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Surveying is concerned with the accurate measurement and position of points on the Earth's surface, and to the establishment of boundaries. It basically achieves this by measuring the relative horizontal and vertical position of points on the ground, aided by a theodolite or a similar optical instrument.Surveying has been an essential element in the development of the human environment since the beginning of recorded history and it is a requirement in the planning and execution of nearly every form of construction. Its most familiar modern uses are in the fields of transportation, building, apportionment of land, and communications, all of which depend on surveying's more fundamental functions of measuring the earth and boundaries upon it.
1 Origins
Surveying can be traced back even before the Egyptians, who, every year after the Nile River overflowed its banks and washed out farm boundaries, would re-establish the boundaries by surveying. The nearly perfect squareness and north-south orientation of the Great Pyramid of Giza, built c. 2700 BC, affirm the ancient Egyptians' command of surveying.
2 Types of surveys
- Boundary survey: The actual positions of existing marks on land (typically iron rodThe word Rod may have one of the following meanings. A rod is a straight and slender stick; a wand; hence, any slender bar, as of wood or metal (applied to various purposes). Rods are light-sensitive cells in the retina of the eye. See rod cell. The rod is or concreteIn general, a concept is considered concrete if it is not abstract: it must be both particular and an individual, and hence occupy both space and time. To say that a physical object is concrete is to say, approximately, that it is a particular individual monuments in the ground, but also tacks in treeThis article is about the biological organisms known as trees. For other meanings of the word see tree (disambiguation). oak tree in Denmark A tree can be defined as a large perennial woody plant. Though there is no set definition of size, it is generallys, pipeThe word pipe can refer to: a tubular man-made channel, generally round in cross section, for transporting or guiding a fluid substance. See plumbing and pipeline transport an exhaust pipe, for channelling waste fumes from an engine or stove certain musics, and manholeA manhole or maintenance hole is the top opening to an underground vault used to house an access point for making connections or performing maintenance on underground and buried public utility and other services including sewers, telephone, electricity, ss) are measured, and a mapFor alternative meanings see Map (disambiguation A map is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional space. The science of making maps is called cartography. Introduction Mapmaking dates back at least to the Stone Age and appears to predate w is drawn from the data.
- Subdivision plat: A plot or map based on a survey of a parcel of land, lines are drawn inside it, indicating where roads and lots are. Plats are usually discussed back and forth between the developer and the surveyor until they are agreed on, at which point pins are driven into the ground to mark the lot corners and curve ends and the plat is recorded in the county cadaster (USA) or land registry (UK).
- Draw lot: One lot from a plat is drawn, with any easementAn easement is the right of use over the real property of another. Historically it was limited to the right of way and rights over flowing waters. Traditionally it was a right that could only attach to an adjacent land and was for the benefit of all, nots and setbacks that may be on it.
- Plot plan: A proposal for a house or other building and driveway or parking lot are added to a draw lot.
- Foundation: The position of the house is measured before it is finished being built.
- Physical: The finished house and driveway are measured, and all markers on the boundary are indicated. This is recorded when the lot is sold.
