Fundamentals of Surveying (FS)
question with answers
aHow to figure out horizontal distance with stadia hairs - -Subtract lower stadia hair
reading from upper, then multiply by 100.
-What is a US Survey foot? (on formula sheet already) - -Expressed as a fraction:
1200/3937 m
1 US survey foot = 0.30480061
(Take inverse to get meters to feet... 1/0.30480061)
-What is an International (Standard) Foot? (on formula sheet already) - -Expressed
as a decimal:
1 Int. Foot = 0.30480000 m.
(Take inverse... 1/0.30480000)
1 meter = 3.280839 Int. ft.
-What is a Gradian? - -An entire circle (360 degrees) is 400 gradians (gon).
Therefore, a 90 degree angle is 100 grad.
1 grad = 00 deg. 54'.... Or.... 1 gradian = 0.9 deg
-How many miles for one degree of latitude? - -One degree of latitude is 69 miles
-How to convert inches to tenths of a foot (decimal feet)? - -Take inch value and
divide by 12
-What is a rod? - -1 rod = 16.5 feet
-How many feet in a yard? - -3 feet
-How to figure out sum of interior angles of any closed polygon - -n-2(180)
-How to figure out total exterior angles of a closed polygon - -(n+2)180
-How many feet in a meter? - -3.281 feet (take the inverse of the international foot
on the formula sheet)
-Cosecant is... - -= arcsin..... sin
-Secant is... - -= arccos.... cos
-The distance formula (Inversing) - -Sqrt((x2-x1)^2+(y2-y1)^2) or
Sqrt((y2-y1)^2+(x2-xs1)^2)
-Cartesian Coordinate Systems are also called...? - -Rectangular Coordinate
Systems
, -What is a range pole? - -IS NOT A LEVELING ROD!!! The stripes on it alternate
white and black, and it marks the position of stations for sightings (it is a marker). It
is the pole that a prism is attached to.
-What is a theodolite? - -Can rotate along vertical (zenith axis) and horizontal axis
(trunnion axis). ONLY measure angles, not distances.
Same as a transit, but more accurate.
It is not robotic. A "regular" theodolite has no electronic capabilities.
A 1" theodolite means it is accurate to +or- 1"
-What is a digital theodolite? - -A theodolite with electronic capabilities (a screen
and interface). We used this in plane surveying lab.
-What is a total station? - -Measures both angles and distances... (i.e... A theodolite
combined with distance measuring capabilities). Needs a prism for the distances.
We used this in plane surveying lab.
-What is a dumpy level? - -It is purely an optical leveling instrument, no robotic
capabilities. Purely rely on level vials to orient lines of sight (the level bubble IS the
level vial). Only orients in the direction of gravity.
Rarely used anymore
-What is an auto level? - -Has an automatic compensator built in (a pendulum) to
correct for slightly "off level" lines of sight (what I use currently, in labs, and at
internships)
Compensator pendulum swings forward correcting for line of sight if telescope tilts
down. Vice versa for if the telescope is tilted up.
No electronic capabilities
-What is a digital level? - -A robotic leveling instrument that reads bar codes on the
rod.
-What is a Philadelphia rod? - -A leveling rod consisting of two sliding sections. The
rod fully collapsed will read up to 7 ft. The rod fully extended will read up to 13 ft.
The rod MUST be extended all the way or rod reading error will occur.
In hundredths of a foot.
Readings on the back of the rod the graduation decrease from 13.09 ft at the
bottom to 7 ft. up top.
(Used in Plane surveying lab)
, -What is a Lenker Rod? - -Direct Reading, or True Elevation (also known as Lenker
style) is a Grade Rod with a moveable tape face allowing you to set the actual
benchmark elevation, or any elevation, above or below the bench on the rod.
-What is a vernier scale? - -A scale that can be outfitted to a Philadelphia rod to
enable readings down to the thousandths.
(Did in plane surveying lab across Portage Canal)
-Gunters Chain - -100 Links in one chain
1 Chain = 66 feet
1 Link = 0.66 feet
-Define True North (Geodetic North)... (Geodetic Bearing) - -The axis in which all the
meridians of longitude converge at
-Magnetic North - -Direction indicated by a compass
True Bearing = Mag. bearing + declination
CONVERT BEARING TO AZIMUTH IN ORDER FOR THE BELOW TO WORK!!! (then
convert back to bearing at the end)
Magnetic bearing to True bearing
(Declination value is + when to the east)
(Declination value is - when to the west)
True bearing to Magnetic bearing
"West is Best, East is least"; that is to say, add W declinations when going , and
subtract E ones.
