CHAPTER 5 INSTRUCTIVE PROBLEMS:

AREA 5.1. The sides of triangle ABC were measured as follows: AB = 129.26 m, BC =
258.73 m, and AC = 211.25 m. Calculate the area in square meters and in
In plane surveying, area is considered to be the orthogonal projection of the hectares.
surface onto a horizontal plane. There are number of important reasons for
determining areas. One is to include the acreage of a parcel of land in the deed Solution:
describing the property. Other purposes are to determine the acreage of fields, lakes,
etc., or the number of square yards to be surfaced, paved, seeded, or sodded.
Another important application is determining end areas for earthwork volume
calculations.

5.1. METHODS OF MEASURING AREA

Both field and map measurements are used to determine area. Field 5.2. A surveyor set up a transit at P which is located in the middle portion of a four-
measurements methods are the more accurate and include: (1) division of the tract sided tract of land and reads directions and measures distances, as given below,
into simple figures, (2) offsets from a straight line, (3) coordinates, and (4) double- to the five corners. Find the area of the tract.
meridian distances. Line Bearing Distance
1. Area by Coordinates – this method us useful for computing the area of PA N 41°30’ W 410.52 m
any closed figure bounded by straight lines. The coordinates used are the PB N 38°10’ E 532.18 m
total latitudes and total departures for the corners of the closed traverse. PC S 70°20’ E 450.75 m
2. Area by Triangles – this method is suited for determining areas of small PD S 60°15’ W 590.08 m
Solution:
tracts of land ad was popularly used before the engineer’s transit was
invented.
3. Area by Double Meridian Distance (DMD) Method – this method is an
adaptation of the method of determining by coordinates. Thus, if the
latitudes and departures of a traverse are known and have been adjusted the
area of the traverse may be computed conveniently by the DMD method.
4. Area by Double Parallel Distance (DPD) Method – it can be determined
by multiplying the DPD of each course by the corresponding adjusted
departure of the course.
5.3. Given in the accompanying tabulation are quantities which were measured for 5.4. Given the following adjusted latitudes and adjusted departures of a closed
a five-sided field. If the length of AB is 268.70 m, determine the area of the traverse, determine the area of the traverse by the coordinate method. Assume
field in square meters. that the origin of the coordinates system passes thru station 1.
Angle Value Angle Value Line Adjusted Latitude Adjusted Departure
θ1 96°30’ θ6 44°22’ (+) N (-) S (+) E (-) W
θ2 30°30’ θ7 64°40’ 1–2 490.71 47.27
θ3 53°00’ θ8 87°10’ 2–3 587.12 608.89
θ4 57°15’ θ9 28°10’ 3–4 327.41 786.78
θ5 78°23’ 4–5 1002.76 218.32
5–6 122.67 1116.62
6–1 375.01 544.64
Solution: Total + 1452.84 -1452.84 + 1661.26 -1661.26
Solution:

5.5. Find the area of the 3 – point traverse with the following coordinates.
Station Northing (y) Easting (x)
A 2000 2000
B 2600 2600
C 3500 1200
Solution:
5.6. In the accompanying tabulation are given the adjusted latitudes and adjusted 5.8. Solve for the missing data of the traverse below and then solve for the DPD,
departures of a closed traverse. Calculate the area by the DMD method. DMD and solve for the area of the given traverse.
Line Adj. Latitude Adj. Departure Line Bearing Distance
AB +490.71 +47.27 1–2 ? ?
BC +587.12 +608.89 2–3 N 79° W 59 m
CD -327.41 +786.78 3–4 N 10°W 20 m
DE -1,002.76 +218.32 4–1 S 80° E 60 m
EF -122.67 -1,116.62 Total
FA +375.01 -544.64 Solution:
Total
Solution:

