Fundamental Principles of Surveying

Two basic principles of surveying

1) Whole to the part

• According to the 1st principle, the whole survey area is first enclosed by main stations (ie. control stations) and the main Survey line.

• The area is then divided into several divisions by forming well-conditioned triangles.

• The main survey line is measured very accurately with precise survey instruments.

• Then the remaining sides of the triangles are measured.

• The purpose of this method of working is to localise the errors and control the accumulation of errors during the measurement, if there is any error, it will not affect the whole work.

• But if the reverse process is followed then the minor measurement error will be magnified.

2) To locate a new station by at least two measurements (linear or angular) from fixed reference points

• According to the second principle the points on stations are located by linear or angular measurements or by both in surveying.

• If two control points are established first, then a new station can be located by two linear on two angular measurements or by one linear and one angular measurement.