A Clearer View Of Surveying

By Carey Bourdier


If you are looking for a rather interesting career to pursue, why not navigate apart from the interest of most regular people and check out surveying? While many people may commonly think that a surveyor's role is merely to measure land and such, the truth is there are several different types of surveys. By taking the time to know and learn more about each one, you just might surprise even yourself that you become ready to take on a career path towards becoming a surveyor indeed.

First on the list is the bathymetric survey - the survey conducted to measure underwater depth like the lake or ocean floors. One method to conduct bathymetric survey is through depth sounding. Earlier practices often use heavy rope or cable which are pre-measured and lowered over by the side of a ship. If this is the type that would interest you amongst the different types of surveys, you should very well be acquainted with bathymetric maps and charts as these are the accurate and measurable description for that visual presentation of the world's submerged terrain. It is the equivalent of a surveyor's topographic map, the submerged version as opposed to the one used above water.

When it comes to deformation surveys, it is concerned with ascertaining possible movement in an object like a building, for example. This is the measuring and tracking of alteration, if any, on the shape or dimension of the object as result from possible stresses of applied loads. If deformation surveys interest you then you should know the factors involved like the changes in bedrocks as well as the increase or decrease in weight, and perhaps alteration in material properties.

Maybe geological maps and geological models would interest you. You can always go for geological surveys and deal with the systematic investigation of the geological make-up on a certain area or land. If so, you will learn how to conduct the traditional walk-over surveys and at the same time do some studies on landforms and outcrops. This is a great option for people who enjoy working outside, as you will be out in the wide open using boreholes and augering in order to acquire information. Also, its geophysical techniques and remote sensing methods would let you do aerial photography and satellite imagery.

If history is interesting for you, go for archeological surveys. Archeologists use this type for their field research and collect data regarding past human cultures in a given area or place. Archeological surveys are exciting because those who create these surveys are truly helping to uncover clues about past civilizations. This is an excellent vocation for those who enjoy history, cartography and surveying.

Becoming a surveyor requires you to learn the proper use of many tools including inclinometers, theodolites and a variety of optical tools. What you need in order to measure precisely the angles, whether on horizontal or vertical planes, is a theodolite. As for angles and slopes along with the elevation or depression with respect to gravity, inclinometers would be your tool. Optical instruments like sights and alidades are important instruments too. Modern inventions such as a GPS or perhaps a total station often are used as well.




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