Total Station Surveying

Basics.

Methods of Advance Surveying.

Definitions of Total station.

Role of Total Station in preparation of

DPR of a Highway project.

Components of a Total Station.

Functioning of Total Station.

Working with NIKON Total Station.

ADVANCE SURVEING
The science of surveying has been
developing since the very initial stage of
human
civilization
according
to
his
requirements.
Due to advancement in technology and
requirement of high precision survey work in
less time, science of surveying has also
attained its importance with new inventions
of instruments used for surveying. The
application of advance mathematics, new
inventions in field of optical science,
electronics and information technology have
given new dimension to the art of surveying.

CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM
For accurate and faster surveying, application
of Analytical geometry /
Co-ordinate
geometry (COGO) is the recent development in
advance surveying. Now a days co-ordinate
system has been widely adopted in filed of
surveying.
In surveying the co-ordinates of lines / stations
are defined as:
1.
2.

Latitude (Northing / Southing)

Departure (Easting / Westing)

Latitude (Northing / Southing)

N

A
(N / X)
E

O
(S / - X)
B

The latitude of a survey line is defined as its coordinates measured parallel to the assumed meridian from
the assumed origin.

Departure (Easting / Westing)

N

(E / Y)

B
(W / - Y)
S

The departure of a survey line is defined as

its co-ordinates measured at right angle to the
assumed meridian from the assumed origin.

Sign of Latitudes and Departures

N (Y)
0
NORTHINGS

NORTHINGS

WESTINGS

EASTINGS

(+,-)

(+,+)

II

W (-X)

E (X)

270

III

O
(0,0)

90

IV

SOUTHINGS

SOUTHINGS

WESTINGS

EASTINGS

(-,-)

(-,+)
S (-Y)
180

Determination of length & bearing

N

45.50

25.30

15.30

60.45

A (45.50,25.30)

A
30.20

Station

Coordinates

B (15.30,60.45)

35.15

C
A

AA = 45.50

BB = 60.45

AA = 25.30

BB = 15.30

Diff in easting (E) = 45.50 15.30 = 30.20 m

Diff in northing (N) = 60.45 25.30 = 35.15 m
Angle = Tan-1 (35.15 / 30.20) = 49 19 54
WCB of line AB = 180 - 49 19 34

130 40 6

Distance AB = (30.20)2 + (35.15)2

46.34 m

METHODS OF ADVANCE SURVEYING

Triangulation surveying

Tachometric surveying

Total station surveying

TRIANGULATION SURVEYING
In this method the details of points/
stations are determined from the observed
vertical angles & known horizontal distance.
Instruments Used : Theodolite
Tape

Determination of Remote Elevation

C

20

1.500

BM
R.L 100.00 m
BC

= 100 x Tan 20

H.I = 100.00 + 1.50

100.00
m
=

36.00 m

= 101.50 m

R.L of Point C = HI + BC = 101.50 + 36.00 m

137.50 m

Determination of Bearing & Distance

B
A

a=
B=

b2 + c2 2bc Cos A
Cos -1 a2 + b2 c2
2ab

TACHEOMETRIC SURVEYING
In this branch of surveying both
horizontal & vertical distance between
stations are determined from instrumental
observations. It is considered to be rapid &
accurate in rough country used for location
surveys of highway / railway.
Instruments used : Tacheometer.

Tacheometer
Tacheometer is essentially nothing more than a
theodolite fitted with Stadia hairs. The intercept on
the levelling staff varies, depending upon the horizontal
distance between the instrument station & staff. The
intercept used in computation is deduced by subtracting
the upper and lower stadia reading.
1.50
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TOTAL STATION
Total
Station
includes
theodolites, electronic distance
measurement
(EDM)
&
data
recorders. They collect vertical &
horizontal data in a single operation.
Data
recorder
can
record
information in the field to take back
to the office for processing. Data
recorders can also be used to
download previously determined
data at the office for use in the
field to stake out or to locate
construction
control
points
&
boundaries.

