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Surveying
The art of determining the positions of points on or near the earth surface.
From points to lines and distances, to areas, and to volumes
Two Classifications
1. Plane Surveying - Considers the earth surface as flat
2. Geodetic Surveying - Considers the earth’s shape as sphere

Measurement of Distances
1. By Pacing
1.1 Pacing – counting the number of steps

1.2 Stride – counting the number of double steps

Stride
Length of XY , L  PaceFactor * Ave.Pacing of XY
pace/step
Trial Length
Pace Factor , PF 
Average Pacing

 of steps  paces 
Average Pacing 
# of Trials, n
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Measurement of Distances
2. By Taping 1 tally = 10 pins
1 pin = 1 tape length = 100 links
1 link = 1 foot
3. By Tachymetry- It is a branch of surveying where horizontal distance and vertical distance can
be obtained through stadia line by using theodolite.
. 3.1 Stadia Method
3.2 Subtense Bar Method ( 2-m long )
2
Horizontal Dis tan ce, D 
tans
; s  subtended angle

Corrections Applied for Measurement of Distances

1. Temperature Correction, Ct : ( +/ - )
𝐶𝑡 = 𝑘𝐿 (𝑇2−𝑇1)

k = 0.0000116m/0C
T1 = standard temp of tape
T2 = measured temp of tape
L = original length of tape

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Corrections Applied for Measurement of Distances
2. Pull Correction, Cp : ( +/ - )

Cp 
 P2  P1  L1
AE
; E  mod ulus of elasticity
P1  s tan dard pull of tape
P2  measured pull of tape
L1  original length of tape
A  cross sec tional area of tape

3. Sag Correction, Cs : ( - )
L
2
w L
Cs 
24 p2 Lc
; w  weight of tape in kg Cs
P  measured pull of tape
L  un sup ported length of tape Lc  corrected length

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Corrections Applied for Measurement of Distances
4. Slope Correction, Ch : ( - )
h2
Ch  ; H  S  Ch
2S S
; S  inclined dis tan ce h
h  difference in elevation bet. po int s
H  Corrected Dis tan ce

5. Sea Level Correction

 h h
B '  B 1   ; RF  1   Reduction fa c tor
 R R
; B  corrected horizontal dis tan ce
h  average altitude / observation
B '  Sea level dis tan ce
R  radius of curvature

Tape Too Long: Tape Too Short:

1. Add Correction when 1. Subtract Correction when
measuring Distances measuring Distances
2. Subtract when laying out 2. Add when laying out distances
distances

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 1:
In five trials of walking along a 90m course on fairly level ground, a pacer for a
survey party counted 51, 52.5, 51.5, 52.5, and 51.5 strides respectively. He
then started walking an unknown distance XY in four trials which were
recorded as follows: 88.5, 89, 88, and 87. Determine the length of the line XY.
Required: Length of XY, L
Given: Trial Length = 90m

Solution: He used the 90m course to get his PF, and use that PF to measure another course.
Length of XY , L  PaceFactor * Ave.Pacing of XY

Trial Length
Pace Factor , PF 
Average Pacing

Average Pacing 
 of steps
# of Trials, n
n5  of steps  518

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 1: continuation…
Solution:
Trial Length
Pace Factor , PF 
Average Pacing Trial Length = 90m
Average Pacing 
 of steps
# of Trials, n n5  of steps  518
518
=  103.6
5
90m
Pace Factor , PF   0.8687 m / pace
103.6

Length of XY , L  PaceFactor * Ave.Pacing of XY

Average Pacing of XY 
 of steps of XY
# of Trials, n
705
=  176.25
4
Length of XY , L  PaceFactor * Ave.Pacing of XY

Length of XY , L  0.8687 * 176.25

n4  of steps  705
Length of XY , L  153.11 m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 2:
Determine the length of the line in meters if there were 3 tallies, 8 pins, and the
last pin was 9m from the end of the line. The tape used was 50m long.

