ENEV 281 – Chapter 1 - Surveying, Mapping, and Information Systems

This set of flashcards covers the fundamental vocabulary, concepts, and applications of surveying based on the introductory lecture for ENEV 281.

Surveying

The measurement of distances and angles, where distances may be horizontal or vertical and angles are measured in horizontal or vertical planes.

Elevations

A term used to describe vertical distances.

Infrastructure

The constructed facilities and systems that allow human communities to function and thrive productively.

Vertical direction

The direction of the force of gravity.

Horizontal direction

The direction perpendicular, at an angle of $90^{\circ}$, to the vertical direction of gravity.

Measurement of position

The first fundamental purpose of surveying, which is to determine the relative positions of existing points or objects on or near the earth's surface.

Layout of position

The second fundamental purpose of surveying, which is to mark the desired positions of new points or objects to be placed or constructed.

Leveling

The process of determining the relative vertical positions of two or more points, often through a continuous series of level rod observations.

Theodolite

A traditional surveying instrument used for the measurement of horizontal and vertical angles.

Electronic total-station

A surveying instrument that can measure and record distances and angles and compute coordinates.

Field-to-finish system

A system where data stored electronically is transferred or "dumped" into a desktop computer for computations and plotting or printing.

Alidade

The upper part of a transit instrument.

Plane surveying

A type of surveying where the curvature of the earth is neglected and vertical distances are measured with reference to a flat plane.

Geodetic surveying

A type of surveying where the earth's curvature is considered, usually performed by the USGS or national surveys.

Sum of angles in a triangle

On a curved surface, this value is more than $180^{\circ}$.

Property Survey

A specific application of surveying used for land boundaries.

Topographic Survey

A specific application of surveying used for mapping features and terrain.

Construction Survey

A specific application of surveying used for the layout and design of structures.

Control Survey

A specific application of surveying that establishes reference points for other surveys, using traverse and triangulation stations.

Route Survey

A specific application of surveying used for the data preparation of plan and profile sections for roadways.

Geometry

A subject whose name means "earth measurements" and which developed primarily due to the need for land surveys.

Libella

An early surveying device used to establish a level line, consisting of a triangular A-frame with a suspended plumb line and weight.

Magnetic compass

An instrument first used in the thirteenth century to establish the directions of boundary lines.

Saskatchewan Land Surveyor (SLS)

The licensed professional designation for land surveyors in Saskatchewan.

Field notes

Measurements and observations recorded in a notebook that serve as legal documents and must follow strict rules for lettering and checking.

Electronic data collectors

Tools that aid the surveyor in recording data but do not replace the requirement for hand-written notes.

Standard practice for errors

The rule that any incorrect entry in field notes should be neatly lined out and the correct value entered next to it, rather than erased.

VOID

The notation used at the top of a field note page when crossing out a column or diagonal across the page.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A configuration of computer hardware and software used to store, manipulate, analyze, and map geographically referenced data.

Basis of Surveying

The use of precise measuring instruments in the field and systematic computational procedures in the office involving geometry, trigonometry, and basic algebra.