GE 113 – General Surveying I

Laboratory Exercise No. 6

Close Traversing by Interior Angles

I. INTRODUCTION

The relevance of angle measurement is highly observed in the fields of astronomy, physics,
engineering and architecture. Further, its use is extremely significant in surveying where the field
operations involve linear and angular measurements.

Surveyors typically measure positions in series. This way of measuring a series of positions is
known as “running a traverse”. A traverse is developed by measuring the distance and angles between
points that make up the land to be surveyed.

In this account, the surveying students were assigned to conduct a field activity to run a closed
traverse by measuring interior angles understand the concepts of related to this topic.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the field exercise, the students are expected to:

 Run a closed traverse by measuring the interior angles

III. MATERIALS USED

 Range pole
 Marking pins (at least 3)
 Total Station

IV. PROCEDURE

The corners of the assigned traverse were established. These corners were labeled as A, B and C.
Pegs or hubs were used to mark each corner. The instrument (total station) was set up and leveled over
the first corner and the azimuth of course AB was determined.

Since the total station combine electronic distance measurement and the angle measuring
capabilities of theodolites in one unit, measurements of the angles and distances were immediately
identified. Thus, the interior angle at A was measured in a clockwise direction and the angle (azimuth
from South) and distance readings were recorded.

The instrument was transferred to the next corner and the same process of determining the
interior angle and measuring related distances were repeated. The similar procedure was applied until all
the corners have been occupied.

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V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 6.1

COURSE AZIMUTH
AB 339° 53’ 51”
AC 278° 28’ 24”
BA 159° 50’ 57”
BC 219° 03’ 30”
CA 98° 17’ 48”
CB 38° 59’ 14”

Table 6.1 shows the course together with its corresponding azimuth.

Table 6.2

Station Observed Adjusted

Station Distance
Occupie Interior Correction Interior
Observed (m)
d Angle Angle
B 52.929
A 61° 25’ 27” 0° 01’ 09” 61° 26’ 36”
C 52.904
C 54.096
B 59° 12’ 33” 0° 01’ 09” 59° 13’ 42”
A 53.026
A 52.965
C 59° 18’ 34” 0° 01’ 09” 59° 19’ 43”
B 54.206
Total 179° 56’ 34” 0° 3’ 27” 180° 0’

The table shows the data collected from the laboratory exercise. It presents the distance
together with the observed interior angle. The computed correction was also illustrated as well as the
adjusted interior angle.

DISCUSSION

Based on the laboratory exercise, it can be said that interior angle traverse is used principally in
land surveying.

The results were computed by adding all the observed interior angles. The formula (n-2)180°
was used to compare the summation of the observed interior angles. The difference was computed and
was taken as the error in the angle measurement. The error is divided by the number of angles in order
to compute for the adjusted interior angle.

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VI. SKETCH

VII. REFERENCE

Dutton, J. 2010. The nature of geographic information. https://www.e

education.psu.edu/natureofgeoinfo/c5_p10.html

La Putt, J. 1987. Elementary Surveying. 3 rd Edition. Baguio Research and Publishing Centre. Baguio City,
Philippines. ISBN 971-08-5581-6

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