ASCE Surveying and Geomatics Flashcards
6 cards from real ASCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ASCE Surveying and Geomatics flashcards as text
What does a total station instrument measure?
Answer: Horizontal angles, vertical angles, and slope distances simultaneously
A total station integrates an electronic theodolite and EDM to measure angles and distances from a single setup.
In surveying, what is a benchmark?
Answer: A point of known elevation used as a reference for leveling surveys
A benchmark is a permanent, precisely surveyed point of known elevation used as a reference datum for differential leveling.
What is the purpose of closing a traverse in plane surveying?
Answer: To check the accuracy of angle and distance measurements
Closing a traverse back to the starting point (or to a known point) allows the surveyor to compute the misclosure and assess measurement accuracy.
Which coordinate system is commonly used in US state plane coordinate systems?
Answer: Lambert Conformal Conic or Transverse Mercator projections
US State Plane Coordinate Systems use either the Lambert Conformal Conic projection (for east-west states) or Transverse Mercator (for north-south states).
What is the primary error source in GPS surveying that is largely eliminated by differential GPS (DGPS)?
Answer: Selective availability and atmospheric errors
Differential GPS uses a base station at a known location to compute and broadcast corrections, largely eliminating common-mode errors like atmospheric delays.
In leveling, what is the difference between a backsight and a foresight?
Answer: A backsight is a rod reading on a point of known elevation; a foresight is a rod reading on a new point
In differential leveling, the backsight rod reading is taken on a point of known elevation (to establish instrument height), and the foresight is on the unknown point.