Case Studies: Concepts in Surveying

Case Study 1: Differentiating Survey Classifications

Example

A civil engineering firm is tasked with two distinct projects. Project A involves mapping a 5-hectare plot for a new residential subdivision. Project B involves establishing a geodetic control network spanning a distance of 800 kilometers across a state for a new high-speed rail corridor.
Identify the classification of surveying required for each project and justify the choice based on the principles of surveying.

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Case Study 2: Identifying Types of Errors

Example

During a traverse survey, a team encounters the following issues:
  1. The surveyor records a distance as 145.23 m in the field book, but the instrument read 154.23 m.
  2. The steel tape being used has stretched and is exactly 30.05 m long instead of its standard 30.00 m length.
  3. Slight, unpredictable fluctuations in temperature cause minor variations in consecutive distance readings taken with an EDM (Electronic Distance Measurement) device.
Classify each issue as a Mistake, a Systematic Error, or an Accidental (Random) Error.

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Solved Problems: Mathematical Computations

Problem 1: Most Probable Value and Probable Error (Basic)

Example

The following distance measurements for a baseline were recorded by a survey party: 100.02 m, 100.05 m, 100.04 m, 100.01 m, and 100.03 m.
Calculate the Most Probable Value (MPV), the Probable Error of a single observation (PEsPE_s), and the Probable Error of the Mean (PEmPE_m).

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Problem 2: Relative Precision (Intermediate)

Example

In an effort to determine the area of a rectangular lot, a surveyor measures the length and width. The total error in measuring the perimeter of the lot was calculated to be ±0.15 m\pm 0.15 \text{ m}. If the true perimeter is exactly 600 m600 \text{ m}, calculate the relative precision of the survey. Express the answer as a fraction with a numerator of 1.

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Problem 3: Error Propagation - Perimeter (Basic)

Example

Three sides of a triangular land parcel were measured with the following probable errors:
  • Side A = 150.25 m±0.02 m150.25 \text{ m} \pm 0.02 \text{ m}
  • Side B = 210.40 m±0.03 m210.40 \text{ m} \pm 0.03 \text{ m}
  • Side C = 180.15 m±0.04 m180.15 \text{ m} \pm 0.04 \text{ m}
Determine the total perimeter and its corresponding probable error.

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Problem 4: Error Propagation - Product/Area (Advanced)

Example

A rectangular plot of land has a measured length of 200.00 m±0.05 m200.00 \text{ m} \pm 0.05 \text{ m} and a measured width of 150.00 m±0.04 m150.00 \text{ m} \pm 0.04 \text{ m}. Determine the most probable value of the area of the plot and the probable error of this computed area.

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Problem 5: Weighted Arithmetic Mean (Intermediate)

Example

Four survey parties measured the same distance with the following results and assigned weights based on the conditions and number of observations:
  • Party A: 250.45 m250.45 \text{ m}, Weight (WW) = 2
  • Party B: 250.40 m250.40 \text{ m}, Weight (WW) = 1
  • Party C: 250.48 m250.48 \text{ m}, Weight (WW) = 3
  • Party D: 250.42 m250.42 \text{ m}, Weight (WW) = 4
Determine the Most Probable Value of the measured distance.

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