surveying i. *special terms 1. surveying: measuring, and recording by means of maps, the earth ’ s...

SurveyingI. *Special Terms

1. Surveying: measuring, and recording by means of maps, the earth’s surface with the greatest degree of accuracy possible. Or: the practice of taking measurements of features on, and occasionally above or below, the earth’s surface to determine their relative positions.

2. Horizontal Plane: Perpendicular to the force of gravity.

3. Vertical Plane: In line with the direction of gravity.

4. Plumb Bob: Lead weights attached to a line to show the direction of gravity.

5. Tripod: a stand with three legs.

1 Wednesday, April 19, 2023

SurveyingI. Special Terms

6. Chain: A device 66 feet long (surveyor's chain) or 100 feet long (engineer's chain) for measuring distance. Breaking Chain: Measuring distance with less than the full length of the tape.

7. Transit: A telescopic device that can be used for measuring distances and horizontal and vertical angles.

8. Theodolite: A special kind of transit that gives more accurate readings of angles than a standard transit.

9. Stadia Hairs: Lines in a transit that are used in determining distance. “Stadia” is the plural of stadium, a Greek word for a measure of distance, about 607 feet.



11. Plane-table Alidade: a kind of telescope to measure both distances and vertical angles. It is set on a plane table (a flat table), which a surveyor can use as a drawing board to make maps in the field.

12. Contour Lines: The lines on a map that indicate points of equal elevations (heights).

13. Surveyor's Level: a kind of telescope with a bubble level, a tube of fluid with an air bubble in it. The surveyor can sight a level rod though the telescope in order to measure elevation.

14. Bench Mark: A point whose elevation has been previously determined and marked. It is used as a basis for additional measurements.



15. Altimeter: A device that measures elevation by means of atmospheric pressure.

16. Mosaic: In aerial surveying, an overlapping arrangement of photographs that eliminates distortion at the edges of the pictures.

17. Triangulation: In geodetic surveying, measuring a network of triangles based on points on the earth's surface.

18. Geological Survey: Determining underground conditions, such as types of soil and rock beneath the surface.

19. Boring: The process of bringing up samples of subsurface soil and rock by means of a hollow drill. Each sample is also called a boring.



20. Gravimeter: A device that measures the earth's gravitational pull.

21. Magnetometer: A device that measures the strength of the earth's magnetism.

22. Seismograph: A device that measurer the strength of vibrations (seismic waves) within the earth.

II. *Types of Surveying: plane and geodetic

1. Plane surveying is the measurement of the earth’s surface without considering its curvature. Within areas of about 20 km2, the earth’s curvature does not produce any significance errors in a plane survey.


Surveying2. Geodetic surveying is the kind of surveying whic

h accounts for the earth’s curvature, usu. made over large areas.

III. Purposes of surveying: determine the best and most economical location or route.

IV. *Contents of surveying: distances, elevations (height differences), angles, boundaries, and other physical characteristics of the site. (cf. physical conditions vs physical properties)

V. Device for measuring distance in plane surveying: steel tape and chain

VI. *Temperature factor in readings: The indicated length of a steel tape is in fact exactly accurate only at a temperature of 20 degrees centigrade.

VII. Exercises (due Wednesday, Week 3)6 Wednesday, April 19, 2023

SurveyingVII. Prefixes indicating numerals:

1. Demi- half e.g., demigod, demilune

2. Hemi- half e.g., hemicycle, hemisphere

3. Semi- half e.g., semiconductor, semifinal

4. Mono- one, e.g., monotonous, monograph

5. Uni- one , e.g., uniform, unite, unique

6. Bi- & di- two, e.g., dioxide, dialogue

7. Ambi-, amphi- two, e.g., ambiguous, amphibian

8. Du- double, two, e.g., dual, duetto

9. tri- trigonometry, trilogy

10. Quadri- & tetra- four e.g., quadrilateral, tetralogy

11. Penta- pentagon, pentachloride7 Wednesday, April 19, 2023

SurveyingIII. Prefixes indicating numerals:

12. Quin- five e.g., quintet, quintuplet

13. Hexa- & sex- e.g., hexahedron, sexennial, sextuple, sexagesimal

14. Hepta- & sept- e.g., heptagon, septavalent(septivalent), September

15. Oct- e.g., October, octopus

16. Ennea- & nona- e.g., enneagon, nonagon

17. Deca- & deci- e.g., decade, decagon, decimal, December


surveying i. *special terms 1. surveying: measuring, and recording by means of maps, the earth ’ s...

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