Plane Surveying

Plane surveying assumes that the earth is flat and is the most commonly practiced form of surveying. It primarily locates the position of features on the ground. This can be gained by combining angular and linear measurements. Linear Measurement which is the foundation of geomatics and geodetic scenic disciplines is the groundwork for linear measurement also. Linear Measurement is the process of measuring things on the ground which is fundamental to fancier measurement systems. Larger areas cause the systematic errors caused by the flat earth assumption to become apparent in measurements. In the plane surveying method the field work and planning is done simultaneously.

Plane Surveying Rules

There are a large number of procedures and rules for Plane surveying. The rule asks to work from the whole to the part. It means to think about the whole thing before you attack the detailed parts or put in control before doing detailed work. According to the rules of Plane surveying, independent checks are carried out. Work to a constant and appropriate standard of accuracy and precision. The main rule is to record all the details systematically. It may be a little difficult to record all the details, but when you suddenly realize that something has gone wrong later on, it may save your hide.

Linear measurements

The objects of interests do not lie along a single straight line. In cases like this we could simply measure the distances to objects along the line and making up a map. One of the most fundamental methods in surveying operations is the  measurement of horizontal distance between two points on the surface of the earth. Usually there are two basic methods used: direct and indirect methods. Direct linear measurements are methods used for determining horizontal distances with a tape or chain and with an electronic distance-measuring instrument. In indirect methods, the transfer and stadia or theodolite and stadia are used and this will give idea about common methods used in direct  linear measurements.

Ranging

Distances between two points are best measured in a straight line. One can ensure that there is a minimal deviation from the horizontal line. If one is chaining across the countryside, there should be a target, such as some kind of sighting mark at the end of the line. Each time the chain is moved, the back chainman stands at the mark placed by the front chainman, views the target at the other end of the line, and brings the front chainman to line.

Questions:

• What is meant by Plane Surveying?
• What are the main rules of plane surveying?