Geotechnical Engineering in Site Planning: Purpose and Detailed Examples
Geotechnical engineering plays a crucial role in site planning and development by providing
essential insights into the soil and rock conditions of a specific location. This knowledge is vital
for making informed decisions about the design and construction of structures, infrastructure,
and other developments. Here's an enhanced version of the requested response, focusing
specifically on the purpose of geotechnical engineering in site planning:
Purpose of Geotechnical Engineering in Site Planning:
1. Site Investigation and Characterization: Geotechnical engineers conduct thorough
site investigations to assess the soil and rock conditions, including their composition,
strength, and stability. This information helps determine the suitability of a site for a
particular development project.
2. Foundation Design and Analysis: Geotechnical engineers analyze the soil conditions
to design appropriate foundations for structures. They consider factors such as soil
bearing capacity, settlement potential, and liquefaction risk to ensure the structural
integrity of buildings and other infrastructure.
3. Slope Stability Assessment: Geotechnical engineers evaluate the stability of slopes
and embankments to minimize the risk of landslides and soil erosion. They design and
implement stabilization measures, such as retaining walls, drainage systems, and
vegetation, to ensure the safety of people and property.
4. Earthwork and Excavation Planning: Geotechnical engineers provide
recommendations for earthwork and excavation activities, considering factors such as
soil type, moisture content, and potential hazards. They develop plans to minimize soil
disturbance, control erosion, and ensure the safety of workers.
5. Seismic Hazard Assessment: In areas prone to earthquakes, geotechnical engineers
assess the seismic hazards and design structures to withstand potential ground shaking,
liquefaction, and other seismic-related risks.
6. Groundwater Control and Drainage: Geotechnical engineers design drainage systems
and groundwater control measures to prevent water accumulation, which can affect the
stability of structures and infrastructure.
7. Environmental Impact Assessment: Geotechnical engineers evaluate the potential
environmental impact of site development, including issues related to soil contamination,
groundwater pollution, and erosion control. They recommend measures to minimize
adverse effects on the environment.
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Types of Land Surveys in Philippines
The choice of a survey type is made relative to the intent and purpose for which the
survey is to be used.
There are many types of land surveys in CT. The survey type is intended to classify these
criteria. When a map is prepared, the survey type shall be stated in the title of the map and, to
reflect the scope of service may be clarified within the notes on the map. All surveys are
prepared in strict accordance with the Connecticut General Statutes Sec. 20-300b which
governs land surveyors in the State of Connecticut.
Property/Boundary and Limited Property/ Boundary Surveys
Property/Boundary and Limited Property/Boundary Surveys require sufficient investigation,
study, field measurement, and evaluation of factors affecting boundaries, real property interests,
and other relevant matters concerning the subject real estate to enable the surveyor to render a
professional opinion as to boundary locations and any conflicts in addition to that. These
surveys require the preparation of a detailed field survey and are intended to present the
surveyor's property/boundary opinion. It is recognized that certain factors about boundary line
determination are beyond the surveyor's purview and may require agreements between abutting
property owners or action by the courts. Facts surrounding such circumstances shall be noted.
Types of Property/Boundary Surveys
Property Survey
A Property Survey is a type of survey that depicts or notes the position of boundaries
concerning:
● locations of all boundary monumentation found or set.
● apparent improvements and features, including as a minimum: dwellings, barns,
garages, sheds, driveways, roadways, surface utilities, visible bodies of water, and
swimming pools.
● record easements and visible evidence of the use thereof.
● record and apparent means of ingress and egress.
● lines of occupation, including as a minimum: fences, walls, hedges, and yards
● deed restrictions about the location of buildings or other apparent improvements.
● unresolved conflicts with record deed descriptions and maps
● all apparent boundary encroachments
● monumentation required to be set at all corners created by a deflection angle of not less
than 70 degrees between two consecutive courses and at intervals not to exceed 600
feet (180 meters) along the boundaries between said corners, except where natural or
man-made monumentation defines or occupies the line. Refer to Section 20-300b-14 of
these regulations for a description of acceptable monuments. Except when intended for
use for Subdivision or Resub division applications, this requirement may be waived only
through a written agreement between surveyor and client and with a notation on the map
that all documentation found or set has been depicted.
Perimeter Survey
A Perimeter Survey is a type of survey that maps a strip along the boundaries, the minimum
width of which shall be 15 feet (5 meters), oriented 10 feet (3 meters) within and 5 feet (2
meters) beyond the parcel limits. The purpose of this type of survey is to document the
boundary locations by depicting and noting their position for:
● locations of all boundary monumentation found or set.
● apparent improvements and features, including as a minimum: dwellings, barns,
garages, sheds, driveways, roadways, surface utilities, visible bodies of water, and
swimming pools.
● record easements and visible evidence of the use thereof.
● record and visible means of ingress and egress.
