Chain Surveying

It is the method of surveying in which the area is divided into network of triangles and the sides

of the various triangles are measured directly in the field with chain or tape and no angular

measurements are taken.

It is the simplest kind of surveying and is most suitable when the area to be surveyed is small in

extent and is fairly level and open with simple details. It is unsuitable for large areas and for

areas crowded with many details and over difficult country as in such cases the formation of

triangles becomes difficult.

Principle of Chain Surveying:

The principle of chain surveying is to divide the area to be surveyed into a network of connected

triangles as a triangle is the only simple figure that can be plotted from the lengths of its sides

measured in the field. Since triangulation forms the principle of chain surveying, the chain

survey is also sometimes called as chain triangulation.

If the area to be surveyed is triangular in shape and if the lengths and sequence of its three sides

are recorded, the plan of the area can be easily drawn.

But if the area has more than three straight boundaries, for example as in fig 3.1 (a) it is no

longer sufficient to measures lengths of the sides only. The field measurements must be so

arranged that the area can be plotted by laying down triangles. Several arrangements should be

made satisfying this condition but only two are given here as shown in fig. 1. (b) and (c).
Compass surveying

Compass surveying can be defined as the method of surveying in which the directions of the

survey lines is determined by means of a compass and also by using tape or a chain. This

measurement is directly done on the surface of the earth.

Even after different findings in the field of surveying, this method of compass surveying is still

used for preliminary measurements in engineering surveying. Most of the land surveying is

conducted by compass surveying by the civil engineers and surveyors which helps the foresters,

geologists etc. Initially, the theodolites where equipped with a compass which made the same

heavy. New theodolite does not have a compass in it.

Mainly the compass surveying method make use of a compass to carry out the angular

measurements. The compass surveying procedure is done through traversing.

Magnetic Compass in Compass Surveying

The magnetic meridian is the basis on which the magnetic compass measures the directions. This

will require the magnetized needle, a line of sight and a graduated circle.
 Types of Compass

The important types of compass used in compass surveying are the:

 Prismatic Compass

 Surveyor’s Compass

 Transit compass

Principle of Magnetic Compass: The basic principle of working of a magnetic compass is that a

magnetized steel or an iron that is suspended on a pivot at its center which lets it to oscillate

freely about the vertical axis, will take the direction of the magnetic meridian of with respect to

that place. The basic parts of any magnetic compass used in surveying are the magnetic needle,

Graduated ring, sighting vanes, reading system and a tripod to support the compass.

Principle of Compass Surveying

The main principle of compass surveying is traversing. Traverse, a series of connected lines is

measures by a prismatic compass. Compass surveying is mainly employed in areas that is free

from local attraction. This can be used for surveying the land area with undulations which is

crowded and large.

Every bearing at each of station can be observed by conducting the compass survey by letting the

needle to float. This approach is known as loose-needle or free surveying. But the same can be

carried out with a compass with a Vernier fitted that is connected with the line of sight and

moves over a fixed graduated circle. This method is called as fixed-needle or fast – needle

surveying. The use of compass in compass surveying is found easy and portable which makes it
suitable for exploratory surveys and reconnaissance. This bring a great application for the

preliminary route surveys of lakes, streams, survey of rivers and for topographical works.

Map

Map are graphic representation drawn to scale and usually on a flat surface, of features (for

example, geographical, geological, or geopolitical) of an area of the Earth or of any other

celestial body. Globes are maps represented on the surface of a sphere. Cartography is allied with

geography in its concern with the broader aspects of the Earth and its life. In early times

cartographic efforts were more artistic than scientific and factual. As man explored and recorded

his environment, the quality of his maps and charts improved.

Types of Maps

Topographic maps are graphic representations of natural and man-made features of parts of

the Earth’s surface plotted to scale. They show the shape of land and record elevations above sea

level, lakes, streams and other hydrographic features, and roads and other works of man. In short,

they provide a complete inventory of the terrain and important information for all activities

involving the use and development of the land. They provide the bases for specialized maps and

data for compilation of generalized maps of smaller scale.

Nautical charts are maps of coastal and marine areas, providing information for navigation. They

include depth curves or soundings or both; aids to navigation such as buoys, channel markers,

and lights; islands, rocks, wrecks, reefs and other hazards; and significant features of the coastal

areas, including promontories, church steeples, water towers, and other features helpful in

determining positions from offshore.

Aeronautical charts provide essential data for the pilot and air navigator. They are, in effect,

small-scale topographic maps on which current information on aids to navigation have been

superimposed. To facilitate rapid recognition and orientation, principal features of the land that

would be visible from an aircraft in flight are shown to the exclusion of less important details.