CHAPTER – 1

DETAILED SURVEY &

PLOTTING OF PROFILE
1.0 DETAILED SURVEY:
1.1 The detailed survey is taken up on the line route approved by the Circle Superintending
Engineer.

1.2 The line route worked out during the preliminary survey, with changes if any, is used as the
reference.

1.3 The measurements of the angle points are again done. These angles are indicated as Right (R)
or Left (L) as per the direction of deviation with reference to the starting point.

1.4 The levels of the ground profile along the route of the line are taken. The reduced level (R.L.)
of the ground at the starting point of the line is taken as 100.00 metres. The levels are
generally taken at intervals of 30 metres along plain and evenly sloping ground. The levels are
taken at shorter intervals wherever there are sudden changes in the ground profile. All the
levels are calculated with reference to the assumed R.L. The levels of high hillsides or sand
dunes on the sides of the line route are also taken so that horizontal and vertical clearance of
the conductors from these can be checked.

1.5 The method of taking level readings for preparation of longitudinal and cross section profile
can be
a) By chain and dumpy level.
This method is generally used in all plain areas where chaining offers no problems.
This also requires comparatively less skilled surveyors.

b) By tachometric survey with theodolite.

The tachometric method is employed in hilly regions and such other inaccessible
places where chaining is not possible. This method needs skilled surveyors having
good understanding of the use of theodolite.
In this method, both traversing and levelling is done by means of a tachometric
theodolite (theodolite having stadia cross hairs fitted in the eye piece). The horizontal
and vertical distances are computed with the help of readings of the stadia wires taken
on the levelling staff held at the reading station. For the theory of this method,
reference may be made to any standard surveying text books.

1.6 Details of all crossings of kutcha and metalled roads, canals, rivers, forest area, ponds,
railway lines, P&T lines and power lines along the line route shall be noted. The height above
ground of the earthwire (in case of overhead crossing) and the lowest conductor (in case of
crossing under existing lines) of the lines being crossed should be measured at a distance from
the centre line of the route which is equal to the distance between the centre line of the tower
and the end of the lower cross arm.

1.7 Places along the line route where towers cannot be located due to poor or bad ground
conditions, such as low lying areas, marshy areas, highly sloping areas, etc. should also be
noted.

1.8 All kutcha and metalled roads, trees, structures, buildings, huts, sheds, canals, wells, rivers,
forest area, railway lines, P&T lines, power lines, ponds, hillsides, high sand dunes and other
objects, etc. within 50 metres on both sides of line route should be noted.
46 Construction Manual for Transmission Lines

1.9 Wherever there are changes in the route surveyed earlier, the concrete pillars placed during
the preliminary survey shall be relocated. Similarly, the wooden pegs placed in the
preliminary should be removed from their earlier positions wherever there are changes.

1.10 All readings of levels and observations are noted in the field book(s).

2.0 PLOTTING OF PROFILES:

2.1 From the field book entries, route plan and longitudinal profile, commonly referred to as
‘Route Profile’ or simply ‘Profile’, is prepared. The profile is prepared and plotted on 1mm /
5mm / 1cm square paper rolls of graphed tracing paper. The profile is plotted to a scale of 1
cm = 20 M horizontal and 1 cm = 2 M vertical.

2.2 The profile shall progress from left to right. The height of the sheet shall be taken so that the
ground profile and the towers, including extensions can be fully shown. For hilly terrain,
greater height of the sheet may be taken, or the sections may be plotted on separate sheets.

2.3 The length of each sheet may be taken so that approximately 5 km of the line route can be
plotted. A gap of 5 to 10 cm shall be kept between sections.

2.4 The profile shall show the longitudinal profiles along the centre line of the transmission line
route and also the cross section profile wherever appreciable difference in level exists with
reference to the centre line level.

2.5 The angle of line deviation, duly marked left (L) or right (R) as the case may be, shall also be
shown.

2.6 The profile shall show the route plan giving details of all objects lying within 50 metres on
both sides of the centre line of the route.

2.7 Objects and their distances along the route within 50 metres on both sides of the centre line,
nearby villages, important roads or rivers shall be marked on the route profile.

2.8 Crossing details of any other power or telecommunication lines, roads, railway lines, canals or
rivers shall be marked as clearly as possible.

2.9 Readings shall be taken of the levels of roads, canal and river embankments, maximum water
/ flood levels, railway top levels and heights of supports / lines being crossed, and shall be
shown in the offsets part of the profile. All trees coming within the zone of the right of way
and which need to be cut / trimmed shall also be indicated.

2.10 A typical profile is enclosed at Appendix – A.

Detailed Survey & Plotting of Profile 47

APPENDIX – A
48 Construction Manual for Transmission Lines