● lines of occupation, including as a minimum: fences, walls, hedges, and yards
● unresolved conflicts with existing deed descriptions and maps
● deed restrictions about the location of buildings or other apparent improvements.
● apparent boundary encroachments
● monumentation required to be set at all corners created by a deflection angle of not less
than 70 degrees between two consecutive courses and at intervals not to exceed 600
feet (180 meters) along the boundaries between said corners, except where natural or
man-made monumentation defines or occupies the line. Refer to Section 20-300b-14 for
a description of acceptable monuments. This requirement may be waived only through a
written agreement between the surveyor and client and with a notation on the map that
all documentation found, or set has been depicted.
Limited Property/Boundary Surveys
Existing Building Location Survey
An Existing Building Location Survey is a type of survey that depicts or notes the position of all
buildings on the property concerning boundaries, record easement lines, and pertinent
municipal setback requirements and deed restrictions. No other improvements or features need
to be depicted.
Zoning Location Survey
A Zoning Location Survey is a type of survey that depicts or notes the position of existing or
proposed improvements concerning applicable municipal setback requirements. The purpose of
this type of survey is to enable the determination of compliance with said requirements. Only
those portions of the property pertinent to the issues being addressed must be depicted. No
other improvements or features need to be depicted.
Improvement Location Survey
An Improvement Location Survey is a type of survey that depicts or notes the position,
horizontally and, where required, vertically, between particular existing or proposed
improvements concerning the applicable municipal or statutory requirements. The purpose of
this type of survey is to enable the determination of compliance with said requirements. No
other improvements or features need to be depicted.
Subdivision or Resub division Map
A Subdivision or Resub division Map is a map of a type of survey that depicts or notes the
layout of lots and the associated public or private highways, easements, and lands and is
intended for submission to applicable regulatory entities. This map should conform to the
requirements of a Property Survey or be submitted along with a Property Survey. The
documentation requirements of Article III of these regulations do not apply to the Original
Survey portions.
Easement Map
An Easement Map is a map of a type of survey that depicts and notes the position of an existing
or proposed easement concerning:
● boundary documentation found or set.
● improvements and features, including as a minimum: dwellings, barns, garages, sheds,
driveways, roadways, surface utilities, visible bodies of water, fences, walls, hedges,
yards, and swimming pools.
● other record easements and visible evidence of the use thereof
● unresolved conflicts with record deed descriptions and maps
All visible encroachments shall be depicted or noted thereon. For boundaries intersected by the
easement lines, the surveyor shall indicate the Boundary Determination Category used.
Boundary Stake-Out
A Boundary Stake-Out is a type of survey that marks or monuments the physical position of
property corners or lines. The surveyor shall issue a signed and sealed letter or sketch
indicating the monuments or markers set and indicating the Boundary Determination Category
used. No other features need to be depicted.
Additional Requirements
All survey types listed in subsections of this section shall comply with the following:
● AA, A-1, or A-2 Classes of Horizontal Accuracy as defined in subsection (b) of Section
20-300b-11 of these regulations.
● documentation or marker Location Requirements as defined in Section 20-300b-13 of
these regulations.
● research requirements defined in Article IV of these regulations.
● distances along boundary or easement lines expressed to the nearest .01 of a foot (.003
meters), except where said lines are irregular and constantly changing, as along a body
of water.
● directions, defined by angles, bearings, or azimuths, along boundary or easement lines
expressed to the nearest 10 seconds for Class A-2 and to the nearest 1 second for
Classes AA and A-1, except where said lines are irregular and constantly changing, as
along a body of water.
● curved lines defined with the central angle, radius, arc length, and tangent. For curves
that are not tangent to an adjoining course, the information required to reproduce them
shall be indicated. Radial lines shall be noted.
● in areas where lines are irregular and constantly changing, as along a body of water,
meander, tie, or reference lines shall depict or note the position of points located along
said lines and allow for a mathematical closure of the map.
● adjoining properties identified by most recently published owners= names (N/F, now or
formerly) or by subdivision map and lot numbers
● areas noted in acres (hectares) or square feet (square meters)
● all monuments or markers set or found depicted and adequately described. When
reference markers have been used, their position concerning the boundary shall be
indicated.
● A north arrow is depicted on every sheet. The reference to grid, magnetic or north from
another map, shall be noted. If magnetic, the date of the reading shall be noted.
Boundary Determination Categories
The category used in determining property/boundary opinions for all survey types listed in
subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall be identified within the title or notes on the map, and
shall be one of the following:
First Survey:
A First Survey is a survey of existing property lines made when the surveyor has not found a
map or other document of the subject property, such as a meter and bounds description which
represents a previous surveyor's professional opinion. If the surveyor has found a prior survey,
the current survey is, a Resurvey.
