Surveying is the technique, profession, art, and science of determining the terrestrial two-dimensional or three-dimensional positions of points and the distances and angles between them. It is an essential element in the development of the human environment since the beginning of recorded history and is used in most forms of construction, transport, communications, mapping, and the definition of legal boundaries for land ownership. Surveying is also an important tool for research in many other scientific disciplines.
The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) defines surveying as the science and art of making all essential measurements to determine the relative position of points or physical and cultural details above, on, or beneath the surface of the Earth, and to depict them in a usable form, or to establish the position of points or details. During a survey, surveyors use various tools to do their job, such as a total station, which is the currently preferred surveying equipment in the industry.
There are different types of surveying techniques, including:
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Construction surveying: This is useful for assessing the arrangement of the buildings, roads, power lines, gas mains, and other structures surrounding potential construction sites. Analyzing this information makes it easier to plan construction projects.
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Topographic surveying: This analyzes the shape and physical features of a particular landscape. Engineers assess the height of different geographical coordinates and then draw contour lines to indicate areas of the same elevation. They can then use these findings to create topographical maps and to assess terrain for future building or infrastructure projects.
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Land surveying: This is used to determine the boundaries of a piece of land, including its size and shape. It is often used in real estate transactions, property development, and land-use planning.
In summary, surveying is a crucial aspect of civil engineering and is used to determine the relative position of points or physical and cultural details above, on, or beneath the surface of the Earth.
