Engineering and Design Geodetic and Control Surveying (EM 1110-1-1004)

EM 1110-1-1004
1 June 2002
US Army Corps
of Engineers
ENGINEERING AND DESIGN
Geodetic and Control Surveying
ENGINEER MANUAL

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY EM 1110-1-1004
US Army Corps of Engineers
CECW-EE
Washington, DC 20314-1000
Manual
No. 1110-1-1004
1 June 2002
Engineering and Design
GEODETIC AND CONTROL SURVEYING
Table of Contents
Subject
Paragraph
Page
Chapter 1
Introduction
Purpose............................................................................................................1-1
1-1
Applicability.....................................................................................................1-2
1-1
Distribution ......................................................................................................1-3
1-1
References .......................................................................................................1-4
1-1
Background......................................................................................................1-5
1-1
Scope of Manual...............................................................................................1-6
1-1
Life Cycle Project Management.........................................................................1-7
1-2
Metrics ............................................................................................................1-8
1-2
Trade Name Exclusions.....................................................................................1-9
1-2
Abbreviations and Terms ..................................................................................1-10
1-2
Mandatory Requirements ..................................................................................1-11
1-3
Proponency......................................................................................................1-12
1-3
Chapter 2
Control Surveying Applications
General............................................................................................................2-1
2-1
Project Control Densification.............................................................................2-2
2-1
Geodetic Control Densification..........................................................................2-3
2-1
Vertical Control Densification ...........................................................................2-4
2-1
Structural Deformation Studies..........................................................................2-5
2-2
Photogrammetry...............................................................................................2-6
2-2
Dynamic Positioning and Navigation .................................................................2-7
2-2
GIS Integration.................................................................................................2-8
2-3
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Subject
Paragraph
Page
Chapter 3
Standards and Specifications for Control Surveying
General............................................................................................................3-1
3-1
Accuracy .........................................................................................................3-2
3-1
General Procedural Standards and Specifications ................................................3-3
3-3
Construction Surveys ........................................................................................3-4
3-5
Cadastral and Real Estate Surveys .....................................................................3-5
3-5
Geodetic Control Surveys..................................................................................3-6
3-5
Topographic Site Plan Mapping Surveys ............................................................3-7
3-6
Structural Deformation Surveys .........................................................................3-8
3-6
Photogrammetric Mapping Control Surveys .......................................................3-9
3-6
Hydrographic Surveys.......................................................................................3-10
3-6
GIS Surveys .....................................................................................................3-11
3-7
Mandatory Requirements ..................................................................................3-12
3-7
Chapter 4
Reference Systems and Datum Transformations
Reference Systems ...........................................................................................4-1
4-1
Geodetic Coordinates........................................................................................4-2
4-2
State Plane Coordinate System ..........................................................................4-3
4-4
Universal Transverse Mercator Coordinate System.............................................4-4
4-6
Datum Transformations.....................................................................................4-5
4-8
Horizontal Datum Transformations ....................................................................4-6
4-8
Horizontal Transition Plan.................................................................................4-7
4-11
Vertical Datums ...............................................................................................4-8
4-13
Vertical Datum Transformations ........................................................................4-9
4-14
Vertical Transition Plan.....................................................................................4-10
4-15
Mandatory Requirements ..................................................................................4-11
4-16
Chapter 5
Horizontal Control Survey Techniques
Introduction......................................................................................................5-1
5-1
Secondary Horizontal Control............................................................................5-2
5-2
Traverse Survey Standards ................................................................................5-3
5-3
Traverse Survey Guidelines...............................................................................5-4
5-4
Traverse Classifications ....................................................................................5-5
5-6
Triangulation and Trilateration ..........................................................................5-6
5-6
Bearing and Azimuth Determination..................................................................5-7
5-7
Mandatory Requirements ..................................................................................5-8
5-8
Chapter 6
Vertical Control Survey Techniques
General............................................................................................................6-1
6-1
Second Order Leveling......................................................................................6-2
6-4
Third Order Leveling ........................................................................................6-3
6-7
Mandatory Requirements ..................................................................................6-4
6-8
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Subject
Paragraph
Page
Chapter 7
Miscellaneous Field Notekeeping and Procedural Requirements
Field Notes.......................................................................................................7-1
7-1
Horizontal Control Survey Field Notes...............................................................7-2
7-2
Vertical Control Survey Field Notes ..................................................................7-3
7-2
Rights-of-Entry.................................................................................................7-4
7-2
Mandatory Requirements ..................................................................................7-5
7-3
Appendix A
References
Appendix B
CORPSCON Technical Documentation and Operating Instructions
Appendix C
Development and Implementation of NAVD 88
Appendix D
Requirements and Procedures for Referencing Coastal Navigation Projects to
Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) Datum
Glossary
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Chapter 1
Introduction
1-1. Purpose
This manual provides technical specifications and procedural guidance for control and geodetic
surveying. It is intended for use by engineering, topographic, and construction surveyors performing
control surveys for civil works, military construction, and environmental restoration projects. Procedural
and quality control standards are defined to establish uniformity in control survey performance and
contract administration.