Resurvey:
A Resurvey is a survey of property lines made when the surveyor has found a prior survey of
the subject property. After evaluation of the prior survey, within the context of field and record
information, the Resurvey is prepared. The Resurvey may or may not agree with the prior
survey. If the surveyor has found a prior survey of the subject property and, in the surveyor's
professional opinion, determines it to be sufficient for reliance and update, the term Dependent
Resurvey shall be used. The Dependent Resurvey places reliance on the prior survey while
updating same to reflect current conditions.
Original Survey:
An Original Survey is a survey indicating proposed property lines or parcels of land. The
Boundary Determination Category of existing boundaries shall be indicated.
Control Surveys
Horizontal Control Survey
A Horizontal Control Survey is a type of survey that establishes points on a horizontal
coordinate system, such as latitude and longitude, state, municipal, or arbitrary coordinates. The
horizontal control net shall comply with one of the Classes of Horizontal Accuracy defined in
Section 20-300b-11.
Vertical Control Survey
A Vertical Control Survey is a type of survey that establishes benchmarks about an appropriate
vertical datum. Vertical measurements shall comply with one of the Classes of Vertical Accuracy
defined in Section 20-300b-11.
Topographic Survey
A Topographic Survey is a type of survey that depicts the configuration (relief) of the earth's
surface (ground) and the location of natural and artificial objects thereon. The Topographic and
Vertical Classes of Accuracy, as defined in Section 20-300b-11 of these regulations, shall be
noted. Benchmarks shall be depicted or noted on all Class T-1, T-2, and T-3 Surveys. Survey
datum and contour interval shall be depicted or noted. If property lines depicted do not present a
surveyor's property/boundary opinion, there shall be a note indicating this fact.
Right of Way Survey
A Right of Way Survey is a type of survey that maps the limits of existing or proposed highways
or public utility transmission easements, including the mapping of parcels to be acquired for
such purpose(s), as referenced to an established baseline. The baseline to which the highway,
easement, or acquisition lines are referenced shall be a traverse line, project centerline, or
construction baseline, any of which shall be monumented or specifically tied to permanent
reference markers and shall comply at a minimum with Horizontal Accuracy Class A-2 as
defined in Section 20-300b-11 of these regulations and documentation requirements defined in
Article III of these regulations. Highway or easement lines may be deeds, occupation,
notification, or acquisition lines; shall be noted; accordingly, and may be monumented. The
features depicted on the mapping may be the result of aerial photogrammetric or field location
surveys performed for project planning purposes or may be compiled from various sources. All
pertinent sources shall be noted. The method of determining the position of property lines
depicted shall be noted as shall the appropriate Horizontal Accuracy Class.
General Location Survey
A General Location Survey is a type of survey that roughly depicts a parcel of land and
particular improvements based on record research and compilation of data supplemented by
limited field measurements. The specific content is a matter to be agreed upon between the
client and the surveyor and noted on the map. This type of survey shall not be used to prepare
property descriptions for conveyance. If property lines depicted do not present a surveyor's
property/boundary opinion, there shall be a note indicating this fact. Note #1 on the map shall
include: "This map was prepared from record research, other maps, limited field measurements,
and other sources. It is not to be construed as a Property/Boundary or Limited
Property/Boundary Survey and is subject to such facts as said surveys may disclose."
Data Accumulation Plan
A Data Accumulation Plan is a type of plan that depicts collected and correlated data of a
particular type (or types) within a given area. Data Accumulation Plans may be depicted on a
previously prepared map. The horizontal or vertical accuracy classes used in the preparation
shall be noted. If property lines depicted do not present a surveyor's property/boundary opinion,
there shall be a note indicating this fact.
Compilation Plan
A Compilation Plan is a type of plan based on land record research and other sources of
information that depicts the approximate size and shape of a parcel of land. This plan may be
derived from records only and not because of a field survey or measurements by the surveyor.
The accuracy of this plan may vary with the quality of the data from which it has been compiled.
All pertinent sources utilized shall be noted on the plan. Where said plan is created for a specific
purpose, that purpose shall be noted. Note #1 on this plan shall include: "This plan was
compiled from other maps, record research, or other sources of information. It is not to be
construed as having been obtained as the result of a field survey and is subject to such change
as an accurate field survey may disclose."
Construction Stake-Out Services
Construction Stake-Out Services are types of surveys that control the horizontal or vertical
positions of proposed improvements. No plan needs to be prepared; however, documentation
concerning the position of points placed shall be maintained as a permanent record.
Geographic Information System (GIS) and Land Information System (LIS)
Types of systems used for information data banks based on spatial requirements. Reference is
made to a publication by the Federal Geodetic Control Committee titled Multipurpose Land
Information Systems: The Guidebook. If the information in the GIS/LIS is intended to relate to
the surface of the earth, a surveyor shall establish such a positional relationship. The surveyor's
professional judgment shall be used in determining all appropriate Classes of Accuracy.
