BASICS OF
SURVEYING
Ivy Tech Community College
Surveying Definition
DEFINITION
The art and science of making such
measurements as are necessary to
determine the relative position of points
above, on, or beneath the surface of the
earth, or to establish such points in a
specified position
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MAJOR SURVEYS TYPES
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Property surveys - Determine boundary lines,
location of property corners, acquisition of
data to prepare land subdivisions
Route surveys - Designing and constructing
engineering projects associated with
transportation and communications
MAJOR SURVEYS TYPES
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Topographic surveys - Collect field data to
prepare topographic maps
Hydrographic surveys - Map shorelines of
water bodies, chart bottom areas of streams,
lakes, harbors, etc., measure flow of rivers,
assess other issues related to navigation and
water resources
Aerial surveys (photogrammetry) - Use
photographs mounted in specially designed
planes
MAJOR SURVEYS TYPES
Mine surveys
 Determine position of underground works
and surface mines, fix position and direction
of tunnels and shafts, define surface
boundaries
 Construction surveys
 Performed during building of structure or
project to fix elevation.
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SURVEY GEOGRAPHIC
REFERENCE – Page 810
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Latitude (φ) Lines run eastwest parallel to equator
Max angle 90°
South latitudes are negative
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Longitude (λ)
Lines run north south,
converge at poles
0° - Greenwich
Measured east and west 80° max angle
West longitude negative
Measured in Deg, Min, Sec
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DIRECTION
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Azimuth- clockwise angle
from north to Line.
Contains an angle between
0 and 360 degrees. (Page
810)
Bearing – angle measured
from north or south.
Contains an angle between
0 and 90 degrees. (Page
811)
Traverse – Page 812
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A traverse is a series of lines that each have
a known length and are connected by
known angles. Each traverse line is a
course, and each point where courses
intersect is a traverse station or station
point. When traversing you start with a
point of beginning (POB) and proceed to
utilize a traverse type.
Contour – Page 823
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Contour lines on a map show elevation. The markings on
the contour lines use the same concept at markings on a
ruler.
Heavy contour lines on a map are called INDEX
CONTOURS. Index Contours usually have elevations
labeled on them.
Lighter lines between the index contour lines are known as
Intermediate Contours and they are usually not labeled
with elevations on them.
You would need to count the number of Intermediate
contour lines between the heavy contour lines to determine
the elevation scale.
Cut and Fill Drawing – Page 828
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When designing a road, highway or
building site, portions of earth must be
removed (cut) from hillsides that are too
steep and added (filled) to valleys and low
spots. The amount of cut and fill can be
shown on the profile using contour lines.
Assignment # 9
Assignment # 9 is a site plan also known as
a plot plan. Sites can show topography with
contour lines or the numerical value of land
elevations can be given at certain locations.
 You will need to record the elevations at
each corner of the property boundary and
add this information to the drawing.
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Assignment 9
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Begin by copying the AutoCAD file named Contour_Map.dwg from
the DESNResources drive to your locker.
You may add your Architectural C layout to this file.
Use the layers defined in the original drawing.
Draw the property boundaries described in the linked Plat Drawing,
starting at the point of beginning marked on the contour map.
Label the property line bearings and distances.
Using the contour lines determine the elevation at each corner of the
property boundary and add these to your drawing text.
All text should be .125 high Century Gothic.
Plot your drawing on your Architectural C layout at 1/64 inch = 1 foot
scale in color and hand it in.