---
title: "Classification of surveying"
subject: "Surveying I"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_3/surveying_i:classification-of-surveying"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/surveying_i/classification-of-surveying
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Classification of surveying

Surveying I · Chapter 1: Introduction

- Asked in: 2068 Baisakh, 8 marks; 2067 Asar, 4+4 marks; 2076 Asoj, 1+3 marks; 2059 Chaitra, 6 marks (asked 4 times)
- Video: [Classification of Surveying](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeaEV6GgX9g) — Engineering Funda
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/surveying_i/classification-of-surveying
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/surveying_i/chapter-1

## Question

Distinguish between plane and geodetic surveying and explain how surveying is classified (primary divisions and secondary classifications/disciplines).

## Short answer

Plane surveying ignores curvature for small areas; geodetic includes it for large areas. Primary divisions are plane and geodetic. Further classifications include by field (land, marine, astronomical), purpose (engineering, military, mining), instruments (chain, total station), method (triangulation, traversing), and position (ground, aerial, satellite).

## Answer

#### Plane and geodetic surveying

| Basis | Plane surveying | Geodetic surveying |
|---|---|---|
| Earth's curvature | Neglected; earth taken as a plane | Considered; earth taken as a spheroid |
| Area | Up to about 250 km$^2$ | More than 250 km$^2$ |
| Triangle | Plane triangle, sum $180^\circ$ | Spherical triangle, sum $> 180^\circ$ |
| Methods | Chain, compass, plane table, theodolite, level | Precise triangulation, trilateration, astronomical observations |
| Accuracy | Lower | Very high |
| Use | Local engineering works | Control networks, national maps |

#### Primary divisions
1. **Plane surveying** (small areas, curvature ignored).
2. **Geodetic surveying** (large areas, curvature considered).

#### Secondary classifications
**1. According to the nature of the field**
- Land surveying: topographic, cadastral (property boundaries), city surveying.
- Marine or hydrographic surveying: coastlines, rivers, lakes, depths and tides.
- Astronomical surveying: positions of points from the sun and stars.

**2. According to the object (purpose)**
- Engineering surveying: for roads, railways, canals, dams, bridges, buildings.
- Military surveying: for defence and strategic planning.
- Mine surveying: underground and surface mine work.
- Geological surveying: rock structures and mineral deposits.
- Archaeological surveying: ancient remains.

**3. According to the instruments used**
- Chain (tape) survey, compass survey, plane table survey, theodolite (transit) survey, tacheometric survey, levelling, total station/GNSS survey, photogrammetric survey (from aerial photographs), remote-sensing survey.

**4. According to the method**
- Triangulation (network of triangles), traversing (series of connected lines), trilateration.

**5. According to the purpose of the result**
- Control survey (fixing control points) and detail survey; route survey; construction (setting-out) survey; reconnaissance, preliminary and location surveys.

**6. According to the position of the instrument:** ground, aerial and satellite surveying.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What are the two primary divisions of surveying?
   A. Land surveying and marine surveying
   B. Plane surveying and geodetic surveying
   C. Chain surveying and compass surveying
   D. Control survey and detail survey
   Answer: B. The primary division is based on whether the earth's curvature is considered. (Key point: Primary divisions)

2. Which is a classification according to the nature of the field?
   A. Engineering, military and mine surveying
   B. Chain, compass and plane table surveying
   C. Triangulation, traversing and trilateration
   D. Land, marine (hydrographic) and astronomical surveying
   Answer: D. Classification by field gives land, marine/hydrographic and astronomical surveys; engineering/military/mine are by object. (Key point: Nature of field)

3. A cadastral survey is carried out to
   A. fix property boundaries
   B. measure depths of rivers and tides
   C. locate stars for position
   D. study rock structures
   Answer: A. Cadastral surveys are land surveys that fix property boundaries. (Key point: Cadastral)

4. Which set lists surveys classified according to the method?
   A. Ground, aerial and satellite
   B. Chain, compass and theodolite
   C. Triangulation, traversing and trilateration
   D. Reconnaissance, preliminary and location
   Answer: C. Method-based classes are triangulation, traversing and trilateration. (Key point: Method classification)

## Related in Surveying I

- [Plane and geodetic surveying; principles](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fsurveying_i%3Aplane-geodetic-and-principles) — Surveying I, chapter 1, asked 7×
- [Plane versus geodetic surveying](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fsurveying_i%3Aplane-vs-geodetic-surveying) — Surveying I, chapter 1, asked 5×
- [Objectives of surveying; plane vs geodetic](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fsurveying_i%3Aobjectives-plane-geodetic) — Surveying I, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [Primary versus secondary geological structures](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aprimary-versus-secondary-geological-structures) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 5, asked 4×
- [Primary and secondary structures; strike and dip](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fengineering_geology_i%3Aprimary-and-secondary-structures-strike) — Engineering Geology I, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Primary and secondary energy at 45% exceedance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fhydro_power%3Aprimary-secondary-energy-45pct) — Hydro Power, chapter 3
- [Primary and secondary energy (102 m head)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fhydro_power%3Aprimary-secondary-energy-102m) — Hydro Power, chapter 3