Definitions of Total Station

A Total Station is an optical instrument used in modern
surveying. It is a combination of an Electronic Transit
Theodolite, Electronic Distance Measurement device
(EDM), Electronic storage medium (for recording data) &
powerful onboard software running on an external
computer.
Total Station is the advanced surveying instrument in the
field of engineering survey used for smarter surveying. It
is used for acquiring topographic data digitally and further
transferring data to computer systems for creating
Digital Terrain Models (DTM).
As this instrument gives all the engineering details of a
station / point , the instruments has been named as Total
Station.

Various makes Available

WILD

Role of Total Station in Preparation of

Highway Detail Project Report.
In Highway Detail Project preparation (DPR)
Total Station is used for collection of all
Survey data digitally.
Digitally collected survey Data further
transferred to a computer to create Digital
Terrain Model of the area.
Designed Data up loaded in Total Station for
further staking out on ground.

Components of a Total Station

Electronic Transit Theodolite.
Electronic Distance Measurement device (EDM)
Target for getting reflection.
Mini Computer Unit

Electronic Transit Theodilite

Electronic Theodilites measures the horizontal /
vertical angles digitally through photoelectric
detection by incremental encoder, thus avoiding
manually observation of angles. These Theodilites
doesnt use mechanical verniers for measuring angles.
Electronic Theodilite gives highest accuracy in angle
measurement and also saves considerable time in
manual observation of angles through mechanical
verniers.
In Total Station, Electronic Theodilite does the work
of angle measurement with higher accuracy and faster
way.

Electronic Total Station DTM-502 Series (Face 1/Left)

Electronic Total Station DTM-502 Series (Face 2/Right)

Face Left & Face Right

DISPLAY BOARD

Electronic Distance Measurement device

(EDM)

The EDM device is an electronic instrument used

for accurate measurement of distance between
two points without tapping.

EDM device uses the reflection technology of light

rays for measuring the distances.

In EDM Ultra violet or Laser rays are generally

used for measuring distances.

When Ultra violet rays used in EDM, it requires

specially designed reflectors for getting reflection
but in case of Laser rays it doesnt require special
reflectors upto some range of distance.

How EDM works

A

d = V x t
100.5131
m

The EDM emits ultra violet / laser rays which

gets reflected on a reflector (Prism) or on a surface
and again comes back to the base.
Then the distance between the base and the
reflected surface calculated from the time taken by
ultra violate / laser ray to get reflected on the surface.

Targets for getting reflection

The EDM uses ultra violet / laser rays for
measuring distances needs specially designed targets
for reflection of rays. Some of the targets used are:1. Reflector sheet (Kodak/ Nikon reflector sheet)
2. Prism (Glasses cut in shape of Hexagonal prism)
3. Set of prisms.
EDM using laser rays does not require any special
targets for reflection up to certain distance. These
models are reflector less (non prism models). This
feature makes it possible to record data of difficult &
dangerous locations / stations with increased efficiency
& safety.

Electronic Total Station DTM-502 Series (Face 2/Right)

EDM Using Laser Rays

B
0m
7
.
18

A
B

.50
200

A
A

DETAILS OF PRISM ASSEMBLY

Mini Computer Unit

The Mini Computer Unit is the most vital part
of a Total Station. This unit is having: Display board / Key board.
Storage medium (for recording data)
Powerful inbuilt software (for solving surveying
calculations).

Mini Computer Unit

The display board / key board helps to enter data quickly
and accurately and also operating the in built software
during surveying.
Electronic Storage Medium directly records data
collected during the ground surveying for further
analysis in external computer system in office for
creating Digital Terrain Models.
Powerful inbuilt software helps in inputting, storing ,
checking, editing, deleting and searching data directly on
the Total Station. It also helps in COGO calculations
directly on Total Station which gives the relative details
of station.

Advance Features in Total Staions

Feature

Application

Adjustable Tripod.

Detachable
(Tribrach)

type

: For quick centering of instrument in

undulated ground with out frequent
leg movement.
Leveling

base : Doesnt disturbs the centering while

shifting of instrument to foresight
station.

Optical Plummet Telescope

: Faster / accurate centering for

higher accuracy as compared to
traditional use of Plumb-bob .