Required: Length of line, L

Given:
3 tallies + 8 pins + 9m

Solution:
Note: 1 tally = 10 pins
1 pin = 1 tape length = 100 links
1 link = 1 foot
Hence:
 10 pins   1 tapelength  50m 
L  3 tallies      
 tally pin
    tapelength 
 1 tapelength  50m 
 8 pins      9m
 pin tapelength
  

L  1,909 m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 3:
The subtended angles read on a subtense bar using theodolite is 00 54’ 13”.
Compute the horizontal distance from the theodolite to the position of the bar.

Required: Horizontal Distance, D

Given:
s  subtended angle  0054'13"

Solution:
2 2
D 

tans tan 005413
' "

D  126.8 m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 12:
A 30m tape is of standard length at a temp of 100C and a pull of 50N. The
tape has a cross sectional area of 6.46sq.mm and a modulus of elasticity
Of 200GPa. At the time of measurement of a distance, the length of the 30m
Tape was found to be 0.00058 m too long. How much tensile force was
Applied during the measurement.

Required: Tensile Force applied during measurement, P2

Given:
L1  30 m at T  100 C
E  200 GPa P1  50N A  6.46mm2

Solution:
Cp 
 P2  P1  L1
AE

0.00058 
 P2  50  30 
6.46  200,000 

P2  75N

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 19:
A line is measured to be 7800m at elevation 900m above sea level. The
average radius of curvature in the area is 6400km. Compute the sea level
distance.
Required: Sea level distance, B’
Given:
B  7,800m h  900m R  6,400km

Solution:
 h
B '  B 1  
 R
 900 
B '  7,800  1  
 6,400,000 

B '  7,798.903m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 13:
A 30m tape is supported only at its ends and under a steady pull of 8kg. If the
tape weighs 0.91kg, determine the correct distance between the ends of the
tape.
Required: Correct distance, Lc Sag correction is always subtraction
Given:
L  30 m P  8 kg W  0.91kg

Solution: L
Lc  L  Cs
Lc

w 2L

 0.91  30 
2 Cs
Cs 
24  8 
2
24 p2

Cs  0.016 m
subtituting,
Lc  L  Cs  30  0.016

Lc  29.9838 m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 14:
A 50m steel tape weighing 0.035kg/m is constantly supported at mid-length
and at its end points and is used to measure a line AB with a steady pull of
6.5kg. If the measured length of AB is 1,268.256m, determine the correct
length of line AB.

Required: Correct Length, Lc

Given: Lt  50 m P  6.5 kg w   0.035 kg / m  x 50m  1.75kg
w
L1  25m L2  25m Lm  1,268.256m w1  w 2   0.875kg
2
Solution:
Cs  Lm 
Lc  Lm  Ct where; Ct  ; Cs  Cs1  Cs 2
Lt

w12L1 w 22L2
Cs1  Cs 2 
24 p 2 24 p 2

w1; L1 w 2 ; L2

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 14: continuation…
Solution:
w1  0.875kg; L1  25m w 2  0.875kg; L2  25m

Lc  Lm  Ct Cs  Lm 
where; Ct  ; Cs  Cs1  Cs 2
Lt

w12L1

 0.875   25 
2
w 22L2  0.875   25 
2
Cs1  Cs 2  
24  6.5  24  6.5 
2 2
24 p 2 24 p 2
Cs1  0.0189 m Cs 2  0.0189 m

subtituting,
Cs  Cs1  Cs 2  0.0189  0.0189  0.0378m

Cs  Lm  0.0378 1,268.256 
Ct    0.959
Lt 50
Lc  Lm  Ct  1,268.256  0.959

Lc  1,267.297m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 10:
A steel tape with a coefficient of linear expansion of 0.0000116/0C is known to
be 50m long at 200C. The tape was used to measure a line which was found
to be 532.28m long when the temperature was 350C. Determine the correct
length of the line.
Required: Correct Length, Lc

Given:
Lm  532.28m Lt  50m k  0.0000116 / 0 C T1  200 C T2  350 C

Solution:
Lc  Lm  CT ,sin ce use to measure where CT  total correction
Ct  Lm 
CT  where Ct  temperature correction
Lt

