We can classify survey on the basis of curvature of earth, nature of field, purpose of survey and instrument used.

The various classification of survey are as follows:

I. On the basis of curvature of earth 

a. Plane Survey

  •  Curvature of earth is ignored.
  •  If survey area is less than 260 km2.

b. Geodetic survey

  •  Curvature of earth is considered.
  •  If survey area is greater than 260 km2.
Plain Surveying Geodetic Surveying
The surface of the earth is considered as a plane The surface of the earth is considered as a curve
The curvature of the earth is ignored The curvature of the earth is taken into account
The line joining any two stations is considered as a straight line The line joining any two stations is considered as an arc
The triangle formed by any three points is considered as a plane triangle The triangle formed by any three points is considered as a spherical triangle
The angles of the triangle are considered as plane angles The angles of the triangle are considered as spherical angles
It is suitable for survey of small area (< 260 km²) It is suitable for survey of large area (> 260 km²)

 

II. On the basis of nature of field

a. Land survey 

  • Survey carried on the land surface
  • Further classified into topographical survey, cadastral survey and city survey

b. Hydrographic survey

  • Survey carried out for study of large water bodies

c. Astronomical survey

  • Survey carried out for study of bodies to determine location and direction of any line on the earth surface

 

III. On the basis of purpose of survey

  • Engineering survey
  • Reconnaissance survey
  • Preliminary survey
  • Location survey
  • Military survey
  • Mine survey
  • Geological survey
  • Archeological survey

 

IV. On the basis of instrument used

  •   Chain survey
  •  Compass survey
  •  Plain table survey
  •  Levelling
  •  Theodolite survey
  •  Tacheometric survey
  •  Triangulation survey
  •  Aerial survey
  •  Photogrammetric survey
Last modified: Sunday, 31 August 2025, 11:43 AM