Ain Shams University

Faculty Of Engineering

Surveying I

TYPES OF SURVEYING

Name: Hazem Emam Ali Sadeq

Section: 2

Group: 1

I.D: 13P1082
SPECIALIZED TYPES OF SURVEYS
We must note that most of the types of surveying are closely related in modern practice,
but some of them are still very specialized that a specialist person with profound
knowledge in specific type may have poor contact with other types. Here are some of the
types of the surveys.

1- Control surveys: network of horizontal and vertical monuments used as a

reference framework for initiating other surveys. Land surveyors measure horizontal
positions in geographic or plane coordinate systems relative to previously surveyed
positions called control points. In the U.S., the National Geodetic Survey (NGS)
maintains a National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) that consists of
approximately 300,000 horizontal and 600,000 vertical control stations (Doyle,1994).
Coordinates associated with horizontal control points are referenced to NAD 83;
elevations are relative to NAVD 88. In a Chapter 2 activity, you may have retrieved
one of the datasheets that NGS maintains for every NSRS control point, along with
more than a million other points submitted by professional surveyors.

Figure: Benchmark used to mark a vertical control point.

Thompson, 1988

2- Topographic surveys: are used to determine locations of natural and artificial

features and elevations used in map making. Topographic Surveys are 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.
 A section of contour map is shown above.
Lines represent different elevations

3- Land, boundary, and cadastral surveys are generally used to establish

property lines and property corner markets. There are three major categories.

a- Original surveys: to establish new section corners in unsurveyed areas.

b- Retracement surveys: to recover previously established boundary lines.

Subdivision surveys: to establish monuments and delineate parcels of

ownership.

c- Condominium surveys: which provide a legal record of ownership.

Cadastral surveying is that branch of surveying which is concerned with the survey
and demarcation of land for the purpose of defining parcels of land for registration in
a land registry.

This type of survey includes subdivision of land

and/or buildings, alienation of land, proclamation of
land and amalgamation of land. In Singapore, the
majority of the population stays in high rise
apartments. These apartments are issued strata
title whereby the strata boundaries are defined by
strata survey.
4- Hydrographic surveys: determine shorelines and depths
of lakes, streams, oceans, and other bodies of water. Not to
be confused with “sea surveying” which is associated with
port and offshore industries and the marine environment.
Hydrographic Surveying is that branch of survey that is
concern with the measurement of the surface below the
water which can be the sea, ponds, rivers etc.

5- Alignment surveys: they are made to plan,

design, and construct highways, rail-roads,
pipelines, and other linear projects. Alignment
Surveys has evolved from „first principles‟ tunnel
engineering survey control to specialize in Tunnel
Guidance and TBM alignment for mechanized
tunneling environments using Gyro
Technology hardware and purpose
designed Tunnel engineering survey software.

6- Construction surveys: provide line, grade, control elevations, horizontal

positions, dimensions, and configurations for construction operations. The purpose
of doing a construction survey is to maintain and establish the necessary vertical
and horizontal control distinctions needed for a construction project. It includes
taking measurements which is mandatory to ascertain quantities, and then put these
measurements in documentation to corroborate the final payments made to the
contractor.
Post construction, the survey is used to assess the final position and adequacy of
the work, and to compute construction payments and be able to establish “as built”
conditions. The “As Built” construction survey is conducted as the construction
works are finished to verify the accomplishments as specified on the designs and
plans.
Tasks that are involved in construction surveying are the following, pretty much how
a construction survey is done:
Research, Reconnaissance, Control, and Mapping of the project arearespectively
are the tasks in this phase of an engineering project. Thisis a preliminary survey
which is mainly the collection of data and establishing the survey control scheme
that will be used during construction to “control” the position and elevation of each
improvement. The result of this work is used for design, detailing of plans, and
estimation of the project costs.
 Gathering of the Design Data which include Project plans in digital and hard copies,
Control Data (Vertical and Horizontal), Alignments (Vertical and Horizontal), New
Roadway DTM, R/W data (with maps, descriptions and obligations), and
Specifications.
Field Work includes Recovery of existing vertical and horizontal control,
Augmentation and replacement of control stations that are necessary to control the
construction project, Performing random checks of the vertical and horizontal control
network, Checking Vertical controls as necessary, comparison of resultant
coordinates to the original, collection of confidence points to check and validate the
terrain model, condition documentation, and performing utility relocation surveys as
necessary.
Finally, here is an illustrated example of how a
complete Construction Survey looks. The final
piece that is presented after the tedious
measurements and markings is a survey map
which includes all of the vital features illustrated
with the contours that represents the elevations.

7- Mine Surveys: performed above or below ground to guide tunneling and other
operations associated with mining, and it is also used for mineral and energy
explorations

Resources:

1- “Elementary Surveying: An Introduction to Geomatics” , Page 11

2- http://www.weftsurv.com/