#survey engineers

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The History of Survey Engineering

Survey work is often traditionally termed as the art and science of determining the relative positions of specific points on, above, or beneath the earth’s surface or the actual establishment of such arbitrary points. Surveying is an old profession, which can be traced back to the oldest civilisations among the Egyptians, Greeks, Chaldeans, and Babylonians, who fast used old survey methods to divide and allocate land for use.

An engineering surveyor is a professional who specialises in a specific area of survey that relates to the survey of land with a specific focus on the establishment of designs for the construction of infrastructure, and structural and environmental civil engineering schemes. The engineering surveyor evolved from the traditional land surveyor whose work was to divide and apportion land for mapping or utility purposes. This profession was the forerunner of the civil engineers as well as the founders of the American Society of Civil Engineers. It is a profession that largely covers survey skills, but also includes a significant understanding of structural engineering knowledge.

The engineering surveyor role developed once engineers establishing infrastructure such as roads and rail networks as well as other engineering structures found that they needed the services of a surveyor. But such a surveyor also needed to have some basic engineering skills, and thus developed the engineering surveyor who specialises in developing engineering data for land development, building construction, and bridge, rail, and road constructions. Therefore, land surveying engineering is an essential element of the construction projects of any structures. Today, land surveying engineering plays a significant and important role in the developing world where it serves the purposes of surveying land specifically for the sake of facilitating the development of various structures by engineers such as the civil and structural engineers. In fact, no significant structures can be established without the presence and expertise of a survey engineer.

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Using Drones for Accurate Volumetric Measurement

Drones are particularly effective at measuring volumes in real time with great accuracy. This method of volume analysis is not only cost-effective, but it also provides precise information to any connected device. Performed user tests have established that on average, drone volume measurements have an accuracy rate of 98% compared to traditional ground-based measurement methods. This is particularly useful when measuring stockpiles, which may otherwise require tedious, costly processes.

The use of drones for volumetric measurements has been incorporated in the stockpile assessment procedures of various industries, and is set to become a primary method of volume analysis in the next few years. As drones require little equipment and personnel, they are expected to revolutionise stockpile measurements. For this reason, it is imperative to ascertain how precise they are.

How Accurate is it? Drones can be equipped with state-of-the-art cameras that safely capture and process stockpile images at an incredible speed. This process isn’t just much cheaper than traditional survey and measurement methods, it is also relatively accurate.

In a recent study by Geoconnexion International, an experiment was conducted to establish the accuracy rate of drone volume measurements. Stockpiles of several tons of gravel and sand were measured simultaneously both by drone capture and grounded LiDAR scanning methods. The drones had 16MP Canon cameras installed and captured 212 images of the stockpiles. The average standard deviation between the two methods of measurements was of 3cms. Not only was the inaccuracy minor when scaled to the size of the stockpiles, the margin of error could also be reduced by equipping the drones with cameras of greater quality.

Other LiDAR survey methods have, in the past, been proven to occasionally have lower accuracy rates than that of drones. When combined with the added benefits of drone volumetric measurement (increased safety, cost-efficiency, quick-processing, reduced labor), this method may arguably be the most desirable for industry professionals.

What You Must Note The accuracy of the volumetric measurements of a drone will depend on the camera it is equipped with. Investing in a camera with a sharper, greater resolution will render results that may be virtually exact. High-resolution cameras have up to 50-megapixel image processors. The use of such cameras would guarantee the lowering of drones’ margin of error in volume analytics.

Drone photogrammetry is already accurate enough to effectively use in stockpile measurements. However, it is also set to grow increasingly precise with time and technological advances. In a near future, it can be expected that drones will be the most reliable method of conducting volumetric surveys.

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What's The Difference Between A Volumetric and Topographical Survey?

Surveying is one of the most fundamental activities when it comes to property development and land ownership. The growing property market around the world has made surveying a discipline in its right. In spite of this, surveying is still a very misunderstood profession. Many people are not aware of the job description of survey engineers and often wonder why they would need one in the first place. However, if you are thinking of building a property or buying a parcel of land, the law makes it mandatory that you enlist the services of a licensed survey engineer. So what exactly does a land surveyor do? Generally, the work of survey engineers entails measuring properties to determine boundaries. This is highly important to property ownership because it prevents future property disputes between property owners. Additionally, it allows a property owner to obtain a permit for construction from the authorities. Nevertheless, land surveying is far from being a monolithic profession. There are two types of surveys which can be conducted on a property depending on the purpose of the land in question. These are: volumetric surveys and topographical surveys. Although many people conflate the two, they actually have very different methodologies and are used in different scenarios. Volumetric surveys (also known as quantity surveys) are typically performed in order to calculate and establish stockpile volumes, excavated quantities and volumes of earthworks on a piece of land. This type of land survey is usually employed by property owners or developers who are looking to undertake large excavation projects like mining or construction of a dam. A volumetric survey engineer will measure the stockpiles on the property in question whether it is a quarry, mine, lake or dam and offer sound advice on how much material can be excavated. It is important to note that volumetric surveys are really complex to perform and often require the aid of state of the art technologies like GPS positioning, aerial mapping drones, and modelling software.

Topographical surveys are typically what most people associate with surveying because they are far too common. These types of surveys are conducted in order to identify and map out both natural and man-made features within a property as well as the elevation of the property. Before you can embark on any construction projects on your property, the authorities will require a topographical survey to be conducted on the land. This is crucial to ensuring that the construction project is operated safely and does not endanger the lives of people. Moreover, mapping out the features of a property ensures that whatever development projects are undertaken do not interfere with or disrupt important public utility lines like telephone, electricity, and drainage. If you are a property owner or are thinking of acquiring one, you will undoubtedly need the services of a survey engineer at some point. Having the right information on the different types of surveys will allow you to make an informed choice when it comes to finding the best survey engineer.

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When Would I Need a Land Surveyor?

Land surveying is a very important practice in urban planning. It guides administrative authorities like city councils on how to apportion land for different development activities like building roads, excavating mines and even designating residential areas. If you already own a piece of land, however, you may wonder why a land survey is necessary for the parcel of land you own, or are thinking to purchase. As a matter of fact, you will likely need a land survey for several reasons. Some of the reasons why you may need a land survey to be conducted on your property include: i) Solving Boundary Disputes Boundary disputes often arise when two property owners have their properties in close proximity. For example, one property owner may feel that their neighbour is encroaching on their property by building a fence on their land. To settle these kinds of disputes, the law requires that a land survey is conducted on the property so that the boundaries of each party's property can be clearly determined. If you are considering purchasing a property, you will also need a land surveyor to conduct a boundary survey on the land to determine its boundaries so as to avoid future boundary disputes with your neighbours. ii) Obtaining Building Permits Local and state authorities require that a property owner conduct a survey on their property before they can be granted a permit to conduct any development activities on the property. If you are considering constructing a structure on your property such as a balcony or erecting a fence, you will need a land surveyor to conduct a survey on your property before you can obtain a building permit from the relevant authorities. iii) Utility Mapping Surveys A special kind of land survey is also necessary to map the positions of public utility lines like sewer pipes and electricity lines that cross your property. This kind of survey is called a utility mapping survey. Conducting a utility mapping survey on your property ensures that whatever construction project you undertake on your property does not interfere with public utility. Fortunately, land surveying is a recognised career and there are many professionals working as land surveyors. If you require the services of a land surveyor, you can find many chartered surveyors in Land Survey agencies as well as government ministries which deal with urban planning. They should be able to allay all your worries about your property. For more information about land surveys, visit http://surveyeng.co.uk/. 

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A Day in the Life of a Survey Engineer

If you have been wondering what exactly a survey engineer does and what the typical ‘day in the office’ looks like for a person in this career, you have come to the right place. This article will walk you through what to expect on an average day in this profession. But first of all, let’s define what exactly the job description of a survey engineer entails. At the most basic level, survey engineers perform measurements to determine the boundaries of properties, land to be exact. Landowners are required by law to be in possession of certain legal documents when deciding to change their property. They seek the services of surveyors to procure those documents. Practicing survey engineers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in surveying or a relevant field and a state license. If you’re contemplating a future career as a survey engineer, there are several tasks you expect to be performing on a day to day basis. First of all, you will likely spend much of your day at the office preparing sketches of property and maps, compiling reports on different properties and property holders and writing legal descriptions of surveys. You will be tasked to verify the accuracy of all kinds of survey data and write reports on the findings of survey studies conducted at sites. If you work as a mining survey engineer, you can expect to conduct volumetric surveys on the land in question. A volumetric survey is conducted to measure the volume of a stockpile or other earthworks. Volumetric surveys enable quarry operators and contractors to decide how much earth should be extracted from the ground in preparation for and during mine operations. Another task you’ll perform in this career is to direct surveys to establish the boundaries of properties as envisioned by the law. As a surveyor, you carefully analyze and scrutinize legal documents pertaining to property, title deeds and lease titles to ascertain the ownership of property. You may also need to record the physical topography and other features of the properties in question. In addition to that, your day to day operations may include the use of geodetic and engineering instruments to establish fixed points when sketching maps of property. You can also expect to prepare proposals and compute data pertaining to the land under survey and interpret data to determine the characteristics of the property. If you are particularly excellent in mathematics, can calculate complex computations, possess decent writing skills and confidence, this career may just be perfect for you. For more information about survey engineering, visit http://surveyeng.co.uk/.

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Guide to Survey Engineering

The concept of survey engineering has been around since ancient times. It is an important factor in the construction and safety of all the buildings we use, any technology we have and even the food we eat. Technology has seen both of these vital principles in our modern world evolve greatly over many years.

Survey engineering is hugely important to our modern society, and while its basic principles has not changed since it began many years ago, the tools and the technology has taken it forward immensely. More accurate measurements and calculations are now possible due to new computerised equipment, and the training is a lot more detailed than ever.

A survey engineer determines accurate three-dimensional points usually on the earth's surface which is beneficial when deciding to construct a building from scratch and for developing maps. Qualifying to be a survey engineer takes time, dedication and a good mathematical brain. A surveyor engineer is needed for any new construction project and is involved in many aspects of renovations and residential purchases. Once the initial qualification is gained, which requires a degree, the surveyor engineer will be able to specialise in different areas of work that is available such as, land, quantity and building surveying. There is a constant demand for good quality surveyors all over the world as new buildings and land are always being developed.

The concept of engineering in surveying covers a range of things such as buildings, systems, technology and machines. The job of a survey engineer is wide and varied and once qualification is gained, a person could get specialised in any number of fields, from building construction to food production. They are involved in aspects of almost everything we see and use in our daily lives.

A good mathematical and scientifically tuned brain is needed for a job as a survey engineer and the individual will also need to an extremely good problem solver. This type of career is very wide ranging and rewarding. You could find yourself working in an office or in a factory, working on the design of complex machines or food packaging.

Survey engineering is highly complex role that play great significance in shaping the world we live in. Newly qualified individuals are always in demand and these are careers that are not likely to face any difficulties as the world will always need new buildings and technology will always be advancing.

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VOLUMETRIC SURVEYS; WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

A volumetric survey is aimed at calculatedly quantifying the amount of material that is required to be removed from a mining or construction sit and also the amount of material that will be imported as may be in the case of a landfill. It also goes ahead to compare the actual amount of material removed to the speculated volumes.

The volumetric survey process may be quite complex or pretty simple depending who you ask. With the uses of latest technology like computer generated three-dimensional modelling, GPS positioning, unmanned aerial vehicles, laser imaging and so forth, the process will not only be easy and fast but also with a high level of accuracy. Types of volumetric surveys for a landfill.

There are two methods of going about volumetric surveys. These are;

1. Aerial surveys

Aerial surveys require the use of aircraft, whether manned or unmanned to get stereo imaged of the site. The images are then run through photogrammetric software that then produces a 3D model of the site in question. It is then possible, from this information to calculate volumes for stockpile and landfill capacity.

The beauty of using aerial survey is that it is an efficient method especially when the subject site is large or there is more than one stockpile.

2. Ground surveys

Ground surveys employ the use of GPS receivers to electronically measure sites and record the data which is then loaded to software that will help determine the volumes and develop 3D models. 

