8.
Give the highlights of the main features of Compound and Reserve
curves as used in connecting two straights.
A compound curve- is a combination of curves of two or more radii.
The curves meet at a common point D (point of compound curvature) PCC
It is used when simple circular curve is not sufficient.
Involves curves of unequal radii
Its use is dictated by topography
It is common in railway designs.
( see figure below)
Whereas,
A reverse curve is a combination of two simple curves with opposite directions
joining at a common tangent point (the point of reverse curvature)
Formed by two circular curves with common tangent but on opposite sides of
the tangent.
It is used when either the two straights are parallel or the angle of intersection
is too small.
Consists of setting out two circular curves from two tangent points
It has six independent parameters
(See figure below)
9. Differentiate between the following terms/ scenarios used in engineering
surveying.
i Passive and active EDMs
ii Carrier and Modulation signals
iii Retro-reflector and Remote in EDM devices.
iv Known and unknown baselines
v Modular and Integrated EDMs
vi Mid-ordinate and Apex distances
1. Passive and actives EDMS :
Passive EDMs reflect EM signals from an unmanned reflector to determine
distance whereas
In the case of active EDMS, the returned signal is generated by a second
manned instrument at a given terminal point
2. Carrier and modulation signals
A carrier wave is a pure wave of constant frequency that doesn't carry
information while
Modulation signals are imposed input signals added on top of the carrier
wave hence changing the shape of a carrier wave to somehow encode speech
or data information.
3. Retro-reflector and Remote in EDM devices.
Retro-reflectors are devices that operate by reflecting a transmitted signal
from the EDM back along the same path while
Remote instruments are devices that receive microwave signals back to the
instrument and retransmit microwave signals back to the instrument.
4. Known and unknown baselines
Known baselines is a method of instrument calibration that requires periodic
monitoring of the inter-pillar distances even after the duration of the survey
observation while
Unknown baselines is a method of instrument calibration whereby the
stability of markers or pillars of baselines is only required for the duration of
survey observation only therefore making it more popular
5. Resection and Remote Elevation measurements
Resection measurements - In surveying, free stationing (also known as
resection) is a method of determining the location of one unknown point in
relation to known points.
There is a zero point of reference called a total station. With the total station,
bearings and distances are measured to at least two known points of a control
network while
Remote Elevation measurements - Remote Elevation Measurement (REM) The
process of finding the height of objects without actually going to the top of the
object is known as Remote Elevation Measuring (REM) i.e., a total station
placed remotely (far away) from the object is used to measure the heights.
6. Modular and integrated EDMS
Modular EDMs - The Electronic theodolite and EDM instrument are a separate
unit which can be independently operated
Advantages
- More flexible
- Cost-effective solution
While,
In Integrated EDMs - The primary feature is that the electronic theodolite and
EDM instrument form a single integrated unit.
Advantages
- Need to transport only a single unit.
- Dispense with auxiliary cables that are often required to link separate units.
- Collimation of the telescope line of sight and the EDM signal properly aligned.
Examples include Shokisha Set2&Geodimeter 440.
7. Mid-ordinate and Apex distances
External distance or Apex distance (BD): This is the distance between the
intersection point (PI) and the apex of the curve while
Mid Ordinate (DE): This is perpendicular distance from the middle point of the
curve to the long chord. The distance is also called the versed sine of the curve.
