Elementary Surveying

Field Manual

FIELD WORK NO. 12

TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY
COURSE AND SECTION: CE120-0F/A2

SUBMITTED BY:
Seat No.:

14

NAME:

STUDENT NO.:

2013107716

GROUP NO.:

Despabiladeras, Dave J.

CHIEFS OF PARTY:

DATE OF FIELDWORK:

June 18, 2015

DATE OF SUBMISSION:

July 1, 2015

Gomez, Alice

SUBMITTED TO:
PROFESSOR:

Engr. B. A. Cervantes
GRADE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEMBERS
OBJECTIVES
INSTRUMENTS
PROCEDURE
FINAL DATA SHEET
COMPUTATIONS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
PICTURES
RELATED RESEARCH
FIELD WORK PEER ASSESSMENT

GROUP NO.

__4___

CHIEF OF PARTY: Gomez, Alice

MEMBERS:
a.

1.De Luna, Lawrence

2.Despabiladeras, Dave J.

3. Domingo, Daniel
4. Gomez, Alice

FIELD WORK NO. 12

TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY

OBJECTIVES:
1. To learn how to perform topographic survey of a hilly terrain.
2. To acquire the knowledge of plotting the different contour lines.
3. To develop the skills in the identification of the different element in a contour
map.
4. To develop the ability to lead or to follow the designated or desired task of ones
party or group and to be fully responsible in the performance of the assigned
task.
5. To be able to conduct a topographic survey by working with other teams.
6. To develop the ability to synthesize all the gathered data to create a master plan
7. To enhance team work capabilities within the class
8. To be able to apply the knowledge learned from surveying one

INSTRUMENTS:

prism pole

chalk

tape

levelling rod

Total station

ORGANIZATION OF PARTY
1.
2.
3.
4.

Chief of Party (COP)

1 instrument man
1 recorder
2 tapemen

precise level

PROCEDURES
A. Determination of the dimensions of the premise and the man-made structures
inside the premise. (South Building, North Building, Research Building,
Gymnasium, Admin Building, South Bridge, North Bridge, Chapel, Perimeter of
the Premise).
Note: The assigned groups are free to choose whether to use Side shooting, azimuth
traversing or combination of the two.
METHOD ONE: SIDE SHOOTING
1. The student mark the corners of the premise to be observed. These points may not
be visible from each adjacent point but must be accessible from traverse station. Drive
on each corner hubs or mark each corner by a chalk if on pavement. Name the stations
1, 2m, 3 etc.
2. Establish traverse station near the corners of the lot taking into consideration that: a.
Intervisibility of stations is observed. b. Adjacent lot corners could be sideshot from a
single traverse station. c. No sideshot distance exceed 15m
3. Occupy station T-1 orient the telescope to the magnetic south with vernier a reading
zero on the horizontal circle, and run the traverse of the stations clockwise.
4. Shoot the corners of the lot from the nearest stations and measure the corresponding
distance, and interior angle while taking inconsideration the reference of the azimuth.
5. Check the transverse for angular error of closure. Re-run the traverse if the AEC is
not within the allowable accuracy of requirements.
6. Calculate the unknown distance and bearing of the closing line by method of
summation of latitudes and departures
METHOD TWO: AZIMUTH TRAVERSING
1. The Students mark the corners of the building to be observed. These points must be
visible from each adjacent points and must be accessible for setting the instrument.
Drive on each corner hubs or mark each corner by a chalk if on pavement. Name the
points as stations T1, T2, T3 etc.
2. Set-up the theodolite or total station on the 1st station. Orient the instrument to the
magnetic south after leveling. Note: Magnetic south is where the counter weight of the
needle is pointed when the telescope is in its normal position.

