ELEMENTARY

SURVEYING FIELD 1
FIELD WORK 11
DETERMINATION OF THE AREA OF A FIELD WHOSE
CORNERS ARE SIDESHOT FROM TRAVERSE STATIONS
SUBMITTED BY:
MONDEJAR, CALVIN PAULO A.
2013151011
GROUP 5
CHIEF OF PARTY: ELIAS, JOHNNY
DATE OF FIELD WORK: 11/26/2015
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 12/3/2015

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. IRA BALMORIS
GRADE
INTRODUCTION
The eleventh field work for the elementary surveying field course is the determination
of the area of a field whose corners are sideshot from traverse stations. This is a way of
determining each station occupied, each station observed, the horizontal tape distance
between the station occupied and station observed, the bearing of each station, the computed
latitude and departure of each station occupied, the errors in latitude and departure of each
station, the corrected and balanced values of the latitude and the departure, the double
meridian distance value by each station, corrected distances and bearings, the value of the
double area, and last is determining the total area of a field.
The purposes of this field work are to acquire the knowledge in getting the area of a
rectilinear field whose corners are side shot from traverse stations of a horizontal control, to
learn how to read the horizontal angle of a transit, to learn how to perform a closed azimuth
traverse survey using transit and tape, to develop the skills in analyzing of the area using DMD
or DPD method, and to develop the ability to lead or follow the designated/desired task of
one’s party or group and to be fully responsible in the performance of the assigned task. The
field work has been performed because it is the group’s task to obtain the field work’s
objectives and also to obtain the data needed from the field work conducted.

To obtain the data needed by the determination of the area of a field whose corners are
sideshot from traverse stations field work, the field work was conducted by following to the
field work’s procedures in accordance with the manual. Firstly, the instruments for this field
work were utilized for the determination of the area of a field whose corners are sideshot from
traverse stations field work. The following instruments utilized in this field work and their
descriptions were: Theodolite used for measuring precise angles of elevation, horizontal,
vertical, etc., a tape used as a flexible ruler for measuring the course length from one end of the
tape to the other end, a chalk used for marking the ends of tapes at intermediate points while
taping, a range pole used for sighting points and for lining up tape-persons in order to keep
them going in the right direction, and a tripod used for supporting the precise level. Before the
field work started, the instruments were set-up in order to use them for finding the values
needed in this field work. The instruments were checked especially the theodolite while placing
above tripod.

There are three charts in the determination of the area of a field whose corners are
sideshot from traverse stations, in which the following data needed are: the horizontal tape
distance, the bearing obtained in each station, the computed latitude and departure, the
computed errors in latitude and departure, the corrected and balanced values of the latitude
and the departure, the double meridian distance, the value of the double area, and the total
area of a field. The eleventh field work was conducted in which the procedures of the field work
were followed likewise the given formulas for determining the data needed were utilized for
the computation of the above-mentioned required values. The outcome of this field work will
determine if the objectives were obtained based on the data gathered. The outcome will also
determine the possible sources of error and the problems encountered in this field work.
OBJECTIVES AND INSTRUMENTS
OBJECTIVES:
1. To acquire the knowledge in getting the area of a rectilinear field whose corners are side
shot from traverse stations of a horizontal control.
2. To learn how to read the horizontal angle of a transit.
3. To learn how to perform a closed azimuth traverse survey using transit and tape.
4. To develop the skills in analyzing of the area using DMD or DPD method.
5. To develop the ability to lead or follow the designated/desired task of one’s party or
group and to be fully responsible in the performance of the assigned task.

INSTRUMENTS:

Figure 1: Theodolite Figure 2: Tape Figure 3: Chalk

Figure 4: Range pole Figure 5: Tripod

1. Theodolite - It is used for measuring precise angles of elevation, horizontal, vertical, etc.
2. Tape - It is a flexible ruler used for measuring the course length from one end of the
tape to the other end.
3. Chalk – It is used for marking the ends of tapes at intermediate points while taping.
 4. 2 Range poles - are used for sighting points and for lining up tape-persons in order to
keep them going in the right direction.
5. Tripod - It is used for supporting the precise level.

