What Does a Field Engineer Do with Survey and Layout?
What does a field engineer do with survey and layout? That’s a question I got the other day, and I thought it was so good, I had to turn it into a blog.
If you’ve ever wondered what role survey and control play on a construction site or what a field engineer actually does with them, this blog will give you clarity. Let’s break it down.
Survey vs. Control:
When we talk about survey, we’re referring to the actual measurement process like picking up a backsight and shooting a foresight with a total station or automatic level. It’s how we gather elevation data or locate a point on the site.
Control, on the other hand, refers to establishing and maintaining the correct location of the building. Whether it’s primary, secondary, or working control, it ensures everything is built in the right place.
Types of Control:
- Primary Control:
This surrounds the entire job site and is usually established by working with the project surveyor. Using a traverse and level loop, we network control points around the perimeter to keep everything aligned. - Secondary Control:
This is where we bring the control closer to the structure. Say you’re laying out a building grid you’ll establish a baseline using your total station and tie it back to the primary monuments. From there, direct and reverse shots help create intermediate points. - Working Control:
This is temporary control that supports layout for specific components. For example, you might snap offset lines for a wall or column, and use a benchmark to set elevations. This control guides the placement of materials like concrete, steel, or even above-ceiling systems.
Field Engineer’s Role:
So how does a field engineer use all this?
- To translate control into precise layout for real components on-site.
- To verify locations and set out points based on lift drawings.
- To ensure all parts of the structure from embeds to walls are in the correct position.
Using tools like benchmarks, offset lines, and layout points, the field engineer acts as the guide who keeps construction accurate and aligned.
Lift Drawings & Layout:
If the field engineer also has a lift drawing which pulls together information from multiple plans into one detailed drawing they can lay out everything with confidence. It’s like having a cheat sheet for installation accuracy.
Key Takeaway:
A field engineer uses survey and control from primary to working control to accurately position building components on-site, ensuring precision, quality, and successful execution through methods like lift drawings and layout benchmarks.
Learn More:
If you’re interested in diving deeper, I recommend checking out the Field Engineering Methods Manual, also known as Construction Surveying and Layout by Wesley G. Crawford.
You can also check out more content on this topic over on the Lean Survey YouTube channel.
Getting survey and layout right is critical and understanding it is key for any field engineer. I hope this blog brought some clarity.
If you want to learn more we have:
-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here)
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here)
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)
Discover Jason’s Expertise:
Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.
On we go
