Surveying Interview Questions

1. What is surveying?

Surveying is a branch of civil engineering that deals with earth levels, coordinates, layout markings, three dimensional positions of points, distances and angles between them etc. It is also used to map land boundaries, construction sites, and topographic features.

2. What are the types of surveying?

The main types of surveying are land surveying, topographic surveying, hydrographic surveying, cadastral surveying, geodetic surveying, and engineering surveying.

3. What is land survey?

Land survey is conducted to mapping the boundaries, features, and areas of land on the surface of earth for ownership, construction, designing and legal purposes. Land surveying includes the measurement of areas, distances, directions, angles between different points both vertically and horizontally.

4. What is topographic survey?

Topographic survey is the field of surveying in which elevations and contours of the Earth's surface is prepared that show the ups and down of earth and to find out water flow directions.

5. What is hydrographic survey?

As defining by its name (Hydro stand for water) hydrographic survey is relates to water. Hydrographic surveying is used to measure and describe features in bodies of water, such as riverbeds, lakes, or oceans, for navigation, engineering, and environmental purposes.

6. What is cadastral surveying?

Cadastral surveying is conducted to define and redefine land boundaries for different purposes like Land ownership, property delineation, and the creation of land maps.

7. What is engineering surveying?

Engineering surveying is conducted to provide data that is essentially required for planning, designing, and construction of engineering projects such as roads, bridges, and buildings etc.

8. What is geodetic surveying?

Geodetic surveying or survey is the field of surveying that deals with large areas of Earth’s surface, in this survey large area on earth measured accurately with the help of GPS and satellite data by keeping in consideration Earth’s curvature.

9. What is photogrammetric surveying?

Photogrammetric surveying is conducted to gather the data of earth’s surface through photos. Photos are collected both from air & land and also photos are collected from satellite to create maps and 3D models of large areas.

10. What is remote sensing in surveying?

Remote sensing involves gathering data about the Earth's surface from a distance, typically using satellites or aircraft sensors.

11. What is construction surveying?

Construction survey is the process of laying out drawings on earth to start the construction execution work on site. It involves establishing reference points, lines, and elevations for building and civil engineering projects to ensure the correct placement and construction of structures.

12. What is mining surveying?

Mining surveying focuses on the development, operation, and reclamation of mines, ensuring that excavations and structures are accurately measured and planned.

13. What is plane surveying?

In plane surveying earth surface is assumed flat, which simplifies calculations for small areas where the Earth’s curvature is negligible.

14. What is an aerial survey?

An aerial survey is conducted from aircraft or drones, using photography, LiDAR, or other sensors to collect geographic data for mapping large areas.

15. What is azimuth in surveying?

Azimuth is the horizontal angle measured clockwise from a reference meridian, usually north, used to define the direction of a line.

16. Tell the name of different surveying tools?

While finding out levels on earth backsight is a reading taken on a point of known elevation to establish the height of the instrument.

17. What is a baseline in surveying?

A baseline is a fixed reference line used in triangulation and other surveying methods, from which other measurements are taken.

18. What is bearing in surveying?

Bearing is the horizontal angle between a reference direction (usually north) and the line connecting two points.

19. What is a benchmark in surveying?

A benchmark is a permanent reference point, level of this point is already known and written on bench mark sign (fixed or installed on earth). Levels of all other points are taken with the reference of this bench mark.

20. What is a contour line?

A contour line is a line marked on contour map that shows the level of different points on earth indicating the shape and slope of the terrain.

21. What is a datum in surveying?

A datum is a reference surface or level used as a baseline for elevation measurements in surveying.

22. What is elevation in surveying?

Elevation refers to the vertical distance or height of a point above a reference level, usually mean sea level.

23. What is a foresight (FS)?

A foresight is a reading taken on a point to determine its elevation, usually after the instrument height has been established.

24. What is grid north?

Grid north is the direction of the northward lines on a grid system, which may differ slightly from true north due to map projections.

25. What is leveling?

Leveling is the process of determining the height and depth of different points or the differences in elevation between points on the Earth’s surface.

26. What is an offset in surveying?

An offset is a perpendicular distance measured from a survey line to a point, feature, or object.

27. What is a point of intersection (PI)?

Point of intersection is the point where two lines intersect or cross in surveying, commonly used in road or railway alignments.

28. What is a prism used for in surveying?

A prism is a modern instrument that is used in surveying to find out accurate distances and angles between different points. Prism reflects signals emitted by a total station, allowing for accurate measurement of distances and angles in modern surveying.

29. What is a range line?

A range line is an imaginary or marked line used to guide the direction of a survey or alignment, often in construction.

