Advantages and disadvantages of plane table surveying - 1.17.1 | 1. Plane Tabling | Surveying and Geomatics
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Advantages of Plane Table Surveying

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Let's start with the first major advantage of plane table surveying. Can anyone tell me why preparing the map in the field is beneficial?

Student 1
Student 1

It saves time since there is less office work afterward!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Less office work means more efficient workflow. Now, what about the fact that plots and observations are done simultaneously?

Student 2
Student 2

It helps keep details accurate as the surveyor can see everything in real-time.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Seeing the terrain firsthand minimizes details loss. This leads us to error checking methods; how can check lines help mitigate plotting errors?

Student 3
Student 3

Surveyors can draw lines to verify the accuracy of the details they plotted.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Error checking is crucial in ensuring data accuracy. Great job, everyone! Remember: the acronym 'SAFE' stands for Simultaneous plotting, Accurate observations, Field preparation, and Effective error checking - the core strengths of plane table surveying.

Disadvantages of Plane Table Surveying

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let's move on to some disadvantages of using the plane table. What do you think is a big drawback concerning weather?

Student 4
Student 4

It can be impacted by rain or strong winds!

Teacher
Teacher

Right you are! Weather conditions can halt surveying efforts. What about the terrain? Are there areas where plane table surveying might not work well?

Student 1
Student 1

Yeah! It's not effective in dense forests or cities with tall buildings.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, dense environments block visibility which complicates the process. What else might be a challenge when adjusting scale?

Student 2
Student 2

If a map needs to be redone at a different scale, they have to start over entirely!

Teacher
Teacher

Great point! Given these disadvantages, let's remember the acronym 'HARD': Heavy equipment, Area restrictions, Rework required, and Dependency on weather.

Summary of Key Advantages and Challenges

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Teacher
Teacher

For our last session, let’s summarize what we discussed about both advantages and disadvantages. Who can recap our discussion on the advantages first?

Student 3
Student 3

We talked about how plane table surveying allows for field mapping, simultaneous observation and error checking!

Teacher
Teacher

Awesome recap! Now, can someone highlight a disadvantage we discussed?

Student 4
Student 4

It relies on good weather, and if it's bad, surveying can be stopped.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct again! It’s important to balance the strengths and weaknesses to decide when to use plane table surveying. You can use the memory cues 'SAFE' and 'HARD' to remember factors influencing this method! Fantastic work today, everyone!

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

Plane table surveying provides a unique mapping method with both advantages, such as real-time observations, and disadvantages like weather dependency.

Standard

This section discusses the advantages and disadvantages of plane table surveying, emphasizing its strengths like minimal office work and simultaneous observation and plotting against challenges such as reliance on weather conditions and the labor-intensive nature of the process.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

Plane table surveying, known for its graphical mapping techniques, has various advantages and disadvantages. Its primary advantages include:

  • Field Preparation: It allows for map preparation directly in the field, minimizing subsequent office work.
  • Simultaneous Observation and Plotting: Observations and plotting happen concurrently, reducing the chances of detail loss.
  • Error Checking: The surveyor can identify and rectify plotting errors using check lines.
  • Graphical Measurements: Angles and distances can be graphically obtained, eliminating the need for extensive field measurements.
  • Effective Intersection Method: Far-off details can be accurately plotted quickly using the intersection method, especially advantageous in magnetic areas where compass surveys are unreliable.

Conversely, the disadvantages of plane table surveying are significant:

  • Weather Dependency: Operations are heavily reliant on weather conditions, making it susceptible to interruptions.
  • Limited Suitability: It is not ideal for dense forests or urban environments.
  • Replotting Requirements: If the map must be adjusted to a different scale, the entire surveying task must be redone.
  • Heavy Equipment: The equipment is cumbersome to transport across varying locations.
  • Paper Issues: Paper maps may experience shrinkage or expansion when used over prolonged periods in the field.
  • Labor and Time Intensive: Mapping larger areas necessitates considerable manpower and time investment.

These characteristics highlight the balance between the effectiveness of plane table surveying against the backdrop of technological advancements in modern surveying methods.