Ct  k T2  T1  Lt  0.0000116  35  20  50  8.7mm, too long

Ct  Lm  8.7mm  532.28m 
CT    0.0926m
Lt 50m
Lc  Lm  CT  532.28  0.0926

Lc  532.3726m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 4:
The length of the line AB measured with a 50m tape is 465.285m. When the
tape is compared with a standardized Invar tape, it is found to be 0.016m too
long in almost the same conditions of support, tension and temperature that
existed during measurement of the line. Determine the correct length AB.
Required: Correct Length AB, Lc

Given:
Lm  465.285m Lt  50m Cr  0.016m, too long, correction per tape

Solution:
Lc  Lm  CT ,sin ce use to measure where CT  total correction
Cr  Lm 
CT  where Cr  0.016m, too long
Lt
0.016m  465.285m 
CT   0.149m
50m
Lc  Lm  CT  465.285  0.149

Lc  465.434m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 5:
A rectangular lot was measured using a 50m steel tape which was found to be
0.025m too short. If the recorded length of the lot is 180.455m, determine the
correct length of the line.
Required: Correct Length of the line, Lc
Given:
Lm  180.455m Lt  50m Cr  0.025m, too short, correction per tape

Solution:
Lc  Lm  CT ,sin ce use to measure where CT  total correction
Cr  Lm 
CT  where Cr  0.025m, too short
Lt
0.025m 180.455m 
sin ce too short , CT   0.09m
50m
Lc  Lm  CT  180.455   0.09 

Lc  180.365m

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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 7:
The sides of a square lot having an area of 10.6 hectares were measured
using a 100m tape that was 0.03m too short, compute the error in the area in
sq.m.
Required: Error in the Area, Ae
Given:
Am  10.6ha., measured area Lt  100m Cr  0.03m, too short, correction per tape
Solution:
Ae  Am  AC , where AC  corrected Area
Am  Lm x Lm , where Lm  10.6 10,000   325.5764m
AC  LC x LC , where LC  Lm  CT

Cr  Lm 
CT  where Cr  0.03m, too short
Lt
0.03m  325.5764m 
sin ce too short , CT   0.0977m
100m
Lc  Lm  CT  325.5764   0.0977   325.4787m
Ac  LC xLC  325.4787 x 325.4787  105,936.3842 m 2

Ae  Am  AC   325.5764 x 325.5764   105,936.3842

Ae  63.6m 2
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 Measurement of Distances and Errors
Problem 9:
The correct distance between two points A and B is 420.65m using a 100m
tape that is X meters too long, the length to be laid on the ground should be
420.604m. What is the value of X.
Required: Tape Correction, X=Cr
Given:
LC  420.65m, corrected length Lt  100m Cr  X , too long, correction per tape
LL  420.604m

Solution:
sin ce too long : subtract correction when laying out
Lc  LL  CT , where CT  total correction
420.65  420.604  CT CT  0.046m
Cr  LL 
CT  where Cr  X
Lt
X  420.604m 
 0.046 
100m
X  0.0109m, per tape length , subtract when laying out
if tape is too long

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 Leveling
Problem 16:
In the two peg test method of a dumpy level the following observations were
taken.
1. What is the difference in elevation between A and B
2. If the line of sight is not in adjustment, determine the correct rod reading on
A with the instrument still set up at B
3. Determine the error in the line of sight.

Required:
1. Difference in Elevation, X
2. Road reading on A
3. Error in line of sight, e

Solution:
e
e
0.938
1.505
A 2.054
A 1.449
x x

B B
Instrument near rod B Instrument near rod A
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 Leveling
Problem 16: continuation…

Solution:
e
e
0.938
1.505
2.054
A A 1.449
x x

B B
Instrument set near A : Instrument set near B :
1.505  X  2.054  e 0.938  X  e  1.449

By A lg ebraic E lim ination; X  0.53m, e  0.019m

X  0.53m

Road Re ading on A  0.938  e  0.938  0.019, instrument at B

Road Re adingonA  0.919m

e  0.019m

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 Leveling
Problem 17:
From the given data of a differential leveling as shown in the tabulation
1. Find the difference in elevation of station 7 and station 5
2. Find the difference in elevation of station 7 and station 4
3. Find the elevation of station 3

Required:
1. Difference in Elevation of
sta 7 and sta 5
2. Difference in Elevation of
sta 7 and sta 4
3. Elevation of sta 3

