TSA Surveying Course

Basic Surveying and Mathematics

Aim:

To teach basic measurement skills for control of a small topographical survey in a safe manner with appreciation of scale and specification.

Outcome:

• To be able to use a total station, level and tape with confidence and have a good knowledge of observing, booking and calculation techniques.
• To have some appreciation of the development of map making.
• To be able to scale from and find the scale of a map.
• To convey an understanding of numerical and mathematical techniques which underpin surveying, and in particular basic trigonometry and the solution of right angled triangles.
• Basic traversing and the calculation of bearings and distances from Co-ordinates.
• To be able to deal with problems using a mathematical approach, compute by hand and have a clear understanding of accuracy, precision and checking.
• To write a spreadsheet to reduce and adjust levelling.
• To be able to write a dynamic risk assessment for a small survey.

Control and Detail Surveying

Aim:

To be able to carry out a small topographical survey in the built or rural environment with an appreciation of the requirements of specification, scale and presentation of features in both plan and height, that others can relate to.

Outcome:

To be able to use a variety of survey equipment in an applied manner to acquire, compute, analyse and present survey data. Methods to be used include tachometry, polar radiation and chain survey techniques. To be able to adjust a traverse by different methods and understand the importance of prism constants and atmospheric corrections in measurement. To be able to use a digital level and present a monitoring survey report. Be familiar with both the sine rule and cosine rule for non right angled triangles. To be able to interpolate contours from spot heights and to survey and plot a simple topographical section.

Projections and Grids, GNSS Surveying, Photogrammetry, Advanced Fixation

Aim:

To have an understanding of basic projections, grids and the shape of the earth. To be able to understand equipment and methods that require more detailed survey knowledge, of measurement and calculation, and to know how they can be applied. To solve problems and choose the best method of solving these problems.

Outcome:

To be able to use GNSS and total station surveying equipment in an applied manner to acquire data, and provide data, for other users. To be aware of the capability and limitations of photogrammetry and GNSS surveying and also understand the principles behind them. To be able to observe and compute intersection and resection. To be able to use co-ordinates in both a local plane grid, the OS National grid and latitude and longitude. To choose points suitable for a photo control.

Measured Building and Specialist Surveys

Aim:

To acquire and apply specific detailed survey knowledge for specialist survey types. In particular, measured building, surveys for plan, elevation and cross sections. To understand the requirements and capabilities of laser scanning surveys. To understand how surveys are carried out underground and ways of locating buried objects and underground utilities. Know how to conduct a survey of a river, lake or harbour. With an awareness of the health and safety issues for all of the above.

Outcome:

To be able to survey a simple building and present a survey plot in plan, elevation and section. To see a Scanner demonstrated and be aware of data presentation and registration requirements for point clouds. Have a theoretical and practical understanding of surveying underground features and utilities. Safe lifting of manholes, using Radio detection and ground Penetrating radar equipment. Have a theoretical understanding of Hydrographic surveying in tidal and non tidal waters.

Construction and Engineering Surveys

Aim:

To acquire and apply specific detailed survey knowledge to the engineering and construction industry in both surveying and setting out, with an appreciation of the different constraints and pressures in a dynamic environment safely. Using survey instrument and computer programs as well as hand calculations.

Outcome:

To be able to conduct simple construction survey and setting out tasks such as grid, gradient, slopes, horizontal and vertical curves by co-ordinates and by bearing and distance or offset methods.

Survey Management and Advanced Computer Usage

Survey Management Aim:

To understand the planning behind survey tasks, dealing with the survey team, the client and the public. To be able to read and produce a job specification and a job report. To consider the organisation and management of a commercial survey company. Outcome: To be able to communicate ideas clearly and to apply time and man management to a task, and be aware of the commercial constraints on a survey.

Advanced Computer Usage Aim:

To appreciate and practise the use of computer solutions in the manipulation and presentation of three dimensional and attributed data.

Outcome:

To be able to survey data for 3D models and compute cut and fill volumes and areas. To be familiar with the methods required for complex data capture and presentation for GIS based Systems. To write a spreadsheet for computing and adjusting a traverse.