FE CIVIL Exam Comprehensive
Questions and Solutions
Graded A+
Plane Surveys - Answer: Type of survey that disregards the curvature of the earth. Appropriate if
the area is small.
Geodetic Surveys - Answer: Type of survey that considers the curvature of the earth.
Zoned Surveys - Answer: Type of survey that allows computations to be performed as if on a
plane will accommodating larger areas.
State Plane Coordinate System - Answer: Rectangular systems that use a partial
latitude/longitude system for baseline references
Stadia Survey - Answer: Requires the use of a transit, theodolite, or engineer's level, as well as a
rod for reading elevation differences and a tape for measuring horizontal distances
Plane Table Survey - Answer: Used in conjunction with a telescopic instrument. Used in field
compilation of maps and doesn't disturb the azimuth
Total Station Surveys - Answer: Integrates theodolites, electronic distancing measurement
(EDM), and data recorders
,Triangulation - Answer: The positions of the survey points are determined by measuring the
angles of triangles defined by the points. Used primarily for geodetic surveys
Trilateration - Answer: Survey lines form triangles, but the lengths of the triangles sides are
measured
Photogrammetric Surveys - Answer: Conducted using aerial photographs
Airborne LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) - Answer: Aircraft mounted laser systems
designed to measure the 3D coordinates of a passive target
NAVSTAR GPS - Answer: Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System; one-
way satellite to receiver ranging systems. GPA determines position without referencing any
other point
Inertial Survey Systems - Answer: Determine a position on the earth by analyzing the movement
of a transport vehicle. Measures acceleration of the vehicle and converts that to distance
Geographic Information System (GIS) - Answer: A computer system that stores, organizes,
analyzes, and displays geographic data. Contains spatial information, literal information, and
characteristics
Sexagesimal System - Answer: Degrees, minutes, seconds
60 minutes make up a degree, 60 seconds make up a minute
Positions - Answer: (a) latitude and logitude
(b) by rectangular (Cartesian) coordinates measured from a reference point
,Benchmark - Answer: The common name given to permanent monuments of known vertical
positions
Control Stations (or Triangular Stations) - Answer: Monuments with known horizontal positions.
Datum - Answer: Usually mean sea level, the point from where vertical elevations are measured
from
Gunter's Chain - Answer: standard unit of distance measurement, which equals 66 feet.
Cut Chains - Answer: 100' long tapes
Add Chains - Answer: 101' long tapes
Tachyometric Distance Measurement - Answer: Involved sighting through a small angle at a
distant scale
- Stadia method - angle fixed, length measured
- European method - length fixed, angle measured
Stadia Interval/Reading - Answer: Interval between two rod readings on a distant stadia rod
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) - Answer: Very accurate for short (~2 mile) distances
and relatively accurate for longer distances
Stations - Answer: In route surveying, lengths are divided into 100' sections called stations [sta =
units]
length: "the length of curve is 4 sta"
, location: "the point of intersection is at sta 4"
Stakes - Answer: Usually laid down at full intervals, but if placed anywhere else (plus station):
825' from 0+00 : 8+25
2896' from 0+00 : 28+96
Leveling - Answer: The act of using an engineer's level (or other leveling instrument) and rod to
measure a vertical distance (elevation) from an arbitrary level surface.
Actual (Corrected) Rod Height - Answer: ha = Robserved - hrc
hrc = (2.1 x 10^-8 1/ft)*x^2
Direct Leveling - Answer: A level is set up at a point approximately midway between the two
points whose difference in elevation is desired
Differential Leveling - Answer: The consecutive application of direct leveling to the
measurement of large differences in elevation
Indirect Leveling - Answer: Does not require backsight
Meridian - Answer: An arc drawn on a map between the North and South poles. (Vertical)
Azimuth - Answer: Given as a clockwise angle from the reference direction, either from the
north or from the south. May not exceed 360 deg.
ex: NAz 320 deg
Questions and Solutions
Graded A+
Plane Surveys - Answer: Type of survey that disregards the curvature of the earth. Appropriate if
the area is small.
