Quick Notes And Exercises

QUICK NOTES
AND
EXERCISES

ENGINEERING
SURVEY

LATEST EDITION

Norayahati Ngagiman, Nafisah Harun, & Hasliza Yusof

QUICK NOTES
AND
EXERCISES

ENGINEERING
SURVEY

LATEST EDITION

Published by :
Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah
Behrang Stesen, Behrang
35950 Perak.
Tel :05-4544431
Faks:05-4544993
Email : http://www.psas.edu.my

First published 2022.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrievel system,
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise without premission of Sultan Azlan Shah Polytechnics.

PERPUSTAKAAN NEGARA MALAYSIA

Quick Notes And Exercises Engineering Survey Latest Edition

eISBN

ENGINEERING SURVEY / DCC20063
Preface
The Quick Notes and Exercises For Polytechnic Students Latest Edition is an adoption of Surveying,
which was originally written to cater for diploma students in Polytechnic and other institutions of
higher learning. It is written for students pursuing their certificate and diploma courses, based on the
syllabusprescribed by the Ministry of Education for polytechnic students at diploma level nationwide.
This edition consists of five units such as Electronic Distance Measurement, Area and Volume, Mass
Haul Diagram, Curve Ranging and Setting Out. The contents of this book emphasize the basic
calculation of engineering surveying. The concepts in this book are explained in a clear and simple
language.
We would like to thank each person that is involved in the production of this revised book and it is our
hope that this book will serve its purpose in helping students to gain better understanding of the
course needed.

i

ENGINEERING SURVEY / DCC20063

CONTENTS 1-5
6-22
Preface 23-38
Chapter 1 39-53
Introduction Of Engineering Survey 54-62
63-75
Chapter 2
Leveling

Chapter 3
Area And Volume

Chapter 4
Theodolite Traverse

Chapter 5
Setting Out

Chapter 6
Curve Ranging

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INTRODUCTION OF ENGINEERING SURVEY/DCC20063

INTRODUCTION

Surveying is the art of making suitable measurements in horizontal or
vertical planes. This is one of the important course of civil engineering
field. Without taking a survey of the plot where the construction is to be
carried out, the work cannot begin.

PLANE SURVEY
-Carried out for engineering projects on sufficiently large scale to
determine relative positions of individual features of the earth surface.
-Plane surveys are used for the layout of highways, railways, canals, fixing
boundary pillars, construction of bridges, factories etc.

GEODETIC SURVEY
-Geodetic surveying is the survey in which the curvature of the earth is
taken into account and higher degree of accuracy in linear and
angular observations is achieved.
-Its divided to triangulation, reciprocal leveling, stadia, astronomical
survey, photographic survey.

Objective Of Surveying

to produce a setting out computation
map/plan surveying works
The information on
to show the relative the new works is The execution of
position of natural normally found in calculations for land
and artificial features setting out areas, for earthworks
documents
volumes

1|Page

INTRODUCTION OF ENGINEERING SURVEY/DCC20063

Engineering Astronomy Hydrographic Global
Survey Survey Positioning

System

Topographic Cadastral Geodetic
Survey Survey Survey

TYPES OF SURVEYING

2|Page

INTRODUCTION OF ENGINEERING SURVEY/DCC20063

1. Define plane survey.

2. State FIVE (5) purposes of Engineering Survey.

3. There are various types of land survey. Define :

topographic
survey

Hydrographic
survey

Engineering
survey

Utility Survey

3|Page

INTRODUCTION OF ENGINEERING SURVEY/DCC20063
4. Division of survey is divided by TWO (2), Geodetic survey and plane survey. List TWO (2)

differences for each division.

5. Explain FOUR (4) usage of survey.

6. State three(3) objective of surveying

4|Page

INTRODUCTION OF ENGINEERING SURVEY/DCC20063
7. Define the engineering survey and list THREE (3) main purpose of engineering survey works.