-Grid North - -The direction northwards along the grid lines of a map projection. (i.e.
north that is subjected to a projection).
Is always parallel to the central meridian for the SPCS zone.
Geodetic north and grid north only coincide at the central meridian for that zone.
-Define declination - -The horizontal angular difference between true north and
magnetic north
-Law of Cosines: how to set it up - -The variable on the left side of the equation
must match the cosine angle
-Three basic rules for sig figs: - -Non-zero digits are always significant.
Any zeros between two significant digits are significant.
, A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal portion ONLY are significant.
-Simpsons 1/3 Rule for Area (most is on the formula sheet)... with even station
intervals - -1. Take the offsets at both ends of the area of interest (i.e. the
measurements perpendicular to the line of stationing) and sum them up
2. Sum up the odd numbered intermediate offsets only
3. Sum up the even numbered intermediate offsets only
4. Multiply the sum of the odd numbered offsets by 2
5. Multiply the sum of the even numbered offsets by 4
-Trapezoid Rule for Area with uneven station intervals - -1. Calculate a trapezoid
area for each station interval
2. Sum all of the trapezoid areas up
-Prismoidal Method vs Average End Area Method for Volumes - -Average End Area-
a simple and quick equation that calculates the volume of the end trapezoidal
areas, then fills it. It negates any changes in topography in the middle part
Prismodal Method- more complicated, better at calculating changes in topography
throughout the route between the end areas. This method is unecessary if the
topography of the route is mainly flat through the duration. BUT if the topography is
not flat throughout, prismodal would be best. Estimates are consistently smaller
than Average End Area
The difference in accuracy between the two methods grows greater depending on
the irregularity of the ground in between the end sections
-Slope Ratios and Fractions IN SURVEYING - -Slope Ratio: (HD:VD)... 3:1
Slope Percent: (VD/HD)*100... 1/3*100... 33.3% grade
-Calculating area of a trapeoid given side slope, height, and base - -A=c(b+sc) or...
A=height(base+(HD slope component*height))
-What is true for all conifers? - -They produce cones as their reproductive structure.
-List characteristics of oak trees in general: - -Deciduous
Broad, lobed leaves
Produce acorns for fruit
-Difference between red oak and white oak leaves: - -Red oak has pointed lobes,
white oaks have rounded lobes
-List characteristics of maple trees in general: - -Deciduous
question with answers
aHow to figure out horizontal distance with stadia hairs - -Subtract lower stadia hair
reading from upper, then multiply by 100.
-What is a US Survey foot? (on formula sheet already) - -Expressed as a fraction:
1200/3937 m
1 US survey foot = 0.30480061
(Take inverse to get meters to feet... 1/0.30480061)
-What is an International (Standard) Foot? (on formula sheet already) - -Expressed
as a decimal:
1 Int. Foot = 0.30480000 m.
(Take inverse... 1/0.30480000)
1 meter = 3.280839 Int. ft.
-What is a Gradian? - -An entire circle (360 degrees) is 400 gradians (gon).
Therefore, a 90 degree angle is 100 grad.
1 grad = 00 deg. 54'.... Or.... 1 gradian = 0.9 deg
-How many miles for one degree of latitude? - -One degree of latitude is 69 miles
-How to convert inches to tenths of a foot (decimal feet)? - -Take inch value and
divide by 12
-What is a rod? - -1 rod = 16.5 feet
-How many feet in a yard? - -3 feet
-How to figure out sum of interior angles of any closed polygon - -n-2(180)
-How to figure out total exterior angles of a closed polygon - -(n+2)180
-How many feet in a meter? - -3.281 feet (take the inverse of the international foot
on the formula sheet)
-Cosecant is... - -= arcsin..... sin
-Secant is... - -= arccos.... cos
-The distance formula (Inversing) - -Sqrt((x2-x1)^2+(y2-y1)^2) or
Sqrt((y2-y1)^2+(x2-xs1)^2)
-Cartesian Coordinate Systems are also called...? - -Rectangular Coordinate
Systems
, -What is a range pole? - -IS NOT A LEVELING ROD!!! The stripes on it alternate
white and black, and it marks the position of stations for sightings (it is a marker). It
is the pole that a prism is attached to.
-What is a theodolite? - -Can rotate along vertical (zenith axis) and horizontal axis
(trunnion axis). ONLY measure angles, not distances.
Same as a transit, but more accurate.
It is not robotic. A "regular" theodolite has no electronic capabilities.
A 1" theodolite means it is accurate to +or- 1"
-What is a digital theodolite? - -A theodolite with electronic capabilities (a screen
and interface). We used this in plane surveying lab.
