In our advanced day and age, you can find a specific doctor who specialises in a specific body part or problem. Usually, during the final years of completing a Bachelor degree, students can take subjects which will make them masters of a chosen field. The same applies to Surveyors.
A land survey is different from a mine survey, and so is an engineering survey. It’s important to know the difference between the types of surveys so you can employ the appropriate surveyor for the job right off the bat.
Today we will be taking a closer look at Engineering Surveying.
During a civil engineering project, the work carried out by surveyors can be described by using the general term of Engineering Surveying. The scope of work of an Engineering Surveyor reaches far beyond simply setting out for the construction of a structure. Engineering Surveyors also assist in civil engineering projects by applying their knowledge and experience to identify any design or practicality issues after examining the initial finished design.
Engineering Surveyors will use a wide range of instruments to conduct their on-site surveys. These instruments include the use of a Total Station, GPS and Dumpy Level or Digital Level. The mighty drone has also been added to the repertoire of the surveyor and has become a very popular choice when it comes to surveying sites for construction planning purposes.
The client supplies the Engineering Surveyor with a design of the project which he will use during the drawing and calculation stage of the survey. CAD is a computer-based programme which is utilized by surveyors to create drawings of plans. It is during this stage where Engineering Surveyors will be able to determine if there are any design flaws or impracticalities of the structure. By communicating with the project Engineer any technical issues can be resolved at an early stage.
After the Engineering Surveyor has plotted the design and completed all calculations he can begin with the on-site work. The surveyor will first set out a multitude of control points around the site in a position predetermined with engineers and site supervisors. The control points need to be in useful, safe and accessible areas but also in areas where they will not be disturbed or accidentally removed.
Once all the survey data has been recorded, the Engineering Surveyor will return to the office to process the data, complete calculations and finally complete the as-built documentation. The as-built documentation may be presented on a drawing, spreadsheet or a combination of both.