8. List FIVE (5) classification of surveying based on instrument used.

9. State five types of engineering survey
10. List FIVE (5) modern surveying instruments.
5|Page

LEVELING/DCC20063

LEVELING

Levelling is the process of measuring, by direct or indirect methods, vertical distances in order to
determine elevations.

CLOSE TRAVERSE
 The one that starts and ends at known

points and directions, whether the shape is
closed or not.
 A closed traverse can be a polygon {closed
shape} or link {closed geometry-open
shape}.

OPEN TRAVERSE
 Originates at a starting station, proceeds to its destination, and ends at a

station whose relative position is not previously known.

LEVELLING PURPOSE :

1) Determining the height of a particular point
2) Provide bench mark and temporary bench mark

3) Determining the contours of a land profile
4) Providing data for road cross-sections

5) Providing data to calculate volumes for earthworks
6) Setting out level surfaces for construction

7) Setting out inclined surfaces for construction

6|Page

LEVELING/DCC20063

1. Explain briefly the principle of leveling.

2. Explain the following definition and sketch

Term Definition sketch

HEIGHT

Mean Sea Level (M.S.L)

Bench Mark (B.M)

Temporary Batch Mark
(TBM)

Reduce Level (R.L)

Back sight (BS)

Foresight (FS)

7|Page

Term Definition LEVELING/DCC20063
Intermediate sight (IS) sketch

Change Point (CP)
Line of Collimation

Level Surface

3. Describe the procedure of temporary adjustment.

8|Page

LEVELING/DCC20063
4. Explain the procedures of permanent adjustment in leveling with the aid of a diagram.
5. Explain Two (2) functions of the following leveling equipment.

9|Page

LEVELING/DCC20063

6. Explain briefly the procedure of leveling.

7. Refer to figure below, decide the leveling term of Bench Mark, Back Sight, Fore Sight &
Change Point.

8. Explain the meaning of positive and negative value in difference of height.

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LEVELING/DCC20063

9. A contour line is a line on a map representing a line joining points of equal height on the
ground. Explain FOUR (4) characteristics of contour lines.

10. List advantages and disadvantages about rise and fall method and height of collimation
method.

Rise and fall Height of collimatiom

Advantages: Advantages:

Disadvantages : Disadvantages :

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LEVELING/DCC20063

TYPES OF TRAVERSE
11. Based on the picture below, decide types of traverse.

12.

EQUIPMENT
12. Label the empty boxes marked as A, B, and C based on automatic level instrument shown in

figure below.
A

C
B

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LEVELING/DCC20063

TRAVERSE CALCULATION
-RISE & FALL METHOD WITH CORRECTION & ARITHMETIC CHECK

13. Calculate the value of reduced level for each station by using Rise & Fall method.

Back Sight Intermediate Fore Rise Fall R.L. Remarks

Sight Sight

2.191 49.870 m

2.505

2.325

3.019 1.496

2.513

1.752 2.811

3.824

14. Levelling field work has been conducted by the DKA@ class. Based on reading in Table
below, calculate the reduced level for each point by using Rise and Fall Method used the
appropriate method for checking.

Back sight Inter sight Fore sight Rise Fall Reduced marks
1.030 Level
TBM=
1.680 1.400 0.980 44.640m
1.060
1.525 1.475 1.270 A(CP)
1.465 1.505 1.490 B
0.835
1.550 C(CP)
D(CP)

E
F(CP)

G
H

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LEVELING/DCC20063

15. Table below shows the leveling reading from a land surveying project. Calculate the final
reduced level by using Rise and Fall method.

