Surveying and Digital Mapping - 2019 entry

Surveying is a multidisciplinary skill that is applied to any area of science and engineering that requires the accurate measurement of natural and manmade features on the Earth’s surface. This highly practical module offers a hands-on opportunity to learn the fundamental surveying techniques, equipment and mathematics.

The course begins with the fundamental surveying techniques. This includes using surveying equipment to make spatial measurements (angles, distances and elevations), as well as the theory and mathematics involved with establishing control networks and use coordinate systems. As the module advances you will be introduced to how global navigation satellite systems are used in surveying, and be given an introduction to setting out and engineering surveying. This module is delivered in the form of lectures, workshops and practical sessions.

As well as learning the more traditional surveying methods and computational skills, the module also covers modern methods, including the use of total stations and the application of GNSS in surveying. You will also learn about the use of digital mapping techniques in surveying (AutoCAD), in particular with the manipulation and presentation of geospatial data. The practical sessions and workshops will allow you to use a variety of surveying equipment to further enhance the learning experience.

No prior knowledge of surveying is necessary and there are no pre-requisite modules needed to take this module.

This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental surveying techniques and introduces the standard surveying (equipment levels, theodolites, GNSS receivers and total stations). The course then continues to examine other methods of survey control and detail data capture, along with the computational skills required for these methods. By the end of this module the student should have all of the necessary skills to complete a topographic survey.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Understand the aims of surveying and the role of the surveyor in engineering;

2 Define coordinate systems on different scales and understand their origins and uses, and utilise the sexagesimal system of angular measurement;

3 Demonstrate knowledge and skills in different surveying techniques, including levelling, angle and distance measurement, traversing and coordinate calculations, area calculations, GNSS and setting out;

4 Display competency in the use of surveying equipment to obtain data including elevations from levelling equipment, angular measurements with a theodolite and distance measurement using EDMs/tapes;

5Undertake fundamental survey applications using equipment and to be able to correctly book data, perform the appropriate survey calculations, and critically analyse the data;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

6 Prove knowledge and capability in the use of digital mapping software (AutoCAD);

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

7 Use a wide range of academic skills in data acquisition (through the use of equipment), interpretation (through calculation) and communication of results;

8 Collect data from a range of sources and perform simple research tasks with external guidance;

9 Illustrate mapping skills through field-based activities and assessments;

10 Exemplify interactive and group-working skills throughout the assignments and field based exercises;

11 Apply given tools/methods accurately and carefully to a well-defined problem and begin to appreciate the complexity of the issues in the discipline.

Topic 1 – Introduction to Surveying: purpose of surveying, types of surveying, origination of coordinate systems, true, grid and magnetic north derivations, sexagesimal angular measurement, equipment used in surveying, outline of surveying techniques, introduction to mathematics in surveying (lecture, example sheet 1, classroom-based tutorial);

Topic 2 – Levelling: levelling techniques and purpose, vertical coordinate systems, equipment and types of levels used, booking of data, levelling calculations and checks, trigonometrical levelling methods, errors involved with levelling (lecture, example sheet 2, practical-based tutorial);

Practical session 1 – Levelling;

Topic 3 – Measuring Angles and Distances: types of theodolites and an explanation of their use, methods of reading both the horizontal and vertical circles, booking of data and consequent reduction and calculations, measuring of distances with EDMs (electromagnetic distance measurement), tapes and steel bands, linear surveying procedure, stadia tacheometry, errors involved in measuring angles and distances (lecture, example sheet 3, practical-based tutorial);

Topic 4 – Traversing and Coordinate Calculations: purpose and types of control surveys, traversing procedure including both an example of closed coordinate and open / link traverses, equipment specifications and choices, calculation procedures for closed traverses including angular adjustment, converting angles to bearings, partial coordinate calculations, traverse accuracy, Bowditch adjustments and subsequent coordinate calculations (lecture, example sheet 4, classroom-based tutorial);

Topic 5 – Detail Surveying: what is detail surveying, planning a topographical survey, role of a control network, methods of detail surveying, topographical features, data processing and the production of maps and plans (lecture);

Practical session 2 – Detail Surveying;

Introduction to AutoCAD (Lecture): what is AutoCAD, uses of AutoCAD, AutoCAD in surveying, AutoCAD commands and features, creating a layout, scale and AutoCAD units, creating a border;

AutoCAD Workshops: a series of three two-hour workshops to provide support during the production of a topographic plan using survey data collected during practical 2;

Topic 6 – Introduction to GNSS: development and importance of GNSS, different types of GNSS and applications, application of GNSS in surveying, GNSS positioning methods, errors in GNSS (lecture);

Topic 7 – Setting Out and Area Calculations: aims, principles and methods of setting out, uses and applications of setting out, control methods, equipment used in setting out, volume surveys, worked area calculations for straight and irregular bounded shapes (lecture, example sheet 5);

Topic 8 - Revision Session: at the end of term there will be a tutorial session covering the mathematics and theory covered during the module in preparation for the closed book examination (lecture, tutorial).

(Syllabus plan may be subject to change during term time).

As above, one piece of Coursework (40%) and/or one Exam (60%).

Basic Reading:

ELE - http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Web-Based and Electronic Resources:

CSM1028 Surveying and CAD ELE homepage – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2809

Reading list for this module: