Introduction to Land Surveying
Land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional positions of points and the distances and angles between them. These points are usually on the surface of the Earth, and they are often used to establish maps and boundaries for ownership, locations, such as building corners or the surface location of subsurface features, or other purposes required by government or civil law, such as property sales.
Key Methodologies
- Topographic Surveying: Mapping the contours of the ground and existing features on or slightly above or below the earth’s surface.
- Boundary Surveying: Establishing or re-establishing the boundaries of a parcel of land.
- Construction Staking: Laying out proposed structures to ensure they are built in the correct location and at the correct elevation.
Modern land surveying relies heavily on Total Stations and GNSS/GPS technology to achieve millimeter-level accuracy.