The practice of modern surveying is undergoing rapid change due to the availability of electronically controlled instruments, the widespread adoption of the Global Positioning System (GPS), and the proliferation of various geographic Land Information Systems (GIS/LIS). Nevertheless, the principles underlying these new technologies remain constant. In the tenth edition of this benchmark text, Frank Moffitt and John Bossler strike the appropriate balance between teaching students the fundamental principles of surveying and bringing them up to date on the technological advances that are changing the field. The tenth edition of this classic work completely modernizes much of the notation, form, and substance of the original. By removing much of the dated information, the authors have been able to add entire new chapters on GPS and GIS. Throughout the text, emphasis is placed on NAD 83 over NAD 27 as the new datum is being utilized more frequently. Readers familiar with previous editions of this textbook will still recognize its clear, yet rigorous explanation of topics. No shortcuts are taken in the presentation of material from the time a concept is introduced through its exploration in worked examples. The book's tradition of covering both plane and geodetic surveying has been preserved, which makes it the most comprehensive introductory text on surveying in the market.
Surveying is essentially the science of measurement of the spatial positions of the features on or near the surface of the earth. The practice of surveying is changing rapidly because of the availability of electronically controlled instruments, automatic capture and rapid transfer of field measurements, widespread adoption of the Global Positioning system (GPS), and the proliferation of various geographic Land Information Systems (GIS/LIS). Nevertheless, the principles underlying the new technology remain fairly constant. For example, the basic equations and computing techniques presented in this book are used to develop the computer programs employed by the practicing surveyor. Software is available for practically any situation encountered by the surveyor, including coordinate geometry, traverse calculations, adjustment computations, directions from astronomical observations, road design and layout, earthwork calculations, and stake-out data. The authors have attempted to present the material underlying these forgoing advances in such a way that the student can learn the principles of surveying by self-study. References at the ends of the chapters are intended to expand the knowledge acquired throughout study of the basic principles found in the book. Several major revisions have been made since the previous edition. Moreover, every chapter has been brought up to date and changed , although some only slightly. The information on Inertial Surveying has been dropped completely. Chapter 10 is devoted to GPS, thus separating traditional control surveying from this expanding technology and providing a simple but comprehensive explanation of GPS. Emphasis is placed on the NAD 83 as contrasted with NAD 27, as the redefinitions of the control networks in North America are now complete and the new datum is being utilized at a rapidly growing rate. In Chapter 11 we provide a computer program (TRANSFOR) to compute state plane coordinates. The examples provided with the program are the same as those given in the text. Chapter 20 on Geographic Information Systems has been added, along with a problem set and a compete and an extensive bibliography. Appendix A has been shortened considerably be removing the sections no the adjustment of triangulation. We have worked hard to make this book readable and easy to understand, while at the same time presenting current material that will be valuable to the modern surveyor. ACSM Bulletin, published by the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 493-0200. Geodetical Information Magazine, published by the Geodetical Information and Trading Center, G.I.T.C.b.v., Villa Novalaan 14, 8531 HS Lemmer, The Netherlands, +31(0)-5416-1854. GeoInfo Systems, published by the Advanstar Communications, 859 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR 97400, (541) 343-1200. GIS World, published by GIS World Inc., 155 E. Boardwalk Drive, Suite 250, Fort Collins CO 80525, (970) 223-4848. GPS World, published by GPS World Corporation, 859 Willamette Street, Eugene OR 97440, (503) 343-1200 Point of Beginning, better known as P.O.B., Published by Business News Publishing Company, P.O. Box 7069, 755 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 1000, Troy, MI 48007, (810) 362-3700 Professional Surveyor, published by Professional Surveyors Publishing Company, Inc. Suite 501, 2300 Ninth Street South, Arlington, VA 22204-2320, (703) 892-0733. Surveying and Land Information Systems, published by the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping. Technical Papers of the Annual and Fall conventions of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping.
The majority of the articles listed in the bibliographies are take from the publications listed above. The authors with to express their thanks to Mr. Edward McKay and Mr. James Stem of the National Geodetic Survey for their generous help in providing information for Chapters 9 and 11. We wish to thank a number of students and faculty at the Ohio State University for checking a number of examples, Dr. George Dedes, formerly of the Ohio State University and now with Topcon-Geo Comp, Ltd., and Dr. Richard Langley of the University of New Brunswick (along with special thanks to GPS World) for their review and contribution to the GPS Chapter. Thanks to Dr. Ayman Habib of the Ohio State University who transferred the NGS plane coordinate computation to the disk in this book and worked out the examples in the book using that software. Thanks to Mr. James Saunders and Ms Mary Tabler of The Ohio State University Center for Mappiing for reviewing and adding to the Chapter on GIS. Thanks to Dr. Charles Toth of the Ohio State University Center for Mapping for his comments on the Chapter on Photogrammetry. Lastly, we wish to provide a very special thanks to Mr. David Cunningham of the Ohio State University Center for Mapping for his unique contributions in applying his rare combination of artistic ability and computer skills in developing many of the new figures (graphical illustrations) that appear in this edition. The authors also, finally wish to thank the instrument manufacturers who generously furnished the updated photographs used in this edition.