5.7. In the accompanying tabulation are given the adjusted latitudes and adjusted
departures of a closed traverse. Calculate the area by the DPD method.
Line Adj. Latitude Adj. Departure
AB +490.71 +47.27
BC +587.12 +608.89
CD -327.41 +786.78
DE -1,002.76 +218.32
EF -122.67 -1,116.62
FA +375.01 -544.64 5.2. AREA WITH IRREGULAR BOUNDARIES
Total
Irregular tracts can be reduced to a series of trapezoids by observing right-
Solution:
angle offsets from points along a reference line. The reference line is usually marked
by stationing, and positions where offsets are observed are given by their stations
and pluses.
1. Trapezoidal Rule – the assumption in using this method is that the ends of
the offsets in the boundary line are assumed to be connected by straight
lines, thereby forming a series of trapezoids. In each trapezoid the adjacent
offsets are taken as the bases and the common interval between offsets as
the altitude. The offsets are assumed to be spaced at regular intervals and
 the area of the whole tract equals the areas of the enclosed trapezoids. The
equation may be expressed conveniently in the form of the following rule:
add the average of the end offsets to the sum of the intermediate offset. The
product of the quality thus determined and the common interval between 5.10. From a transit line to the edge of a river a series of perpendicular offsets are
offsets is the required area. taken. These offsets are spaced 4.0 meters apart and were measured in the
ℎ1 + ℎ𝑛 following order; 0.5, 1.4, 2.5, 5.6, 8.5, 7.4, 3.8, 5.1, and 2.3 meters. Compute
𝐴 = 𝑑( + ℎ2 + ℎ3 + ⋯ + ℎ𝑛−1 ) the area included between the transit line, the river’s edge and the line offsets.
2
2. Simpson’s One-Third Rule – it is based on the assumption that the curved Solution:
boundary consists of a series of parabolic arcs, where each arc is continuous
over three adjacent offsets that are equally spaced. Because of this
assumption, the rule is only applicable when there is an odd number of
offsets and if they are equally spaced. The equation may also be expressed
conveniently as: the area is equal to one-third of the common interval
between offsets, multiplied by the sum of the first and last offsets, plus two
times the sum of the other odd offsets, plus four times the sum of the even
offsets.
𝑑
𝐴= [(ℎ1 + ℎ𝑛 ) + 2(ℎ3 + ℎ5 + ⋯ + 𝑛𝑛−2 ) + 4(ℎ2 + ℎ4 + ⋯ + ℎ𝑛−1 )]
3 5.11. A surveyor needed to know the area between the straight line AB and a
INSTRUCTIVE PROBLEMS: meandering stream as shown in the figure. At irregular intervals along line AB,
he measured offsets distances from the line to one edge of the stream with the
5.9. A series of perpendicular offsets were taken from a transit line to an irregular results as shown in the figure. Determine the required area.
body. These offsets were taken 2.5 meters apart and were measured in the
following order; 0.0, 2.6, 4.2, 4.4, 3.8, 2.5, 4.5, 5.2, 1.6, and 5.0 meters. By the
trapezoidal rule find the area included between the transit line, the curve
boundary, and the end offsets.
Solution:

Solution:
5.3. PARTITION OF LANDS SOLUTIONS AND ANSWERS TO INSTRUCTIVE PROBLEMS:

Calculations for purposes of partitioning land – that is, cutting off a portion 5.1. For the given problem, the given data is the sides of the triangle, to
of a tract for title transfer – can be aided significantly by using coordinates. Some determine the area of a triangle, we have
problems can be approached by three different methods, namely; the trial and error 1
method, use of simple geometric figures, and coordinate method. 𝐴 = 2 𝑏ℎ (given the base and the height of the triangle)
1
5.3.1. Trial and Error Method 𝐴 = 2 𝑎𝑏 sin 𝐶 (given the two sides and adjacent angle of the triangle)
In this approach, estimated coordinates for the positions of stations are
𝐴 = √𝑠(𝑠 − 𝑎)(𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐) (given the three sides of the triangle)
determined, and the area of land is computed using by area of coordinates. The
following are step by step procedure of this method. 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
Where: 𝑠 = 2
STEP 1. Using the final adjusted length and directions computed and 129.26 𝑚+258.73 𝑚+211.25 𝑚
coordinates of the stations and estimating the position of the cut-off line to be half 𝑠= 2
= 299.62 𝑚
the distance of the line.
𝐴 = √299.62(299.62 − 129.26)(299.62 − 258.73)(299.62 − 211.25)
STEP 2. To estimate the needed increase the distance, an assumption is to
be made which is determined by coordinate inverse based on the coordinates. 𝑨 = 𝟏𝟑, 𝟓𝟖𝟎. 𝟗𝟓 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎.

STEP 3. This process is repeated until the final coordinates are determined. 5.2. Plot the tabulated data.

