ASCE ASCE Surveying and Geomatics

Question 1

What does a total station instrument measure?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal angles, vertical angles, and slope distances simultaneously

Answer

A total station integrates an electronic theodolite and EDM to measure angles and distances from a single setup.

Question 2

In surveying, what is a benchmark?

Accepted Answer

A point of known elevation used as a reference for leveling surveys

Answer

A benchmark is a permanent, precisely surveyed point of known elevation used as a reference datum for differential leveling.

Question 3

What is the purpose of closing a traverse in plane surveying?

Accepted Answer

To check the accuracy of angle and distance measurements

Answer

Closing a traverse back to the starting point (or to a known point) allows the surveyor to compute the misclosure and assess measurement accuracy.

Question 4

Which coordinate system is commonly used in US state plane coordinate systems?

Accepted Answer

Lambert Conformal Conic or Transverse Mercator projections

Answer

US State Plane Coordinate Systems use either the Lambert Conformal Conic projection (for east-west states) or Transverse Mercator (for north-south states).

Question 5

What is the primary error source in GPS surveying that is largely eliminated by differential GPS (DGPS)?

Accepted Answer

Selective availability and atmospheric errors

Answer

Differential GPS uses a base station at a known location to compute and broadcast corrections, largely eliminating common-mode errors like atmospheric delays.

ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers Certification Practice Test

ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers Certification Practice Test

ASCE ASCE Surveying and Geomatics