Surveying is the art of making suitable measurements in horizontal or vertical planes. This is one of the important subjects of civil engineering. Without taking a survey of the plot where the construction is to be carried out, the work cannot begin.
Surveying Chart
Levelling
Levelling is the art of representing relative positions in the vertical plane of different points on the earth’s surface.
It helps in determining the areas that are to be levelled to achieve a certain slope.
Principles of Surveying
All the surveys that are conducted are based on two fundamental principles. They are as follows:
Working from whole to part
Fixing a point with reference to two fixed points
Working from whole to part
In order to localize errors and prevent their accumulation, a set of control points is always established with great precision first for the whole area to be surveyed.
Later on, details or filled in between these control points to a relatively smaller precision.
This fundamental work principle is known as “Working from whole to part”.
Fixing a point with reference to two fixed points
Survey stations are fixed by atleast two measurements, either both linear or angular measurements or linear and angular measurements from two control points.
The practice of Civil Engineering is extremely diverse, involving technical, legal, business & practical skills. It consists of various specializations like Structural Engineering, Project Management, Geotechnical Engineering and Surveying. The ability to combine skills in all these areas will contribute significantly to the success of a civil engineer.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Japan - World's Longest Suspension Bridge
To provide an overview of factors which are relevant to the successful practice of structural engineering, we have to look at the role of a structural engineer, understanding the needs and objectives of a client, the difficulties and conditions faced on site and the constraints put down by the Architect. A structural designer is capable of calculating different loads and stresses acting on a structure and designing the structure to resist there forces. For tall buildings, towers, tunnels, roads, marine structures, bridges and even space stations, structural designers are called upon to provide their expertise to ensure the stability of the structures.
