REPORT 191 PROGRAMMES
SYLLABUS
BUILDING AND STRUCTURAL SURVEYING
N5
SUBJECT CODE: 8060045
Implementation: April 2023
20220412
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CONTENTS PAGE
1. General aims ...................................................................................................................... 3
2. Specific aims .................................................................................................................... 3
3. Pre-requisite .................................................................................................................................... 3
4. Duration ............................................................................................................................. 3
5. Evaluation ....................................................................................................................... 3
6. Learning content ............................................................................................................... 4
7. Mark allocation in the examination as an indication of the weighting of the different modules
............................................................................................................................................ 4
Module 1: Basic concepts of surveying ...................................................................................... 4
Module 2: Linear measurements ................................................................................................. 9
Module 3: Height measurements .............................................................................................. 11
Module 4: Building surveys ....................................................................................................... 13
Module 5: Angular measurement .............................................................................................. 14
Module 6: Setting out ................................................................................................................. 15
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Syllabus: Building and Structural Surveying N5
1. General Aims
To provide and enhance students with knowledge and skills that are applied in the building industry
and to develop students’ ability to solve complex problems and adhere to safety standards and
procedures.
2 Specific Aims
2.1 The student should acquire a systematical understanding of practice, theory and methodology
in the building and structural surveying field.
2.2 The teaching of this subject is aimed to develop knowledge, professional and general
competencies in:
Surveying
Building Construction
Perquisite
Student must meet at least the following requirements.
3.1 Completed Building and Structural Surveying N4
4. Duration
Full-time: 7.5 hours per week. This instructional offering may also be offered part-time.
5. Evaluation
5.1 Evaluation is conducted continuously by means of two formal tests at College level. Learner
must obtain a minimum ICASS mark of at least 40% in order to qualify to write the final
examination and a mark will be calculated together in a ratio of 40:60 to derive the promotion
mark. The learner must obtain at least 40% on the final examination.
The promotion mark will be calculated as follows:
Promotion Mark = 40% of (ICASS mark) + 60% of (Exam mark)
5.2 The examination in Building and Structural Surveying N5 (Engineering Studies - Report 191)
will be conducted as follows:
Modules 1 to 6 MARKS: 100
DURATION: 3 HOURS
CLOSED BOOK: Formula sheet is attached to the question paper
Scientific calculators allowed
No programmable calculators allowed
No references allowed.
No external examination papers or memoranda allowed
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5.3 Weighting:
The following weights are consequently awarded to each category:
Knowledge and Applying Analysing / Syntheses and Evaluating
Understanding
30 – 40 30 – 40 20 – 30
6. Learning content
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
It is essential that this subject should be illustrated and evaluated within the context of practical case
studies.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
It is essential that this subject should be illustrated and evaluated within the context of technical skills
and simulation of practical environment.
7. Mark allocation in the examination as an indication of the weighting of
the different modules
MODULES WEIGHTING
1. Basic Concept of Surveying 10
2. Linear Measurement 20
3. Height Measurement 20
4. Angular Measurement 20
5. Building Surveys 10
6. Setting Out 20
TOTAL 100
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Module 1: Basic concepts of surveying
General aim
On completion of this module, the student should be able to explain the theoretical and practical
application of the following concepts: Definition of surveying, Purpose of surveying, principles of
surveying, methods of fixing a point, classification of surveys, control points, surveys based on the
method implemented.
LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student must be able to:
1.1 Surveying 1.1.1 Explain the term surveying
1.1.2 Explain the objective, purpose and principles of surveying
1.2 Surveying terms 1.2.1 Explain the following terms of surveying:
Level plane
Horizontal plane
Linear measurement
Topographic surveying
Height and angular measurements
1.3 Stages of the process 1.3.1 Explain the following stages of the processes of surveying:
of surveying Taking a general view
Observations and measurement
Presentation of data
1.4 The principle of working 1.4.1 Explain and compare the principles of working from whole to part
the whole to the part 1.4.2 Explain the fundamental principles which should be taken into
consideration to enable a good result.
1.5 Accuracy and Precision 1.5.1 Compare the difference between accuracy and precision
1.6 Errors in measurement 1.6.1 Explain the characteristics of the different types of errors in
surveying.
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Module 2: Linear Measurements
On completion of this module, the student should be able to explain, Errors in measurement and
corrections, error and mistakes in survey measurements, chain surveying, field problems.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT The student must be able to:
2.1 Errors in measurement • the horizontal distance using the following
2.1.1 Calculate
and corrections methods with a steel tape:
Sag
Tension
Slope
Temperature
Length
Altitude at sea level.
2.1.2 Explain the graphical method used to correct the
distance measured on an incline
2.1.3 Name the requirements to obtain sufficient
accuracy when taping
2.2 Measuring of • the sloping distance using the following
linear 2.2.1 Measure
methods methods chain, tape and band by:
Stepping using a clinometer.
Measuring around a pond, across a river or
busy road.
Measuring when a building obstructs the vision.
2.3 The use of chain, tape 32.3.1 List the advantages and disadvantages of the
and bands following linear measurement equipment and also
know how to operate them:
Chain
Steel tape
Bands
2.3.2 Describe how are equipment’s used for chain
surveys
2.3.4 Explain the factors which govern chain surveying
framework
2.3.5 Explain how to apply chain surveying principles to
a small practical situation.
2.4 Plotting the survey 32.4.1 Explain the principle steps in the routine of plotting
maps and plans
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2.5 Co-ordinates 42.5.1 Explain the term joins.
2.5.2 Calculate the distance and direction between two or
more known points by means of coordinates (Join
calculations) in a table form.
2.5.3 Explain the term polar
2.5.4 Calculate the unknown coordinates of the station in
a table form
2.5.5 Calculate the oriented direction by means of
observed angles.
Module 3: Height Measurement
General aim
On completion of this module, the student should be able to explain the terminology in levelling, to
calculate the reduced levels by means of rise and fall method and collimation method.
LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student must be able to:
3.1 Levelling 3.1.1 Explain levelling and the purpose of levelling
3.2 Trigonometrically 3.2.1 Explain the following trigonometrically levelling
Levelling
Barometric levelling
Differential or spirit levelling
Aerial surveying
3.2.2 Explain the principles of trigonometrical levelling
3.2.3 Calculate the elevation of points over a short distance and
long distance
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3.3 Levelling instruments 3.3.1 Explain the functions of the following levelling equipment:
Levelling staff
Wye level
Cooke’s level
Cushing’s level
Staff bubble
Change plate
Traveller or boning rod
Dumpy level
Tripod stand
Theodolite
Tilting level
Automatic level
Surveyor ‘staffs
3.4Classifications of Traverse 3.4.1 Classify and explain the difference between close and open
traverse
3.5 Classifications of errors in 3.5.1 Explain the following types of errors in levelling:
levelling Natural causes
Instrument errors
Personal errors
3.6. Systems of booking and 3.6.1 Calculate the reduced levels by means of the following:
reducing the readings Rise and fall system
Flying levelling
Series levelling
Collimation system including inverted staff
Application of the required checks and corrections.
3.7 Cross sectional levelling 3.7.1 Explain how cross sectional level in the field work are taken at
methods right angles to the longitudinal section
3.7.2 Explain ways in which plotting is carried out in the cross
section.
3.8 Sources of instrumental 3.8.1 Explain sources of induced and instrumental errors
error.
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Module 4: Angular Measurement
General aim
On completion of this module, the student should be able to explain the purpose of angular
measurement, theodolite, calculation of vertical and horizontal angles.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING CONTENT The student must be able to:
4.1 Purpose of angular 4.1.1 Explain how the horizontal and vertical angular
measurement measurement are related on points on ground.
4.2 Classification of theodolite 4.2.1 Explain and differentiate the following classes of the
theodolite:
Transit theodolite
Non transit theodolite
Vernier theodolite
Micrometer theodolite
4.3 The use of theodolite and 4.3.1 Explain the correct procedures when setting up
measuring the horizontal and a theodolite when taking the readings
vertical angle 4.3.2 Explain and calculate the methods of horizontal
and vertical angle measurement by means of
circle left and circle right direction that were
observed from the field by means of theodolite.
4.4 Recording the readings 4.4.1 Explain how to record the reading from the
from the theodolite theodolite by:
Taking measurements
Recording the reading in a field book
4.5 Tachometry 4.5.1 Explain the purpose and functions of
tachometry in surveying
List and explain the instruments used in
tachometry surveying
Apply the principles and systems of
tachometry in the form of calculations.
Calculate the horizontal and vertical
components.
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Module 5: Building Surveys
General aim
On completion of this module, the student should be able to explain the terminology in setting out,
setting out drains and sewers and longitudinal section, cut and fill and slope ratio and pipe length
from longitudinal section.
LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student must be able to:
5.1 Surveying a small building 5.1.1 Explain the building regulations and building
construction practices.
5.1.2 Interpret and classify the drawings into design and
production stages
5.2 Instruments used for taking internal 5.2.1 Name the instruments that are used to take
and external dimensions measurements in building surveying.
5.2.2 Explain the procedures for surveying a new and
existing building
5.3 Plotting survey from field 5.3.1 Construct the drawings from field measurement
measurements and show all the following:
Plan and elevation of all the sides of the
building
Including the roads, drainage, electrical etc
5.4 Calculation of cut and fill 5.4.1 Explain and calculate the different gradients of the
ground level, inclusive of:
Roads
Plotting vertical sections
Drainage system
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Module 6: Setting Out
General aim
On completion of this module, the student should be able to explain the terminology in setting out,
setting out drains and sewers and longitudinal section, cut and fill and slope ratio and pipe length
from longitudinal section.
LEARNING CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student must be able to:
6.1 Setting out procedure for a simple 6.1.1 Explain the setting out of a rectangular building
rectangular building used for the removal of top soil.
6.1.2 Name and explain the equipment required to set
out a simple building
6.2 Constrains in setting out a building 6.2.1 Explain the problems in setting out the small
building.
Analyse the procedures to rectify the problems
6.2.2 when surveying a small building, using the following:
Setting out gradient by boning rod
Setting out excavations for foundation
Setting out slopes stakes
6.3 Position of profiles and datum for a 6.3.1 Explain how profiles are used with a traveller to
building. control excavation and foundation levels.
6.4 Setting out and levelling of 6.4.1 Interpret readings from the pipeline drawing.
drainage work Determine the slope ratio of pipelines and pipes
length from longitudinal sections
Draw longitudinal section of the proposed drain.
6.5 invert of a drain, a sight rail and a 6.5.1 Calculate a suitable length of a traveller and
traveller. reduced level of sight rails from given drawings
6.6 Establishing sight rails for horizontal 6.6.1 Explain how site rails are erected above the ground
position and depth control of a straight at a predetermined level above the excavation.
drain between manholes. 6.6.2 Explain two forms of sight rails depending on the
circumstances in which they are used.
6.6.3 Calculate the staff readings required to set out
sight rails at the chainages of the drain using the
following:
Invert level
Ground level
Gradient
Back sight reading
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6.6.4 Explain the setting out of the drain using an
engineers-tilting level to obtain the following:
The length of the drain
The gradient
The invert level
Back sight and
Bench mark
