What is Surveying?


Surveying is defined as the science of making measurements of the earth specifically the surface of the earth. This is being carried out by finding the spatial location (relative / absolute) of points on or near the surface of the earth.Different methods and instruments are being used to facilitate the work of surveying. 

The primary aims of field surveying are :

  • to measure the Horizontal Distance between points.
  • to measure the   Vertical elevation between points. 
  • to find out the Relative direction of lines by measuring horizontal angle with  reference to any arbitrary direction. 
  • to find out Absolute direction by measuring horizontal angle with reference to a fixed direction. 

These parameters are utilised to find out the relative or absolute coordinates of a point location.

Importance of Surveying

The planning and design of all Civil Engineering projects such as construction of highways, bridges, tunnels, dams etc are based upon surveying measurements.Moreover, during execution, project of any magnitude is constructed along the lines and points established by surveying.Thus, surveying is a basic requirement for all Civil Engineering projects.

Other principal works in which surveying is primarily utilised are:

  • to fix the national and state boundaries;
  • to chart coastlines, navigable streams and lakes; 
  • to establish control points;
  • to execute hydrographic and oceanographic charting and mapping; 
  • to prepare topographic map of land surface of the earth.


Objectives of Surveying

  • To collect field data.
  • To prepare map or plan of the area surveyed.
  • To analyse and to calculate the field parameters for setting out operation of actual  engineering works.To set out field parameters at the site for further engineering works.

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