MAKATI DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

ENGINEERING-SURVEY

THE
GEODETIC ENGINEER
IN
VERTICAL PROJECTS

20 MARCH 2007

I.
II.

TITILE: THE GEODETIC ENGINEER IN VERTICAL PROJECTS

OBJECTIVES
A. To specify the role of the Geodetic Engineer in the Vertical Projects of MDC
B. To standardize the requirements and procedures for the vertical projects of the company
C. To provide the scope and limitations of the preceding objectives

III.

GE-IN-CHARGE
A. GE from the Engineering Department
The GE who administered the pre-engineering works (Relocation, Topographic, and As-built
Survey) of the property shall handle the vertical survey works of the project.
B. Project GE
Vertical Projects are encouraged to hire their own GE. The hired project GE shall function
independently from the Engineering-Survey Department. He/She shall be responsible for all
survey works needed during construction.
In case a project cannot hire their own GE, the GE from the Engineering Department shall be
in charge of all survey works needed during construction.

IV.

SURVEY TEAM COMPOSITION

The survey team shall be organized in this manner:

Note: Number of Surveyors, Instrument Men, and Survey Aides will depend on the discretion of
the Project Manager or Project-in-Charge/recommendation of the Engineering-Survey
Department/project size and duration
V.

SURVEY EQUIPMENT
A. Computer Station with licensed CAD software
The GE-in-Charge shall be provided with a computer with licensed CAD software for survey
work computations and preparation of various plans needed for the project.

B. Total Station (with complete accessories)

The survey teal shall use a calibrated total station as their primary instrument. It shall be
used for establishment of project controls, gridlines and other survey works requiring high
precision and accuracy.
A set shall be comprised of the following:

Total Station
Tripod
Prism with rod
Mini prism with rod
Data cable
Spare battery pack
Charger

C. Theodolite
The succeeding survey team/s shall use a calibrated Theodolite as their instrument. This
instrument can only be used for layout and check of plumbness of columns, wall, etc. during
the construction phase.
A set shall be comprised of the following:

Theodolite
Tripod
Range pole/rod

D. Automatic Level
Every survey team shall be provided with a calibrated automatic level for establishment and
monitoring of elevations during concrete pouring and other survey works requiring transfer of
elevations.
A set shall be comprised of the following:

Automatic level
Tripod
Level bar

E. Optical Plummet
For high rise projects, the survey team/s shall use a calibrated optical plummet in transferring
reference points at each level.
A set shall be comprised of the following:

Optical Plummet
Tripod

F. Steel Tape
Every survey team shall be provided with a calibrated steel tape.
measuring short distances on flat ground/terrain.

It shall be used for

G. Instrument Registration and Calibration

All instruments shall be required to have corresponding certificates of registration from the
Land Management Bureau and certificates of calibration from the supplier which shall be
renewed every six (6) months.
VI.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The GE-in-Charge shall be responsible for all survey control matters of the vertical
project. This includes turnover from subcontractor who conducted the relocation survey,
establishment of new controls, traverse computations and adjustment, etc.
B. He/She shall be the one to execute or at least be present during the establishment of
reference line/baseline and gridlines for the project.
C. He/She shall be the one to execute or at least be present during the establishment of the
reference elevation marks within the vicinity of the project.
D. He/She shall prepare all survey plans needed for construction given that the plans are
already submitted to MDC, final and approved for construction. These plans shall be
signed and sealed by the Survey Unit Head.
E. He/She shall execute all computations (i.e. volume, traverse, setting, etc.) needed and
required for the project.
F. He/She shall be responsible for all survey works done by his/her subordinates
(surveyors, instrument men and aides). He/She shall always monitor the work of the
team/s in this project. Monitoring forms shall be used and signed by him/her.
G. He/She shall be responsible for the evaluation/recommendation of his/her subordinates.
If he/she is from the Engineering Department, evaluation and recommendation shall be
approved by the Survey Head.
H. For Verified Survey Returns (VSR), these shall be prepared by the Engineering-Survey
Department.

VII.