BS IS FS Remarks
0.832 1.101 BM=75.360 m
1.261 2.167
BM=71.823 m
0.974 2.062
1.787 1.866
0.816 1.124
1.983

Back Inter Fore Rise Fall Reduced corr Final marks
sight sight sight
Level R.Level

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LEVELING/DCC20063

16. Calculate the value for Reduce Level for each point by using Rise & Fall method and show
the arithmetic check.

BS IS FS Rise Fall Reduce Level Remarks
1.600
1.413 1.060 BM 49.984 m
1.435 1.180
1.155 1.155 STAF A (CP1)
1.225 1.465
1.080 1.470 STAF B (CP2)
1.562
STAF C (CP3)

STAF D (CP4)

STAF E (CP5)

BM 49.984 m

17. Data of levelling survey work is given in Table below. Calculate:
i. Rise and fall
ii. Reduced level(RL)
iii. Arithmetic check

Back sight Inter sight Fore sight Rise Fall Reduced marks
1.111 Level
TBM1=
1.654 1.335 1.330 33.200m
1.230 2.091
A
1.750 B
2.001 C(CP)
D
E
TBM2=32.542

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LEVELING/DCC20063

18. Calculate the missing data.

BS IS FS Rise Fall Reduce Level Remarks

1.385 X 100.000 BM 100.000 m
0.395
1.430 X
X
X 0.210 X
X
X 1.275 X X CP

0.630 0.585 0.310 X CP

0.920 100.130

X X

1.740 X

19. Based on the data obtained in a level survey work as in the table below:

i. Find the reduced level for each point with rise & fall method
ii. Do the arithmetic checking
iii. Do correction if necessary to obtain final reduced level.

BS IS FS Rise /Fall Reduced Correction Final Remark
Level Reduced BA1 350.000 m

Level BA2 350.010 m

3.685

2.020

3.474 0.475

1.403

2.666 0.217

1.065

0.800 2.850

0.440 3.110

0.534 2.841

2.108

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LEVELING/DCC20063

20. The following readings in table below have been taken from a level field book. Calculate the
missing quantities and apply the necessary check.

BS IS FS Rise Fall R.L. Remarks
3.125 ? 1.325 124.18 BM
? 2.320 0.400 0.055 125.505 CP
? 2.655 0.735 ?
? 3.205 2.145 2.165 125.850 CP
1.620 3.625 ? ? ? CP
?
? TBM
123.090

21. The following consecutive readings were taken with a dumpy level from a leveling survey
work. The first reading was taken on a BM with unknown reduce level. The reduce level of the
second change point was 107.215 m. The instrument was shifted after the third and seven
readings. Calculate the reduce level of all the points with rise & fall method and conduct an
arithmetic check.

3.150 m, 2.245 m, 1.125 m, 3.860 m, 2.125 m, 0.760 m, 2.235 m, 0.470 m, 1.935 m, 3.225 m
and 3.890 m

BS IS FS Rise Fall R.L. Remarks

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LEVELING/DCC20063

22. The table, shows the data of observed leveling work for the construction road in Seremban.
Calculate the value of blank spaces in table below indicated with the symbol (??).

BS IS FS RISE FALL R.L REMARKS
2.390 0.405 ?? BM
?? 1.612 ?? 0.294 31.922 A
?? 1.318 ?? 0.514 32.589 B
0.532 0.087 1.099 ?? C (CP)
2.420 1.502 ?? 31.781 D
?? ?? E
30.769 F (CP)
?? TBM

TRAVERSE CALCULATION

-HEIGHT OF COLLIMATION WITH CORRECTION & ARITHMETIC CHECK

26. The surveyor from JUPEM conducted levelling surveying works and the information is stated as
in schedule below Table. Calculate the reduced levels (RL) for each stations by using Height of
Collimation.

Back sight Inter sight Fore sight HOC Reduced marks
0.663 Level TBM : 98.760
1.946 1.585 98.760 A
2.787 1.008 0.646
1.153 B
C(CP)
2.270
1.218 D
E
F(CP)

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LEVELING/DCC20063

27. Using the Height Of Collimation Method, calculate the reduced level for each point and show
the arithmetic checking.

BS IS FS HOC R.L Remarks
3.685 2.020 BM = 350.000 m
1.403 0.475 A
3.474 1.065 B
0.217 C
2.666 D
2.850 E
0.800 3.110 F
0.440 2.841 G
0.534 2.606 H
TBM = 349.500 m

28. A leveling work that carried out by DCE1 student recorded as table below and compute height of
collimation and find reduced level all point.