The trial and error approach can be applied to solve many different types
of land partitioning problems. Although the procedure is a time consuming, in many
cases it provides the fastest and easiest solution when a computer program is
available for doing the coordinate geometry calculations.

5.3.2. Use of Simple Geometric Figures

In this procedure, a trigonometric relationship between the unknown length
and the missing parts must be determined. This approach of using the equations of
simple geometric figures is convenient for solving a variety of land partitioning
problems.

5.3.3. Coordinate Method

This method involves using equation of coordinates to obtain unknown
lines or coordinates.
 ∅1 = 41°30′ + 38°10′ = 79°40′ 1
𝐴2 = 2 (𝐵𝐸)(𝐶𝐸) sin ∅6 = 33,546.84 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚.
∅2 = 180° − 38°10′ − 70°20′ = 71°30′ 1
𝐴3 = 2 (𝐶𝐸)(𝐷𝐸) sin ∅9 = 17,595.96 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚.
∅3 = 70°20′ + 60°15′ = 130°35′
𝐴 𝑇 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + 𝐴3
∅4 = 180° − 60°15′ − 41°30′ = 78°15′
𝑨𝑻 = 𝟕𝟑, 𝟗𝟑𝟔. 𝟗𝟑 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎.
Check if sum is equal to 360°.
5.4. Determine the coordinates of each station.
𝑆𝑢𝑚 = 79°40′ + 71°30′ + 130°35′ + 78°15′ = 360° (ok!)
Total Latitude (Y) Total Departure (X)
1
𝐴1 = (410.52)(532.18) sin 79°40′ = 107,463.56 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚. 0.00 (Sta. 1) 0.00 (Sta. 1)
2
+ 490.71 (Lat. of Line 1-2) + 47.27 (Dep. of Line 1-2)
1
𝐴2 = (532.18)(450.75) sin 71°30′ = 113,742.00 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚. 490.71 (Sta. 2) 47.27 (Sta. 2)
2
+ 587.12 (Lat. of Line 2-3) + 608.89 (Dep. of Line 2-3)
1
𝐴3 = (450.75)(590.08) sin 130°35′ = 101,000.12 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚. 1,077.83 (Sta. 3) 656.16 (Sta. 3)
2
- 327.41 (Lat. of Line 3-4) + 786.78 (Dep. of Line 3-4)
1
𝐴4 = 2 (590.08)(410.52) sin 78°15′ = 118,581.81 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚. 750.42 (Sta. 4) 1,442.94 (Sta. 4)
- 1,002.76 (Lat. of Line 4-5) + 218.32 (Dep. of Line 4-5)
𝐴 𝑇 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + 𝐴3 + 𝐴4 -252.34 (Sta. 5) 1,661.26 (Sta. 5)
- 122.67 (Lat. of Line 5-6) - 1,116.62 (Dep. of Line 5-6)
𝑨𝑻 = 𝟒𝟒𝟎, 𝟕𝟖𝟕. 𝟒𝟗 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎.
-375.01 (Sta. 6) 544.64 (Sta. 6)
5.3. Determine the sides of the polygon using Sine Law. + 375.01 (Lat. of Line 6-1) - 544.64 (Dep. of Line 6-1)
0.00 (Sta. 1) 0.00 (Sta. 1)
268.70 𝐴𝐸
sin ∅3
= sin ∅ ; 𝐴𝐸 = 170.76 𝑚
2

268.70 𝐵𝐸 Calculating Double Areas:

= ; 𝐵𝐸 = 334.29 𝑚
sin ∅3 sin ∅1
Plus Double Areas Minus Double Areas
𝐵𝐸 𝐵𝐶
sin ∅5
= sin ∅6
; 𝐵𝐶 = 238.64 𝑚
0.00(490.71) = 0.00 1442.94(252.34) = 364,111.48
𝐵𝐸 𝐶𝐸 1,661.26(375.01) = 622,989.11
= ; 𝐶𝐸 = 287.03 𝑚 47.27(1,077.83) = 50,949.02
sin ∅5 sin ∅4
656.16(750.42) = 492,395.59 0.00(47.27) = 0.00
𝐶𝐸 𝐶𝐷 544.64(0.00) = 0.00 490.71(656.16) = 321,984.27
= ; 𝐶𝐷 = 135.65 𝑚
sin ∅8 sin ∅9 252.34(544.64) = 137,434.46 1,077.83(1,442.94) = 1,555,244.02
𝐶𝐸 𝐷𝐸 Total = 680,779.07 750.42(1,661.26) = 1,246,642.73
sin ∅8
= sin ∅ ; 𝐷𝐸 = 259.74 𝑚 375.01(0.00) = 0.00
7
Total = -4,110.971.61
1
𝐴1 = 2 (𝐴𝐵)(𝐴𝐸) sin ∅1 = 22,794.13 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚.
Sum of Double Areas = +680,779.07 + (−4,110,971.61) 5.7. Calculating the area by DPD Method.

