🔍 Classification of Surveying Based on Purpose
Surveying is an essential component of development and construction. Based on the purpose, it can be classified into several types:1. Topographical Survey
Topographical surveys gather information about the land's natural and man-made features.- Elevation and surface variations are measured.
- Used to map features like rivers, hills, and roads.
- Scales: 1:25,000 to 1:1,000,000.
2. Engineering Survey
Engineering surveys support the planning and execution of construction projects.- Conducted before, during, and after construction.
- Used in designing roads, bridges, and railways.
- Helps with area calculation, volume estimation, and route alignment.
- Building Work: 1:50, 1:100, 1:200
- Site Plans / Civil Works: 1:500, 1:1000, 1:1250, 1:2000, 1:2500
- Town / Highway Surveys: 1:1250, 1:2000, 1:2500, 1:5000, 1:10000, 1:20000, 1:50000
3. Cadastral Survey
Cadastral surveys define property boundaries for legal and ownership purposes.- Also called public land surveys.
- Used in property registration and ownership maps.
- Scale range: 1:1000 to 1:5000.
4. Hydrographic Survey
These surveys are conducted on or near water bodies like lakes, rivers, and oceans.- Maps underwater terrain and supports navigation.
- Used in marine construction and studying tidal behavior.
- Includes specialized marine surveys.
- Involves shoreline location, channel depth, locks, sand bars, buoys, and more.
5. Astronomic Survey
These surveys are conducted to determine latitudes, longitudes, azimuths, and local time by observing heavenly bodies (like the sun and stars).Note: The absolute locations of a point on the earth surface is obtained by astronomic surveys.
6. Geological Survey
Geological surveys provide insight into different strata of the earth's surface for geological studies.- Helps in preparing geological maps that show layers of rocks and soil.
- Widely used in mining, construction, and earthquake research.
Conclusion: Understanding the various types of surveys allows engineers, developers, and planners to select the appropriate method for each project — whether it's land design, legal boundaries, marine exploration, or geological analysis.
