Tunnel Surveys and Alignment Control

strument shop) and

but adjusting field levels.

not be used for any other purpose

The level should be tripod-mounted on a stable foundation, or

mounted on a steel bracket fixed to a concrete wall or column. It should be protected from abuse, dust, rain, and the
like.
Focus the eyepiece to infinity, and point telescope toward the
level to be adjusted.
Set up flashlight, mirror, or other light source behind eyepiece, with white paper between the light and the eyepiece to
diffuse the light.
Set up level to be tested on line with calibration level and at
approximately the same level (within 12 in.).
Focus level to be tested at infinity, and point in direction of
calibration level.
Observe through eyepiece of level being tested. Adjust direction of both levels until crosshairs of calibration level are
seen superimposed on the crosshairs of the level being tested.
Refer to Figure 3-7 and, if needed, adjust horizontal crosshair
of field level until horizontal crosshairs of both instruments
coincide.
Preliminary Surveys
A preliminary horizontal and vertical control survey is
required to obtain general site data for route selection and

for design. This survey should be expanded from existing

records and monuments that are based on the same horizontal and vertical datum that will be used for final design of
the structures. Additional temporary monuments and benchmarks are placed as needed to support field investigations,
mapping, environmental studies, and route selection.
U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps (1:24,000 series with 10-ft or 20-ft contours) may be used for preliminary route selection, but when the project corridor has been
defined, new aerial photography should be obtained and
photograrnmetric maps should be prepared to facilitate portal design, access, right of way, drainage, depth of cover, geologic, seismic, and other studies. The scale and contour interval selected for these maps may be influenced by siting

17

(urban or rural), drainage, and critical depth of cover. Scale and

contour selection would include consideration of
1 in. = 50 ft or 100 ft scale with 1-ft, 2-ft or 5-ft contour interval
1 in. = 100 ft or 200 ft scale with 5-ft or 10-ft contour interval
1 in. = 400 ft or 500 ft scale with 10-ft or 20-ft contour interval

The cost of preparing photogrammetric maps is influenced predominantly by the contour interval, with the smallest interval being most costly. This should not, however,
result in a decision to use a larger interval map solely to reduce cost when a more accurate map is needed.
Equipment and Techniques.
Modern mapping equipment and techniques provide a wide range of products and
services to support planning and design, and ongoing construction management, including
Measurement of earthwork pay quantities.
Digital ortho mapping, wherein the aerial photographic image
is digitized in true plan position and scale, and can be inserted
into the project Geographic Information System (GIS) or
database.
Digital topographic mapping, wherein contours and planimetric features are directly digitized during the map compilation process and can be CAD-plotted and/or inserted into the
project GIS.
Software enabling manipulation of digital map and survey
data to extract profiles, cross sections, spot elevations, etc.,
and to superimpose this data selectively with design, right of
way, geologic, and other data sets that have been digitized
into the GIS/database.
CAD plotting of selected layers, or combination of layers of
map data, such as contours, building outlines, road outlines,
vegetation, utilities, drainage, fences, walls, and so on. This
data can also be selectively plotted with property and boundary information, design information, land ownership data,
utility size, type, age, etc., and demographic and other information that has been entered into the GIS/database.

White Paper
C.=:IFC:1

171

6f t.

Hydrographic Surveys

'71

Flashlight
LEVEL #1

#2

LEVEL
Field Level----

Calibrated Level -

VIEW AS SEEN THROUGH EYELENS

OF FELD LEVEL (#2)
A Crosshoir Rotated: Level f2 needs Shop Adjustment.
B Horizontal Crosshoirs Do Not Coincide: Level #2 Needs Crosshoir
Adjustment (Field Adjustment).
C Crosshoirs Coincide: No Adjustment Of Level

#2 Needed.

Where construction of a submersed tunnel or tube is

planned, hydrographic surveys to determine bottom topography will be needed, together with current direction and velocity studies if reliable data is not available from NOAA,
USGS, USCE, State Department of Water Resources, or
some other source. In planning the hydrographic survey, an
investigation should be made to determine the existence and
location of submarine pipelines, cables, cathodic devices,
etc., that may affect design or construction of the submersed
tunnel or tube. Additional surveys such as magnetometer,
seismic sub-bottom, electromagnetic toning, side scan sonar,
and the like, may be required to detect and locate these fea-

Horizontal Crosshoirs Coincide. But Vertical Crosshoirs Do Not Coincide:

No Adjustment Of Level #2 Needed. Vertical Crosshoirs Con Be Mode To
Coincide By Changing Pointing Direction Of Level #1 And/Or #2.

Fig. 3-7. Adjustment of level instruments.

tures. These additional surveys may be done simultaneously

or sequentially with the basic hydrographic survey (Figures
3-8-3-10). Data generated in the hydrographic survey should
be based on the same horizontal datum as project control