THE UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND GEOTECHNICAL
ENGINEERING
TR 111: ENGINEERING SURVEY 1
PRACTICAL REPORT NO: 2
DETAIL SURVEYING
GROUP NO: 03
S/N NAMES SEX REG; NO SIGNATURE
1 KAHENA ELISHA JULIUS M 2023-04-03721
2 MAKAU ELTON MOSI M 2023-04-06231
3 SHIRIMA EMANOELI VALERY M 2023-04-12783
4 MUSANGA EMMANUEL RAJAB M 2023-04-07883
5 MUJIWAHUZI ERASTO ALLOYS M 2023-04-09145
6 NGEGA ERIC N M 2023-04-10483
7 MUSHI ERIC S M 2023-04-09260
8 KYARUZI ERICK EUSTADIUS M 2023-04-05198
9 DOTTO ERICKSON LAMECK M 2023-04-01733
10 SULLE ESTER PAULO F 2023-04-13140
11 MWAMI RAPHAEL LIVIN M 2023-04-05025
12 KOMBA RAMADHANI ATHUMANI M 2023-04-09672
13 GODA REHEMA HAMISI F 2023-04-02326
14 NYALUKE HEZRON FIKIRI M 2022-04-10640
DATE OF FIELD WORK: 20/11/2023 DATE OF REPORT SUBMISSION: 27/11/2023
1: INTRODUCTION
Detail survey is the type of survey that is used to locate natural and man-made features on the earth
surface. This type of survey is regularly used when designing for; roads, buildings and extensions and
other new infrastructures. This practical involved application of different methods after establishment of
the baseline. These methods include offset method, tie method and horizontal distance measurements.
Detail surveying is of great importance to engineers, Building designers and Architects.
2: OBJECTIVE
To learn and to be familiar with different methods of detail survey so as to get acquainted with simple
2D-survey equipment on performing detail survey also to determine the relative position of objects on
earth surface .
3: TASK
The task was to locate all features on a piece of land this included both natural and man -made structures.
Natural features included vegetation of sort like; trees, man- made features included; A building and A
road. And also to produce a field sketch and survey plan of the located area.
4: EQUIPMENTS
a) Ranging poles.
These are rods made of wood, metal or fiberglass and painted in alternating red and white
colors. They are usually about 15mm in radius and 2m-6m long. They are used for marking
of points and for ranging straight lines.
b) Ranging pole stands
These are used for keeping the ranging poles in place by preventing shaking of the poles.
c) Tape measure
This is made of steel and is usually calibrated to give measurements in meters correct to
three decimal places. The tape used was 30m long.
d) Chaining arrows
They are made of good quality metallic wires with thickness of 3mm-4mm. They are used
for marking points on the ground during horizontal distance measurement.
e) Field book frame
This is a metallic frame for holding the booking sheet while performing the field practical.
f) Prismatic compass
It is used for measuring the bearing between points and determining the north point direction
g) Plumbing bob
It is pointed weight attached to the end of a string used to find vertical reference line.
h) Optical square
It is used for placing points on a line, offset measurements and determining horizontal plans.
5: METHODS USED
A: Field procedure
1. Reconnaissance: this involved Inspecting the working area.
2. The physical features to be located such as buildings, trees and road were identified.
3. A suitable position for a baseline was located.
4.A baseline was established by marking two points A and B with a peg on the ground.
5.The horizontal distance between A and B was measured.
6.The bearing / direction of the baseline AB or BA was determined by using prismatic compass.
7. A field sketch of the survey area showing the ground details to be picked and the baseline, was made.
8.For each ground detail to be picked, Tie and Offset methods were used to locate the geographical
feature of interest. Then measured and recorded field observations appropriately for further compilation.
9. relevant measurements that are important in plotting the features were made.
10. extra field checks were made.
6: ERRORS AND PRECAUTIONS
1. Error in measuring distances.
When conducting tie and offset method, a tape measure was used when measuring the offsets ad tie
lines. sagging of the tape measure would have resulted into errors when distance was being measured.
PRECAUTIONS:
The tape measure was straightened and fastened at a horizontal position before taking the reading.
2. Error in measuring angles.
When measuring the angles by using a prismatic compass, parallax errors in recording the angles were
observed.
PRECAUTIONS:
To overcome this error the eye of the observer was placed perpendicular to the point to be recorded.
7: RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
Table 1:
DISTANCE(m)
AB 60
Table 1 above shows the distance between point A and B in the place which was measured by a tape
measure.
Table 2:
Forward Bearing AB 1000
Back Bearing BA 2800
Table 2 above shows the bearings measured by a prismatic compass.
8: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The successful outcomes of the practical demonstrates full participation of each student in the practical.
From this perspective, all participants are now fully equipped with detail survey methodologies. The great
demand of the establishment of various projects implies that currently engineering students need to
develop these skills at a higher level of competence .
Detail survey is normally done when it is required to locate features, to establish new features or to shift
an already existing feature. Failure to have necessary skills for the methodology makes a person non-
eligible for certain tasks that should be carried out or supervised. hence making the individual less
competent in the field.
