One way to explain what a topographic survey is is to say that it's a way of seeing and recording everything on the surface of a place. The survey shows the relief, the shape, and other things that give dimension to the terrain, making drawings called contours.
Topographic surveys also show what is found in nature, such as plants, large rocks, or man-made features like houses, walls, streets, sidewalks, gardens, and posts. The resulting map can also provide precise data on the boundaries of the land, which is sometimes important for determining where construction is permitted or prohibited.
What are the types of topographic surveying?
One way to explain what a survey is is to say that it can be done in two ways: using only floor measurements or using both floor and height measurements.
A survey that only uses ground measurements is called a planimetric survey. It shows how the land appears from above, with the lines separating the lots, walls, and houses. This type of survey is used to verify if the land is the correct size as shown on paper, and to avoid problems when buying or selling.
A survey that includes ground and height measurements is called a planimetric survey. It shows how the land appears from various angles, including trees, plants, slopes, and boundaries between lots, walls, and houses. This type of survey is used for construction projects and helps architects and engineers plan everything correctly. It is also mandatory to obtain approval from the agencies that oversee construction projects.
Why conduct a topographic survey?
Another way to explain what a topographic survey is is to say that it's a way to better understand the terrain where you want to build something. It helps the professionals who will plan and execute the project to know the terrain, size, boundaries, and other characteristics of the site.
Often, a topographic survey is done before buying land to ensure that it has the same size and shape as stated in the official document. This avoids future problems with the documentation or with neighbors.
Which they are you instruments used in topography?
Theodolite
It is an optical instrument that allows the measurement of horizontal and vertical angles between two points. It consists of a tripod, a graduated cylinder, a telescope, and a bubble level. The theodolite is used to determine the direction of a line or the position of one point relative to another.
Total station
It is an electronic instrument that combines the functions of a theodolite with those of a distance meter, which is a device that measures distances using electromagnetic waves. The total station allows for precise and rapid measurement of angles and distances, as well as data storage in internal or external memory. It is used to perform topographic, geodetic, and cartographic surveys.
Level
It is an instrument that allows you to determine the difference in altitude between two points. It consists of a telescope with a graduated sight and a bubble level. The level is used to level terrain, build roads, canals, dams, and other engineering works.
GPS
It is a global positioning system that uses artificial satellites to determine the geographic coordinates of a point. It consists of a portable receiver that picks up signals from the satellites and calculates the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the point. GPS is used to locate points on the ground, plot routes, map areas, and perform navigation.
Drone
It is an unmanned aerial vehicle that can be remotely controlled or fly autonomously. It is equipped with a camera or other sensor that captures images or data from the terrain. Drones are used to perform photogrammetry, which is the technique of obtaining measurements and information from aerial photographs. They can also be used to monitor hard-to-reach areas such as forests, mountains, and rivers.
These are some of the instruments used in surveying, but there are many others that assist in measuring and representing the Earth's surface. Surveying is an essential science for various areas of knowledge and human activity, such as geology, agronomy, architecture, urban planning, civil engineering, and the environment.
