1. Lecture 2 Introduction Continued
Reasons for a survey
History of Surveying, and
Types of surveys

2. Common reasons for performing a survey?
Gather Data
Determine
Horizontal displacement of points
Elevation of point(s)
Difference in elevation above or below a Datum
Shape or relief of an area – Topography
e.g. stream or road profile
Directions of lines
Length of lines
Spatial positions of property lines – Property/Boundary Survey
Area (acres/hectares)

3. Other types of survey functions
Stake out points
Measure profiles
Lay off distances and angles for construction of
Buildings
Assembly Lines
Roads
Utilities

4. Surveyor’s work is divided into the following categories:
Decision making
Type of equipment ?
Techniques/methods ?
Field work/data collection – detective work
Resources
Registry of Deeds
Tax Assessor
Owner/Neighbor
Evidence
Old Monuments/blazes
Old wire or stone wall
Plow line/ tree line

5. Categories of Surveyor’s work (cont.)
Computation/reduction of field notes
Computer programs
Preparation of final products
Maps
Plats
Deed descriptions
Creation of GIS
Summary reports
Credits: Satellite Imaging Corporation

6. Categories of Surveyor’s work (cont.)
Stake out
Setting monuments
Establish property boundaries
Construction reference points – (Bench Marks)

7. History of Surveying Earliest evidence
Stone Map of Babylon (2500 B.C.)
Egyptian written records (1400 B.C.)
Rope-stretchers replaced corners posts along the Nile River
Greeks – last decade of first century A.D.
Developed geometry as a science
Expanded the use of math

8. Clay-tablet, circa 2500 B.C. Oldest known
Map, discovered in northern Mesopotamia.
Note the mountain ridges on the left and right

9. Map of the World circa 2500 B.C

10. History of Surveying (cont.)
Romans developed surveying as we know it
Engineered cities
Designed roads (All roads lead to Rome!)
Aqueducts & Sewer systems
Middle Ages Arabians in Islam world
Progressed surveying with Practical Geometry
13th Century – Von Piso
1st textbook on surveying “Practica Geometria”
Stadia – using cross-staff to measure distances

11. History of Surveying (cont.) 18th, - 21st Centuries
Surveying advanced rapidly
National Boundaries
England, France, and U.S.
U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (1807 – 1867)
NGS – National Geodetic Survey (1867- Present)

12. US C&GS - NGS
Images from USGS Archives

13. History of Surveying (cont.)
Past 100 years
Land values increased exponentially
Transportation systems require instant & precise positioning
New equipment for Space Exploration and National Defense
All above have lead to the development of the following:
EDM (Electronic Distance Meters)
TSU (Total Station Units)
Digital aerial cameras
GPS
GIS
CAD
Inertial Guidance Systems
Wireless technologies
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging

14. History of Surveying cont.)
Conventional equipment such as :
Transits
Magnetic compasses
Tapes & Chains are being replaced
New equipment requires highly trained professionals
Basic theories, concepts & Principles remain
Image by Julian Dates
Lensatic compass
Image by U S Forest Service

15. LiDAR Lidar point cloud of Boulder CO Stadium – Premier Geo company
Maya Temple courtesy University of
Central Florida Caracol Archaeological Project

16. Common Methods of Surveying
Plane Surveys
Cover a small area
Assume the site to flat & horizontal
The Plumb Line (gravity) parallel throughout
North/South lines are parallel
Measured angles are presumed to be plane angles
The type of surveying you will perform this semester
NOT accurate enough for establishing State & National Boundaries

17. Common Methods of Surveying (cont.)
Geodetic Surveys
Employed when surveying extensive portions of the earth
Account for curvature and Oblate spheroid shape
Performed by government agencies
Provide horizontal & vertical control for local Surveyors

18. Types and Surveys 1.) Boundary Surveys – the most stereotyped
A process to determine, locate, or retrace boundary lines on the earth’s surface
Requires Professional Registration – 50 states
Property
Land
Cadastral

19. Types and Surveys (cont.)
The land surveyor must have knowledge in the following areas:
Geodetic Surveys
Control Surveys
Topographic Surveys
Land
Surveyor
Aerial Surveys
Construction Surveys
Route Surveys
Principles and Design of Equipment
GIS, GPS & Mapping

20. Types and Surveys (cont.)
The land surveyor works with the following:
Attorneys
Clients
Real Estate Brokers
Highway Departments
Land
Surveyor
Bank & Loan Officers
Utility Companies
Planners
Title Insurance Companies
Municipal Planning & Appeals Boards
Engineering Firms
Environmental Groups & Regulators