MCQ Surveying

MCQ Surveying

Topics: Principles & classifications · Mapping & projections · Distance & directions · Leveling · Theodolite traversing · Plane table · Errors & adjustments · Curves

Q1. The primary objective of surveying is to:

Determine relative positions of points on or near the Earth's surface Only measure angles Design buildings Study soil

Q2. The fundamental principle of surveying is to work from:

Part to whole Whole to part Left to right Top to bottom

Q3. Geodetic surveying takes into account:

Earth's curvature Only plane surface Magnetic declination only None

Q4. Plane surveying assumes the Earth's surface to be:

Spherical A plane Ellipsoidal Cylindrical

Q5. A map scale of 1:50,000 means 1 cm on the map represents:

50 m on ground 500 m on ground 5 km on ground 50 km on ground

Q6. Contour lines join points of equal:

Latitude Elevation Slope Bearing

Q7. UTM is an example of a:

Geographic coordinate system only Projected (metric) coordinate system Magnetic system None

Q8. Which map projection preserves angles (conformal)?

Equal-area cylindrical Mercator Orthographic Mollweide

Q9. Gunter's chain has a length of:

20 m 30 m 66 ft (20.12 m) 100 ft

Q10. The correction for slope when measuring distance L along a slope of angle θ is approximately:

L(1 − cos θ) L sin θ L tan θ L/cos θ

Q11. True bearing is measured from:

Magnetic north True (geographic) north Arbitrary meridian Grid north only

Q12. Magnetic declination is the angle between:

True north and magnetic north True north and grid north Two survey lines Horizon and star

Q13. Whole-circle bearing of a line is 120°. Its reduced bearing is:

S 60° E N 60° W S 30° E N 120° E

Q14. The line of collimation of a dumpy level is:

Horizontal when the instrument is levelled Always vertical Along the staff None

Q15. Height of collimation method is preferred when:

Many intermediate sights are taken from one setup Only two points are involved Traversing only None

Q16. A backsight (BS) in leveling is a reading on:

A point of known elevation Any intermediate point The foresight only The change point only

Q17. Reciprocal leveling is used to eliminate errors due to:

Curvature and refraction and collimation when instrument cannot be set midway Staff graduation only Temperature only None

Q18. A theodolite is primarily used to measure:

Horizontal and vertical angles Only distances Only elevations Magnetic field

Q19. In a closed traverse, the algebraic sum of latitudes should be:

Zero (ideally) Equal to sum of departures Maximum Equal to perimeter

Q20. Bowditch's rule distributes closing error in proportion to:

Length of the sides Angles only Equally to all sides None

Q21. The deflection angle method is commonly used for:

Setting out simple circular curves Leveling only Contouring only Triangulation baselines

Q22. Plane table surveying is a method of:

Graphical surveying where plotting is done in the field Only angular measurement Only leveling GPS surveying

Q23. The two-point problem in plane tabling is used to:

Orient the table when position of only two points is known Measure distance Find elevation None

Q24. Systematic errors are:

Cumulative and often follow a definite pattern Always random Always compensating Unpredictable only

Q25. Accidental (random) errors tend to:

Compensate and follow normal distribution Always accumulate Be constant None

Q26. Least squares adjustment is used to:

Obtain most probable values of measured quantities Increase all measurements Eliminate only blunders None

Q27. The degree of a circular curve is the angle subtended at the centre by:

A 30 m (or 100 ft) arc/chord The full curve The tangent None

Q28. Transition curves are provided to:

Gradually introduce centrifugal force and super-elevation Only shorten the curve Avoid leveling None

Q29. Length of a simple circular curve of radius R and deflection angle Δ (radians) is:

R Δ R Δ² 2 R sin(Δ/2) R / Δ

Q30. Summit and valley curves on highways are examples of:

Vertical curves Horizontal circular curves only Transition spirals only None

Surveying – Theory & Formulae

📖 Importance, Principles & Classifications

Surveying establishes relative positions of points for maps, engineering design, property boundaries and construction layout.

• Work from whole to part – establish primary control first, then densify; localises errors.
• Plane surveying – small areas; Earth treated as plane.
• Geodetic surveying – large areas; Earth curvature and spheroidal shape considered.
• Classifications by purpose (topographic, cadastral, engineering, route, hydrographic) and by instruments/methods.