Co-axial tangent / clamping knobs

: Quick sighting of target and also

eliminates frequent hand movement
between clamping & tangent screw.

Advance Features in Total Staions

Feature
Electronic level
compensator.

Application
: Automatically levels the instrument
when the plate level is out off level up
to 330.

Lumi Guide Tracking light.

: Automatically guides the Rodman in

recording / staking out the points on
ground with out manual signals.

Dual graphical LCD display

with backlight illumination.
Multiple Prism Target.

: Helps in inputting / reading data in

both face left / right position.
: To record / stakeout points at longer
distance even up to 4.400 Km.

How Total Station works

Total

Station

collects

all

ground

data

in

Three

Dimensional Format (Co-ordinate system).

Prior to collection of data, it requires at least two known
points (co-ordinates known), to set up the station.
After setting up the station it gives / collects the details
of points w.r.t the two known points from the Station.
Total Station measures horizontal angles in WCB system
automatically from the assumed Meridian as worked in
Station set up and the Vertical angles from the
Horizontal axis of the instrument [above (+), below (-)].

With known co-ordinates

N

(Intersection method)

(8.30, 9.50,24.96)

P (- 4.30,5.80,20.25)

Q (- 3.10, -2.80,10.80)

S (- 2.90, 3.80,25.68)

(Station)

B
(-3.45, 9.50,28.35)

With unknown co-ordinates

(Back sight method)

When co-ordinates of two points not known, fix the

station point (S) at suitable place assuming co-ordinates
as (0,0,Z). Then site a target / object with the help of
compass, at a long distance in north direction.
Then fix a back sight point

(B)

with known elevation on

this line of sight and measure the distance from the point
(B) to Station (S). This will give the co-ordinate of point
B with respect to Station (S).
Then feed the co-ordinates of Station point and Back
sight point and then measure the target holding at Back
sight point will set up the instrument.
Now you can proceed on measuring and collecting data.

With assumed co-ordinates

N

(10.30, 8.50,352.66)

3.25 m

P (3.25,0,350.55)

E
S (0,0,350.78)

(Station)
S

B
(-3.45, 9.50,353.78)

Collecting various details of points

HI at A (AA)

= 1.40 m

HT at B (BB)

= 1.50 m

R.L of A

= 1001.50 m
A

B
m
0
2
.
15

30

B
C

VA = 30
HD = 13.164 m

VD = 7.50 m
SD = 15.151 m

CB = 15.20 x Sin 30 = 7.60 m

V% = 56.97 %

CB = CB CB (HT) = 7.60 1.50 = 6.10 m

AC = 15.20 x Cos 30 = 13.164 m
RL of B = 1001.50 + 1.40 + 6.10 = 1004.500 m
HD between A & B = 13.164 m
SD between A & B =

(13.164)2 + (1.40 + 6.10)2 = 15.151 m

Working with NIKON total station

Introduction
Preparation.
Getting Started.
Applications.
Menu Options.

INTRODUCTION
NIKON is the Japan based Optics
manufacturing Company, is manufacturing advance
surveying instruments viz. Auto Levels, Digital
Theodolites, Total Stations , GPSs etc. in
collaboration with Trimble Co. Ltd. (USA) the
world leader in manufacturing, designing, invention
of advanced surveying systems.
Some of the other brands of Total Stations
available in Market are :Trimble, Lica, Topcon, Sokkia etc..

NIKON Total Stations

NIKON manufactures three Models of Total Stations
: DTM 302, NPL 302, DTM 502,552 and DTM 652
The DTM - 302 series includes seven models and
these are right combination of price & performance.
Suitable for most routine survey & construction application.
The NPL 302 series includes three models that
utilize reflectorless technology. These models makes is
possible to measure to difficult and dangerous locations
with increased efficiency & safety.
The DTM 502 series includes three models and
provides extreme accuracy applications. These series
instruments are designed for maximum speed & extreme
accuracy.