PROCEDURES AND COMPUTATIONS

PROCEDURE:
A. Determination of the area of a rectilinear whose corners are sideshot from traverse
stations as horizontal control.

1. The professor assigned the corners of the rectilinear field to be observed. These
points may not be visible from each adjacent point but must be accessible from
traverse station. Drive on each corner hubs or mark each corner by a chalk if on
pavement. Name the points as stations 1, 2, 3 etc.
2. Establish traverse stations near the corners of the lot taking into consideration that:
a. Intervisibility of stations is observed
b. Adjacent lot corners could be side shot from a single traverse station
c. No side shot distance exceed 15m
3. Occupy station T-1, orient the telescope to the magnetic south with vernier A
reading zero on the horizontal circle, and run the traverse of the stations clockwise.
4. Shoot the corners of the lot from the nearest stations and measure the
corresponding distance.
5. Check the traverse for angular error of closure (AEC). Re-run the traverse if the
actual AEC is not within the allowable accuracy requirements.

Allowable Error of Closure Departure=30 ' ' √ T

Where T = number of traverse stations

6. Calculate the area of the lot by DMD or DPD method.
7. Plot the lot by coordinates method on a 30” x40” tracing paper.

REQUIREMENT:

1. Traverse computations. Assume coordinates of T-1 as N 10,000.00 and S 10,000.00

or compute the coordinates based on a tie point.
2. Area by DMD or DPD method.
3. Bearing and distance of the sides of the lot.
4. Plan of the surveyed lot on Bureau of Lands form. Plot the corners by coordinates
method using an appropriate computed scale.
COMPUTATIONS:
The computation of sample field notes is done in accordance with the steps listed hereunder:
Computation of latitude and departure of each side
The latitude of any side is:
Latitude = distance x cos( bearing)
The departure of any side is:
Departure = distance x sin( bearing )
Use the compass rule to balance the latitude and departure of the closed traversed performed
Assign 10,000.00 for Northing and 10,000.00 for Easting of the first station successively adding
algebraically the adjusted or corrected latitude and departure of each chosen station to
compute the Northing and Easting of each station.
Solve for the northing and easting of each corner of the land being surveyed by adding
algebraically the latitude and departure of the line connecting the chosen traverse station to
each corner of the assigned line.
From the northing and easting of each corner, solve for the latitude and departure of each side
of the land being surveyed by subtracting the northing of the first corner to the northing of the
second station, the second to the third corner and so on.
Solve for the area of the surveyed land by DMD or DPD method.
Determine the bearing and distance of the surveyed land using the following formula:

Distance of the side= √ (dep)2 +(lat )2

Bearing of the side=tan −1 ( dep

lat )
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
There are no Questions and Problems in this field work.
FINAL DATA SHEET
FIELD WORK 11 DETERMINATION OF THE AREA OF A FIELD WHOSE CORNERS ARE
SIDESHOT FROM TRAVERSE STATIONS
DATE: 11/26/2015 GROUP NO. 5
TIME: 7:30-12:00NN LOCATION: LYCEUM
WEATHER: SUNNY PROFESSOR: ENGR. IRA BALMORIS
DATA GATHERED:

STATION STATION TAPE DISTANCE BEARING

OCCUPIED OBSERVED
T1-A A 76.95
T1-B B 43.9
T2-B B 43.9
T2-C C 48.6
T3-C C 33.9
T3-D D 55.25
T4-D D 28.2
T4-A A 56.7
A B 86.76 N14°28’11.05’’W
B C 92.27 N62°31’14.93’’E
C D 88.23 S24°57’38.46’’E
D A 81.38 S60°45’15’’W
CLOSE THE TRAVERSE AND COMPUTE NORTHING AND EASTING OF STATIONS
OBSERVED:
STATION STATION TAPE BEARING BALANCED BALANCED COORDINATES
OCCUPIE OBSERVE DISTANC LATITUDE DEPARTURE NORTHING EASTING
D D E
A B 86.76 N14°28’11.05’’W (+)82.307 (+)28.250
B C 92.27 N62°31’14.93’’E (+)40.767 (-)74.871
C D 88.23 S24°57’38.46’’E (-)81.719 (-)30.550
D A 81.38 S60°45’15’’W (-)41.355 (+)77.171