3. Align the instrument to the magnetic south direction. Preferably the instrument man
must already sketch the area to be traversed making remarks on the locations of each
corner to have and overview of the extent of the fieldwork.
4. Sight the last station and record the reading of the horizontal Vernier for its back
azimuth to be used for checking the traverse later.
5. Transfer to the next station and follow the same procedure 2-5.
6. Follow the same procedure until you reach the last station.
7. Compute for the bearing of each side by referring to the azimuth angle
measurements.

B. Determination of the elevation of the open areas inside the premise (South
Open Area, North Open Area, Quadrangle).
1. The students marks the location of the elevation points, which can be observed from
a single instrument set-up of considerable difference in elevation.
2. Set-up the level on the suitable point, preferably at a convenient point where the
number of visible elevation points are maximized. Adjust the height of the level to be
convenient for the instrument man by using the leg screw of the tripod.
3. Make sure that the base plate of the level is nearly parallel to the horizon. Center the
bubble such that even if the instrument is rotated clockwise or counter clockwise in its
base, the bubbles remain at the center.
4. Take the back sight (BS) of point A where the leveling rod is being held vertical with
the aid of a plumb bob. The reading must be done up to an accuracy of a millimeter or a
thousandths of a meter.
5. Rotate the telescope to the next point and record the intermediate foresight.
6. Follow the same procedure until you reach the last visible elevation point.
7. Repeat steps 1-7 until all elevations are measured.

FINAL DATA SHEET

A. Figure and Dimensions with Elevation Points

B. Elevations and Graphs

QUADRANGLE
300.2
300.15
300.1
300.05
300
299.95
299.9
BM-1

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

TP 1

50

GRAPH
STATION

ELEVATION
BM-1

300

299.988

10

300.005

15

300.028

20

300.048

25

300.05

30

300.065

35

300.113

40

300.089

TP 1

300.12

50

300.148

NORTH-WEST BUILDING OPEN AREA

301.2
301
300.8
300.6
300.4
300.2
300
299.8
299.6
BM-1
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
TP 1
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
TP 2
95
100
105
110
115
120

299.4

GRAPH
ELEVATION

STATION
BM-1
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
TP 1
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
TP 2
95
100
105
110
115
120

300
300.055
300.1
300.18
300.25
300.315
300.36
300.435
300.53
300.62
300.715
300.82
300.945
301.04
301.12
301.1
301
300.935
300.85
300.835
300.81
300.785
300.73
300.695
300.84

SOUTH-WEST BUILDING OPEN AREA

300.8
300.6
300.4
300.2
300
299.8
299.6

GRAPH
STATION
BM-1
5
10
15
20
25
30
TP 1
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100

ELEVATION
300
300.07
300.17
300.28
300.41
300.565
300.67
300.745
300.805
300.815
300.745
300.695
300.66
300.595
300.545
300.485
300.43
300.465
300.59
300.675
300.765

100

95

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

30

TP 1

25

20

15

10

BM-1

299.4

Mapua Institute of Technology Perimeter

SIDE
AB
BC
CD
DA

AZIMUTH
160:53'40''
51:09'42''
324:01'00''
230:18'55''

BEARING
N19:06'20''W
S51:09'42''W
S135:59'00''E
N50:18'55''E

DISTANCE
130.734
162.237
125.048
124.34

LATITUDE
123.53
-101.74
-101.19
79.4

DEPARTURE
-42.79
-126.37
73.47
95.69

Research Building Dimensions

STATION
1
2
3
4
-

SIDE
AB
BC
CD
DE
EF
FA

INTERIOR ANGLE
163:36'80''
97:40'38''
131:19'58''
149:00'54''
-

Gymnasium Dimensions
SIDE
North side
South Side
East Side
West Side

LENGTH
38.05
37
47.5
47.5

South Building
Dimensions
Dimension
length
width

LEG1
10.441
7.105
46.437
13.522
-

LEG2
24.884
16.64
11.76
21.52
-

Admin. Building
SIDE
North side
South Side
East Side
West Side

LENGTH
21.57
21.1
44
44

North Building
Dimensions

Measurement
Dimension
110.96 length
27.3 width

Measurement
91.42
27.3

Chapel
Dimension
length
width

Measurement
22.9
22.9

Building Offsets
Side
Research Bldg. To North Bldg.
Research Bldg. To South Bldg.
Research Bldg. To Don Tomas HB