NIKON Total Stations

Displayed distance
resolution (decimal

Angle performance
accuracy

Displayed angle
resolution

DTM 362

places)
3

DTM-352

DTM-352W

DTM-332

NPL 362

NPL 352

NPL 352

DTM 552

DTM 532

DTM 522

0.5

Model

DTM 352 W model has been specially designed for extreme

cold weather applications (down to 30 C)
NPL Models are Prism less models uses Laser ray technology

Prior to Preparation
Prior to going to handle any instrument we
should read the operating Manual carefully and
thoroughly to avoid any mishandling which will lead
to damage the instrument.
Strictly follow the instructions in Manual for
longer life, better performance and efficiency of
the instrument.

Preparation of Total Station

Unpacking & Packing the main Unit

Charging & Discharging the battery

De attaching the battery Pack

Reattaching the battery pack

Reattaching the battery pack

Setting up the Tripod

Leveling the instrument

Leveling the instrument

Sighting the Target

Sighting Target

Getting Started

Turning Instrument on and off

Turning Instrument on and off

Display and Key functions

Key functions

Key functions

Key functions
(Soft Keys)

Key functions

Key functions

Key functions

Moves cursor from one field up/down/left/right

after entering data in the current field

Status Bar

Status Bar

Status Bar

Main Menu of Nikon Total Station DTM 552

Opening the New Job

BMS Screen Press Menu

Feed Job Name & ENT

BMS Screen

Select Job

Press ENT for Setting

Press MSR1 Key

Creating Job

Opening the existing Job

BMS Screen Press Menu

Press ENT

Select Job & ENT

Opening the selected Job

Press Menu Select Job & ENT to see the open job

Highlight the Job

BMS Screen

Deleting of Job

BMS Screen Press Menu

Confirm before delete & ENT

Press ESC for BMS

Select Job & ENT

Deleting job

Highlight Job & Press MSR2

Come back to Job Manager

Making a Control Job

BMS Screen Press Menu

Press ENT to Make control

Press Menu Select Job

Q will display control Job

Highlight job & Press DSP

BMS Screen

Seeing the information of Job

BMS Screen

Can see the record & Space

Select Job & ENT

BMS Screen

Select Job & Press ANG

Station Setup Menu

BMS Screen

Known Station setup

Quick Station setup

Remote BMStation setup

Base XYZ Station setup

Known Line Station setup

Resection Station setup

BS Check & Reset

Station Setup by two known station

BMS Screen press STN Key

Feed ST. No. & Enter

Feed Height of Instrument

Asking for BS No.

Select known& ENT

Feed NEZ & Code

After HI Press ENT

Feed BS NO.& ENT

Asking for Instrument St.No.

After NEZ & Code Press ENT

Select Backsight Coord.

.
Feed NEZ, Code & ENT

Sight BS Point & Press MSR1

Turn to Face 2

Press ENT for record STN

Feed HT

Press DSP Key

Sight same point on F2

Recording Station

After HT Press ENT

Press ANG Key for F2

Press ENT

Come back to BMS

Station Setup by one station & one bearing

BMS Screen press STN Key

After ST Press ENT

Feed HI

Asking Bearing

Select Known & ENT

Feed NEZ

After HI press ENT

Feed Bearing & ENT

Feed ST. No.

Feed Code & ENT

Select Angle & ENT

Sight BS & MSR 1 or ANG

Turn to Face 2

Press ENT for record

Sight same point on F2

Recording Station

Press ENT

Come back to BMS

Station Setup by Resection

BMS Screen press STN Key

After No. Press ENT

Sight 1st PT & MSR 1

Select Resection & ENT

Feed HT

Press ENT

Feed 1st PT No.

After HT Press ENT

Feed 2nd PT No.

Station Setup by Resection Method

Feed HT for 2nd PT

Press ANG or ENT

Sight PT2 & MSR 1

Calculating the coordinate

Of Station PT.

Press ENT

Come back to the BMS

Back Sight Check when our instrument

is disturb.

BMS Screen Press STN

Select BS Check & ENT

Sight BS Point &

Press ANG Key

After Reset come back to BMS

Measurement of Side Shots

Sight Prism & Press

MSR1 & ENT

After ENT asking code

Recording the point

After recording go to the next NO.

