features may be represented in analogue from as
acontoured map , plan or chart , or in digital from such as adigital ground model (DGM).
in engineering surveying , either ,or both of the above
formats may be used for planning . design and
costruction of works . both on the surface and
underground.At alater stage, survying teachinques are
used for dimensional control or setting out of designed
constructional element and also for monitoring deformation movements .
in the first instance surveying requires mangement and
decision making in deciding the appropriate methods
and instrumentation required to complete the task
satisfacorily to the specified accuracy and within reconnaissance of the area to be surveyed
when the above logistics are complete , the field work
involving the capture and storage of field data - is
carried out using instruments and techniques appropiate to the task in hand .
processing the data is the next step in the operation .
the majority , if not all , of the computation will be
carried out with computing aids ranging from poket
caculator to personal computer . the methods adopted
will depend upon the size and precision of the survey
and the manner of its recording : whether in field book
or data logger . data representation in analogue or
digital from may now be carried out by convention
cartographic plotting or through a totally automated
computer - based system leading to a paper - or screen -
based plot . in engineering , the plan or DGM is used
planning and designing a construction project . the
project may be a railway , highway , dam , bridge , or even anew town complex >
no matter what the work is .or how compliated , it must
be set out on the ground in its correct place and to its
correct dimensions , within the tolerances specified . to
this end , surveying procedures and instrumentation of
varying precision and complexity are used depending the project in hand .
surveying is indispensable to the engineer when
planning , designing and constructiog a project , so
surveying is indispensable to the engineer when
planning , designing and constructing a project , so all
engineers should have athorough understanding of the
limits of accuracy possible in the construction and
manufacuring processes . this knowledge , combined
with an equal understanding of the limits and
capabilities of surveying instrumentation and
tachniques , will wnable the engineer to complete the
project successfully in the most ecocomical manner and in the shortest possible time.