30. What is reduced level (RL)?

In surveying, Reduced Level (RL) refers to the height or elevation of a point in relation to a fixed reference like datum. It’s essentially a way to express the vertical distance between a surveyed point and the known reference point. By calculating RLs, surveyors can compare the relative heights of various locations, which is crucial for leveling and ensuring structures or landscapes are built accurately on even ground.

31. What is right of way (ROW) in surveying?

Right of Way (ROW) in surveying refers to the legal right to access or use a specific strip of land for construction or infrastructure purposes. This area is typically reserved for public utilities, transportation systems or other government controlled developments. In road construction, the ROW is the total width of the land available for road construction and any future expansions.

32. What is a total station?

Total station is an advanced surveying instrument that combines an electronic theodolite with an electronic distance meter (EDM) to measure horizontal and vertical angles, as well as distances from the instrument to a specific point.

33. What is a total station?

Theodolite is a surveying instrument used to measure vertical levels of different points. By rotating its telescope and using a fine angular scale, surveyors can get precise readings to ensure buildings, roads, or other structures are aligned correctly. It's a fundamental tool in traditional surveying, now often paired with more modern technology like total stations.

34. What is triangulation in surveying?

Triangulation is a method used to determine the positions of points by forming triangles between known and unknown locations. Surveyors measure the angles of a triangle from two known points to a third, unknown point, and by knowing the distance between the two known points (the base), they can calculate the distance to the unknown point using trigonometry. This technique is widely used for mapping large areas, establishing control networks, and ensuring accuracy in positioning over long distances. It's a reliable method because the geometry of triangles helps minimize errors over large distances.

35. What is zenith in surveying?

In surveying, zenith refers to the point in the sky directly above the observer or surveying instrument. It's the highest point in the vertical plane, opposite to the base, which is the point directly below. Surveyors use the concept of the zenith when measuring vertical angles, especially with instruments like theodolites and total stations.

36. What is chainage in surveying?

Chainage refers to the measurement of distance along a specific line, such as a road, railway, or pipeline, usually measured from a fixed starting point. It is expressed in units of length, typically in meters or feet, and is used to mark positions along a linear route. For example, a chainage of "500 meters" means a point is located 500 meters from the designated starting point.

37. What is a cross-section in surveying?

A cross-section represents a vertical slice through a terrain or structure, used to display changes in elevation and landform along a given line.

38. What are mean errors in surveying?

Mean errors are the average deviation from the true or accepted value of a measured quantity, representing the cumulative effect of small, random errors.

39. What is reciprocal leveling?

What is reciprocal leveling? Reciprocal leveling is a precision surveying method used to determine the elevation difference between two points across an obstacle, like a river or valley. By taking measurements from both sides of the obstacle and averaging the results, errors caused by uneven ground, atmospheric conditions, or instrument imperfections are minimized, ensuring accurate elevation data.

40. What is Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM)?

Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM) is a highly accurate technique used in surveying to measure distances. It works by transmitting an electromagnetic wave (i.e. infrared or laser) from an instrument to a reflector. The time it takes for the wave to return is measured, and the distance is calculated based on the speed of light. EDM is widely used for its precision, speed, and ability to measure over long distances.

41. What is GNSS Surveying?

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveying utilizes satellite signals to determine precise coordinates for points on the Earth's surface. It involves using receivers to collect signals from multiple satellites, calculating position, distance, and elevation in real-time. GNSS surveying is essential for projects requiring high accuracy, such as mapping, construction, and infrastructure development.

42. What is Collimation Error in a Level?

Collimation error occurs when the line of sight in a leveling instrument is not perfectly horizontal, resulting in inaccurate elevation readings. This error can be caused by misalignment within the instrument or improper calibration. Regular adjustments and checks are necessary to minimize this error in surveying work.

43. What is Route Surveying and How is it Performed?

Route surveying is the process of designing and mapping the alignment for linear infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, and pipelines. It involves determining the best path, measuring distances, setting gradients, and plotting cross-sections. Route surveying ensures that projects follow the most efficient and safe course, considering terrain and environmental constraints.

44. What are the Common Sources of Errors in Surveying?

Surveying errors can arise from various factors Like Instrumental errors (Calibration issues or misaligned equipment), Environmental factors(Temperature changes, refraction, and weather conditions can distort measurements) Human error (Mistakes in reading instruments or recording data) and Natural influences(Terrain irregularities or obstacles affecting accuracy).

45. What is the Bowditch Method in Traverse Adjustments?

The Bowditch method, or compass rule, is a technique used in surveying to adjust a traverse. It distributes angular and linear errors proportionally based on the length of each traverse leg. This method ensures that the total error is minimized and equally spread across the survey, improving accuracy.

