Civil Engineering

301. Surveying I.  Plane surveying applied to engineering projects; probability theory of errors in measurement; traverse and triangulation; linear and angular measurements; computations of areas and volumes; coordinate surveying; evaluation of instruments.  Extended use of digital computers.  Two lectures, one two-hour problem period.  Fall  (Cr. 3)

 

Prerequisites:  Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry; Basic understanding of drafting; Basic plan reading; Elements of plotting.

 

Course Goals:     

  1. To introduce the student to modern methods of solving field and office surveying problems.

  2. To introduce the student to computer methods. 

  3. To learn the use of the Theodolite and EDM to develop the ability to determine how measurements determine design basis.

  4. To introduce the student to the proper presentation of field data.

 

Course Objectives:

 

The student will be able to  

  • Compute corrections, adjustments and errors in traverse measurements.

  • Solve traverse closures.

  • Solve elevation differentials.

  • Solve area and volume problems.

  • Carry out topographic presentations; and mapping.

  • Have general facility with instruments and capability of correcting inherent instrument errors. 

Course Syllabus

 

Textbook:  B. Austin Barry, Construction Measurements, 2nd Edition, John Whley and Sons, 1988; R.C. Brinker, B. Austin Barry, and Roy Minnick, Noteforms for Surveying Measurements, 2nd Edition, Landmark Enterprises, Rancho Cordova, CA, 1981.

 

References:  B. Austin Barry, Errors in Practical Measurement in Science, Engineering, and Technology, John Wiley Publishers, New York, 1978; Anderson, Mikhail, Surveying - Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition, McGraw-Hill

 

Topics:

 

Course Project (including major items of equipment and instrumentation used): 

  1. Calibration of steel tape and use of tape.  2 lectures

  2. Simple traverse: taping and elementary angular measurement, RPM.  5 lectures

  3. Use of direction instruments.  4 lectures

  4. Leveling.  4 lectures

  5. Computation of traverse, areas, volumes.  5 lectures

  6. Planimeter use for area.  1 lectures

  7. EDM field use and computation.  3 lectures

  8. Topographic mapping.  2 lectures

  9. Horizontal circular curves.  2 lectures

  10. Vertical parabolic curves.  2 lectures

  11. Testing including Final Exam.  8 hours

 

Computer Usage:  Traverse, inverse, resection, and coordinate work on hand-held calculators (HP 15-C or equal) and HP-85 (with software).  Traverse calculations also performed by selected computer programs.

 

Course Projects (Field Work)

  1. Surveying instruments and equipment  6 lectures

  2. Basics of leveling, use of angle instruments, and using points on ground  8 lectures

  3. Traverse: field work and computation methods including areas and volumes   8 lectures

  4. Elements of plotting  4 lectures

ABET category content as estimated by faculty member who prepared this course description:  Engineering Science: 3 credits (100%)

 

Prepared by:      Howard F. Greenspan                  Date: February 22, 2001