348.64 0 0

D. COMPUTATIONS

T 1 A ¿ A=76.95 m
T 1 B ¿ B=43.9 m

θ between T 1 A ¿ A∧T 1 B ¿ B=81° 31'

´ √ a2 +b 2−2 ab cos θ
AB=
´ √ ( 76.95 )2+ ( 43.9 )2−2 ( 76.95 ) ( 43.9 ) cos ( 81 ° 31' )
AB=
´
AB=86.76 m

43.9 sin ( 81 ° 31' )

BEARINGOF AB:θ=sin −1
[ 86.76 ]
θ=30° 1' 48 .9 5 ' '

360 °−( 315 ° 30' +30 ° 1' 48.95'' )

θ=N 14 ° 28' 05' ' W

LATITUDE OF AB =86.76 cos ( 14 ° 28' 11.05 ' ' ) =¿

DEPARTURE OF AB=86.76sin (14 ° 28' 11.05 '' )=¿

E L =∑ ¿ ¿

E L =126.584−119.748=6.386 ∴ too much North

E D=∑ ¿ ¿

E D=119.093−92.686=26.407 ∴ toomuch East

 86.76
Correction ( Latitude ) AB=( 348.64 ) ( 6.836)=1.701
86.76
Correction ( Departure ) AB=(
348.64 )
( 26.407 )=¿

Balanced ( Latitude ) AB=84.008−1.701=¿

Balanced ( Departure ) AB=21.679+6.571=¿

COMPUTE AREA OF THE LOT AND BEARING AND DISTANCE OF THE SIDES OF THE
SURVEYED LOT

LINE LAT DEP DMD DOUBLE DISTANCE BEARING

AREA
AB (+)82.307 (+)28.250 (+)28.250 2325.173 87.02 N18°56’37.01’’W
BC (+)40.767 (-)74.871 (-)18.371 -748.930 85.25 N61°25’54.7’’E
CD (-)81.719 (-)30.550 (-)123.792 10116.158 87.24 S20°29’52.29’’E
DA (-)41.355 (+)77.171 (-)77.171 3191.407 87.55 S61°48’49.26’’W

0 0 14883.808
TOTAL AREA = 7441.904 sq. m
B. COMPUTATIONS:

DMD 1=¿

DMD 2=28.250+28.250−74.871=−18.371

DOUBLE AREA ( 2 A ) AB =DMD x LAT

AB=( 82.307 )( 28.250 )=2395.173

∑ 2 A=10116.158−748.930+ 2395.173+ 3191.407

∑ 2 A=14883.808
1
A= x ∑ 2 A
2
1
A= (14883.808)
2

A=7441.904 m 2

C. SKETCH
 A B

LYCEUM

D C

FIELD WORK PHOTOS

Checking the instruments before the start of Conducting the field work outside the
the field work. Lyceum in to determine Lyceum’s total area.
 Measuring the horizontal tape distance Measuring the horizontal tape distance
between T1-A and station A. between T3-C and station C.

Determining the angle from traverse station Determining the angle from traverse station
T2-C to the range pole located at station C. T3-C to the range pole located at station C.

RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION

MEASURING HORIZONTAL ANGLES
What is a horizontal angle?
In topography, the angle made by two ground lines is measured horizontally, and is
called a horizontal angle. You may replace these ground lines by two lines of sight AB and AC.
These lines of sight are directed from your eyes, which form the summit A of the angle BAC,
towards permanent landmarks such as a rock, a tree, a termite mound, a telephone pole or the
corner of a building.
Expressing horizontal angles

Horizontal angles are usually expressed in degrees. A full circle is divided into 360
degrees, abbreviated as 360°. Note from the figure these two particular values: a 90° angle,
called a right angle, is made of two perpendicular lines. The corners of a square are all right
angles; a 180° angle is made by prolonging a line. In fact, it is the same as a line. Each degree is
divided into smaller units: 1 degree = 60 minutes (60') and 1 minute = 60 seconds (60"). These
smaller units, however, can only be measured with high-precision instruments.

