Topic outline

  • GPS Surveying Applications

    Credits: 1 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course outlines some of the varied uses of GPS by surveyors and contractors. These applications include real estate surveys, regulatory enforcement actions, horizontal and vertical control densification, structural deformation studies, airborne photogrammetry, dynamic positioning and navigation for hydrographic survey vessels and dredges, hydraulic study/survey location, river/flood plain cross-section location, core drilling location, environmental studies, emergency operations, levee overbank surveys, and levee profiling.

    Construction uses of real-time GPS include levee grading and revetment placement, disposal area construction, stakeout, etc. Additionally, GPS has application in developing various levels of Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial data, such as site plan topography, facilities, utilities, etc. In effect, GPS has application for any project requiring georeferenced spatial data. Given the variety of GPS accuracies and operating modes, a particular project application may involve one or more types of equipment and data acquisition methods.

    Topics:

    • Project Control Densification
    • Facility Site Plan Topographic Mapping and GIS Surveys
    • Shallow Wetland Mapping
    • Flood Control Projects-Levee Assessments
    • Navigation Project Survey Vessel and Dredge Control
    • Hydraulic and Hydrology Studies
    • Structural Deformation Surveys
    • Construction Stakeout and Grading
    • Coastal Engineering Surveys
    • Photogrammetric and LIDAR Mapping Control

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for surveying and engineering professionals whose job description may require an intermediate knowledge of GPS practices and principles.
    Publication Source: USACE (Corp of Engineers)

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1