Ground surveys are much faster and can be undertaken in any weather on short notice. It is however time consuming if the area to be measured is very large. Are surveys important?

Volumetric surveys are very useful not only in a qualitative form but also quantitatively. Volumetric surveys help in;

• Management of stockpiles in a landfill waiting processing or recycling.

• Monitoring the rate at which the landfill space is being taken up.

• Projecting on just how much more the landfill can take. This is important to ensure preparedness and proper use of the available space.

• The data can be used in decision making during tendering of landfill spaces and other logistical purposes.

Other than that, volumetric surveys are a necessity. Landfill owners are required to have their sites surveyed twice every year. This usually happens in June and December, which is the survey period. When to undertake a survey

There are two main periods when a volumetric survey is required. These are; Initial baseline survey.

This is a survey directed by EPA for newly scheduled landfills. The initial baseline survey is done to establish the total capacity and sets the pedestal upon which all other surveys will be carried. Routine surveys

This is done during the survey period (June and December); unless otherwise directed by the EPA. An occupier or a landfill owner may be directed by notice in writing to carry out a volumetric survey for a given reason for instance before placing waste in a newly constructed cell. It is important to remember that all surveys must be undertaken by qualified survey engineers.

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Utility Mapping Survey Uѕеѕ

As our ever-growing cities and towns are adapting to thе modern culture day bу day, thе number оf streets, barriers аnd buildings аrе аlѕо increasing аt а faster rate.

Thе construction development plans would nоw lооk increasingly complicated due tо all thе tall buildings and new developments, thе situation bеlоw thе ground mау bе mоrе complicated аnd confusing. Mаnу thіngѕ ѕuсh аѕ telephone lines, waste water drains, gas mains аnd sewer pipes аrе fighting fоr а lіttlе space undеrground to keep up with growth and demand to accommodate our ever expanding commercial and residential world. Thіѕ issue іѕ furthеr complicated bу thе nеw utilities whісh аrе introduced daily ѕuсh аѕ services relocation, whісh exist bоth іn аnd оut оf use but nevertheless everpresent.

Without qualified survey engineers on site and the correct surveys being carried out prior to any development can lead to unexpected encounters with these buried utilities, which durіng any excavation саn prove costly in delays аnd оthеr penalties. More importantly thіѕ situation includes lots оf risk оf injuries оr еvеn death оf workers.

Therefore, іt іѕ vital thаt thе contractors use utility mapping surveys ensuring that the health and safety requirements are met tо detect аnd locate buried utilities bеfоrе thе commencement оf excavation оn site.

SurveyEng рrоvіdеѕ many services including utility surveys whісh detects tо find оut аbоut thе location оf buried utilities аnd highlights thе data.

This data рrоvіdеs SurveyEng with the knowledge to conduct a minimum risk assement on site ensuring that safety regulations are met,  realistic deadlines for work to be estimated, and work to commence.

It also gives the engineers on site аn idea оf hоw tо procede with thе work аnd whеrе іt іѕ nесеѕѕаrу tо tаkе extra care аnd consciousness tо avoid аnу problems thаt mау occur due tо thе utilities.

Fоr contractors, thе utility tracking services іѕ thе fіrѕt filter аѕ thеу give аn exact idea ѕuсh аѕ thе maps thаt mау bе incomplete оr inaccurate; due tо thе fact thаt thе utilities mау hаvе bееn removed/added оr relocated, thеrеfоrе tо gеt аll thеѕе information accurately аnd tо avoid problems thаt mау delay уоur work, іt іѕ advisable tо approach оur qualified, experienced аnd wеll equipped experts whо аrе vеrу versed аt providing Utility Survey Services.

SurveyEng uѕеѕ а modern technology аnd methods lіkе radio detection, electromagnetic detectors аnd ground penetrating radar systems whісh mаkе іt роѕѕіblе tо locate accurately thе wide range оf utilities whісh аrе buried undеr thе ground whісh mау include bоth metallic аnd non-metallic pipes аnd cables. Onсе thе utilities аrе detected, thеу саn bе easily mapped uѕіng а combination оf traditional survey techniques, GPS аnd geographical information system software.