Detail Surveys, also known as Topographic Surveys, show the levels, contours and features of a site. Doherty Smith & Associates provide detail surveys of sites ranging from house blocks to entire developments.
Detail Surveys are used to design construction works on the subject land so constitute the basis for any future works on the site. It is common practice to connect a detail or topographic survey to state-based control marks which provide grid north orientation from the Map Grid of Australia (MGA94) coordinate system, and heights relative to the Australian Height Datum (AHD). The advantage of adopting the state-based control marks is that the survey is then able to relate to Council flood planning levels and that proper shadow diagram calculations can take place for proposed structures. In addition, surveys connected to state-based control marks are able to be re-established from permanent control marks in situations where the local control marks are destroyed or disturbed during construction works.
Doherty Smith & Associates use a combination of one-man robotic total station and RTK GNSS for most detail surveys. This system can allow field crews to cover large areas in a reduced time. For very large sites, the measuring equipment can be mounted on a vehicle such as a quad bike or four-wheel drive, with readings taken automatically at set distances.The emphasis when preparing a detail or topographic survey is on quality of data combined with maximum efficiency.
The results of the detail or topographic survey are manipulated using modern software. A three-dimensional digital terrain model is created and contours generated from this model. The model can be directly imported to design software to facilitate digital design of new structures or other works. A three-dimensional view allows the digital terrain model to be viewed and checked prior to being released in a plan.
Doherty Smith & Associates also perform civil design for items including roads, sewer, water and stormwater. Civilcad design software allows for fast and accurate civil design. Civil works are designed with reference to the applicable standard, usually the appropriate Aus-Spec document for the local council. Turning circle analysis and intersection design can be accurately and efficiently completed with the use of specialised design software. This design software is particularly useful for subdivision design, intersection design and car park design.
Wherever possible, Doherty Smith & Associates try to use sustainable design. An example of sustainable design is the Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principle, which aims to reduce rainwater runoff. Solar orientation of buildings can make a massive difference to heating and cooling as well as liveability. Other smart sustainable technologies are continually being developed, and Doherty Smith & Associates adopts the most useful of these wherever possible.
When you engage Doherty Smith & Associates for a detail or topographic survey, you can be assured of high quality data, presented in a format which is suitable for the final purpose. Our civil design work is always well designed and presented and adopts the latest best industry practice.