Surveying Terminology Quiz

Study Notes

Surveying Terminology

Surveying: The science of determining positions, distances, angles, and elevations on the Earth's surface.
Benchmark (BM): A permanent reference point with a known elevation, used as a baseline for leveling.
Datum: A reference surface used for horizontal or vertical measurements (e.g., mean sea level).
Control Points: Surveyed points that serve as references for additional measurements or layout work.
Traverse: A series of interconnected lines with measured angles and distances, used to establish control.
Stationing: A method of marking and referencing points along a linear project, like a road or pipeline.
Stakeout: The process of marking physical locations on-site based on design plans.
As-Built Survey: A survey conducted after construction to ensure the project matches the design.
Right-of-Way (ROW): A legally defined area where infrastructure can be built or accessed.
Cut and Fill: Earthwork operations to lower high points (cut) or raise low points (fill) to meet design grades.
Horizontal Alignment: The plan view layout of a project, showing the path's geometry.
Vertical Alignment: The profile view of a project, showing elevations and slopes.
Theodolite: An instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
Total Station: Combines a theodolite and distance measurement to determine precise positions.
Auto Level: A self-leveling instrument used for elevation measurements.
Laser Level: A device projecting a laser beam to establish level or plumb lines.

GPS and EDM

GPS (Global Positioning System): A satellite-based system for locating points with high precision.
EDM (Electronic Distance Measurement): A device that measures distances electronically using light or sound waves.

Surveying Methods

Leveling: Determining the relative heights of points on the Earth's surface.
Triangulation: A surveying method that determines positions using angles and distances from known points.
Resection: Locating an unknown point by measuring angles to three known points.
Offset: A perpendicular distance from a baseline or survey line to a feature.
Interpolation: Estimating unknown elevations or values between known points.
Parallax: An apparent shift in an object's position caused by a change in the observer's viewpoint.
Angle of Elevation: The angle between a horizontal line and a line of sight upward.
Angle of Depression: The angle between a horizontal line and a line of sight downward.

Error Analysis

Systematic Error: Consistent errors caused by flaws in equipment or methods.
Random Error: Unpredictable errors due to environmental or observational factors.

Terrain Representation

Contour Line: A line on a map connecting points of equal elevation, used to represent terrain.
Prolongation: Extending a survey line beyond its original measured length.