Department of Geodetic Engineering

GE 221 General Surveying 2

Survey Control
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Control Survey

Control Surveying- shall refer to the survey conducted to determine the

horizontal and vertical positions of points which will form part of a
geodetic network or project controls over an area which will
subsequently become the basis in determining the rectangular
coordinates in an area.
There are two (2) general types of Control Surveys:
1. Horizontal Control
2. Vertical Control

As to the Accuracy, there are two (2) types of Horizontal Control

Surveys:
1. Geodetic Control Surveys
2. Project Control Surveys
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Control Survey

1. Horizontal Control- establishes network of triangulation stations

which geodetic Latitudes and Longitudes are determined. Plane
rectangular coordinates are subsequently computed from these
values. When the area that is being subjected to control surveys
is smaller wherein the curvature of the Earth is negligible, plane
rectangular coordinates are computed directly without
determining geodetic Latitudes and Longitudes.
There are several methods or procedures of establishing
horizontal control and these are:
a. By Traverse
b. By Triangulation
c. By Trilateration
d. By Photogrammetric Techniques
e. By Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/ Global
Positioning System (GPS)
Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Horizontal Control Survey

 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

2. Vertical Control- establishes network of reference Bench Marks

(BM) or Datum. The elevations of these BMs are determined
usually with respect to Mean Sea Level (MSL) or some other
arbitrary selected datum.
There are several methods of establishing Vertical Control
Surveys, the choice of which is dependent on accuracy
requirement, and these are:
a. Differential Leveling
b. Trigonometric Leveling
c. Barometric Leveling
d. Vertical Control by Global Navigation Satellite System
(GNSS)/ Global Positioning System (GPS)
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Horizontal Control Survey

a. Control by Traverse- a series of horizontal distances and directions are
observed to connect points whose positions are to be determined.
Traverses for Control Surveys consist of Closed Polygons with most of
the sides and angles measured directly in the field using Engineers
Transit and tape, Theodolite and tape, and Total Station and prism.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Horizontal Control Survey

b. Control by Triangulation- is consist of networks of geometric figures

wherein all of the angles are directly measured and the sides are
determined by trigonometric computation.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Horizontal Control Survey

c. Control by Trilateration- is consist of networks of geometric figures

wherein all of the sides are measured directly and the angles are
determined by trigonometric computations.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Horizontal Control Survey

d. Control by Photogrammetric- is employed to graphically densify ground

control points from a network of established control monuments using
aerial photographs.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Horizontal Control Survey

e. Control by GNSS/GPS- is the determination of position on the earth

surface using portable electronic receiver that accept geo-spatial
positioning signal from satellite navigation system.
Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Horizontal Control Survey

 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Vertical Control Survey

a. Differential Leveling- is the determination of elevation differences
between series of ground point in a network that are connected by short
series of horizontal lines through direct observations either on
graduated rods using engineers transit or theodolite or prism using
total station.
b. Trigonometric Leveling- involves measurement of vertical angle and
either the horizontal or slope distance between the two points in order
to determine their difference in elevation.
c. Barometric Leveling- is the determination in difference of elevation
between two (2) or more points using either mercurial or aneroid
barometer.
d. Vertical Control by GNSS/GPS- is the determination of elevation of
points on the earth surface using portable electronic receiver that
accept geo-spatial positioning signal from satellite navigation system.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Types of Horizontal Control Surveys (as per DENR Administrative

Order No. 2007-29)

1. Geodetic Control Surveys shall refer to the surveys conducted

covering extensive areas which take into account the curvature
and the geoid-spheroidal shape of the earth at sea level for the
purpose of establishing basic network of reference points,
covering the first and second order controls.
2. Project Control Surveys - shall refer to the surveys conducted to
establish the positions of points of reference for projects with a
limited geographic coverage such as a municipality, a large
isolated tract of land, a group settlement, a barangay or group of
municipalities, covering primary control (third order), secondary
control (fourth order) and tertiary control.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

1. Geodetic Control :
Accuracy Relative Error Linear Error Nominal space Vertical
Accuracy
First Order 1/100,000 1 cm per km 50 km 4.80 mm
multiplied by
the square root
of the Distance

Second Order 1/50,000 2 cm per km 25 km 8.40 mm.

multiplied by
the square root
of the Distance

Third Order 1/20,000 5 cm per km 12.0 mm.

multiplied by
the square
roots of the
Distance

Fourth Order 1/10,000 10 cm per

km
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

2. Project Control :
Accuracy Area to be Accuracy Relative Linear Vertical
Control Controlled of Error Error Accuracy
Geodetic
Control

12.0 mm.
Primary Over 15,000 3rd Order 1/20,000 5 cm per multiplied
Control hectares km by the
square root
of the
Distance

Secondary 1,500 to 1/10,000 10 cm per

Control 15,000 4th Order km
hectares

Tertiary Less than 1/5,000 20 cm per

Control 1,500 km
hectares
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Some Terms to Remember:

1. Triangulation- is a method for extending horizontal control for reference
and development purposes which require observations of triangular
figures whose angles are measured and whose sides are determined by
trigonometric computations.
2. Triangulation System- consists of a series of triangles in which one or
more sides of each triangle are also the sides of adjacent triangles. This
is also known as Triangulation Network.
3. Triangulation Station- are the vertices of the triangles in a triangulation
system. These are marked on the ground by concrete monuments and in
the cadastral survey project are known as Location Monuments.
4. Trilateration- is a method used for establishing horizontal control survey
by measuring horizontal distances.
5. Baseline- is one of the lines in a triangulation network whose length is
measured with high degree of accuracy and its true direction is
determined by astronomical or more modern observation technique such
as GNSS.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Some Terms to Remember:

6. Check base- is one of the lines in a triangulation network whose length is
also measured with high degree of accuracy and maybe located at
regular intervals or at end of a triangulation network. It serves as a check
for triangulation computations involving lengths of the lines.
7. Least Squares Method- is a method of adjustment used in a triangulation
systems and other types of control surveys. It is based on the theory of
probability and is used to simultaneously adjust the angular linear
measurements to make the sum of the squares of the residuals a
minimum. The resulting figures are the best computed figures that would
fit the network.
8. Station Adjustment- an approximate adjustment used in triangulation
network of lower order of accuracy wherein the main objective is to make
the sum of the angles about each triangulation station equal to 360 and
is sometimes called Local Adjustment.
9. Figure Adjustment- is a method used for adjusting the triangulation
network of lower order of accuracy wherein the sum of the three (3)
angles in each triangle is equal to 180.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Horizontal Control Survey

a. Traverse- there are three (3) types

of Traverses:

1) Loop Traverse- it start from a

station and closing into
another station of the same or
another traverse.

2) Circuit Traverse- it closes to

the point of origin.

3) Loose Tie Line or Connection

Traverse- is a traverse which
does not close into another
station of the same or of any
other traverse.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

b. Triangulation- there are different geometric figure arrangements used to

form triangulation system which can be used for a particular survey. Four
of the commonly used types include:
1) Chain of single and independent triangles- is the simplest form
of triangulation network since it involves a minimum of angular
measurements and calculations for the amount of area
covered. This is not the most accurate method since it lacks
certain checks to balance small errors which are certain to
occur even in the most careful work. It is usually employed in
long and narrow surveys of low precision such as valleys or
peninsula.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

2) Chain of quadrilaterals formed with overlapping triangles- it is the

most commonly used triangulation network wherein the area
involved is long and narrow which requires survey with high degree
of precision. Each figure is composed of two (2) pairs of overlapping
triangles which gives the maximum opportunity for the distribution of
angular errors. In the individual quadrilateral there is no triangulation
station at the intersection of the diagonals.
In the quadrilateral f i g u r e, there are eight (8)
independent a n g l e s to be measured and four (4)
geometric conditions which must be satisfied. The figure
also allows p o i n t positions to be calculated by four (4)
independent routes for mathematical checks.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

3) Chain of polygons or central-point figures- this is composed of

a group of triangles with a station at its common vertex. It is
used when horizontal control is to be extended over a wide
area involving a large number of points such as a large
triangulation survey for a city.
Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

4) Chain of polygons each with an extra diagonal- this is

composed of a group of triangles with a station at its
common vertex. It is used when horizontal control is to be
extended over a wide area involving a large number of
points such as a large triangulation survey for a city. In
some cases wherein the central point figure is skewed, it
can be further strengthened by using an extra diagonals.
Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2
Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Things to Remember in the Choice of Figure

in a Control Survey
It is important and very essential that only well-shaped figures be used
in the triangulation network since the error in measurement of lines
and angles, no matter how small, will affect the computed values.
The ideal shaped triangle is equilateral and the ideal shaped
quadrilateral is a perfect square.
However, field conditions do not readily provide such perfect figures
and the usual situation is to select figures which only tend to
approximate the ideal.
If a choice is available, figures sufficiently nearest to the ideal should
be used to maintain the accuracy of computed lengths of sides in the
network from the measured line to the next.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Things to Remember in the Choice of Figure

in a Control Survey
In any triangulation network the computation of sides will involve only
two (2) or three (3) angles of each triangle.
In the length computations, the angles used are referred to as the
Distance Angles. These angles are always opposite the known and
required sides of the triangle.
The remaining angles of each triangle can be used to carry forward the
direction and is called the Direction Angles or Azimuth Angles.
S X Y
d e
c f

R T
If the occupied point is Pt. R,
then Angle is the Distance
Angle, also, Angles and are
the Direction Angles
a g
b h
W Z
If the occupied point is Pt. W,
then Angles a and b are the
Distance Angles, also, Angles c,
d, e, f, g and h are the Direction
Angles
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