STANDARDS, REQUIREMENTS AND PRODEDURES FOR VERTICAL SURVEY WORKS

The GE-in-Charge shall observe the following standards, requirements and procedures for all
vertical survey works:
A. Definitions

Primary Controls stations of the traverse in the relocation/topographic survey (see

APPENDIX A-2)
Buffer Zone an area around the project, at least 1 meter wide, clear of obstructions,
reserved for survey works (see APPENDIX A-1)
Reference Line a line strategically established from the primary controls of the
relocation survey within the vicinity of the project (see APPENDIX A-3)
Gridlines reference lines used as guide for setting footings, columns, etc. (see
APPENDIX A-5)
Primary Baseline A line parallel and perpendicular to the gridlines; used as
reference in setting gridlines (see APPENDIX A-7)

Baseline a line established using the primary baseline; offset reference line from
the gridlines (see APPENDIX A-8)
Offset Reference a line established with offset distance from gridline (see
APPENDIX A-6)

B. Buffer Zone
Each and every project shall allot a buffer zone outside the building line for the establishment
and maintenance of reference points, reference lines and grid lines. This zone shall be kept
clear of obstructions at all times.
C. Horizontal Controls
All vertical projects shall establish a reference line. It shall have northings and eastings
accurate to the nearest millimeter and an azimuth accurate to the nearest second. All
succeeding controls shall be referred and closed to this. These points shall be marked with
brass (or concrete) nail embedded on concrete and labeled as MDC-OCC for the control to
be occupied and MDC-BS for the control to be used as backsight.
D. Vertical Controls
The aforementioned horizontal controls shall have corresponding elevations referenced from
the primary controls of the relocation/topographic survey. These shall be known as the
primary benchmark of the project. The elevations shall be accurate to the nearest millimeter.
All succeeding benchmarks shall be referenced and closed to these. Reference elevation
marks of 1 meter offset above shall be established within the vicinity of the project.
E. Setting Out of Primary Baseline, Baselines, and Gridlines
The primary baseline shall only be set using the reference line with one point as the station
occupied (MDC-OCC) and the other as point station observed/backsight (MDC-BS). Vise
versa shall never be done.
The baselines and gridlines shall be set using the primary baseline. Layout of baselines and
gridlines shall be done by measuring/setting distances as per plan along and perpendicular to
the primary baseline.
F. Setting of Excavation Limits, Footings, Columns, Beams, Slabs and Others
The setting of excavation limits, footings, columns, beams, slabs and others shall be set
using the gridlines/offset references. However, setting of excavation limits and footings can
also be done using coordinates.
G. Accuracy and Precision
All setting and layout shall be precise to the nearest millimeter and shall have a tolerance of
plus minus 1.5 millimeters.
VIII.

SURVEY PLANS FOR VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION

A. Gridline Staking Plan
Reference for setting of building gridlines and baselines; shows gridlines, grid numbers,
baselines, offset distances from gridlines and location of reference baselines; also reflects the
coordinates of project reference line, primary baseline and baselines.

B. Excavation Plan
Guide in locating excavation limits; shows coordinates, elevations and depth of limits of
excavation.
C. Foundation Plan
Reference for setting of footings/foundations; shows coordinates of footing corners and offset
distances from gridlines.
D. Column Staking Plan
Reference for setting columns; shows the coordinates of column corners and offset distances
from gridlines; shows coordinates of center and radius of circular columns.
IX.

SURVEY FORMS IN VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION

A. Survey Checklist
Used for checking of survey works before concrete pouring (see APPENDIX B)
B. Request for Survey Layout
Used by subcontractors to formally request layout; addressed to the Project Manager/Projectin-Charge thru the GE-in-Charge (see APPENDIX C)
C. As-Built Report
Contains as-built data and recommendation of the GE-in-Charge; accomplished as per
instruction or request of the Project Manager/Project-in-Charge (see APPENDIX D)
D. Field Survey Verification
Used for turnover of Project Controls (see APPENDIX E)
E. Field Survey Monitoring Form
Used for monitoring survey works, activities, personnel, etc. in projects; includes
recommendations, courses of action, for the aforementioned items (see APPENDIX F)

X.

CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION
The contents of this rough draft elaborate the duties and responsibilities of the GE-in-Charge
and the standard procedures and requirements for vertical survey works. This outline is
being done for the standardization, efficiency and improvement of SURVEY in the vertical
projects of the company.
It is hereby recommended that this guideline be strictly observed and be immediately
implemented in all the vertical projects of Makati Development Corporation.