-What is a total station? - -Measures both angles and distances... (i.e... A theodolite
combined with distance measuring capabilities). Needs a prism for the distances.
We used this in plane surveying lab.
-What is a dumpy level? - -It is purely an optical leveling instrument, no robotic
capabilities. Purely rely on level vials to orient lines of sight (the level bubble IS the
level vial). Only orients in the direction of gravity.
Rarely used anymore
-What is an auto level? - -Has an automatic compensator built in (a pendulum) to
correct for slightly "off level" lines of sight (what I use currently, in labs, and at
internships)
Compensator pendulum swings forward correcting for line of sight if telescope tilts
down. Vice versa for if the telescope is tilted up.
No electronic capabilities
-What is a digital level? - -A robotic leveling instrument that reads bar codes on the
rod.
-What is a Philadelphia rod? - -A leveling rod consisting of two sliding sections. The
rod fully collapsed will read up to 7 ft. The rod fully extended will read up to 13 ft.
The rod MUST be extended all the way or rod reading error will occur.
In hundredths of a foot.
Readings on the back of the rod the graduation decrease from 13.09 ft at the
bottom to 7 ft. up top.
(Used in Plane surveying lab)
, -What is a Lenker Rod? - -Direct Reading, or True Elevation (also known as Lenker
style) is a Grade Rod with a moveable tape face allowing you to set the actual
benchmark elevation, or any elevation, above or below the bench on the rod.
-What is a vernier scale? - -A scale that can be outfitted to a Philadelphia rod to
enable readings down to the thousandths.
(Did in plane surveying lab across Portage Canal)
-Gunters Chain - -100 Links in one chain
1 Chain = 66 feet
1 Link = 0.66 feet
-Define True North (Geodetic North)... (Geodetic Bearing) - -The axis in which all the
meridians of longitude converge at
-Magnetic North - -Direction indicated by a compass
True Bearing = Mag. bearing + declination
CONVERT BEARING TO AZIMUTH IN ORDER FOR THE BELOW TO WORK!!! (then
convert back to bearing at the end)
Magnetic bearing to True bearing
(Declination value is + when to the east)
(Declination value is - when to the west)
True bearing to Magnetic bearing
"West is Best, East is least"; that is to say, add W declinations when going , and
subtract E ones.
-Grid North - -The direction northwards along the grid lines of a map projection. (i.e.
north that is subjected to a projection).
Is always parallel to the central meridian for the SPCS zone.
Geodetic north and grid north only coincide at the central meridian for that zone.
-Define declination - -The horizontal angular difference between true north and
magnetic north
-Law of Cosines: how to set it up - -The variable on the left side of the equation
must match the cosine angle
-Three basic rules for sig figs: - -Non-zero digits are always significant.
Any zeros between two significant digits are significant.
, A final zero or trailing zeros in the decimal portion ONLY are significant.
-Simpsons 1/3 Rule for Area (most is on the formula sheet)... with even station
intervals - -1. Take the offsets at both ends of the area of interest (i.e. the
measurements perpendicular to the line of stationing) and sum them up
2. Sum up the odd numbered intermediate offsets only
3. Sum up the even numbered intermediate offsets only
4. Multiply the sum of the odd numbered offsets by 2
5. Multiply the sum of the even numbered offsets by 4
-Trapezoid Rule for Area with uneven station intervals - -1. Calculate a trapezoid
area for each station interval
2. Sum all of the trapezoid areas up
-Prismoidal Method vs Average End Area Method for Volumes - -Average End Area-
a simple and quick equation that calculates the volume of the end trapezoidal
areas, then fills it. It negates any changes in topography in the middle part
Prismodal Method- more complicated, better at calculating changes in topography
throughout the route between the end areas. This method is unecessary if the
topography of the route is mainly flat through the duration. BUT if the topography is
not flat throughout, prismodal would be best. Estimates are consistently smaller
than Average End Area
The difference in accuracy between the two methods grows greater depending on
the irregularity of the ground in between the end sections
-Slope Ratios and Fractions IN SURVEYING - -Slope Ratio: (HD:VD)... 3:1
Slope Percent: (VD/HD)*100... 1/3*100... 33.3% grade
-Calculating area of a trapeoid given side slope, height, and base - -A=c(b+sc) or...
A=height(base+(HD slope component*height))
-What is true for all conifers? - -They produce cones as their reproductive structure.
-List characteristics of oak trees in general: - -Deciduous
Broad, lobed leaves
Produce acorns for fruit
-Difference between red oak and white oak leaves: - -Red oak has pointed lobes,
white oaks have rounded lobes
-List characteristics of maple trees in general: - -Deciduous
