Code of practice for surveying

Code of practice for surveying in the HRH-Area texte en français ; Text in Deutsch Download als pdf-Dokument: survey.pdf
Introduction / problem	The surveying methods in the HRH district can, in certain cases, depart from the established standard. In order not to bring about confusion, we have outlined some key principles that we believe to be important below. This paper should not be received in such a way that it takes the fun out of surveying. We think, however, that it is more useful when all the caves of an area are produced according to a common code of practice, otherwise considerable additional work is required to a achieve a common publishable standard.

Measurements and surveying	In general, small caves between three and ten metres in length are only drawn, whilst longer caves are measured. However, all caves are charted for location. In addition to using Toporobot for surveying underground (the programme having been originally developed for the Réseau Siebenhengste), we also use it to produce the surface surveys, as this is both logical and consistent. Depending on the area (map) the [extended] side elevations may be shown differently: Innerbergli-F1 zone, north is on the left K2-Halätsch, north is on the left Gopital zone, west is on the left Chromatte zone, west is on the left Réseau Siebenhengste, west is on the left Bärenschacht-Beatushöhle-Häliloch zone, north is on the right This method of surveying/drawing serves primarily for bigger caves or for caves where a connection is probable (for a simplified understanding of an all-case complete plan). Small caves can be drawn arbitrarily.
Scale and sketching	All caves in the area are drawn either to a scale of 1:200 (smaller caves) or 1:500. In some circumstances, a cave drawn to a scale of 1:500 may have its profile drawn in 1:250. An extended side elevation is also the rule for caves of a horizontal nature. The actual sketching method is left to the group concerned. In general we do not draw to scale in the caves, but subsequently plot and print a Toporobot skeleton plan, draw the caves according to scale upon it and finally make a first-print in which the individual measurements are no longer visible. We recommend using the latest UIS-standard of mapping signatures. When it comes to caves which are connected to the réseau "Sieben Hengste Hohgant", particular charting methods are necessary, which must be determined on a case-by-case basis. This normally results in first survey editions being quite variable. In such cases, the margins are not aligned according to the surface coordinates; rather the individual coordinates are printed on the sheet. In this way we can avoid one 20 m cave appearing on four pages of an area map. The north direction line should lie parallel to the edge of the sheet. The actual direction in which north lies is unimportant. We make certain that the horizontal projection is turned so that it runs in the same direction as the side elevation. That means that when the side elevation runs downwards from left to right, the entrance will also appear on the left side of the plan. Depending on the size of the cave and shape of the sheet, we try to draw the horizontal and side elevation on the same sheet. Admittedly, this is normally only possible for smaller caves. The sheet size should generally not be greater than the A2 format, because this size can be reduced by 50% to achieve exactly the A4 publication standard - oder A1 to A3. The side elevation often causes sketchers problems. We strongly recommend that the side elevation be drawn/configured in the same way the horizontal projection is. This requires a concentration upon the cave observations and leaving the surrounding surface features out.
Von P.Häuselmann, 26.5.2000 ; Rolf Siegenthaler, 17.5.2000 ; Luc Funcken, 23.9.2000 ; A. Hof, 13.2.2001 translation: P. Medhurst This paper was accepted by the HRH-assembly on 20th of october 2001 in Beatenberg.