Feed code by ABC & ENT

Measurement of Side Shots

Sight Prism & Press

MSR1 & ENT

After ENT asking code

Recording the point

After recording go to the next NO.

Feed code by ABC & ENT

Measurement of Side Shots

Sight Prism & Press

MSR1 & ENT

Code appear Press ENT

After ENT asking code

Press ANG Key for Stack

Recording the Point

Select the code &ENT

After recording go to the next NO.

Measurement of Side Shots/collection

Sight Prism & Press

MSR1 & ENT

Select the code

Recording the Point

After ENT asking code

Press DSP Key for List

Highlight the layer & ENT

After Selection Press ENT

After recording go to the next NO.

Press ENT

Measurement of Side Shots

From BMS Press Mode

Recording the point

Press desire Key

After recording go to the next NO.

Writing code

Offset Point Measurement

From BMS Press O S Key

Press MSR1 Key

Recording offset Point

Select the Tape

Feed the Offsets

Feed the HT

It will calculate the offset

Point coordinate feed code

Offset Point Measurement

From BMS Press O S Key

Sight PT & Press MSR1

Recording O/S point

Select the Angle

Rotate the HA for O/S & ENT

Ready for next collection

Feed the HT

Feed the code

2pt Reference Line Measurement

From BMS Press PRG

Feed Point 2nd

Feed the code

Select the 2Pt RefLine

Sight the point & MSR

Recording the point

Feed Point 1st

It will guide from 1st point to

distance & Offset from line Press ENT

BMS

Arc Reference Line Measurement

From BMS Press PRG

Feed bearing

Feed end curve point & AZ

Feed code & ENT for Record

Select Arc Refline & ENT

After feeding AZ Press ENT

It will calculate Radius,

Length & Bearing2

Feed start curve Pt. No.

Select one of these three

It will guide from 1st point to

Curve distance & Offset from
curve line Press ENT

RDM Measurement

From BMS Press PRG

It will display the distance

From Instruments

Recording Note

Select RDM(Radial) & ENT

Recording the distance

From Instrument to 1st Point

It will display the distance

From 1st point to 1,2,3,11

Sight Prism & MSR1

Recording notes 1 to2,311

RDM Measurement

From BMS Press PRG

Select RDM(Cont.) & ENT

Sight Prism & MSR1

It will display the distance

From last prism point to
next prism point

Record Note 11 to 12

Record Note

REM Measurement

From BMS Press PRG

Select REM & ENT

Feed Height of Target

Height of Target & ENT

Sight prism just below

of point & MSR1

Calculating the Height

Sight the top point of object

Vh is Height of Top point

Stake out

First setup the tripod on station and complete the leveling.

Open the Job (Menu Job Highlight the job and Enter.)
Station Setup(7 No. Key (STN) Known (1 No. Key) ST input
number input NEZ HI input Back Sight Select Coordinate
BS input number NEZ HT input sight the Back sight and
press MSR1 key
(for accuracy work press ANG for face 2 measurement and sight
the same point on face 2 and press MSR 1)
Press enter to record
Press S-O key (8 No. Key)
Select XYZ
Feed the Number if available in the job instrument will take auto
otherwise feed the NEZ
Now instrument will guide you. Rotate the angle and sight the
prism and measure. Now instrument will guide Left/right in/out
cut/fill.

Hot Key Menu / Change of HT

From any screen Press Hot Key

After HT Press ENT

Select HT & Press ENT

HT will change

Feed the HT

Hot Key Menu / Change of Temp-Press

From any screen Press Hot Key

Feed Pressure

Select Temp-Press & ENT

Now Temp. & Press changed and

come back to Same screen

Feed Temp

Hot Key Menu / writing the Note

From any screen Press Hot Key

Writing the note

Select Note & ENT

Recording the note

Write the Note

Come back to the same menu

COGO

From BMS Press Menu

Select Pt-Pt

It will display the AZ,HD,VD

Select COGO

Feed 1st Point

Select Inverse

Feed 2nd point

COGO

From BMS Press Menu

Feed the range of plot

Showing the Area & Perimeter

Select COGO

After range press ENT

Feed the Area Name

Select Area & Perm

Press MSR2 for calculation

Recording Note

Engineering Survey for Highway Project

To finalize the highway alignment, engineering
surveys are to be carried out in different stages.
Map Study
Reconnaissance

( Arial and Ground)

Preliminary Survey
Determination of
Final Centre Line
Final location survey

MAP STUDY

Study of topographical sheets (scale 1:50,000 or 2cm

= 1 km), Geological, Meteorological, cadastral, relief
maps of the area.