BS IS FS HOC R.L Remarks
1.430 BM (101.110)
1.911 1.111 0.870 A
1.001 2.130 2.412 B
C ( TP)
1.112 1.300 3.001 D
1.621 2.450 E
F ( TP)
0.900 G
0.800 H
0.920 I
J ( TP)
TBM (95.110)

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LEVELING/DCC20063

29. Calculate the value of the empty spaces in the leveling table below and calculate the values of
final reduced level.

BS IS FS HOC RL REMARKS
A 52.061 B BM 49.870
2.505 1.496 C
3.019 2.325 G E D TBM 48.710
H I 52.525 50.565
F 51.071
6.962 8.131 50.733
48.701

30. The following reading in Table below have been taken from a level field book. Calculate the
entries marked (X) and apply the necessary checks.

Back sight Inter sight Fore sight HOC Reduced marks
1.365 Level BM
2.545 3.550 2.945 457.195 CP
3.865 3.050 1.885 X 454.650 CP
2.670 2.550 X 455.830 CP
1.125 2.050 1.550 X 456.750
457.535 TBM

X
X
X
X
X

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LEVELING/DCC20063

31. The leveling measurements have been carried out from BM 119 where the reduced level is
70.325 m to the BM 120 where the reduced level is 72.905 m. Calculate the data by using Height
Of Collimation, HOC method.

1.257 1.266

1.300 2.407 2.514
0.877
2.304 0.945

1.693 3.704
1.211 1.000

BS IS FS HOC R.L Remarks

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LEVELING/DCC20063

CONTOURING
32. What are types of contour lines?

33. A contour line is a map line representing it joining points of equal height on the ground. Explain
four (4) characteristics of contour lines.

34. What is contour gradient?
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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

AREA & VOLUME

Estimation of area and volume is basic to most engineering schemes earthwork volumes must be estimated :
• To enable route alignment to be located at such lines and levels that cut and fill are balanced as far as
practical.
• To enable contract estimates of time and cost to be made for proposed work.
• To form the basis of payment for work carried out.

1 2

The rectilinear areas enclosed The irregular areas
by the survey lines of the strips between these lines and the boundary
1. Mathematical formula 1. Graphical method
2. coordinates method 2. Trapezoidal method
3. Simpson method

Volume Computation:

1. End area method
2. Prismoidal Method
3. Mid area Method
4. Spot Height & excavation method

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063
1. State FOUR (4) purposes of calculating the area and volume in the construction works.

2. Calculating area from a chain survey plot ABCDA. B
A 150 m 105 m

30 m
2.25 m

45 m 220 m
1.5 m

30 m
3.5 m

55 m 25 m 20 m 35 m 40 m C
D 2.45 m 1.62 m 3.7 m

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

Area From Coordinates
3. Calculate the area of the figure ABCDEF of which the coordinates are listed below.

Station Easting Northing

A 150 100
B 95.2 164.3
C 127.9 210.7
D 176.3 239.8
E 219.4 222.4
F 237.5 163.8
A 150 100

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

Areas Of Irregular Figure
4. List 4 method to solve irregular area.

5. Write the general formula for Prismoidal Method.

6. State FOUR (4) characteristics of Simpson rule to calculate the area enclosed by straight line and
curve.

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

7. From the figure below calculate the plot area that show at the table as below with using Simpson
Method.

B

80.0 m
A

45.0 m C
B1 2 3 4 5 C
Point 0 0.7 1.3 1.8 2.7 1.9 0
Offset 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Distance (m)

8. Calculate the size of the area by using Trapezoidal Rule. Given the distance between ordinates
are equal to 30 m in table below.