46. What is the Role of UAVs in Surveying?

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are revolutionizing surveying by providing fast, cost-effective aerial data collection. UAVs are used for tasks like topographic mapping, photogrammetry, and LiDAR surveys, offering high-resolution images and 3D models. This technology is especially useful for surveying large or hard-to-reach areas.

47. What is the Principle of Plane Table Surveying?

Plane table surveying is a traditional method where the surveyor directly plots points onto a map in the field. Using a plane table, alidade, and scale, measurements are taken and drawn on the spot. This method is efficient for small-scale surveys and provides a quick visual representation of the surveyed area.

48. What is a Radial Survey and Where is it Applied?

In radial surveying, measurements of distance and angle are taken from a central point to multiple surrounding points. It is commonly used in infrastructure projects like road, railway, and tunnel layouts to ensure accurate alignment and positioning.

49. What is the Principle of Working from Whole to Part in Surveying?

What is the Principle of Working from Whole to Part in Surveying? The "whole to part" principle ensures that a large control framework is established first before more detailed measurements are taken. This method helps prevent errors from accumulating as surveying progresses, ensuring that smaller sections of the survey are anchored to accurately measured control points.

50. What is a Clinometer Used For?

A clinometer is an instrument used to measure the angle of elevation, slope, or depression relative to gravity. Surveyors use clinometers to determine the steepness of a hill or the height of an object, making it essential in both construction and topographic mapping.

51. What is Tacheometry?

Tacheometry is a rapid surveying method for measuring both horizontal distance and elevation. It uses a theodolite or special telescope equipped with a graduated reticle. This method is particularly useful in areas where quick, accurate distance measurements are needed.

52. How Do You Calculate Gradient or Slope?

The gradient or slope of a surface is calculated by dividing the vertical height difference (rise) by the horizontal distance (run). It can be expressed as a ratio (1:100) or percentage (1%). This calculation is essential in designing roadways, drainage systems, and any surface with an incline.

53. What is a Plumb Bob Used For in Surveying?

A plumb bob is a simple but essential tool in surveying used to ensure instruments are perfectly vertical. It consists of a weighted object suspended by a string, which always points towards the center of the Earth, ensuring accuracy during setup.

54. What is the Difference Between Plane and Geodetic Surveys?

Plane surveys assume that the Earth's surface is flat, making them suitable for small areas. In contrast, geodetic surveys account for the Earth's curvature and are used for large-scale projects where this curvature affects measurements.

55. What is Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM)?

EDM uses the time it takes for electromagnetic waves, such as infrared or laser, to travel to a reflector and back to the instrument to measure distances. This technique provides high accuracy over long distances and is commonly used in construction and topographic surveys.

56. What is an Alidade in Plane Table Surveying?

An alidade is a sighting device used in plane table surveying. It allows surveyors to sight objects in the field and draw lines on the map corresponding to the angles and distances measured, enabling accurate plotting of points.

57. What is GIS in the Context of Surveying?

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a technology used to collect, store, analyze, and visualize geographic data. In surveying, GIS helps manage spatial information, map terrains, and perform analyses critical to land management, infrastructure planning, and environmental monitoring.

58. What is Parallax in Surveying Instruments?

Parallax is a surveying error that occurs when the object being sighted is not aligned with the crosshairs in the instrument due to improper focusing. This can lead to inaccurate measurements, so proper focusing and alignment is crucial.

59. What is Fly Leveling?

This page provides a comprehensive list of surveying interview questions to help you prepare for your next job interview. Covering key topics like surveying tools, methods, roles, and responsibilities, these questions are designed to test your knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts in surveying. Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional, this guide will equip you with essential questions and answers needed to excel in your interview.

In addition to the top 100 surveying interview questions, this page also offers insights into other crucial areas such as boundary establishment, topographic surveying, and construction staking. You'll find questions related to the use of various surveying instruments, data collection methods, and error minimization techniques. These topics are frequently explored during interviews and are critical for anyone looking to succeed in the field of surveying.

Moreover, we’ve included links to additional interview questions for various engineering disciplines like structural engineering, construction management, and geotechnical engineering. These resources provide a broader understanding of civil engineering and can further aid in your interview preparation. By studying these questions, you can gain a well-rounded perspective on different aspects of surveying and civil engineering, making you a more versatile candidate.

To make the most of your preparation, don’t forget to explore related topics such as GPS surveying, construction layout, and mapping techniques. Understanding these concepts can significantly boost your confidence and enhance your answers during the interview. By reviewing these surveying interview questions and practicing your responses, you can stand out as a knowledgeable and prepared candidate ready to tackle any challenge in surveying.