Locate obligatory and control points and mark

alternative feasible routes (shortest, economical &
with required design standards).

Calculate approximate gradient and road length from

Topo sheets.

ARIAL RECONAISANCE SURVEY

This provides a birds eye view of the alignment under

Such reconnaissance will confirm the feasibility of

the
routes for proceeding further with ground
reconnaissance.

It will help identify factors which call for rejection or

modification of any of the alignments.

consideration and its surrounding area..

GROUND RECONAISANCE SURVEY

The alternative routes found feasible are further

verified physically in the field by walking or riding
along the probable routes and collecting all essential
and avilable data for preliminary survey.

Instruments generally used :1. Compass

2. Abney Level.
3. Alti-meter.
4. Pedometer.
5. Ghat Tracer, etc.
Contd

GROUND RECONAISANCE SURVEY

Details collected are ground slopes, maximum

gradients, elevation of critical summits or stream
crossings and location of obligatory points.

Reference pegs are to be driven on ground or marks

should be left on trees / large rocks on the route, to
facilitate further survey operations.

In difficult hilly and forest terrain assistance of new

technology, like, GPS or DGPS may also be taken to
get the details of the feasible routes.

Points on which data may be collected during ground

reconnaissance are listed in IRC :SP:19-2001
(Appendix 3)
Contd

GROUND RECONAISANCE SURVEY

Reconnaissance report :Based on the information collected during the

reconnaissance survey, a report should be prepared
having:(a) Plan of the feasible route to the scale of
1:50000, showing the alternative alignments.
(b) General profile of the alternative alignments.
(c) Rough cost estimates of the road project.
(d) It should discuss the merits and demerits of the
different alternative alignments to help the
selection of one alignment for detailed survey and
investigation.
Contd

PRELIMINARY SURVEY
The preliminary survey is a relatively large scale
instrument survey conducted for the purpose of collecting
all the physical information which affects the proposed
location of a new highway or improvements to an existing
highway.
During this phase of the survey, Detail
Topographical Survey of the area along the proposed
alignment is carried out. Longitudinal and Cross sections
are taken and bench marks established.
The data collected at his stage will form the basis
for the determination of the Final Centre Line of road.
For this reason, it is essential that every precaution
should be taken to maintain a high degree of accuracy.
Contd

PRELIMINARY SURVEY
The preliminary survey of a Highway project can
further be sub-divided in to following phases:-

Traffic survey of existing road.

Flood water level and Sub-soil condition survey.

Pavement condition survey, BBD test (for overlaying /

strengthening of existing pavement.)

Inventory of Existing Structures.

Inventory of road (including land width, terrain, pavement

type, carriageway type, intersection with type, cross road
category and location, urban areas with location and
extent, geological, environmental & hydrological features.

Instrument survey for establishing BMs

Stations to facilitate the detail survey work.

Collection of Topographical data for creating DTM.

&

Traverse

Contd

Topographical Survey
Main items of work in topographical survey
included the following :-

Control point Survey with DGPS.

Continuous Traverse with Total Station.
Establishment of Bench Marks.
Surface Leveling and recording of topographic details.
After completion of topographical survey,
next stage is Design of Highway alignment,
Drawing of L-sections & X-sections and then
calculation of abstract of quantities.
Contd

METHODOLOGY
DGPS Control Survey
For Control with DGPS a base station is generally
established at an important place with a unit of GPS.
Observations were made at the base station
simultaneously with those made with the rover at control
points.
Data Rover Control points are established using
GPS receivers. These control points are very useful in
establishment of further secondary control and fixing
of alignment at later stage. The elevations of these
control points are established using high precision Auto
levels.

