ELEMENTARY SURVEYING FIELD

MANUAL

FIELD WORK NO. 12

TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY BY SQUARES OR
GRID METHOD
CE120-0F / A1

SUBMITTED BY:
NAME:

STUDENT NO.:

GROUP NO. 4
DATE OF FIELD WORK: SEPTEMBER 11, 2014
DATE OF SUBMITTION: SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

SUBMITTED TO:
PROFESSOR: ENGR. CERVANTES

GRADE

FIELD WORK NO. 12 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY BY SQUARES OR GRID METHOD

FINAL DATA SHEET

FIELD WORK 12

TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY BY SQUARES OR GRID METHOD

DATE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

TIME: 10:30AM 12:00PM
WEATHER: SUNNY

STATION
OCCUPIED

STATION
OBSERVED
BM1 (+000)
H1 (+005)
H2 (+010)
H3 (+015)
H4 (+020) (TP1)
H5 (+025)
H6 (+030)
H7 (+035) (TP2)
H8 (+040)
H9 (+045)
BM2 (+050)

GROUP NO.: 4
LOCATION: BONIFACIO SHRINE
PROFESSOR: ENGR. CERVANTES

BS

HI

1.51

301.51

IFS

FS

1.485
1.445
1.405
0.77

301.405

0.875
0.93
1.415

1.34

301.38

1.365
1.405
1.435
1.445

COMPUTATIONS:

H.I. = ELAEVATION + B.S.

H.I. = 300 m + 1.51 m
H.I. = 301.51 m

ELEVATION = H.I. F.S.

ELEVATION = 301.51 m 1.485m
ELEVATION = 300.025 m

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ELEVATION
300
300.025
300.065
300.105
300.635
300.475
299.99
300.04
299.975
299.945
299.935

FIELD WORK NO. 12 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY BY SQUARES OR GRID METHOD

SKETCH

TOPOGRAPHIC MAP

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FIELD WORK NO. 12 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY BY SQUARES OR GRID METHOD

DISCUSSIONS
Topography is the shape, configuration, relief, roughness, or three-dimensional
characteristics of the earth's surface. Some of the definitions included in this field work
are topographic maps and topographic surveys. Topographic maps shows topography
together with natural and artificial features such as streams, lakes, buildings, highways,
etc. Topographic maps are used by a variety of professions from engineers, architects,
foresters, geologists, etc. The most common use of topographic maps is in the planning
stages of projects to help design the layout and location of buildings, roads, dams,
pipelines, landscapes, fire control routes, trails, etc. While topographic surveys are
surveys made to determine the configuration of the earths surface and to locate natural
and cultural features on it. Topographic maps (produced by the U.S. Geological Survey)
are available for a large part of the United States. USGS map scales are usually
1:24000 which means 1 in. = 2000 ft. Additional government agencies may also have
topographic maps at various scales that may be suitable for your needs.

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FIELD WORK NO. 12 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY BY SQUARES OR GRID METHOD

Topographic surveys are determining the relative locations of points (places) on

the earth's surface by measuring horizontal distances, differences in elevation and
directions and topos (Gr.): place; topographic maps give the locations of places
(observable features); they serve as base maps. Topographic surveys are very useful in
geography. Some of the uses of the topographic surveys are producing topographic
maps, constructing topographic (cross-sectional) profiles, and establishing vertical and
horizontal control for accurately defining locations.

Methods
1. Horizontal distance

Tachymetry: a rapid optical means of measuring distance using a telescope with

cross hairs and a stadia rod (one stadium = about 607 feet).

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FIELD WORK NO. 12 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY BY SQUARES OR GRID METHOD

Measuring slopes distance with a tape and reducing it to horizontal distance

using the cosine of the slope gradient.

2. Difference in elevation

Leveling with a level telescope and a stadia rod.

Measuring a vertical angles and a slope distance (height is the product of the
distance and sine of the angle).
Leveling is more accurate since elevation differences are measured not

calculated. Two readings are taken at each position of the automatic level: a backsight
towards a station located before the level on the traverse and a foresight to the next
station on the traverse. Thus the stadia rod occupies two stations, before and after the
level on the survey. The difference in elevation between successive stations if the
difference between the backsight and the foresight read from the stadia rod. For each
position of the level, the lengths of the foresights and backsights should be
approximately the same since accuracy is a function of the distance of a sighting. The
level operator should anticipate the distance to the next station and set up the level
midway along this distance (note: the distance that can be sighted decreases with
increase in slope, since the stadia rod will disappear above or below the level line of
sight). The lengths of backsight and foresight can be paced by the rod person or
measured by the interval between the upper and lower cross hairs (tachymetry).
3. Direction

horizontal angle measured with a compass

precise measuring devices use vernier scales

direction is expressed relative to a reference line or meridian

o true meridian: a north-south line
o magnetic meridian: a line parallel with the earth's magnetic lines of force
o assumed meridian: an arbitrary line

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FIELD WORK NO. 12 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY BY SQUARES OR GRID METHOD

CONCLUSION
On this field work, we tried to determine the topographic survey of a traverse by
squares or grid method. The objectives of this field work are to learn how to perform
topographic survey of a hilly terrain, to acquire the knowledge of plotting the different
contour lines, and to develop the skills in the identification of the different element in a
contour map.
According from the lecture being discussed, a traverse must be closed field. The
common sources of error on this field work are the inaccurate reading of
measurements, human errors and instrumental errors. Human errors include reading
the azimuth of a given point even if the bubble of the total station is not yet on the center
and not reading the measurements on the tape accurately. Rotating the total station
counter clockwise is also one of the common sources of error. While instrumental errors
include if the instrument/s used for getting the data in the field work, which is a total
station for this field work, is/are defective or out of battery.
It is recommended to have patience in doing the field work because this field
work has so much part and a lot to be done. Also check first if the measuring tape is
completely perpendicular to the ground before recording the measurement to lessen the
error that might be acquired. Using a plumb bob is also recommended to see if the
measuring tape is perpendicular to the ground. Team work is also required for this
experiment because everyone has their assigned task to do to finish the field work on
time. Follow the instructions on the manual carefully to avoid errors.

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