Ordinate Distance (m)
01 15.0
02 16.0
03 17.0
04 18.0
05 19.0

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

9. Calculate the area from offset 1 to 5 using Trapezoidal Rule. The distance between offset 1 and
2 is 10 m.

Distance (m) 1 2 3 4 5
Offsets (m) 1.250 1.140 2.520 2.312 0

10. Calculate the area between the chain line and the offset using Simpson Rule.

Distance (m) 0 6 12 18 24 30 36
3.15
Offsets (m) 5.40 4.50 3.60 2.70 1.80 2.25

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

11. Using Simpson Rule, calculate the area enclosed between the boundaries of the field as
shown in figure where offsets have been taken from a survey line at intervals of 25 m.

150 m 41.6 m
125 m 25.4 m

100 m 18.3 m

75 m 56.6 m

50 m 48.9 m

25 m 27.5 m

31.9 m

12. Calculate the volume using End Areas method and Mid Areas method.

Section Area (m2) Distance (m)
A1 120 0
A2 100 8
A3 40 16
A4 25 24
A5 0 32

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

13. According to table below, calculate the volume by using Prismoidal Method.

Ordinate Contour Area (m2)
A1 182 3150
A2 184 2460
A3 186 1630
A4 188 840
A5 190 210

Contour Lines
14. From the topographical map, the area enclosed within the contour lines and along the face of a
proposed dam are as given under :

Contour Area (square metres)
300 29750
295 26850
290 21050
285 18500
280 13440
275 8750
270 5180
265 735
260 30

Compute the volume of water in the reservoir formed, using :

i. Trapezoidal formula OR
ii. Prismoidal formula

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063
Earthwork (Cross Section, Contour Map & Spot Level)

15. Calculate the area of cross section that has breadth of formation as 10 m, center height as 3.2 m
and side slope as 1 vertical to 2 horizontal.

16. Compute the area of cross-section if the formation width is 12 m, side slopes are 1 to 1, average
height along the center line is 5 m and the transverse slope of the ground is 10 to 1.

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

17. A railway embankment is 9 m wide at formation level, with side slope of 2 to 1. Assuming the
ground to be level transversely, calculate the volume of the embankment is cubic meter in a
length of 180 m. The center height at 30 m intervals being 0.6, 0.8, 1.5, 1.8, 0.75, 0.3 and 0.67 m
respectively. Use Prismoidal method.

60

30
0

0.6

18. A railway embankment, calculate the volume contained in a 180 m length and the area or cross
section is 7.74, 16.56, 26.46, 21.375, 16.56, 12.015 and 7.75 m2. Using by end area method.

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

Spot Level Method

19. The following figure shows the reduced levels of a rectangular plot which is to be excavated to a
uniform depth of 9 m above datum. Calculate the average depth and the volume of earth to be
excavated.

Station Invert Level 20m 20 m
A 12.16 B
B 12.48 A C
C 13.01
D 12.56 15 m
E 12.87
F 13.53 15 m D EF
G 12.94 G HJ
H 13.27
J 13.84

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

20. The figure below shows the distribution of 12 spot heights with a regular 20 m spacing covering

a rectangular area which is to be graded to form a horizontal plane. Calculate the volume of the

earth. 20 m
20m

17.76 18.0 18.29 18.38
A B C D

20 m

17.52 17.69 18.11 18.24
E F G H

20 m J K L
17.32 17.63 17.76
I
17.18

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

21. The following figure shows the reduced levels of a triangle plot which is to be excavated to a
uniform depth of 9 m above datum. Calculate the average depth and the volume of earth to be
excavated.

