Surveying for engineers

by John Uren and Bill Price

It is now more than 30 years since the publication of the first edition of Surveying for Engineers, and in that time the equipment and techniques used in engineering surveying have undergone incredible changes.

Electronic theodolites and total stations, digital levels, laser scanners and machine control systems, to name just a few, were all unheard of when the first edition was published in 1978, which by pure coincidence was the same year that the first GPS satellite was launched. Since then the discipline into which engineering surveying falls has developed almost beyond recognition, having even been given a new identity with the name of Geomatics. There can be few disciplines that have changed so quickly and dramatically.

Subsequent editions of Surveying for Engineers have always tried to reflect this evolution and this new fifth
edition is no exception.

Satellite surveying systems continue to have a major influence on engineering surveying and, to reflect this, recent developments in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), particularly the introduction of network RTK and OS Net, have been included.

In addition, the latest survey instruments, methods and digital technologies are covered, including image processing with total stations and laser scanners, developments in data processing and integration as well as updates on Ordnance Survey mapping products.

New topics include techniques for locating underground services and the use of Earth observation satellites for mapping in civil engineering and construction.

This edition also continues the theme introduced in the previous one of making extensive use of Internet resources throughout and it is hoped that the adoption of a new page format and layout will further enhance the appeal of this classic surveying textbook to students and practitioners alike.