Principles of Surveying // Surveying Basics // Surveying Principles //

The two fundamental principles of surveying are:
  • Location of a point by measurement from two reference points
  • Working from whole to part

Location of a point by measurement from two reference points

The relative position of a point to be surveyed is located by measurement from at least two reference points whose positions are already fixed.
Let A and B are the reference points on the ground.
The distance AB is measured and positions are plotted on a sheet to some scale.
Thus, these reference points A and B are used for fixing the relative positions of the other points.
Let the other point be C, which can be located by different direct methods.

·    Method 1: The distance AC and BC are measured and point C is plotted by swinging the two arcs.
   This method is commonly employed in chain surveying. 

Method 2: The perpendicular CD is fixed on the reference line AB and lengths AD and DC are measured.
The point C is plotted using set square.


·         Method 3: The distance BC and ABC can be measured and point C is plotted using a         protractor or trigonometrically. This principle is used in traversing.




·         Method 4: The angle BAC and CBA are measured using angle measuring instrument.
Knowing the distance AB, point C is plotted by protractor or by the trigonometric equation. This principle is used in triangulation.


·         Method 5: Angle CBA and AC are measured and point C is plotted using a protractor or      swing an arc from A or trigonometric equation. This principle is used in traversing. 

Working from Whole to Part
According to this principle, the required survey work is carried out from whole to part.
In the required area to be surveyed, the first system of control points is established with high precision.
Minor control points are then established with less precision.
With the help of minor control points, the details of the area surveyed and calculated.
This principle helps in preventing accumulation of errors.
If this principle is not followed will result in accumulation of errors of greater magnitude.
Which finally result in making work uncontrollable.

These are principles of surveying. 

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