COT 269
ELEMENTARY SURVEYING
Text: Schmidt, Milton O. and Kam W. Wong. Fundamentals of Surveying, Third edition
MATERIALS NEEDED: MECHANICAL PENCIL, CALCULATOR WITH TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS, ENGINEER’S SCALE, PROTRACTOR, AND COMPASS.
Prerequisite: none
Explore the use of surveying equipment such as tape, level transit and theodolite to establish bench marks, give line and grade, layout building sites, run cross sections, do slope staking, run simple transverse, stake a curve and perform a staditransit survey.
Course Outline:
Introduction
to Surveying; History of Surveying
How to use the instruments
How surveying is used in building Construction
Use of steel tape
Road surveying
Lines and levels
Determining plumbness
Theodolite use
Theodolite use
Theodolite use
Theodolite use
GPS
GPS
Practical Exercise
Practical Exercise
Click Here for Explanation of the Department Policy
SYLLABUS
Welcome to Elementary Surveying! The purpose of this class is to introduce basic land surveying methods. This course is not designed as a training course on modern equipment, nor is it designed to make one an expert in specific surveying tasks. Rather, my hope is to provide the student with core knowledge of basic surveying concepts that can be applied in subsequent courses or work experience. Hopefully, after completing this class, you will think about surveying like a surveyor and not just a technician.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is mandatory, and unexcused absences will not be tolerated. More
than two unexcused absences will result in dropping one letter grade per absence.
Unexcused missed quizzes and assignments cannot be made up, and will be counted
as zero. Everybody must take the final exam on the assigned day.
GRADING:
Grades will be determined based on attendance, weekly homework assignments (5%
of total grade), field exercises (10%), three quizzes (10% apiece), one mapping
assignment (20%), one three-page paper (10%), and a comprehensive final exam
(25%). Weekly homework will not be graded, but checked to determine a reasonable
effort has been put forth.
FIELD EXERCISES:
When weather permits, we will be going outside to practice concepts we discuss
in class. Grades for this will be based on effort, participation, and quality
of field notes.
QUIZZES:
There will be three quizzes throughout the course of the semester. At least
1-week notice will be given prior to each quiz. Quizzes will cover material
previously discussed; no new material will be on the quiz. I want to try to
avoid forcing you to memorize formulas, and will provide them on the quizzes.
MAPPING ASSIGNMENT:
There will be a mapping assignment due at the end of the semester that will
encompass the surveying methods covered in the class. More about this will be
discussed later in the quarter. The fieldwork for this assignment will be done
on class time, and the drafting will be homework.
PAPER ASSIGNMENT:
One three-page paper will be due, with the subject being some historical aspect
of surveying. The primary purpose of the paper is to give the student a chance
to do some learning outside of normal classroom discussion. Surveying has a
rich history, and it is important that students of surveying understand its
history, especially for a complete understanding of the U.S. Public Land System.
Also, a competent surveyor must be able to express hi/her self in writing. The
paper may be handed in at any time during the semester, but no later than one
week before the last class. Please tell me the topic you will be writing on
before beginning.
FINAL EXAM:
There will be a comprehensive final exam at the time determined by the College.
Mathematics is a big part of surveying. Those of you who wish to go on in the
field are strongly encouraged to pursue math courses. Math is not required for
this class; however, we will be applying some basic mathematical concepts. I
will provided all the formulas and make clear when they’re needed. The
ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide is necessary for this class.
I will introduce simple mathematical concepts such as significant digits and
rounding which are essential for a full understanding of surveying methods.
Finally, participation in class is strongly encouraged. I want this to be a highly participatory, hands-on class. If discussions take us off the track of the class outline and cause us to miss subjects planned for the final weeks, so be it. My intention is to get you to approach measurement and layout problems like a surveyor, which can be accomplished by covering a minimal number of subjects.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Students are responsible for conducting themselves in a professional, adult
manner. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating on exams, plagiarism
on written assignments, and disruptive behavior in the classroom or during outdoor
exercises. All of the above are strictly prohibited at Triton College, and a
student caught engaging in any of these activities is subject to expulsion from
the class with an F for the course.
LECTURE TOPICS
WEEK 1:
Introduction
Surveying defined (ch. 1)
Shape of the Earth
Errors, precision vs. accuracy, significant digits (ch. 2)
WEEK 2 & 3:
Distance measurement-Taping (ch. 3)
Units and conversions
Tapes and accessories
Taping distances
Corrections
Field notes
Electronic distance measurement (ch. 6)
WEEK 3 & 4:
Leveling (ch. 4)
Elevation datum
Basic principal of a level
Types of levels and rods
Stadia
Errors and corrections
WEEK 5, 6, & 7:
Angle measurements (ch. 5)
Units of angular measurement
Horizontal and vertical angles
Bearings and azimuths
Angle measuring instruments
Transits
Theodolites
Scale reading
Digital
Electronic
Errors and corrections
WEEK 8, 9, 10, & 11:
Mapping
Traverse (ch. 8)
Loop traverse
Open traverse
Stadia, plane tables, total stations
WEEK 12, 13, & 14:
Trigonometric leveling
Plotting
Drawing a map
Plotting contours
WEEK 15:
Land surveying
Boundaries
Rural and urban surveys
U.S. Public Land Systems
Subdivision of townships
Legal descriptions
FIELD TOPICS
Distance measurement
Taping
Measuring distances
Layout by taping
EDM demonstration
Leveling
Setting up level
Simple leveling
Level loop
Angle measurement
Setting up theodolite
Simple angular measurements-horizontal and vertical
Mapping
Indirect measurement
Traverse
Trigonometric leveling
Topographic mapping