liminfoSurveying Reference
Free reference guide: Surveying Reference
About Surveying Reference
The Surveying Reference provides a comprehensive, searchable collection of formulas, procedures, and specifications for land surveying, geodesy, and geospatial engineering. It covers coordinate transforms (TM, UTM, GRS80/Bessel), GPS/GNSS positioning methods (SPP, DGPS, RTK, VRS), leveling techniques, and survey calculations including traverse, area, volume, and road curve design.
This reference is built for licensed surveyors, civil engineers, geospatial professionals, and university students preparing for surveying examinations. Every entry includes the relevant formulas, tolerance standards, and worked examples drawn from Korean national surveying standards and international best practices.
All content is rendered locally in your browser with no server processing or data collection. The interface supports category-based filtering, full-text search, dark mode, and responsive layouts optimized for both desktop and field-use on mobile devices.
Key Features
- TM and UTM coordinate system definitions with Korean origin points and scale factors
- GRS80 and Bessel ellipsoid parameters with 7-parameter transformation values
- GPS/GNSS positioning methods: SPP, DGPS, RTK, and VRS with accuracy specifications
- Leveling formulas for direct, trigonometric, and total station methods
- Traverse survey computation with closure error and precision ratio calculations
- Road curve design: simple curves, clothoid transitions, vertical curves, and superelevation
- Drone (UAV) photogrammetry workflow: GSD, overlap, GCP, and SfM processing
- Cadastral survey types, tolerance formulas, and national control point system overview
Frequently Asked Questions
What coordinate systems does this surveying reference cover?
It covers the Korean TM coordinate system (Central, West, East, East Sea origins), UTM zones 51N and 52N, the GRS80 and Bessel 1841 ellipsoids, and the 7-parameter Molodensky transformation between them. Each entry includes origin coordinates, false easting/northing, and scale factors.
How are GPS positioning methods explained in this reference?
The reference details four positioning methods: Stand-alone SPP (5-10 m accuracy), DGPS (0.5-2 m), RTK using carrier-phase (1-3 cm), and VRS network RTK (2 cm horizontal, 3 cm vertical). Each entry lists required equipment, initialization time, and error sources including ionospheric delay, tropospheric delay, multipath, and GDOP.
Does this reference include Korean national survey standards and tolerances?
Yes. It lists allowable errors for 1st through 4th order triangulation, 1st and 2nd order leveling (2.5 mm and 5.0 mm times square root of distance in km), and GPS static/RTK precision (5 mm + 1 ppm and 10 mm + 2 ppm respectively). Cadastral survey tolerances using the formula 0.025*M*sqrt(F) are also included.
What road curve design formulas are available?
The reference provides simple circular curve elements (tangent length, curve length, external distance, mid-ordinate), clothoid transition curve parameters (A-squared equals R times L), vertical curve design for crest and sag, maximum grades by road class, superelevation formulas, and lane widening calculations.
How does this reference help with traverse survey computations?
It walks through the closed traverse workflow: azimuth propagation, latitude and departure calculation, closure error computation, precision ratio evaluation (1/5000 minimum), and coordinate adjustment. The formulas are given step by step with variable definitions.
What drone surveying information is included?
The UAV photogrammetry section covers ground sample distance (GSD) of 2-5 cm, overlap requirements (80% forward, 60% side), GCP placement (minimum 4 points), and post-processing steps including SfM, point cloud generation, DSM/DTM creation, and orthomosaic production. Expected accuracy is 5 cm horizontal and 10 cm vertical.
Can I use this reference offline or on a mobile device in the field?
The reference runs entirely in your browser, so once loaded it does not require an active internet connection for browsing. The responsive layout adjusts to phone and tablet screens, making it practical for on-site use during field surveys.
Who is this surveying reference designed for?
It is designed for licensed land surveyors, civil engineering professionals, geospatial analysts, and students preparing for the Korean Professional Engineer (PE) exam or the Surveyor certification. The content aligns with national technical standards and common textbook formulas.