1-2. Applicability
This manual applies to all USACE commands having responsibility for the planning, engineering and
design, operations, maintenance, construction, and related real estate and regulatory functions of civil
works, military construction, and environmental restoration projects. It applies to control surveys
performed by both hired-labor forces and contracted survey forces.
1-3. Distribution
This publication is approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
1-4. References
Referenced USACE publications are listed in Appendix A. Where applicable, bibliographic information is
listed within each chapter or appendix.
1-5. Background
A geodetic control survey consists of establishing the horizontal and vertical positions of points for the
control of a project or installation site, map, GIS, or study area. These surveys establish three-
dimensional point positions of fixed monuments, which then can provide the primary reference for
subsequent engineering and construction projects. These control points also provide the basic framework
from which detailed site plan topographic mapping, boundary demarcation, and construction alignment
work can be performed. Precisely controlled monuments are also established to position marine
construction vessels supporting the Corps navigation mission--e.g., the continuous positioning of dredges
and survey boats. Geodetic control survey techniques are also used to effectively and efficiently monitor
and evaluate external deformations in large structures, such as locks and dams.
1-6. Scope of Manual
This manual covers the use of engineering surveying techniques for establishing and/or extending project
construction control. Accuracy requirements, standards, measurement procedures, calibrations, horizontal
and vertical datum transformations, data reduction and adjustment methods, and engineering surveying
techniques are outlined. The primary focus of this manual is on conventional (i.e., non-GPS) horizontal
and vertical survey techniques using traditional ground survey instruments--transits, theodolites, levels,
electronic total stations, etc. Typically, conventional survey techniques include traverse, triangulation,
trilateration, and differential leveling.
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a. The manual is intended to be a reference guide for control surveying, whether performed by
in-house hired-labor forces, contracted forces, or combinations thereof. General planning criteria, field
and office execution procedures, project datum requirements, and required accuracy specifications for
performing engineering surveys are provided. Accuracy specifications, procedural criteria, and quality
control requirements contained in this manual should be directly referenced in the scopes of work for
Architect-Engineer (A-E) survey services or other third-party survey services. This ensures that
standardized procedures are followed by both hired-labor and contract service sources.

b. The survey performance criteria given in this manual are not intended to meet the Federal
Geodetic Control Subcommittee (FGCS) standards required for densifying the National Geodetic
Reference System (NGRS). However, the methods and procedures given in this manual will yield results
equal to or exceeding FGCS Second Order relative accuracy criteria. Second Order accuracy is generally
considered sufficient for most USACE engineering and construction work.
c. This manual does not cover the concepts of using differential GPS for performing precise
geodetic control surveys. For further specific guidance on all aspects of GPS surveying, the user should
consult EM 1110-1-1003, NAVSTAR GPS Surveying.
d. This manual should be used in conjunction with other USACE surveying and mapping
engineering manuals that refer to it for guidance on datums and datum transformation procedures. These
procedures are covered in Chapter 4 (Reference Systems and Datum Transformations) and in Appendices
B, C, and D.
e. This manual was initially developed as part of the 31 October 1994 version of
EM 1110-1-1004, "Deformation and Control Surveying." During the current update, structural
deformation surveying portions of the 1994 manual were removed and incorporated into a separate
technical manual. The current version of EM 1110-1-1004 was then re-titled as "Geodetic and Control
Surveying" to reflect the revised scope.
