Types of Land Surveys

10 Questions

What is the primary purpose of Geomatics in society?

To contribute to social and political stability, quality of life, and the management of natural heritage and resources

Which ancient civilization is credited with developing the science of surveying?

Egyptians

What was the primary tool used by the early surveyors in ancient Egypt?

Ropes with markers at unit distance

Which of the following disciplines of Geomatics is most closely related to the management of natural resources?

Forestry Surveys

Who is considered the 'Great-Great Grandfather of Engineering' in the context of surveying?

Heron of Alexandria

What is the primary focus of City Surveys in Geomatics?

Urban planning and development

Which Geomatics discipline is most closely related to the measurement of spatial information in water bodies?

Hydrographic Surveys

What is the primary application of Geomatics in the field of construction?

Deformation monitoring and survey control

What is the name of the ancient Greek instrument used in surveying, attributed to Heron of Alexandria?

Dioptra

What is the primary focus of Cadastral Surveys in Geomatics?

Land division and property management

Study Notes

Types of Surveys

City surveys are conducted to plan expansions or improvements, locate property lines, and determine physical features of the land.
Construction surveys provide data on grades, reference lines, dimensions, and ground configuration for engineers, architects, and builders.
Forestry surveys are used for forest management and mensuration, and production and conservation of forest land.
Hydrographic surveys involve surveying bodies of water such as streams, lakes, reservoirs, harbors, and oceans.
Industrial surveys, also known as optical tooling, are used in shipbuilding, construction, and assembly of aircraft, and require very accurate dimensional layouts.
Mine surveys determine the position of underground excavations and surface mine structures, fix surface boundaries, and calculate excavated volumes.
Photogrammetric surveys use photographs taken from airplanes or ground stations to gather data.
Route surveys determine alignment, grade, earthwork quantities, and location of natural and artificial objects for linear projects.
Topographic surveys determine the shape of the ground and the location and elevation of natural and artificial features.

Classification of Surveys

Surveys are divided into two general classifications: plane and geodetic.
Plane surveying considers the earth as a flat surface and is used for limited extent surveys.
Geodetic surveying takes into account the spheroidal shape of the earth and is used for wide extent surveys.

Geomatics Engineering

Geomatics Engineering is the science concerned with the measurement, representation, analysis, management, retrieval, and display of spatial information.
It is an applied science and professional discipline that involves an integrated approach to measurement, analysis, management, and display of geographic and spatial data.
Geomaticians have specialist skills, knowledge, and understanding to provide services that meet the needs of society.

History of Surveying

The science of surveying began in Egypt around 1400 B.C.
Herodotus recorded that Sesostris divided the land of Egypt into plots for taxation, which required surveyors to replace boundaries after annual floods.
Heron of Alexandria (120 B.C.) is considered the Great-Great Grandfather of Engineering and applied science to surveying.
He wrote several important treatises, including the Dioptra, which related to surveying methods and calculations.