20m 20 m
B
A C Station Invert Level
A 12.16
15 m B 12.48
C 13.01
15 m D EF D 12.56
G HJ E 12.87
F 13.53
G 12.94
H 13.27
J 13.84

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

MASS HAUL DIAGRAM

Mass Haul Diagram

• used to compare the economics of the various methods of earthwork distribution
on road or railway construction schemes. With the combined use of the MHD
plotted directly below the longitudinal section of the survey center-line

Purpose

• The distances over which cut and fill will balance.
• Quantities of materials to be moved and the direction of movement.
• Areas where earth may have to be borrowed or wasted and the amounts involved.
• The best policy to adopt to obtain the most economic use of plan.

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AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

22. Define mass haul diagram

23. List the usage of mass haul diagram

24. Decide cut and fill area if balancing line at 50m3 and balancing line at the datum.

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Cumulative volume AREA & VOLUME/DCC20063

Balancing line

25. Decide the borrow and waste from the MHD graph.

Cumulative volume Balancing line
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THEODOLITE TRAVERSE/DCC20063

THEODOLITE TRAVERSE

The important of the theodolite is
that is necessary use this

instrument to determine angles,
distance, depth etc

1. Reference before start work
-Datum

a) Bearing from certified plan.
b) Bearing from triangulation station.
c) Bearing from compass.
d) Bearing assumed.
2. Reference for each station
- Back Bearing Value

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THEODOLITE TRAVERSE/DCC20063

PERMENANT TYPES OF TEMPORARY
ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENT

PERFECTLY - SETTING UP
ADJUSTED
INSTRUMENT - LEVELING

- ELIMINATION OF
PARALLAX

Transit Bowditch
method method

Traverse
Calculation

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THEODOLITE TRAVERSE/DCC20063

Electronic Distance Measuring (EDM) Device and Data Recorder. An Electronic Distance Measurer
(EDM) can be used to place objects or points in three dimensions in relation to the unit. The EDM

emits a beam of infrared light that is modulated at a controlled rate.

Microwave Systems Laser system
• Pioneered by Wadley in South Africa.  Helium neon laser in commonly
• Measure distances from 50 m to 50 km.
• Reasonably compact, mounted on used as a carrier wave.
 Most successful being able to
standard tripods.
• Use both a Master and Remote device. measure distance and with good
• The signal is retransmitted from accuracy.
 Max range 30-60 km & accuracy 5
remote, phase measurements at mm+1 ppm.
Master.  Expensive.
 Less popular.

Electro optical system
 Less expensive, lighter, simlpler.
 The transmitter uses a gallium arsenaid (GaAS) diode diode.
 High frequency.
 Distance range up to 1 km (1 prism) & >3 km (3/9 prism).
 Accuracy ±10 mm.

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THEODOLITE TRAVERSE/DCC20063
1. Name THREE (3) component parts of digital theodolite.
2. List down FOUR (4) usage of EDM in survey and Civil Work.
3. State THREE (3) types of theodolite in traverse work.

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THEODOLITE TRAVERSE/DCC20063

4. List the advantage of EDM instrument compared to the conventional instrument.

EDM CONVENTIONAL INSTRUMENT

5. Briefly explain how to use the EDM tool to measure distance.

6. Explain briefly TWO (2) types of EDM error and its effects.
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THEODOLITE TRAVERSE/DCC20063

7. Define the terms for theodolite.
Back Bearing
Fore Bearing
Face Left
Face Right
Mean Bearing
Final Bearing
Reference Bearing

8. List THREE (3) common brands of theodolite.

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THEODOLITE TRAVERSE/DCC20063

TRAVERSE

9. Calculate the min bearing for each station in survey work

Stn Bearing Distance(M)

1-5 Datum from Prismatic Compass, PC 240025’ 00”

1-2 149° 16’ 15” 329° 16’ 21”

2-3 217° 30’ 12” 37° 29’ 26”

3-4 262° 10’ 44” 82° 10’ 13”

4-5 339° 11’ 12” 159° 10’ 38”

5-1 60° 27’ 13” 240° 27’ 10”

Stn Bearing Min From Stn Final Bearing To Stn

Face Left Face Right Bearing

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