In trigonometry, it is shown that the differences in the logarithmic sines

for angles near 90 are very small, and are very large for angles near
0 and 180. Therefore, avoid distance angles near 0 and 180.
The ideal distance angles should be between 30 and 150 or
preferably 90.
By carefully selecting the location of stations for a triangulation network
during the reconnaissance this desirable conditions may be achieved.
Figures of triangulation containing interior angles within these specified
limits are referred to a strong figures.
Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

Fieldwork No. 2
Inclined Stadia Sights
Instruments and Accessories Needed:
1- Engineers Transit
1- Steel Tape
1- Stadia Rod
1- Pentel Pen or any marking pen
Procedure:
1. The instructor will designate two (2) points in the field, one (1) is above
the horizon (an elevated point) and the other one (1) is below the
horizon (depressed point) that are to be observed by the group. These
are the locations wherein the rod is to be placed and serves as target.
2. Mark a point on the floor at a certain distance from the designated
targets and marked it as Point A. The point A should be located in
such place wherein both the designated targets can be seen.
3. Set up and level the Engineers Transit over Point A with telescope
horizontal and facing the designated elevated target.
4. With the use of the level or stadia rod, measure the actual height of the
instrument above the occupied point and record this as the HI.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

5. Direct the rodman to hold the leveling or stadia rod at the designated
target, Pt. B, and take a foresight on the rod.
6. Using the telescope of the Engineers Transit, get the rod readings of
the Upper, Middle, and Lower Cross Wires. The Middle Wire reading is
the Rod Reading (RR).
7. Read and record the vertical angle () Indicate its corresponding sign.
An angle of elevation is a plus sign (+) angle.
8. Transfer the leveling or stadia rod at the designated depressed point,
call it as Pt. C. Repeat No. 6 and 7, this time the angle of depression is
to be designated a minus sign (-) angle.

Computation:
1. Tabulate all measured values accordingly.
2. Subtract the reading of the Lower Cross Wire from the Upper Cross
Wire. This is the value of Stadia Interval S.
3. Assume the value of the stadia constant factor K as 100.
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

4. The horizontal, vertical, and inclined distances are determined by

the following formulas:
ID= ( K x S x Cos ) + C
HD= (K x S x Cos2 ) + ( C x Cos )
VD= (K x S x Cos ) x (Sin ) + (C x Sin )

Where:
ID= Inclined Distance
HD= Horizontal Distance
VD= Vertical Distance
K= Stadia Constant Factor (assumed to be 100)
S= Stadia Interval
C= Stadia Constant or Instrument Constant, it is the
distance from the center of the instrument to the
principal focus.
For External Focusing telescope, C maybe considered
as 30 cm, while for Internal Focusing telescope, C is
negligible and assumed to be zero (0 cm).
= is the observed vertical angle
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2
Example:
B

a= 0.566
c= 0.462
b= 0.357

a= 1.765
c= 1.640
b= 1.515
+1535 C

810
HI= 1.25 m
B-C
A
Elev= 22.86 m

B-C
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

HI= 1.25 m Elev. A= 22.86 m K=100 C= 0

Wire Reading Stadia Distance

Sta. Sta. Vert.
S
Occ Obs Angle
UW MW LW HD VD ID

C 1.765 1.640 1.515 0.250 -810

B 0.566 0.462 0.357 0.209 +1535

Sample:
For Pt. B:
ID= (KxSxCos ) + C = (100x0.209xCos(1535))+ 0

HD= (KxSxCos2 ) + (C xCos ) = (100x0.209xCos21535) +(0xCos 1535)

VD= (KxSxCos ) x (Sin ) + (CxSin )

= (100x0.209xCos 1535) x (Sin 1535) + (0xSin 1535)
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

HI= 1.25 m Elev. A= 22.86 m K=100 C= 0

Wire Reading Stadia Distance

Sta. Sta. Vert.
S
Occ Obs Angle
UW MW LW HD VD ID

C 1.765 1.640 1.515 0.250 -810

B 0.566 0.462 0.357 0.209 +1535

Sample:
For Pt. C:
ID= (KxSxCos ) + C = (100x0.250xCos(810))+ 0

HD= (KxSxCos2 ) + (C xCos ) = (100x0.250xCos2810) +(0xCos 810)

VD= (KxSxCos ) x (Sin ) + (CxSin )

= (100x0.250xCos 810) x (Sin 810) + (0xSin 810)
 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

HI HI
VD
VD

Elev C = (Elev. A + HI) ( VD + RR)

B
VD VD B

HI

A A

Elev B = (Elev. A + HI + VD) RR

 Department of Geodetic Engineering
GE 221 General Surveying 2

HI= ____ m Elev. A= 120.00 m K=100 C= 0

Wire Reading Stadia Distance

Sta. Sta. Vert.
S
Occ Obs Angle
UW MW LW HD VD ID