Some general rules about angles

1. A rectangular or a square shape has four straight sides and four interior 90° angles. The sum
of these four interior angles is equal to 360°.
2. The sum of the four interior angles of any four-sided shape is also equal to 360°, even if
they are not right angles.
3. Angles will be useful for you to remember the general rule that the sum of the interior
angles of any polygon (a shape with several sides) is equal to 180° times the number of
sides, (N), minus 2, or: Sum angles = (N - 2) x 180°.
4. When you measure angles in a field, you can check on the accuracy of your measurements
by applying this basic rule. Remember that the sum of the interior angles of any triangle
equals (3-2) x 180° = 180°.

There are only a few ways to measure horizontal angles in the field. The method you use
will depend on how accurate a result you need, and on the equipment available.

CALCULATING TRAVERSE AREA

One of the reasons for running and computing closed traverses is to define areas. Land
is ordinarily bought and sold on a basis of cost per unit area. For this reason as well as many
others, an accurate determination of a tract area is often necessary.

There are two methods of computing the traverse area of the field: a.)The double
meridian distance or DMD method and b.)The double parallel distance method or DPD method.

A.) DOUBLE MERIDIAN DISTANCE OR DMD METHOD

The best–known procedure for calculating land areas is the double meridian distance
(DMD) method. The m e r i d i a n d i s t a n c e of a line is the east–west distance from the
midpoint of the line to the reference meridian. The m e r i d i a n d i s t a n c e is positive (+) to the
east and negative (-) to the west.

The DMD method requires that latitudes and departures of traverse boundary lines be
known, as they are after a traverse has been checked for misclosure and balanced. The
meridian distance of a line is the perpendicular distance from the line’s midpoint to a reference
meridian (north-south line). The most westerly and easterly points of a traverse maybe found
using the departures of the traverse. Begin by establishing an arbitrary reference line and using
the departure values of each point in the traverse to determine the far westerly point.

Summarizing the preceding discussion gives the following rules for computing DMDs for
a closed traverse: Firstly, the DMD of the first line is equal to the departure of the first line. (If
the “first line” is chosen as the one that begins at the westernmost corner, negative DMDs can
be avoided). Secondly, the DMD of each succeeding line is equal to the DMD of the previous
line plus the departure of the previous line plus the departure of the line itself.
 As a means of providing a check on DMD computations, if departures have been
balanced, the last line’s DMD should be equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to its
departure. Once DMDs have been determined, traverse area can be computed by multiplying
the DMD of each line by its latitude, summing the products, and taking half the absolute value
of the sum. This computation gives traverse area, but proof is not demonstrated herein.

B.) DOUBLE PARALLEL DISTANCE OR DPD METHOD

A check on the calculated area computed by the DMD method can be made by
employing Double Parallel Distances or DPD method. The DPD for any traverse course is equal
to the DPD of the previous line plus the latitude of the previous line pus the latitude of the line
itself. (The DPD of the first course may be set equal to the latitude of the first course.) The
traverse area can be computed by multiplying the DPD of each line by its departure, summing
the products, and taking half the absolute value of the total.

The parallel distance of a traverse line is the north-to-south distance from the midpoint of
the line to a reference parallel. The reference parallel is the parallel passing through the most
southerly traverse station. The solution for parallel distance is the same as the one used for
meridian distance, except that to compute parallel distance, one has to use latitude instead of
departure. The solution for area is the same as for area by meridian distance except that, for
the double area of each traverse line, one has to multiply the DPD by the departure instead of
multiplying the DMD by the latitude.

