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Surveying Field Notes

constitute

the only reliable and permanent

record of actual work done in the field

SURVEYING FIELD NOTES

and
FIELD NOTEBOOK

time, money and effort in the gathering of survey data

are wasted if the notes are incorrect or incomplete
the quality of field work is reflected directly in the
manner the field record is kept

Surveying Field Notes

Surveying Field Notes

the

should

official record of the survey

must be complete, legible, concise and comprehensive,

and logically arranged according to recognized practice
(COMPLETE, CLEAR and SYSTEMATIC)
must be intelligible to others without verbal
explanations
show ALL DATA, together with a sufficient
interpretation to answer all questions that may be
raised with respect to any given survey

be recorded in the conventional and

generally used format and not according to
the desire of the field surveyor
the arrangement of notes usually depends upon
departmental or office standards and references

always

kept for future reference (it may be

used by another surveyor some years later)

used or referred to by office personnel who have not

seen the field site or who are not familiar with
conditions on the project site

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Surveying Field Notes

Surveying Field Notes

fieldwork

maybe

observations should be recorded

directly in the field notebook at the time the
observations are made

used as evidence in court (original

notes)
many surveyors do not allow erasing in the field
notebook (erasure could cause suspicion that the field
record was altered after field work was finished)

notes made later from memory or copied from

temporary notes maybe useful, but they are not field
notes

mistakes are crossed out in such a manner that they

can still be read, and correct entry is made while still in
the field

The FIELD NOTEBOOK

should be of good quality rag paper (or treated paper), with

stiff board or leather cover made to withstand hard usage
and of pocket size

TYPES OF FIELD NOTES

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Sketches
Tabulations
Explanatory Notes
Computations
Combination of the above

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Sketches

rarely made to exact scale, but in most cases they are made
approximately to scale

drawn freehand and of liberal size

features may be shown using conventional symbols

Explanatory Notes

provide a written description of what has been done in the field

usually place on the right-hand page of the field notebook in the same
line with the numerical data that they explain

Tabulations

Computations

usually the simple arithmetic and trigonometric functions

should be clear and orderly (step by step computation) so that it will

easily be understood by persons other than the one who made the
computations

BASIC INFORMATION found in the

FIELD NOTEBOOK

Combination of the above

the surveyor should be able to determine for himself

which type of combination would be most logical to use in
portraying the type of data gathered in the field

used when a series of numerical values observed in the field are best
shown in a tabulated format

1.

Title of the fieldwork or name of the project

2.

Time of the day and date

Weather conditions
Names of group members and their designations

3.
4.
5.

(the location of the survey and preferably its nature or purpose

should also be stated)

(necessary for documentation and other future reference)

List of equipment
- all survey equipment used must be listed including its make,
brand and serial number
- proper identification of the particular equipment used aids in
isolating errors in some cases

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Guide points for RECORDING OBSERVED DATA

Exercise No.
Title of the Exercise
Date and Time

Follow a consistent simple style of lettering (clear, plain

figures should be used, and notes should be lettered
rather than written)

Use a sharp pencil or waterproof ink

Make a habit to record directly in the field notebook

immediately following a measurement, rather than on a
sheet of paper for copying later

Do not erase recorded data

Weather condition

Name and Designation

Objective of the exercise

Signature

- a line is run through the data without destroying its legibility and
the correct value is written above the mistake
- if an entire page is to be deleted, diagonal lines are drawn from

List of Equipments

the opposite corners and VOID is lettered prominently

Guide points for RECORDING OBSERVED DATA

Avoid crowding observed data in the field notebook

Always bring ruler or straightedge for ruling lines and

small protractor for laying off angles in the field
notebook

tabulated values should be kept inside the column

rulings, with the decimal point and digits aligned
vertically (all significant figures should be recorded)

Guide points for RECORDING OBSERVED DATA

Indicate NORTH at the top of the page of the field

notebook for all sketches drawn (sketched should always
be north-oriented)

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THE FIELD SURVEY PARTY

Guide points for RECORDING OBSERVED DATA

1.

computations made in the field should be recorded in the

2.
3.
4.

field notebook in order that they can be checked later

possible arithmetic checks on computations, closures and ratios of
error should be made and recorded before leaving the survey site

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Number every page of the field notebook

10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Chief of party

Chief of party
Assistant chief of party
Instrumentman
Technician
Computer
Recorder
Head tapeman (HTM)
Rear tapeman (RTM)
Flagman
Rodman
Pacer
Axeman/Lineman
Aidman
Utilitymen

Assistant chief of party

responsible for the overall direction, supervision and

operational control of the survey party

assist the Chief of party in the accomplishment of the

task assigned to the survey party

responsible for submitting survey reports and records

make sure that the data gathered are complete, accurate

and adheres to prescribed technical standards and
specifications

takes over the duties of the chief of party during the

absence of the chief

conducts ground reconnaissance and investigate the site

of the proposed project

prepared field and office reports and survey plans for

submission to the chief of party

Instrumentman

setup, level and operate the instrument

make sure that the instruments to be used in a survey

operation are in good condition and in proper adjustment

Technician

responsible for the use and operation of all electronic

instruments required in the field work

make sure that all electronic equipment are functioning

properly, are regularly calibrated and are in adjustment

Computer

perform all computations of survey data and works out

necessary computational checks required in a field
operation

Recorder

keep a record of all sketches, drawings, measurements

and observations taken or needed for a field work
operation

keeps table of schedules of all phases of work and the

employment of the members of the survey party

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Head tapeman (HTM)

Flagman

responsible for the accuracy and speed of all linear

measurement with tape

hold the flagpole or range pole at selected points as

directed by the instrumentman

determines and direct the markings of stations to be

occupied by the surveying instrument

helps axeman in clearing obstructions to line of sight

responsible for setting up reflectors or targets

inspects and compares tapes for standard length prior to

their use in taping operation

Rear tapeman (RTM)

Rodman

holds the stadia or leveling rod when sights are to be

taken on it

assist the head tapeman during taping operation and in

other related work

Pacer

Aidman

checks all linear measurements made by the tapemen

assists the tapemen in reducing or eliminating mistakes

or blunders in linear measurements

Axeman/Lineman

clears the line of sight of trees, brush and other

obstruction in wooded areas

responsible for the security and safety of the members of

the survey party at the survey site

usually provided with ax or firearm

renders first aid treatment to members of the survey

party who are involved in snake and insect bites,
accidents and other cases involving their health, safety
and well being

Utilitymen

renders other forms of assistance needed by the survey

party or as directed by the chief of party

Examples for ABE 70 exercises

Composition 1
1. chief of party
2. instrumentman
3. recorder
4. Rodman
Composition 2
1. chief of party
2. recorder
3. head tapeman
4. rear tapeman