Distance
9.4
11.71
12.9

TOTAL LENGTH
35.025
19.247
54.918
33.836
19.893
14.585

Research Bldg. To Perimeter 1

Research Bldg. To Perimeter 2
Admin Bldg. to North Bldg.
Admin Bldg. to South Bldg.
Gymnasium to North Bldg.
Gymnasium to South Bldg.

2.46m

11m

5.3
2.7
17.55
21.1
14.35
14.21

. m

2.45m
4-step elev.

2-step elev.

Theodolite

Table for

1.12

1.68

8.17

1.62

1.84

12.6

1.10

1.58

9.26

1.62

1.87

14.3

01

14.95

03

16.9

Table for

ELEVATIONS
Ground Elev.

1.39m

1st step

1.19m

2nd

0.99m

step

Ground

1.39m

1st

1.29m

2nd

1.19m

3rd

1.09m

4th

0.99m

COMPUTATION

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DISCUSSION

In this fieldwork we are assigned by our professor to measure the perimeter,

dimensions and elevations of our school, Mapua Institute of Technology using side-shot and
parallel method. Side-shot method is getting the horizontal distance of a lot by using a total
station and having a two points on each side while parallel method also getting horizontal
distance of a lot but you are at the other end of the lot and using total station.
This field work is all about topographic surveying. In topographic surveying, it requires
good control, the horizontal and vertical controls. The controls are used for the basis of
topographic survey measurements. An error in the control will be reflected in errors in the
position and/or elevation of topography. Horizontal control is provided by two or more points
on the ground and precisely fixed in position by distance and direction. It is the basis for map
scale and locating topographic features. or small areas, horizontal control for topographic work
is usually established by a traverse, but sometimes a single straight line may be used. Next is
the vertical control which is provided by bench marks in or near the tract to be surveyed. It is
the foundation for correctly portraying relief and elevation on a map. Vertical controls are
usually established by lines of levels starting and closing on bench marks. A surface of a body of
water is a continuous bench mark and may sometimes be used as a vertical control.
One of the instruments that we used is the total station. A total station or TST (total
station theodolite) is an electronic/optical instrument used in modern surveying and building
construction. The total station is an electronic theodolite (transit) integrated with an
electronic distance meter (EDM) to read slope distances from the instrument to a particular
point. Robotic total stations allow the operator to control the instrument from a distance via
remote control. This eliminates the need for an assistant staff member as the operator holds
the reflector and controls the total station from the observed point.
Measurement of distance is accomplished with a modulated infrared carrier signal,
generated by a small solid-state emitter within the instrument's optical path, and reflected by a
prism reflector or the object under survey. The modulation pattern in the returning signal is
read and interpreted by the computer in the total station. The distance is determined by
emitting and receiving multiple frequencies, and determining the integer number
of wavelengths to the target for each frequency. Most total stations use purpose-built glass
corner cube prism reflectors for the EDM signal. A typical total station can measure distances
with an accuracy of about 1.5 millimeters (0.0049 ft) + 2 parts per million over a distance of up
to 1,500 meters (4,900 ft).

