Friday, November 1, 2013

The Basics Of Surveying

By Carey Bourdier


While many people may take an interest on several different careers, pursuing one in the field of surveying may present you with a truly interesting path. Contrary to most common notions about surveying, the task of surveyors is not limited to land surveying and, in fact, there are many different and important surveying career options and different kinds of surveys. Perhaps if one would know some of them, an interest could be sparked to set one up for a very rewarding career in surveying.

First on the list is the bathymetric survey - the survey conducted to measure underwater depth like the lake or ocean floors. One method to conduct bathymetric survey is through depth sounding. Earlier practices often use heavy rope or cable which are pre-measured and lowered over by the side of a ship. If this is the type that would interest you amongst the different types of surveys, you should very well be acquainted with bathymetric maps and charts as these are the accurate and measurable description for that visual presentation of the world's submerged terrain. It is the equivalent of a surveyor's topographic map, the submerged version as opposed to the one used above water.

The deformation survey is the type concerned in determining whether there is movement in a particular object of say, a building. Surveyors here come to measure or track possible changes in the shape or dimension of the object in case there are loads applied and cause some kind of stress. You also need to learn about factors like changes in bedrocks or changes in material properties, which might include the decrease or increase or decrease in the weight of these materials.

If you are interested in geological maps and models, there is a type of survey just for you. Geological surveys would show you a systematic investigation of geology beneath a particular piece of ground. A geological surveyor should understand walk-over surveys along with how to study outcrops and landforms. If you enjoy working outside, you could employ hands-on intrusive methods such as augering or perhaps using machine driven boreholes. At the same time, you need to conduct geophysical techniques along with remote sensing methods including aerial photography and satellite imagery.

Uncovering history is perhaps one good description when it comes to archeological surveys. This type of survey is sort of a field research used by archeologists to collect information about the past human cultures across a particular area. Back then, surveys were not as commonly used when it comes to archeology but it should be noted that through the years it was discovered that it indeed comes with several benefits. And so, archeological surveys came into play more commonly for the purpose of preliminary exercise or in the place of excavation.

Becoming a surveyor requires you to learn the proper use of many tools including inclinometers, theodolites and a variety of optical tools. What you need in order to measure precisely the angles, whether on horizontal or vertical planes, is a theodolite. As for angles and slopes along with the elevation or depression with respect to gravity, inclinometers would be your tool. Optical instruments like sights and alidades are important instruments too. Modern inventions such as a GPS or perhaps a total station often are used as well.




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