NICET - HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION BASIC CONCEPTS EXAM WITH WELL
DETAILED ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
What does NICET stand for?
National Institute for Certification and Engineering Technologies
What is surveying?
Surveying is the determination of relative location of points on or near the surface of the
earth; the art of measuring horizonal and vertical distances between terrestrial objects,
measuring angles between terrestrial lines, determining the direction of lines, and
establishing points by predetermined angular and linear measurements.
Plane Survey
Surveys for which the curvature of the Earth is ignored and measurements are treated as if
taken on a plane surface.
Geodetic Survey
Surveys to determine relative positions of widely spaced points which require
consideration of the size and shape of the Earth.
What equipment might be used for plane surveying?
Laser level, tripod, steel tape
,Name three things levels are used for.
Set slope stakes, check level of forms, and field elevation/grades;
Define survey rod
reads like a tape measure; it allows the surveyor to record an observed number so that an
elevation can be determined; there are many different styles of survey rods, they typically
read in tenths of a foot
Define plumb bob
object used to establish a survey instrument above a specific point; also used to calculate
horizontal distances over sloping ground in conjunction with a surveying tape
Define vernier
object used to determine the subdivision of the smallest division of a scale
Define steel tape
used to measure distance (a flexible ruler);rarely used anymore due to advances in tech; if
used, corrections for temperature may have to be made (steel expands and contracts with
changes in temperature)
Define transit
,transits and levels are not the pieces of equipment and cannot be confused; a transit can
be tilted vertically to measure vertical angles
Can the term and level be used synonymously?
No, they cannot, a transit can be tilted vertically to measure vertical angles
What are plumb bobs and surveyor's tape used to measure?
plumb bobs are used to establish a survey instrument above a specific point or to calculate
horizontal distances over sloping ground in conjunction with a surveying tape
When looking through a level, what are the four different hair lines that you will see called?
Upper stadia, middle cross, lower stadia, vertical cross
Define bench mark
Bench marks are fixed points where an exact elevation is known; can be permanent or
temporary
Define hub
wooden objects used to identify finished grade (also known as blue tops)
, Define stake
wooden objects typically used for ROW (right of way) slopes and structure identification
Define fill stake
a stake that indicates the ground at the stake location needs to be raised with additional
material to reach the required grade
Define cut stake
a stake that indicates the ground at the stake location needs to be excavated in order to
reach the desired grade
Define back sight
a rod reading taken on a point of known elevation
Define height of instrument
the elevation of the line of sight projected by the instrument; found by adding the back sight
rod reading to the known elevation of the bench mark or the point on which the back sight
was taken
Define fore sight
a rod reading taken on any point to determine its elevation
DETAILED ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
What does NICET stand for?
National Institute for Certification and Engineering Technologies
What is surveying?
Surveying is the determination of relative location of points on or near the surface of the
earth; the art of measuring horizonal and vertical distances between terrestrial objects,
measuring angles between terrestrial lines, determining the direction of lines, and
establishing points by predetermined angular and linear measurements.
Plane Survey
Surveys for which the curvature of the Earth is ignored and measurements are treated as if
taken on a plane surface.
Geodetic Survey
Surveys to determine relative positions of widely spaced points which require
consideration of the size and shape of the Earth.
What equipment might be used for plane surveying?
Laser level, tripod, steel tape
,Name three things levels are used for.
Set slope stakes, check level of forms, and field elevation/grades;
Define survey rod
reads like a tape measure; it allows the surveyor to record an observed number so that an
elevation can be determined; there are many different styles of survey rods, they typically
read in tenths of a foot
Define plumb bob
object used to establish a survey instrument above a specific point; also used to calculate
horizontal distances over sloping ground in conjunction with a surveying tape
Define vernier
object used to determine the subdivision of the smallest division of a scale
Define steel tape
used to measure distance (a flexible ruler);rarely used anymore due to advances in tech; if
used, corrections for temperature may have to be made (steel expands and contracts with
changes in temperature)
Define transit
,transits and levels are not the pieces of equipment and cannot be confused; a transit can
be tilted vertically to measure vertical angles
Can the term and level be used synonymously?
No, they cannot, a transit can be tilted vertically to measure vertical angles
What are plumb bobs and surveyor's tape used to measure?
plumb bobs are used to establish a survey instrument above a specific point or to calculate
horizontal distances over sloping ground in conjunction with a surveying tape
When looking through a level, what are the four different hair lines that you will see called?
Upper stadia, middle cross, lower stadia, vertical cross
Define bench mark
Bench marks are fixed points where an exact elevation is known; can be permanent or
temporary
Define hub
wooden objects used to identify finished grade (also known as blue tops)
, Define stake
wooden objects typically used for ROW (right of way) slopes and structure identification
Define fill stake
a stake that indicates the ground at the stake location needs to be raised with additional
material to reach the required grade
Define cut stake
a stake that indicates the ground at the stake location needs to be excavated in order to
reach the desired grade
Define back sight
a rod reading taken on a point of known elevation
Define height of instrument
the elevation of the line of sight projected by the instrument; found by adding the back sight
rod reading to the known elevation of the bench mark or the point on which the back sight
was taken
Define fore sight
a rod reading taken on any point to determine its elevation
