What is Surveying

Surveying is an important branch of civil engineering because it is the first step in starting a new civil engineering project. A student must carefully study the fundamentals of surveying techniques in order to understand them. To begin learning to survey, one must first understand what surveying is and why it is important.

Surveying is the process of determining the relative position of various features on, above, or beneath the earth’s surface using direct or indirect measurements and then representing them on a sheet of paper known as a plan or map.

The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping says (ACSM),

Surveying is the science and art of determining the relative position of points or physical and cultural details above, on, or beneath the Earth’s surface and depicting them in a usable form, or establishing the position of points or details.

The technique of establishing points by predetermined angular and linear measurements is also included in surveying. The area and volume of a specific plot of land can be calculated using surveying plans, sections, and maps. A map depicts the horizontal projection of the surveyed area rather than the actual area. However, drawing sections accurately represent vertical distance.

Surveyors use a variety of tools to complete their work successfully and accurately, including total stations, GPS receivers, prisms, 3D scanners, radio communicators, digital levels, dumpy levels, and surveying software.

Importance of Surveying

Surveying knowledge is useful in many phases of engineering. Surveying is critical in any engineering project. Some of the fundamental significance of surveying are discussed below.

• The first requirement for surveying is to create a plan and a section of the area that will be covered by the project. Based on these prepared maps and sections, the best possible alignment, amount of earthwork, and other project-specific details can be calculated.
• Surveying measurements are used in the planning and design of all Civil Engineering projects such as railways, highways, tunneling, irrigation, dams, reservoirs, waterworks, sewerage works, airfields, ports, massive buildings, and so on.
• During project execution, any size project is built along the lines and points established by surveying.
  Land measurement and boundary establishment are impossible without surveying.
• A project’s economic and engineering feasibility cannot be properly determined without first conducting a survey.
• It is necessary to carry out hydrographic and oceanographic charting and mapping.
• Surveying is the process of creating a topographic map of the earth’s land surface.

Dumpy Level Survey

Surveying is a critical component of civil engineering. Surveying knowledge is insufficient without leveling knowledge. A dumpy level is a common tool for leveling. To become acquainted with this leveling instrument and learn how to use it, carefully read the following article.

The dumpy level is an optical surveying leveling instrument that consists of a telescope tube firmly secured in two collars attached to the stage by adjusting screws via the vertical spindle.

The dumpy-level telescope can only rotate in a horizontal plane. The dumpy level is used to determine the relative elevation of different points on surveying land.

The dumpy level was invented by William Gravatt, an English civil engineer. In 1832, he invented the dumpy level while using the conventional Y level.

Dumpy levels are also known as builder’s levels and automatic levels.

Use of Dumpy Levels in Surveying

In surveying, the dumpy level is primarily used for the following purposes:

• To determine the relative height and distance between different surveying land locations.
• To determine the relative distance between different surveying land locations.

Advantages of Dumpy Level Survey

The dumpy level is a commonly used surveying instrument. The benefits that have made the dumpy level so popular are listed below.

• Simple design with fewer moving parts.
• Fewer adjustments are required.
• Because of the rigidity of dumpy levels, it retains its two adjustments for an extended period of time.
• Optically powerful.

Disadvantages of Dumpy Level Survey

The dumpy level has few limitations or disadvantages. These restrictions are listed below.

• Accurate measurements may be difficult for civil engineers.
• Difficulty in usage.

Parts of Dumpy Levels

The following are the main components of the dumpy-level instrument.

• Telescope
• Eye-Piece
• Ray Shade
• Objective End
• Longitudinal Bubble
• Focusing Screws
• Foot Screws
• Upper parallel Plate
• Diaphragm Adjusting Screws
• Bubble Tube Adjusting Screws
• Transverse Bubble Tube
• Foot Plate

How to Use a Dumpy Level for Surveying

The following tools are required to conduct a dumpy-level survey.

• Dumpy Level
• Tripod
• E meter staff or English staff

A dumpy level survey will also necessitate the use of an assistant. When everything is in order, the following steps should be taken to ensure a successful dumpy-level survey.

• Initially, the tripod is properly configured to hold the dumpy level. Adjust the tripod height until it is level with your eyes. The tripod’s legs should then be adjusted to a balanced position in order to properly hold the instrument. Finally, the tripod legs should be secured to the ground by pressing them down.
• The dumpy-level instrument is mounted on the tripod’s top. The foot screw is used to secure the device to the tripod. Because the level head is so delicate, special care must be taken in this step.
• It is critical that the dumpy level be completely horizontal in order for it to function properly. The dumpy level is leveled by using foot screws (leveling screws). Adjust the leveling screws until the alignment bubble is in the center of the marker.
• The operator examines the telescope’s eyepiece.
• An assistant holds a vertical E meter or staff at the point of measurement. This staff usually has both imperial and metric measurements. The ‘E’ on the staff is five centimeters long.
• The instrument and staff are used to collect the elevations (levels) of various points.
• In most cases, measurement begins with a benchmark with a known height determined by a previous survey, or with an arbitrary point with an assumed height.

 Advantages and Disadvantages of Surveys

Surveys are simple to create, especially with today’s advanced survey software solutions. Many researchers are tempted to collect much of their data online; however, this is not always the best method, especially if respondents are in difficult-to-reach areas. The type of study and the demographics of respondents should determine whether a researcher uses an online survey, mobile survey, paper survey, or a combination of all modes.

Although online and mobile surveys are the most cost-effective modes of survey research, they may not reach those respondents who can only respond in other ways. If important respondents are excluded from the study, the results of online and mobile surveys may suffer and differ significantly. Respondents who are difficult to reach may be easier to reach using more traditional methods such as paper surveys or face-to-face interviews.

Advanced survey software platforms support multiple survey modes, including online surveys, mobile surveys, email surveys, paper surveys, kiosk surveys, and more, allowing researchers to survey even the most difficult-to-reach consumers and analyze data from all survey modes collectively.