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Advantages of Plane Table Surveying

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Advantages

(a) The map is prepared in the field; therefore, the office work is minimal.
(b) The observations and plotting are done simultaneously, and the surveyor can see the terrain before him/her, so chances of losing the details are rare.
(c) Errors in plotting the details on the plane table can be checked by drawing the check lines using several methods.
(d) The angles and distance measurements can be obtained graphically, and hence there is no need to carry out measurements in the field.
(e) Many far-off objects/details can be plotted accurately using the intersection method to prepare the map in the shortest time.
(f) It is advantageous in magnetic areas where compass survey is not reliable.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk highlights the benefits of plane table surveying, which is a method used in mapping. The advantages include:

  1. Field Preparation: Maps can be created directly in the field, which reduces the amount of work that needs to be done in the office later.
  2. Simultaneous Observations and Plotting: The surveyor can see the terrain and create representations of it at the same time, minimizing the risk of missing important details.
  3. Error Checking: Mistakes made during the plotting can be identified easily through the use of check lines, ensuring greater accuracy.
  4. Graphical Measurements: There is no need for physical tools like measuring tapes since angles and distances can be graphically assessed.
  5. Efficient Plotting of Distant Objects: The intersection method allows quick and accurate plotting of objects that are far away from the surveyor’s location.
  6. Utility in Certain Areas: In regions with unreliable compass usage, such as those affected by magnetic fields, plane table surveying is particularly useful.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a painter who prefers to paint a landscape directly from the spot rather than sketching in a studio based on memory. This painter's experience allows them to capture details vibrant and full of life that a memory might lose. Similarly, plane table surveying allows surveyors to create detailed and accurate maps directly in the field, ensuring they capture the true essence of the terrain.

Disadvantages of Plane Table Surveying

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Disadvantages

(a) Plane tabling work is dependent on weather conditions (e.g., rains, high winds).
(b) The plane table is not very much suitable in a dense forest area or urban area.
(c) If survey map is to be replotted at some different scale, entire work has to be re-done.
(d) Its accessories are heavy to carry in the field from one location to another.
(e) The paper maps are subject to shrinkage or expansion while working in the field for a long time.
(f) It is laborious and time-consuming to prepare a map of a large area.
(g) It requires large manpower for doing various activities from observations to plotting.

Detailed Explanation

In this chunk, we look at the limitations of plane table surveying. These include:

  1. Weather Dependency: Bad weather, such as rain or strong winds, can halt surveying work, making it unreliable.
  2. Environmental Limitations: Dense forests or urban areas with tall buildings create obstacles that make it impractical to set up a plane table effectively.
  3. Replotting Issues: If a survey map needs to be modified to a different scale, the entire process of mapping must be started anew, causing inefficiency.
  4. Heavy Equipment: The plane table and its accessories can be cumbersome to transport, making fieldwork challenging.
  5. Paper Limitations: Maps made on paper can shrink or expand due to temperature or humidity changes, leading to inaccuracies.
  6. Time-Consuming: Mapping large areas takes significant time and effort due to the labor-intensive nature of the process.
  7. Manpower Intensive: The need for multiple personnel to handle various tasks increases logistical requirements.

Examples & Analogies

Think of setting up a picnic. If it rains or the wind blows hard, everything becomes challenging. You may need to cancel or delay your plans. Similarly, plane table surveying can be disrupted by weather, and setting it up in a crowded city or thick forest may be impossible, which highlights the practicality issues faced in certain environments.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Field Mapping: Preparing maps directly on-site.

  • Simultaneous Observation: Observing and plotting details concurrently.

  • Graphical Measurements: Obtaining measurements graphically.

  • Weather Dependency: Reliance on favorable weather for surveying.

  • Error Implications: The significance of checking errors during plotting.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Example 1: A surveyor prepares a map of a park using a plane table, allowing him to note features as he sees them.

  • Example 2: A survey of an urban area is complicated by tall buildings, showcasing the limitations of plane table surveying.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Plane table takes time and toil, but helps avoid data spoil.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • A surveyor named Sam used his plane table to show majestic landscapes, while dealing with rain clouds that threatened his day.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • SAFE for strengths: Simultaneous, Accurate, Field work, Error checking.

🎯 Super Acronyms

HARD for weaknesses

  • Heavy gear
  • Area limitations
  • Rework for scaling
  • Dependency on weather.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Plane Table Surveying

    Definition:

    A method of surveying that allows for simultaneous mapping and observation in the field.

  • Term: Error Checking

    Definition:

    The process of verifying and correcting plotting mistakes in surveying data.

  • Term: Magnetic Areas

    Definition:

    Regions where magnetic instruments, like a compass, may give incorrect readings due to magnetic interference.