Setting Out

Abstract

A definition often used for setting out is that it is the reverse of surveying. What is meant by this is that whereas surveying is the process of producing a plan or map of a particular area, setting out begins with the plan and ends with some particular engineering project correctly positioned in the area. This definition can be misleading since it implies that setting out and surveying are opposites. This is not true. Most of the techniques and equipment used in surveying are also used in setting out and it is important to realise that setting out is simply one application of surveying.