📖 Mapping Concepts, Coordinates & Projections

Scale: representative fraction (e.g. 1:50,000). Large scale = more detail.

Contours: lines of equal elevation; spacing indicates slope.

Coordinate systems: geographic (φ, λ); projected grid (E, N) e.g. UTM, State systems.

Map projections transform the curved Earth to a plane. Types: conformal (preserve angles – Mercator, Transverse Mercator), equal-area, equidistant. Choice depends on region and purpose.

📖 Distance & Direction

Distance measurement: chaining/taping, EDM, total station, GPS. Corrections: slope, temperature, tension, sag, absolute length.

$$ D_{\text{horizontal}} = L \cos\theta \approx L - L(1-\cos\theta) $$

Bearings

• Whole-circle bearing (WCB): 0°–360° from north.
• Reduced (quadrantal) bearing: N/S acute angle E/W.
• True, magnetic and grid bearings; magnetic declination converts magnetic ↔ true.

$$ \text{True bearing} = \text{Magnetic bearing} \pm \text{Declination} $$

📖 Leveling

Determines elevation differences. Instruments: dumpy, tilting, automatic, digital levels; leveling staff.

$$ HI = RL_{\text{BS}} + BS,\quad RL_{\text{point}} = HI - FS\text{ (or IS)} $$

• Height of collimation (HI) method – convenient for many intermediate sights.
• Rise and fall method – checks arithmetic; good for change points.
• Curvature and refraction corrections for long sights; reciprocal leveling eliminates collimation error when the instrument cannot be placed midway.

📖 Theodolite Traversing

Theodolite measures horizontal and vertical angles. Traverse: series of connected lines with measured lengths and angles/bearings.

$$ \text{Latitude} = L\cos\theta,\quad \text{Departure} = L\sin\theta $$

Closed traverse: \(\sum Lat = 0\), \(\sum Dep = 0\) ideally. Closing error adjusted by:

• Bowditch (compass) rule – corrections proportional to side lengths.
• Transit rule – corrections proportional to latitude/departure of the side.

📖 Plane Table Surveying

Graphical method: map is drawn in the field as observations are made. Methods: radiation, intersection, traversing, resection.

• Three-point problem – orient and locate station using three known points (Bessel, tracing-paper, trial-and-error methods).
• Two-point problem – when only two points are available (more involved).

Advantages: immediate check of work; suitable for small areas. Disadvantages: weather-sensitive; lower precision than instrumental surveying for large control networks.

📖 Errors & Adjustments

• Blunders – mistakes; must be eliminated by checks.
• Systematic (cumulative) – follow a pattern (e.g. tape too short); correct by calibration/formulae.
• Random (accidental) – small, compensating; treated by least squares / probability.

Least squares adjustment minimises \(\sum v^2\) to obtain most probable values of unknowns under linear (or linearised) observation equations.

📖 Curves

Horizontal circular curve

$$ T = R\tan\frac{\Delta}{2},\quad L = R\Delta\ (\Delta\text{ in rad}) = \frac{\pi R\Delta^\circ}{180},\quad E = R\left(\sec\frac{\Delta}{2}-1\right),\quad C = 2R\sin\frac{\Delta}{2} $$

where \(T\) = tangent length, \(L\) = arc length, \(E\) = external distance, \(C\) = long chord, \(\Delta\) = deflection angle, \(R\) = radius.

Degree of curve: central angle subtended by a standard chord (or arc), e.g. 30 m.

Transition (spiral) curves: curvature increases linearly with length; used to introduce super-elevation and centrifugal acceleration gradually.

Vertical curves: usually equal-tangent parabolas connecting grades \(n_1\) and \(n_2\); length designed for sight distance and comfort (summit and valley curves).

Yogendra Gopal Borse

Civil Engineer | Assistant Engineer Grade-I, Maharashtra PWD

B.Tech (Civil) from VJTI Mumbai. Experienced in bridge design, road works, estimation, project monitoring and digital engineering tools. Creator of YogiPWD – practical technical resources for civil engineers.

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