Everything you should know about Monumentation!

Posted by Adam Hoffman on

monumentation Monumentation can be described as the process of placing markers on a surveyed area of land for the purpose of distinguishing the boundaries identified and specified during the completion of a professionally conducted survey.

It also establishes control points in the surveyed land so that future surveyors can base future measurements accurately from a determined location point.

A professional land surveying firm, such as Godfrey-Hoffman & Hodge in Connecticut, generally use proper Monumentation in designing, planning and establishing property boundaries in all construction and survey project they perform for clients.

4 Types of Monuments

Type 1

Type 1 Monuments are constructed with materials that are permanent, identifiable and stable. These types of Monuments are expected to last for more than 50 years and are placed in strategic locations to avoid disturbance.

Examples of Type 1 Monuments:

  • Rock Monument – Use for horizontal
  • Pre-cast Concrete Monument
  • Permanent Structure Monument
  • Boulder Monument
  • Cast-In-Place Concrete Monument

Type 2

Type 2 Monuments are constructed with materials that are permanent, identifiable and stable. These types of Monuments are expected to last for more than 25 years and are placed in strategic locations to avoid disturbance.

Examples of Type 2 Monuments:

  • Metal Pipe Monument
  • Iron pipe Monument
  • Metal Rod Monument
  • Chiseled-Cross Monument
  • Chiseled-Square Monument
  • Extended Metal Rod Monument

Type 3

Type 3 Monuments are temporary monuments used in surveys. It is intended to last for a single project and should be unique to avoid confusion with other existing monuments in the area.

Type 3 Monuments need to satisfy the following conditions:

  • The Monument should be approved by the coordinator of the regional survey unit
  • The Monument should only be a supplement to other permanent monuments in the area
  • The Monument should be unique from other monuments in the area
  • The Monument should be able to last for the duration of the project
  • The Monument should be stable for the duration of the project
  • The Monument should be described for verification with at least 3 references
  • The Description of the Monument should be filed in the project control data

Examples of Type 3 Monuments:

  • Masonry Nail Monument
  • Metal Rod Monument
  • Chiseled-Cross Monument
  • Chiseled-Square Monument
  • Sawed-Cross Monument
  • Railroad Spike Monument

Type 4

Type 4 Monuments are temporary monuments used in surveys. It is intended to be used when a Type 3 Monument would cause an unreasonable time to construct and would cause delay on the project.

Examples of Type 4 Monuments:

  • Pole
  • Hardwood Hub
  • Existing structures
  • Nail in a tree

Key Takeaway:

  • Monumentation can be described as the process of placing markers on a surveyed area of land for the purpose of distinguishing the boundaries identified and specified during the completion of a professionally conducted survey.
  • The 4 types of Monuments used in Monumentation are: Type 1 Monuments, Type 2 Monuments, Type 3 Monuments and Type 4 Monuments.

    Image courtesy of: glimpseofcragsandclay