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Jake Mason
Site Surveying Report
When he surveyed the area on St. Thomas recreational park, we used a
directional theodolite. There is other equipment that could have been used such
as a repeating theodolite that may have given more accurate results however we
had to work with what he had been given at the time. The vector misclosure was
only around 10mm which I believe to be as small of an error as I could have
reached given my results. The proportional misclosure was quite a high number;
1 in 5746. This means that the expected error was quite minimal so I am happy
with this outcome. I believe one of the main causes of error was human error.
This can take many forms such as inaccurate measuring, incorrect results etc.
Also the theodolite may have not been calibrated correctly therefore creating
errors in the measurements. The trunnion axis is not perpendicular to the vertical
axis.When the scope is turning about the trunnion axis, the line of sight should
sweep through a vertical plane. If the trunnion axis is not perpendicular to the
vertical axis, then this plane will be deflected. On level ground, the error may be
very small, but traversing up or down a steep hill will increase the error. The
accuracy could be improved by making sure that the theodolite is plumb on the
vertical axis, this is quite easy to correct as it just involves levelling the
instrument. Also we maybe could have compared results with other groups to
make sure our results were similar.
In conventional surveying, chain and tape are used for making linear
measurements while compass and ordinary theodolites are used for making
angular measurements. Levelling work is carried out using a Dumpy level and a
levelling staff. With such surveying instruments, survey work will be slow and
tedious.
Hence modern surveying instruments are becoming more popular and they are
gradually replacing old surveying instruments such as compass and Dumpy level.
With modern surveying instruments, survey work will be precise, faster and less
tedious.
1. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) Instruments
Direct measurement of distances and their directions can be obtained by using
electronic instruments that rely on propagation, reflection and reception of either
light waves or radio waves. They may be broadly classified in to three types:
a. Infrared wave instruments.

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Jake Mason
b. Light wave instruments.
c. Micro wave instruments.

a. Infrared wave instruments

These instruments measure distances by using amplitude modulated infrared

waves. At the end of the line, prisms mounted on target are used to reflect the
waves. These instruments are light and economical and can be mounted
on theodolites for angular measurements. The range of such an instrument will
be 3 km and the accuracy achieved is 10 mm.
Global Positioning System
This system is developed by U.S. Defense department and is called Navigational
System with Time and Ranging Global Positioning System (NAVSTAR GPS) or
simply GPS. For this purpose U.S. Air Force has stationed 24 satellites at an
attitude of 20200 km above the earths surface. The satellites have been
positioned in such a way, at least four satellites will be visible from any point on
earth.
This method is very accurate as the satellites map out the earth given accurate
measurements.
Wherever you are on the planet, at least four GPS satellites are visible at any
time. Each one transmits information about its position and the current time at
regular intervals. These signals, travelling at the speed of light, are intercepted
by your GPS receiver, which calculates how far away each satellite is based on
how long it took for the messages to arrive. Once it has information on how far
away at least three satellites are, your GPS receiver can pinpoint your location
using a process called trilateration. This is a process in which your GPS uses
overlapping spheres to pinpoint your location within the intersection of the
spheres.
Application Of GPS In Civil Engineering:
Most of the Companies uses manual procedure of Surveying (i.e. Leveling,
Contouring, Compass Surveying) to Prepare Contour Maps, Longitudinal Section
Of Roads, Alignment of Roads, Bridges etc. But many Broad Companies abroad
uses GPS to locate different points, preparing Contour maps, giving Alignments

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Jake Mason
of Roads, Bridges where the precision is very essential or it may ruin the whole
project for a simple error in surveying, on those places the survey work can be
done with the help of Global Positioning System.

Advantages:
It helps to survey with many times greater Precision.
It helps to complete a Survey with lesser time and thus helps to cut down the
Completion Period.
It Reduces the Difficulty of taking manual measurements to great extent.
With GPS there is a very less chances of error. And this error may come only due
to the Instrument malfunction.
Disadvantages:
The main Disadvantage is that, it requires high initial investments.
To conduct such High End Survey works and to operate such Electronic
Equipments much skilled persons are required.