Construction surveying
Construction surveying transfers design positions, elevations, and alignments onto a site and checks built work against the design.
Survey control network: A framework of measured points that provides a consistent reference for positioning surveys. Its stable reference points let crews set out design coordinates across a site.
Geodetic datum: A reference framework defining coordinates and elevations for measuring locations on Earth. Projects must relate their local coordinates and elevations to a defined reference.
Building layout: The placement of a building's axes, corners, and levels on the construction site. It applies survey set-out to the footprint and geometry of a building.
Engineering design: The process of defining a structure or system's form, dimensions, materials, and performance. Design creates the geometry that construction surveying transfers; it does not mark that geometry on site.
Total station: An electronic surveying instrument that measures angles and distances to determine point positions. It transfers design coordinates to ground marks through measured angles and distances.
Traverse (surveying): A sequence of connected survey lines whose lengths and directions determine point positions. Traverses establish or extend control around sites where existing reference points are insufficient.
Road construction: The engineering and construction of roads, including their alignment, profile, and pavement. Surveyors transfer road centerlines, grades, and cross-sections into the field.
Topographic surveying: The measurement and mapping of terrain features and elevations in an area. It typically records existing site conditions, while construction surveying sets out proposed work.
Construction staking: The marking of designed positions, lines, and elevations on the ground for construction. Staking is the field operation that makes design geometry visible to construction crews.
Leveling: The measurement process used to determine elevation differences between points. Leveling transfers vertical design information with controlled elevation measurements.