CONCLUSION

In this field work, we have attained and completed the agreed objectives
that our professor has given us. We applied our learning and knowledge that we
have gained when we get the lot area of the Lyceum of the Philippines UniversityManila in our previous field work by taking station on each corner points of a
piece of land and also learned how to read the horizontal angle in the total
station. We also established and developed our skills on how to manipulate and
use the total station ahead of time and accurately.
Topographic survey is used to identify and map the contours of the ground
and existing features on the surface of the earth or slightly above or below the
earth's surface (i.e. trees, buildings, streets, walkways, manholes, utility poles,
retaining walls, etc.). If the purpose of the survey is to serve as a base map for the
design of a residence or building of some type, or design a road or driveway, it
may be necessary to show perimeter boundary lines and the lines of easements
on or crossing the property being surveyed, in order for a designer to accurately
show zoning and other agency required setbacks. Topographic Surveys require
"bench marks" to which ground contours are related, information regarding
surface and underground utilities, determination of required setbacks, etc. Based
from this definition of topographic survey, the field work that we performed was
much related to it because it requires a good control which is the horizontal
control that is provided by two or more points on the ground and is precisely
fixed in position by distance and direction.

RELATED RESEARCH
TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEYS
The purpose of a TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY is to gather survey data about the
natural and man-made features of the land, as well as its elevations. From this
information a three dimensional map may be prepared. You may prepare the
topographic map in the office after collecting the field data or prepare it right
away in the field by plane table. The work usually consists of the following:
1. Establishing horizontal and vertical control hat will serve as the framework of
the survey
2. Determining enough horizontal location and elevation (usually called side
shots) of ground points to provide enough data for plotting when the map is
prepared
3. Locating natural and man-made features that may be required by the purpose
of the survey
4. Computing distances, angles, and elevations
5. Drawing the topographic map Topographic surveys are commonly identified
with horizontal and/or vertical control of third-and lower-order accuracies.
ROUTE SURVEYS
The term route survey refers to surveys necessary for the location and
construction of lines of transportation or communication that continue across
country for some distance, such as highways, railroads, open-conduit systems,
pipelines, and power lines. Generally, the preliminary survey for this work takes
the form of a topographic survey. In the final stage, the work may consist of the
following:
1. Locating the center line, usually marked by stakes at 100-ft intervals called
stations
2. Determining elevations along and across the center line for plotting profile and
cross sections
3. Plotting the profile and cross sections and fixing the grades
4. Computing the volumes of earthwork and preparing a mass diagram
5. Staking out the extremities for cuts and fills
6. Determining drainage areas to be used in the design of ditches and culverts
7. Laying out structures, such as bridges andculverts8. Locating right-of-way
boundaries, as well as staking out fence lines, if necessary

SPECIAL SURVEYS
SPECIAL SURVEYS are conducted for a specific purpose and with a special type of
surveying equipment and methods. A brief discussion of some of the special
surveys familiar to you follows.
Land Surveys
LAND SURVEYS (sometimes called cadastral or property surveys) are conducted to
establish the exact location, boundaries, or subdivision of a tract of land in any
specified area. This type of survey requires professional registration in all states.
Presently, land surveys generally consist of the following chores:
1. Establishing markers or monuments to define and thereby preserve the
boundaries of land belonging to a private concern, a corporation, or the
government.
2. Relocating markers or monuments legally established by original surveys. This
requires examining previous survey records and retracing what was done. When
some markers or monuments are missing, they are re-established following
recognized procedures, using whatever information is available.
3. Rerunning old land survey lines to deter-mine their lengths and directions. As a
result of the high cost of land, old lines are remeasured to get more precise
measurements.
4. Subdividing landed estates into parcels of predetermined sizes and shapes.
5. Calculating areas, distances, and directions and preparing the land map to
portray the surveyed at a so that it can be used as a permanent record.
6. Writing a technical description for deeds.
Control Surveys
CONTROL SURVEYS provide basic con-trol or horizontal and vertical positions of
points to which supplementary surveys are adjusted. These types of surveys
(sometimes termed geodetic surveys) are conducted to provide geographic
positions and plane coordinates of triangulation and traverse stations and the
elevations of benchmarks. These control points are further used as references for
hydrographic surveys of the coastal waters; for topographic control; and for the
control of many state, city, and private surveys.

PHOTOS

Measuring
the
distance
between the gymnasium and
the South Building

Measuring the length of the

South
Bridge
from
the
Administration building to the
South building

Measuring the width of the

South Bridge