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Types, Uses and Advantages of Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) in Surveying

Electronic distance measurement (EDM) is the method of surveying in which the length between the two points has been measured with the help of electromagnetic waves. The EDM process has been carried out with the help of digital instruments which are known as theodolites. The instruments of the EDM process are highly reliable and convenient surveying tools.

The EDM process has been used for measuring the distance of up to 100 kilometres. Each individual piece of the EDM tool is available at Engineer's Supply which helps to provide accurate distance measurements and these measurements have been displayed on the digital screen which is easy to read. The devices used in the EDM process have been known as the total stations which have several similarities with theodolites. These devices can also be used for measuring angles as well as distances.

Different types of EDM in Surveying

The integration of the different types of EDM along with the advanced software brings revolution in surveying operations. The different types of EDM in the surveying process are as follows:

Microwave instruments

These types of EDM are used to measure the long distances within 100 Km along with the frequency range. These types of surveying equipment act with the help of microwaves. In these types of EDM methods, two operators and two equipment are needed to carry out the distance measurement procedure of the surveying process.

Infrared wave instruments

These types of EDM instruments use gallium arsenide diode to do their work. These types of EDM instruments have the ability to emit infrared. These instruments are inexpensive as well as can be modulated easily with the help of the amplitude modulation process. In this case, the wavelength is about 0.9 micrometres. The range of the infrared wave instrument is about 2 to 5 meters.

Visible light wave instruments

These types of instruments use simple lights or visible lights which indicate the wavelengths have been visible to the human eyes for measuring the distance. The measuring length of these types of EDM instruments is lesser than the microwave instruments due to the less transmitting power of the visible light wave instruments. There is signal loss and one instrument is enough for this type of EDM instrument which has higher accuracy.

Equipment for EDM

Theodolites

Theodolites are the precision instrument of EDM which helps to measure the horizontal and vertical angles. This equipment is crucial to determining the exact position of the points in the surveying process. While Theodolites has combined with the EDM, the measurement of the distances can also be done which helps to make this tool more versatile for a wide range of surveying processes.

Total Stations

The total stations help to represent a significant advancement through the combination of the functions of the theodolites, data recording software and EDM into a single device. There are numerous advantages of total stations which includes:

• Total stations help to measure the distance and angles.
• The total stations help to record data electronically as well as help to increase the overall accuracy and efficiency.
• This total station is effective, particularly in complex projects including the infrastructure development and large-scale construction process.

Uses of EDM in the surveying process

The EDM has several uses in the surveying process which are as follows:

Land Surveying

The land surveyors rely on EDM technology which helps to measure the distance between property boundaries more precisely. Thus, EDM helps in the subdivision and development of the land.

Engineering Surveying

The EDM process has been also used by engineers for topographic surveying as well as helps the engineers to design and plan infrastructure projects including bridges, roads and pipelines.

Construction Surveying

EDM is also used in construction projects for measuring the site layout distances as well as helps to ensure that the building and other construction structures have been constructed with more precision.

Mining Surveying

EDM is also used in mining surveying procedures in which EDM is used to measure the dimensions of mines and also helps to ensure the accurate extraction and the safety of the resources.

Archaeological Surveying

EDM is also used by archaeologists to record accurate measurements of historical structures and helps to map archaeological sites.

Advantages of using EDM in the surveying process

There are numerous advantages of using EDM in the surveying process which include the:

Efficiency

EDM helps to reduce the time and requirement of labourers for the surveying process and this can be done by allowing a single surveyor for quick and accurate measurement. Thus, the entire surveying process becomes more cost-effective.

Accuracy

EDM also helps to provide measurements which are more accurate to the millimetres. This is important to ensure that the survey data are reliable and can be used for making decisions regarding the surveying process.

Versatility

The EDM instruments are also versatile and have the capability of being used in a variety of environments including open fields and densely built-up urban areas. Thus, EDM is appropriate for a wide range of applications.