1-7. Life Cycle Project Management
Project control surveys may be required through the entire life cycle of a project, spanning decades in
many cases. During the early planning phases of a project, a comprehensive control plan should be
developed which considers survey requirements over a project's life cycle, with a goal of eliminating
duplicate or redundant surveys to the maximum extent possible.
1-8. Metrics
Both English and metric units are used in this manual. Metric units are commonly used in precise
surveying applications, including the horizontal and vertical survey work covered in this manual. Control
survey measurements are usually recorded and reported in metric units. In all cases, the use of either
metric or English units shall follow local engineering and construction practices.
1-9. Trade Name Exclusions
The citation or illustration in this manual of trade names of commercially available survey products,
including other auxiliary surveying equipment, instrumentation, and adjustment software, does not
constitute official endorsement or approval of the use of such products.
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1-10. Abbreviations and Terms
Abbreviations used in this manual are defined in the Glossary at the end of this manual. Commonly used
engineering surveying terms are also explained in the Glossary.
1-11. Mandatory Requirements
ER 1110-2-1150 (Engineering and Design for Civil Works Projects) prescribes that mandatory requirements
be identified in engineer manuals. Mandatory requirements in this manual are summarized at the end of
each chapter. Mandatory accuracy standards, quality control, and quality assurance criteria are normally
summarized in tables within each chapter. The mandatory criteria contained in this manual are based on the
following considerations: (1) project safety considerations, (2) overall project function, (3) previous Corps
experience and practice has demonstrated the criteria are critical, (4) Corps-wide geospatial data
standardization requirements, (5) adverse economic impacts if criteria are not followed, and (6) HQUSACE
commitments to Federal and industry standards.
1-12. Proponency
The HQUSACE proponent for this manual is the Engineering and Construction Division, Directorate of
Civil Works (CECW-EE). Technical development and compilation of the manual was coordinated by the
US Army Topographic Engineering Center (CEERD-TS-G). Comments, recommended changes, or
waivers to this manual should be forwarded through MSC to HQUSACE (ATTN: CECW-EE).
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Chapter 2
Control Surveying Applications
2-1. General
Control surveys are used to support a variety of USACE project applications. These include project
boundary control densification, structural deformation studies, photogrammetric mapping, dynamic
positioning and navigation for hydrographic survey vessels and dredges, hydraulic study/survey location,
river/floodplain cross-section location, core drilling location, environmental studies, levee overbank
surveys, levee profiling, levee grading and revetment placement, disposal area construction, grade
control, real property surveys, and regulatory enforcement actions. Some of these applications are
described below.
2-2. Project Control Densification
a. Conventional surveying. Conventional geodetic control surveys are those performed using
traditional precise surveying techniques and instruments--i.e., theodolites, total stations, and levels.
Conventional control surveys can be used to economically and accurately establish or densify project
control in a timely fashion. Quality control statistics and redundant measurements in networks
established by these methods help to ensure reliable results. However, conventional survey methods do
have the requirement for intervisibility between adjacent stations.
b. GPS surveying. GPS satellite surveying techniques can often be used to establish or densify
project control more efficiently (and accurately) than conventional control surveying techniques--
especially over large projects. As with conventional methods, quality control statistics and redundant
measurements in GPS networks help to ensure reliable results. Field operations to perform a GPS survey
are relatively easy and can generally be performed by one person per receiver, with two or more receivers
required to transfer control. GPS does not require intervisibility between adjacent stations. However,
GPS must have visibility of at least four satellites during surveying. This requirement may make GPS
inappropriate in areas of dense vegetation. For GPS control survey techniques refer to EM 1110-1-1003,
NAVSTAR GPS Surveying.