Solution:

NOTE :
1. H.Ii  Elev i  BSi
2. Elev n  H.In 1  FSn , example Elev 3  H.I2  FS3
3.  FS   BS  Elev n  Elev1

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 Leveling
Problem 17:
Solution: NOTE :
1. H.Ii  Elev i  BSi
2. Elev n  H.In 1  FSn
3.  FS   BS  Elev n  Elev1

398.12 H .I1  392.25  5.87  398.12

391.83 398.86 Elev 2  398.12  6.29  391.83

392.61 396.09
389.01 396.26
390.69 400.88

396.43 405.72
400.78

1. Diff . Elev stat 7 / stat 5  400.78  390.69  10.09m

2. Diff . Elev stat 7 / stat 4  400.78  389.01  11.77m

3. Elev of sta3  392.61m
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 Curvature and Refraction Correction:

Problem 27: FSe = Curv.Correction – Refraction Error

A level rod held on a point x whose elevation is to be determined gives a

foresight reading of 4.996. If the distance to the rod is such as to
necessitate a correction for refraction of 0.005m and for curvature of
0.035m and the H.I. is 285.437m, find the elevation of point x.
Solution:
Note: Elev x = HI – FSc ; FSc = Corrected Foresight
FSc = FSu - FSe ; Fse = Foresight Error

FSu = uncorrected FS = 4.996m HI = 285..437m

Refraction Correction = 0.005m Curvature Correction = 0.035m

FSe = Curvature Correction – Refraction Error

= 0.035 – 0.005
= 0.03
FSc = 4.996 – 0.03 = 4.966m

Elev x = HI – FS = 28.437 – 4.966m

Elev x = 280.471m 24
 Curvature and Refraction Correction:

Problem 30:
A trigonometric leveling conducted by a Surveying Company, the two
points A and B of a certain rough terrain are each distance 2,000m from a
third point C, from which the measured vertical angles to A is +30 30’ and
to B is + 10 30’. Elevation at C is known to be 342.60m above sea level.
Compute the difference in elevation between A and B considering the
effect of the earth’s curvature and refraction.
Answer: 69.96m

Problem 31:
Two hills A and C have elevations of 600m and 800m respectively. In
between A and C is another hill B which has an elevation of 705m and is
located 10km from C. Determine the clearance or obstruction of the line
of sight at hill B if the observer is at A so that C will be visible from A.
Answer: 3.95m

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 Compass Surveying

Problem 35:
A field is in the form of a regular pentagon. The direction of the bounding
sides were surveyed with an assumed meridian 5” to the right of the true
north and south meridian. As surveyed with an assumed meridian, the
bearing of one side AB in N 330 20’ W. Compute the true bearing of line BC
Answer: N 430 40’ E

Problem 36:
The side AB of an equilateral field ABC with an area of 692.80sq.m. has
a magnetic bearing of N 480 45’ E in 1930 when the magnetic declination
was 00 52’ E. Assume B and C is on the north east side. Find the length
of AD with point D on the line BC and making the area of the triangle
ABD one third of the whole area.
Answer: 36.3m

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 Triangulation

Problem 39:
The triangulation stations A, B, C and D has the following observation
angles, find the angle CBD.
Answer: 800

Angle Values

ACB 50 0
BAD 20 0
BCD 30 0
ABC 50 0
CAD 60 0

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 Stadia Surveying

Problem 40:
A stadia interval factor has a value of 99.8 and the stadia constant is
equal to 0.30. If the stadia intercept on the stadia rod was 1.07m, what is
the horizontal distance.
Answer: 107.086m

Problem 41:
1. A transit with a stadia constant equal to 0.30 is used to determine the
horizontal distance between points B and C, with a stadia intercept
reading of 1.85m. The distance BC is equal to 182.87m. Compute the
stadia interval factor of the instrument.
Answer: 98.69
2. Using the same instrument, it was used to determine the difference in
elevation between B and D having a stadia intercept reading of 2.42m at
D at a vertical angle of 60 30’. Compute the difference in elevation, and
the horizontal distance between B and D.
Answer: 26.90m; 236.07m

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