Sum of Double Areas = −3,430,192.54 (Neglect the sign) Line Adj. Latitude DPD Adj. Departure DPD × Dep.
AB +490.71 +490.71 +47.27 +23,195.86
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 3,430,192.54/2 BC +587.12 +1,568.54 +608.89 +955,068.32
𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝟕𝟏𝟓, 𝟎𝟗𝟔. 𝟐𝟕 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎. CD -327.41 +1,828.25 +786.78 +1,438,430.54
DE -1,002.76 +498.08 +218.32 +108,740.83
5.5. Calculating the area by Coordinate EF -122.67 -627.35 -1,116.62 +700,511.56
FA +375.01 -375.01 -544.64 +204,245.45
Station Northing (y) Easting (x)
Total +3,430,192.54
A 2000 2000
B 2600 2600
C 3500 1200 1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2 (3,430,192.54)
A 2000 2000
𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝟕𝟏𝟓, 𝟎𝟗𝟔. 𝟐𝟕 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎.
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2 [(2000 × 2600) + (2600 × 1200) + (3500 × 2000) − 5.8. Determine the Latitude and Departure.

(2000 × 2600) − (2600 × 3500) − (1200 × 2000)] Line Bearing Distance Latitude Departure
2–3 N 79° W 59 m +11.258 -57.916
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2 [15,320,000 − 16,700,000] 3–4 N 10°W 20 m +19.696 -3.473
4–1 S 80° E 60 m -10.419 +59.088
𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝟔𝟗𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎. Total +20.535 -2.301
1–2 ? ? -20.535 +2.301
5.6. Calculating the area by DMD Method.
Line Adj. Departure DMD Adj. Latitude DMD × Lat. Solve for Area using DMD Method:
AB +47.27 +47.27 +490.71 +23,195.86
BC +608.89 +703.43 +587.12 +412,997.82 Line Adj. Departure DMD Adj. Latitude DMD × Lat.
CD +786.78 +2,099.10 -327.41 -687,266.33 1-2 +2.301 +2.301 -20.535 -47.251
DE +218.32 +3,104.20 -1,002.76 -3,112,767.59 2-3 -57.916 -53.314 +11.258 -600.209
EF -1,116.62 +2,205.90 -122.67 -270,597.75 3-4 -3.473 -114.703 +19.696 -2,259.190
FA -544.64 +544.64 +375.01 +204,245.45 4-1 +59.088 -59.088 -10.419 +615.638
Total -3,430,192.54 Total -2,291.012

1 1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = (3,430,192.54) 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = (2,291.012)
2 2

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝟕𝟏𝟓, 𝟎𝟗𝟔. 𝟐𝟕 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎. 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝟏𝟒𝟓. 𝟓𝟎𝟔 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎.

Solve for Area using DMD Method: 𝑨 = 𝟏𝟒𝟕. 𝟐𝟎 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎.
Line Adj. Latitude DPD Adj. Departure DPD × Dep.
1-2 -20.535 -20.535 +2.301 -47.251
2-3 +11.258 -29.812 -57.916 +1,726.592
3-4 +19.696 +1.142 -3.473 -3.966
4-1 -10.419 +10.419 +59.088 +615.638
Total +2,291.012

1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 2 (2,291.012)

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝟏, 𝟏𝟒𝟓. 𝟓𝟎𝟔 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎.

5.9. Plot the given data:
5.11.

Compute the area using Trapezoidal Rule.