2-3. Geodetic Control Densification
Conventional control and GPS surveying methods can be used for wide-area, high-order geodetic control
densification. First-, Second- or Third-Order work can be achieved using conventional or GPS surveying
techniques. GPS techniques are now generally used for most horizontal control surveys performed for
mapping frameworks. Conventional instruments and procedures are generally preferred for site plan
topographic mapping and critical construction control. Topographic mapping procedures used in detailed
site plan surveys are contained in EM 1110-1-1005, Topographic Surveying.
2-4. Vertical Control Densification
Conventional leveling methods are used to determine orthometric height elevations of benchmarks
established for vertical control densification. The setup and operation for conventional control surveying
for vertical control densification offers economies of scale in the same manner as that offered by the setup
for horizontal project control densification--i.e., smaller projects require less setups, while larger projects
require more. For large mapping projects, differential GPS may prove more cost effective for densifying
vertical control. However, for small project sites or construction projects, conventional spirit leveling is
generally preferred.
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2-5. Structural Deformation Studies
a. Conventional control surveying can be used to monitor the motion of points on a structure
relative to stable monuments. This is usually done using an Electronic Distance Measuring (EDM)
instrument located on various stable reference monuments away from the structure, and measuring precise
distances to calibrated reflectors positioned at selected points on the structure. When only distances are
measured, trilateration techniques may be employed to compute absolute movements. If angular
observations are added, such as with a theodolite or electronic total station, then triangulation methods
may be added to a position solution. These precise techniques can provide a direct measure of the
displacement of a structure as a function of time. If procedures are strictly adhered to, it is possible to
achieve a +0.5 mm + 4 ppm (4 mm/km) baseline accuracy using conventional surveying instruments.
Personnel requirements generally are two, once the initial test network of reference and object points are
set up--one person to monitor the EDM or total station and another to aid in reflector placement.
b. GPS can also be used to monitor the motion of points on a structure relative to stable
monuments. With GPS, an array of antennae are positioned at selected points on the structure and on
remote stable monuments--as opposed to using reflectors and EDMs as previously described. The
baselines between the antennae are formulated to monitor differential movement. The relative precision
of the measurements is on the order of +5 mm over distances averaging between 5 and 10 km, and near
the 1-mm level for short baselines. GPS observations can be determined continuously 24 hours a day.
Once a deformation monitoring system has been set up using GPS, it can be operated unattended and is
relatively easy to maintain.
2-6. Photogrammetry
Geodetic control surveys are used in the support of photogrammetric mapping applications. These
control surveys are performed to provide rigid horizontal and vertical alignment of the photographs.
Since photogrammetric mapping projects typically are large in extent, GPS methods have largely replaced
conventional control survey techniques. In many cases, photogrammetric mapping control surveys have
been largely eliminated through the use of differential GPS-controlled airborne cameras. More specific
guidance on the use of control surveying in support of photogrammetry is included in EM 1110-1-1000,
Photogrammetric Mapping.
2-7. Dynamic Positioning and Navigation
a. Conventional control surveying can be used to establish the primary project control for the
dynamic positioning and navigation of construction and surveying platforms used for design,
construction, and environmental regulatory efforts. These efforts include dredge control systems, site
investigation studies/surveys, horizontal and vertical construction placement, hydraulic studies, or any
other waterborne activity requiring two- or three-dimensional control. Second Order or Third Order
leveling is required for these efforts.
b. GPS has reduced (or even eliminated in many cases) the time and effort required to establish
control for dynamic positioning and navigation systems. In addition to this capability, GPS equipment
can provide dynamic, real-time GPS code and carrier phase positioning of construction and surveying
platforms. GPS code phase differential techniques can provide real-time meter-level horizontal
positioning and navigation, while GPS carrier phase differential techniques can provide real-time,
centimeter-level, three-dimensional positioning and navigation. These GPS methods can be used for any
type of construction or survey platform (e.g., dredges, graders, survey vessels, etc.). More specific
guidance on the use of GPS for dynamic positioning and navigation is included in EM 1110-2-1003,
Hydrographic Surveying.
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