Free Bachelor of Civil Engineering Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: An offset is the measurement of an object's distance from the survey line.

Inclined
Normal
Horizontal
Lateral (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lateral

In surveying, an offset is a measurement taken to determine an object's distance from a main survey line. Specifically, it refers to the perpendicular or 'lateral' distance from the survey line to the point or feature being mapped. This method helps in detailing features that are not directly on the main survey line.

Question 2: Which of the following is not a tool used to establish correct angles?

Prism square
Cross staff
Site square
Optical staff (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Optical staff

Prism squares, cross staffs, and site squares are all surveying instruments specifically designed for setting out or checking right angles in the field. An optical staff, also known as a leveling staff or stadia rod, is a graduated rod used in leveling to measure vertical distances or elevations, not for establishing or measuring angles.

Question 3: In how many different chain kinds is chain surveying used?

8
6
4
5 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5

Chain surveying, a traditional method of measuring distances, utilizes different types of chains depending on the required precision and units. There are typically five main kinds of chains employed: Gunter's chain, Engineer's chain, Metric chain, Revenue chain, and the Steel band or tape, each with specific lengths and link counts.

Question 4: The number of links in Gunter's chain is .

100 (Correct answer)
500
50
1000

Correct answer: 100

Gunter's chain is a historical surveying instrument, famously 66 feet long. This specific length was chosen because 10 chains equal one furlong, and 80 chains equal one mile. The chain is divided into 100 links, making each link 0.66 feet long, which simplifies calculations for area in acres.

Question 5: A line's direction in relation to a specific meridian is referred to as:

Dip
Angle
Bearing (Correct answer)
Declination

Correct answer: Bearing

In surveying, the 'bearing' of a line defines its direction relative to a specific meridian, which is a fixed reference line, usually North or South. It is expressed as an angle measured clockwise or quadrantal from this meridian. This measurement is crucial for accurately plotting and orienting survey lines.

Question 6: How many different compass kinds are employed in surveying?

2 (Correct answer)
3
4
5

Correct answer: 2

In the field of surveying, two primary types of compasses are commonly employed for measuring bearings and directions. These are the Prismatic compass and the Surveyor's compass. They differ in their design, the way readings are taken, and their typical applications in fieldwork.

Question 7: In the direction of the survey, a bearing is measured.

Front
Fore (Correct answer)
First
Primary

Correct answer: Fore

In surveying, a 'fore bearing' refers to the bearing of a survey line measured in the direction of the survey's progress. It is the angle measured from the reference meridian (usually North) to the line, taken from the starting point of that line towards its end point. This contrasts with a back bearing, which is measured in the opposite direction.

Question 8: In a system with reduced bearings, bearing is gauged from:

West
South
Nearest one (North or South) (Correct answer)
All of the above

Correct answer: Nearest one (North or South)

In the reduced bearing (or quadrantal bearing) system, the bearing of a line is always measured from the nearest cardinal direction, either North or South. The angle is then specified towards East or West, ensuring the bearing value is always between 0° and 90°. For example, N 30° E or S 45° W.

Question 9: How many different primary level types are there?

2
3
6
4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4

Leveling instruments, used to determine relative heights of points, come in several distinct types to suit various surveying needs. There are typically four primary types of levels: the Dumpy level, the Tilting level, the Automatic level, and the Digital level, each offering different levels of precision and operational convenience.

Question 10: The following is determined by a leveling staff:

Distance of points
Location of points
Vertical line of sight
Horizontal line of sight (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Horizontal line of sight

A leveling staff is a graduated rod used in conjunction with a leveling instrument to determine elevations. It is held vertically at a point, and the leveling instrument establishes a horizontal line of sight. The reading on the staff where it intersects this horizontal line of sight allows surveyors to calculate the relative height of that point.

Question 11: Originally, Dumpy level was created by:

Gravatt (Correct answer)
Stanley
Fennel
Heerbrugg

Correct answer: Gravatt

The Dumpy level, a robust and widely used optical leveling instrument known for its stability and simplicity, was originally invented by William Gravatt. He developed this instrument in 1832, significantly contributing to the efficiency and accuracy of leveling operations in civil engineering and surveying.

Question 12: What number of different types of leveling staff are there?

2 (Correct answer)
3
4
5

Correct answer: 2

Leveling staffs, essential tools for measuring vertical distances in surveying, are broadly categorized into two main types. These are self-reading staffs, where the observer at the level reads the graduations directly, and target staffs, which require a staffman to adjust a movable target until it aligns with the instrument's line of sight.

Question 13: A sighting device is used to locate an object.

Alidade (Correct answer)
Compass
U-frame
Plumbing fork

Correct answer: Alidade

An alidade is a crucial sighting device used in plane table surveying. It consists of a ruler with sighting vanes or a telescope, allowing the surveyor to draw lines directly on the plane table sheet that represent the lines of sight from the instrument station to various objects in the field. This helps in plotting the survey directly on site.

Question 14: How many different types of plane table surveying exist?

1
2
3
4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4

Plane table surveying, a graphical method of surveying where field observations and plotting are done simultaneously, employs four distinct methods. These methods are Radiation, Intersection, Traversing, and Resection. Each method is suited for different terrain conditions and survey objectives, allowing for comprehensive mapping.

Question 15: One method is plane table (PT) surveying.

Angular
Circular
Linear
Graphical (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Graphical

Plane table surveying is inherently a graphical method where field observations and plotting are carried out simultaneously. The surveyor directly draws the map on the plane table in the field, using lines of sight to plot features and details. This direct plotting process makes it distinctively graphical, as opposed to purely angular, circular, or linear measurement techniques.

Question 16: Plane table materials include:

Plastic
Wood (Correct answer)
Metal
Rubber

Correct answer: Wood

Plane tables are traditionally constructed from well-seasoned, high-quality wood, such as teak or pine. Wood provides a stable, flat, and relatively lightweight surface for drawing, which is crucial for accurate surveying. It also exhibits less thermal expansion and contraction compared to metals, helping to maintain the integrity of the plotted map in varying environmental conditions.

Free Bachelor of Civil Engineering Questions and Answers

An offset is the measurement of an object's distance from the survey line.