This is a paramount Geography Book for students preparing for entrance into higher learning institutions and first year courses at university levels including map work, surveying, field work for Geography. The book is intended to help learners to have clear cut knowlegde on Geography concept regarding practical. This book also can play a role of reference book for advanced geography teachers.
Table of Contents
PART ONE: SURVEYING
Chapter one: History of surveying
Surveying today, what surveying is?
Major Elements of survey, Branches of surveying
Units of Measurements, Purposes of surveying
Chapter two: Chain/Tape surveying
Meaning, Equipments used, The Fieldwork of chain surveying
Obstacles in chain survey, Booking, Plotting
Errors in chain surveying, Activity
Chapter three: Prismatic Compass Survey
Meaning, Merits and Demerits
Methods used, Bearing, Intersection, Resection
Types of Prismatic Compass, Open traverse, Closed traverse.
Application of traversing, Reduction of Error in compass
Chapter Four: Plane tabling
Meaning, Equipment used, Merits and Demerits, Alidade.
Chapter five: Leveling technique
Meaning/Definition, Purposes, Equipments, Terminologies used
Methods, Rise and fall, Height of Collimation
Activity, Types of levels, Basic theory, Application
Errors in leveling
PART TWO: FIELD WORK
Charter one: Fieldwork
Meaning, Importance, Objectives
Organization of fieldwork/Project work
Report writing, Activity
Objectives and Core Topics
This manual aims to provide secondary and tertiary students with a comprehensive, practical foundation in geography, focusing on the essential techniques for land surveying, mapping, and field research. It seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom knowledge and the hands-on application required in real-world environments.
- The principles and methods of land surveying, including chain, tape, prismatic compass, and plane table techniques.
- Technical leveling procedures for determining ground elevations for engineering and construction projects.
- Methodologies for conducting geographical fieldwork, including data collection, observation, and report writing.
- Concepts of map work, including scale, distance measurement, and area calculation on topographical maps.
Excerpt from the Book
WHAT SURVEYING IS
This is the science of measuring and recording distances, angles, heights and sizes on the earth’s surface to obtain data from which accurate plans and maps is made.
The art and science (systematic process) of determining the position of natural and artificial features on, above the earth’s surface or establishing such point; and representing this information on paper plans, as figures, tables or computer based map. (Measure related positions and present them numerically and or graphically).
It is the measurement of dimensional relationships as of horizontal distances, elevations, directions and angles on the earth’s surface especially for use in locating property boundaries, construction layout, and map making. Also is a technique of measuring to determine the position of points or of making out points and boundaries. Generally, surveying is the systematic process of making measurements on the field from which maps are drawn. The map is the most essential piece of equipment which the geographer, engineer and architect uses, and their training is said to be incomplete without instruction on procedures of map making where surveying is most important. The geographer must learn to read, make and use map as an essential element on their carrier, in so doing he/she will be well equipped in geographical world.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter one: History of surveying: Provides an overview of the development of surveying from ancient times to the modern industrial era, defining its role in planning and development.
Chapter two: Chain/Tape surveying: Details the fundamental method of measuring straight lines on the ground using chains or tapes, along with procedures for overcoming obstacles and data recording.
Chapter three: Prismatic Compass Survey: Explains the use of the prismatic compass for measuring bearings and angles to determine the position of objects, including traversing methods.
Chapter Four: Plane tabling: Describes the rapid mapping method of plane tabling, focusing on the necessary equipment and the step-by-step process of field sketching.
Chapter five: Leveling technique: Covers the specialized methods for determining vertical elevations using spirit levels, leveling staves, and principles like height of collimation.
Charter one: Fieldwork: Outlines the importance of geographical fieldwork as a training tool, covering organization, observation, data recording, and final report preparation.
Keywords
Surveying, Map Work, Chain Survey, Prismatic Compass, Plane Table, Leveling, Fieldwork, Topography, Triangulation, Bearing, Traverse, Collimation, Scale, Data Collection, Cartography
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary scope of this textbook?
The book serves as a practical manual for secondary and tertiary students, covering the fundamental tools and techniques of geography, specifically in map work, surveying, and field research.
What are the core thematic areas covered in the book?
The main themes include survey methods (chain, compass, plane table, leveling), topographical map interpretation, and the structured organization of geographical fieldwork.
What is the main goal or research question addressed?
The manual aims to enable students to bridge the gap between theoretical geographical knowledge and practical application, specifically in measuring land, creating maps, and conducting effective field studies.
Which scientific methods are primarily discussed?
The manual emphasizes direct field measurement methods, including linear measurement with chains, angular measurement with compasses, triangulation, and vertical leveling techniques.
What content is covered in the main sections?
The main sections systematically cover the principles, equipment, procedures, advantages, and demerits of various surveying techniques, followed by practical guides on conducting and reporting on geographical fieldwork.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include surveying, chain survey, prismatic compass, plane table, leveling, field work, map work, topography, and data collection.
How does the book address obstacles in chain surveying?
It provides specific mathematical and geometric procedures, such as the use of right-angle offsets and the application of the Pythagorean theorem, to bypass obstacles that prevent direct chaining or ranging.
What specific guidance is provided for leveling?
The book details the rise-and-fall method and the height-of-collimation method for determining elevations, supported by clear formulas and examples for data recording.
How should a student approach fieldwork reporting according to the manual?
The manual recommends a structured approach, starting with planning and preliminary contacts, followed by systematic observation, data recording, interpretation, and final report writing using clear, short sentences and relevant visuals.
- Quote paper
- Tutor Haruni Machumu (Author), 2011, Understanding Practical Geography: Map Work - Surveying - Field Work - Research, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/181033