ℎ1 +ℎ𝑛
2𝐴 = 𝑑1 (ℎ1 + ℎ2 ) + 𝑑2 (ℎ2 + ℎ3 ) + ⋯ + 𝑑𝑛 (ℎ𝑛−1 + ℎ𝑛 )
𝐴 = 𝑑( 2
+ ℎ2 + ℎ3 + ⋯ + ℎ𝑛−1 )
2𝐴 = 10.0(12.1 + 12.3) + 10.9(12.3 + 14.5) + 6.6(14.5 + 16.0) +
0+5.0
𝐴= 2.5 [ 2 + 2.6 + 4.2 + 4.4 + 3.8 + 2.5 + 4.5 + 5.2 + 1.6] 4.3(16.0 + 18.6) + 10.7(18.6 + 18.5) + 12.5(18.5 + 16.4) +
𝑨 = 𝟕𝟖. 𝟐𝟓 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎. 4.5(16.4 + 15.9) + 3.0(15.9 + 14.7) + 11.8(14.7 + 12.5) +
5.10. Compute the area using Simpson’s One-Third Rule. 6.0(12.5 + 9.7)
𝑑
𝐴 = [(ℎ1 + ℎ𝑛 ) + 2(ℎ3 + ℎ5 + ⋯ + 𝑛𝑛−2 ) + 4(ℎ2 + ℎ4 + ⋯ + ℎ𝑛−1 )] 2𝐴 = 2,410.9
3
4 𝐴 = 2,410.9/2
𝐴 = 3 [(0.5 + 2.3) + 2(2.5 + 8.5 + 3.8) + 4(1.4 + 5.6 + 7.4 + 5.1)]
𝑨 = 𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟓. 𝟓 𝒔𝒒. 𝒎.
REVIEW EXERCISES: 2 99° 30’ R 2–3 895 m
3 44° 00’ R 3–4 315 m
1. From the technical description shown below, determine: 4 92° 00’ R 4–5 875 m
a. The length of the missing sides. 5 68° 55’ R 5–1
b. The area of the closed traverse using DMD method. 6. Given below is the technical description of a lot, determine the area using DMD
Lines Bearing Distances and DPD method.
AB S 56° 30’ E -
BC S 10° 00’ E 650.00 m Lines Bearings Distances
CD N 88° 30’ W 1100.00 m 1–2 S 32° 17’ W 22.04 m
DE N 2° 10’ W - 2–3 S 36° 25’ W 10.00 m
EA N 57° 20’ E 640.00 m 3–4 N 15° 47’ W 5.00 m
2. Determine the missing sides and determine its area by DMD method. 4–1 N 73° 07’ E 19.95 m
7. From the following traverse, compute the azimuth and distance of the missing
Lines Azimuth Distances side 4-1 and the area enclosed by the traverse.
AB 15° 36’ -
BC 290° 49’ - Line Bearing Azimuth Distance
CD 237° 58’ 77.45 m 1–2 N 48° 30’ W 131° 30’ 81.00 m
DA 80° 43’ 75.00 m 2–3 N 77° 00’ E 257° 00’ 66.00 m
3. From the closed traverse shown below, compute the bearing and distance of 3–4 S 55° 00’ W 55° 00’ 94.0
line 4-5 and the area enclosed by the line 3-4, 4-5, and 5-1. 8. Find the area of the figure shown using: (a) Trapezoidal Rule and (b) Simpson’s
One Third Rule.
Lines Bearing Distances
1–2 S 10° 00’ E 485.00 m
2–3 N 56° 00’ E 780.00 m
3–4 N 63° 00’ W 975.00 m
4–5 - -
5–1 N 33° 00’ E 890.00 m
4. Determine the area of the data of a lot as shown.

Corner Northings Eastings 9. A series of perpendicular offsets are taken from a transit line to a curved
1 1600 400 boundary line. These offsets were taken 8 m aparts and were taken in the
2 400 800 following order: 0, 1.5 m, 3.0 m, 4.0 m, 5.5 m, 8.0 m, 3.1 m, 1.0 m and 0. Derive
3 600 400 Simpson’s One Third Rule and find the area included between the transit line
4 1400 1200 and the curved line using this formula.
5. Below is a transit and tape survey notes of a lot, compute the linear error of 10. A series of perpendicular offsets were taken from a transit line to a curved
closure of the traverse and determine the area using DMD method. boundary line. These offsets were taken 9 meters apart and were taken in the
following order: 2.0 m, 3.2 m, 4.0 m, 3.5 m, 5.0 m, 4.5 m and 6.0 m. Determine
Station Deflection Angle Line Bearing Distance
1 55° 30’ R 1–2 N 10° E 650 m the area included between the transit line and the curved using Trapezoidal
Rule.