Geodetic Surveys - Answer: Type of survey that considers the curvature of the earth.
Zoned Surveys - Answer: Type of survey that allows computations to be performed as if on a
plane will accommodating larger areas.
State Plane Coordinate System - Answer: Rectangular systems that use a partial
latitude/longitude system for baseline references
Stadia Survey - Answer: Requires the use of a transit, theodolite, or engineer's level, as well as a
rod for reading elevation differences and a tape for measuring horizontal distances
Plane Table Survey - Answer: Used in conjunction with a telescopic instrument. Used in field
compilation of maps and doesn't disturb the azimuth
Total Station Surveys - Answer: Integrates theodolites, electronic distancing measurement
(EDM), and data recorders
,Triangulation - Answer: The positions of the survey points are determined by measuring the
angles of triangles defined by the points. Used primarily for geodetic surveys
Trilateration - Answer: Survey lines form triangles, but the lengths of the triangles sides are
measured
Photogrammetric Surveys - Answer: Conducted using aerial photographs
Airborne LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) - Answer: Aircraft mounted laser systems
designed to measure the 3D coordinates of a passive target
NAVSTAR GPS - Answer: Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System; one-
way satellite to receiver ranging systems. GPA determines position without referencing any
other point
Inertial Survey Systems - Answer: Determine a position on the earth by analyzing the movement
of a transport vehicle. Measures acceleration of the vehicle and converts that to distance
Geographic Information System (GIS) - Answer: A computer system that stores, organizes,
analyzes, and displays geographic data. Contains spatial information, literal information, and
characteristics
Sexagesimal System - Answer: Degrees, minutes, seconds
60 minutes make up a degree, 60 seconds make up a minute
Positions - Answer: (a) latitude and logitude
(b) by rectangular (Cartesian) coordinates measured from a reference point
,Benchmark - Answer: The common name given to permanent monuments of known vertical
positions
Control Stations (or Triangular Stations) - Answer: Monuments with known horizontal positions.
Datum - Answer: Usually mean sea level, the point from where vertical elevations are measured
from
Gunter's Chain - Answer: standard unit of distance measurement, which equals 66 feet.
Cut Chains - Answer: 100' long tapes
Add Chains - Answer: 101' long tapes
Tachyometric Distance Measurement - Answer: Involved sighting through a small angle at a
distant scale
- Stadia method - angle fixed, length measured
- European method - length fixed, angle measured
Stadia Interval/Reading - Answer: Interval between two rod readings on a distant stadia rod
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) - Answer: Very accurate for short (~2 mile) distances
and relatively accurate for longer distances
Stations - Answer: In route surveying, lengths are divided into 100' sections called stations [sta =
units]
length: "the length of curve is 4 sta"
, location: "the point of intersection is at sta 4"
Stakes - Answer: Usually laid down at full intervals, but if placed anywhere else (plus station):
825' from 0+00 : 8+25
2896' from 0+00 : 28+96
Leveling - Answer: The act of using an engineer's level (or other leveling instrument) and rod to
measure a vertical distance (elevation) from an arbitrary level surface.
Actual (Corrected) Rod Height - Answer: ha = Robserved - hrc
hrc = (2.1 x 10^-8 1/ft)*x^2
Direct Leveling - Answer: A level is set up at a point approximately midway between the two
points whose difference in elevation is desired
Differential Leveling - Answer: The consecutive application of direct leveling to the
measurement of large differences in elevation
Indirect Leveling - Answer: Does not require backsight
Meridian - Answer: An arc drawn on a map between the North and South poles. (Vertical)
Azimuth - Answer: Given as a clockwise angle from the reference direction, either from the
north or from the south. May not exceed 360 deg.
ex: NAz 320 deg