CONCLUSION
Based on the determination of the area of a field whose corners are sideshot from
traverse stations field work, I’ve learned that determining the area by using traverse stations
somewhere between the corner points of a field is another type of determination of area and
there are already many ways of determining the area of the field. I’ve learned that this field
work is significant because this field work improves the skills of our group in reading the
horizontal angle from the point where theodolite is located, to a corner point where a range
pole is located. This field work also improved our ability to analyze the area of the field by
utilizing the DMD or DPD method because of the handouts provided by the instructor and also
because of the formulas given in the field work. I’ve also learned that in order to get the
included angle between each pair of sides of the station occupied and observed measured by
the tape, one has to measure the horizontal angle from the traverse station to each of the two
corner points in order to add them and consider as the included angle. And by knowing the
included angle between the sides, the missing side or the third side of the triangle can be
obtained by a cosine formula.
In the field work, our group encountered errors in the results of the obtained data so we
diagnosed the sources of error of determining the area of a field whose corners are sideshot
from traverse stations like inaccurate measurements in each horizontal distance and
misreading on the horizontal angle at each corner station. Possible sources of error for this field
work are error in instruments, error due to sagging tape, human error, natural errors, and other
errors. In order to lessen the errors and improve the result of the field work next time, I
recommend that the tape should be stretched more and the tape should not be sagged so that
the tape should be straight to get accurate horizontal distance measurements. Also, I
recommend that the theodolite instrument should be checked first before the determination of
the horizontal angle at each corner station occupied by the range pole. An instrument man
should be responsible for balancing the theodolite adjusting and directing to the point where
range pole is located through narrowing the collimator of the theodolite so that a correct
direction can be obtained.
Based on what the group experienced, our group noticed some problems while
performing the determination of the area of a field whose corners are sideshot from traverse
stations field work. First, the group had difficulty on determining which side around the Lyceum
will the group start. The group has some discussions on where the first traverse station should
be placed and decided that the first traverse station would be at the back of the Lyceum.
Another problem the group encountered was the use of tape was not enough in measuring
some horizontal distances between each traverse station to each corner point. The group was
able to solve this problem by marking the last number of the tape and using as an origin to
measure again. Another problem our group encountered was the computation of the data
obtained. The group struggled in solving for the DMD, double area, and the total area of the
field because they balanced latitude and departure not the computed latitude and departure.
The group reviewed the formulas given in the field work manual on how to compute for DMD,
double area, and total area of Lyceum.
The field work 11, determination of the area of a field whose corners are sideshot from
traverse stations, is an application of traverse adjustment and area computation in which the
determination of computed, balanced, and error of closure latitude and departure, the
measurement of corrected distance and corrected bearing, the Double Meridian Distance or
DMD method, the Double Parallel Distance or DPD method, and the double area are under this
topic. In the field work, formula for the distance of the side and bearing of the side are given in
the field work manual. There are ways to determine the included angle between the sides of a
triangle, but given only the two sides and an angle, the use of cosine law is most applicable
formula to find the included angle. By finding all the data needed to find the double meridian
distance, double area can be computed by multiplying the each value of DMD to each value of
latitude. Total area can now be obtained by dividing the summation of double area by two.
When it comes to Civil engineering profession, determination of the area of a field
whose corners are sideshot from traverse stations is applicable to real life jobs of Civil
engineers. An example of this job is the measurement of the total area of the Palacio Del
Gobernador state office in General Luna Street in Intramuros. Palacio Del Gobernador is also
surrounded by Arzobispo Street, Soriano Avenue, and Postigo Street. Because there are no
building connected to the state office, the total area of the state office can be measured.
Surveyors marked four traverse stations likewise they also set up four corner stations around
Palacio del Gobernador. After that, they measured horizontal distances between each of the
four traverse stations between a pair of corner points. Horizontal angles of each traverse
station were also determined to get the included angle. By getting the included angle, the
missing value of the third side can be obtained by Cosine law. After that, the bearing can be
computed for finding the solved latitude and departure. After knowing the computed latitude
and departure of each corner station occupied, error of closures are determined. Correction
values and the balanced latitude and departure of Palacio Del Gobernador are obtained and
after that is the determination of Double Meridian Distance. After knowing the values of DMD
at each corner station occupied, the summation of double area was identified by the
summation of the product of DMD and latitude. Since the summation of double area is found
out, the total area of the Palacio Del Gobernador can now be determined by multiplying the
summation of the double area by one half.