METHODOLOGY
Continuous Traverse Survey
Sufficient Traverse Stations (TS) are
established at every 100-300 mtr interval. The
Traverse stations are connected with each other by
running a continuous traverse with Total Station.
Location of traverse station is indicated by
direction arrows painted in red paint on adjacent
trees, structures and the tarmac.

METHODOLOGY
Establishment of Bench Marks
All the GPS control stations and Traverse
station are connected by carrying out double tertiary
levelling using high precision Auto Level. Additional
temporary BMs are established at culverts, bridges
and other suitable places. All RLs of BMs should be
with reference to RL of near by GTS bench marks.
The BM pillars should be so fixed, that these
are not destroyed during construction.

METHODOLOGY
Cross Section / Surface Levelling
The cross-sections should be taken at suitable
intervals, generally 100 to 250 m in plain terrain, up to
50 m in rolling terrain and upto 20m in hilly terrain on
straight reaches and at half length .
The width of Survey along proposed alignment
should be twice that of Road Land width.

METHODOLOGY
Cross Section / Surface Levelling

The cross-sections should be taken at suitable

intervals, generally 100 to 250 m in plain terrain, up to
50 m in rolling terrain and upto 20m in hilly terrain on
straight reaches and at half length .
The width of Survey along proposed alignment
should be twice that of Road Land width.

BREAK

Surface Modeling
(3 D Modeling)
Surface modeling is a method of representing
a given surface in three dimensional format. Data
for surface modeling of a area is generally derived
from topographic survey that has generated 3D coordinates of points viz. northing / southing ,
easting / westing from the origin on assumed
meridian and the elevation from assumed datum.
Complete 3D modeling of terrain gives very
quick visualization of the site conditions and
topographic features, which helps in accurate and
faster designing of the projects.

Three Dimensional Co-ordinates

+Z
(x,y,z)

N (X)
0
E (Y)
W (-Y)
270

90

(0,0,0)
S (-X)
180
-Z

Digital Terrain Model (DTM)

The
electronic
representation
of
surface model of a terrain in a computer
system is called as Digital Terrain Model or
DTM.
Different computer programmes have
been developed for creating the DTMs of
terrains in computer by simply feeding 3D coordinates of topographic details.

Application of DTM

Quick visualization of the site condition.

Feasibility study.

Generation of Contour.

Generation of profiles.

Generation of volume information's.

Design of alignments.

Generation of three dimensional image

of surfaces.

3D string modeling for future analysis.

Conventional method
Vs
Digital Terrain Modeling

Methodology
Activity
Surface
modeling

Conventional Survey Digital Terrain Modeling

Takes lot of time to Automatically
creates
create 3D model by three
dimensional
manual drawing.
visualization.

Contouring Manual interpolation Creates contour at any

and calculation.
interval just on mouse
click.
Taking
Requires
extensive Profiles & cross-sections
profiles & data
collection can be taken through any
crossexercises
to
get number of surfaces &
sections
profiles/crosssection any direction at any time.
through
different
surfaces

Activity

Methodology
Conventional Survey

Digital Terrain
Modeling
Designs the alignment
by just inputting the
parameters w.r.t to
terrain condition.
Creates accurate /
appreciating report in
much lesser time and
cuts
off
manual
exercise.

Design
of Design of alignments
alignments.
for final centre line
is much cumbersome
job.
Creating
Takes
considerable
reports
time
to create
accurate,
appreciating
cost
effective
reports
and also much manual
Staking out exercise.
Difficult and time Easy uploading of the
of
design consuming process to designed data and very
data
on layout the design quick staking out of
ground
data.
data on ground.

URVEYING

SEQUENCE

Importance of surveying
Topographic surveying
Advance surveying
Basics of Total Station
Nikon 502 series Total Station

IMPORTANCE OF SURVEYING
Surveying is the first step of the
execution of any engineering project.
The success of any engineering project
is based upon the accurate and complete
survey work prior to commencement of
project as well as during execution and
after completion. Hence the practical
importance of surveying can not be over
estimated.