ETC Surveying & Site Measurement Flashcards

What surveying instrument uses a rotating laser beam to establish a level reference plane on a job site?

Answer: Rotary laser level

A rotary laser level projects a 360-degree horizontal plane that workers use to check elevations and set grades across a site.

What does the term benchmark refer to in engineering surveying?

Answer: A known point of established elevation used as a reference

A benchmark is a permanent, precisely established elevation point from which other elevations on a project are measured.

In a field traverse, what does closure error refer to?

Answer: The discrepancy between the starting and ending points of a closed loop survey

Closure error is the distance between the calculated end point and the true starting point when a traverse loop fails to close perfectly.

What unit is commonly used to express horizontal distances on US engineering drawings and surveys?

Answer: Feet and decimal feet (US survey foot)

US engineering drawings typically use feet expressed as decimal fractions (e.g., 150.75 ft) rather than feet-inches for precision.

What does GPS stand for as used in modern surveying?

Answer: Global Positioning System

GPS is a US satellite-based navigation system that provides precise position and elevation data for surveying.

Which type of survey is performed to establish or verify the legal boundaries of a parcel of land?

Answer: Boundary survey

A boundary survey locates and documents the corners and lines of a property as described in legal documents and deeds.