ldjusr ntents, and Precision
rned irom the following
tgle. sec.
6m'.
r 10.000.
rhere n equals the number
rision of 1/10,000. What
2l' : 20".
ild be repeated four times,
titions \\'ere made-which
or various misadjustments
--------:!F:F-
Chapter 6
Notes and Calculations
One of the first things emphasized in a beginning course in surveying
is the keeping of legible and understandable notes. A Spencerian tyPe
of handwriting is not necessarily implied, but what is meant is that a
system should be used which will be clearly understood by any engineer
having to use these notes. (Also see Chapter 16 for comPass survey
notes.)
The first surveying job of importance that the writer had after
graduation was reducing level notes for a crushed-stone stock pile on
dam construction. After considerable debate and discussion with the
chief engineer the correct interpretation of the notes was decided upon.
Imagine-his surprise and chagiin when, upon plotting his efforts, nbt a
mountain of rock resulted but a considerable excavation. When the
man who had taken the notes was called on for an explanation, he
naively explained that the starting bench mark and HI were jotted
down on the flyleaf of the level book; he had expected to do the
computing and plotting himself as in months Past-so why should he
keep a clear set of notes ? This was no fly-by-night operation but a dam
over 2500 ft. long, consisting of 52 arches and employing six four-man
parties in addition to the office staff.
The author, like everyone else who has had surveying experience,
believes that his own system of keeping notes is the best. After many
years of experience and observation and of consulting books on survey-
ing, he honestly believes that one of the weakest.points in textbooks
on surveying is their treatment of note-keeping. A survey is useless if
the resulting data cannot be correctly and definitely interpreted. There
is no use wasting time in the field if the notes are not clear. One of the
difficulties that must be overcome is the idea that the notation should
be brief in order to conserve space and time and the consumption of
pencil lead. Notebooks and note-keeping must certainly be the least
-ostly part of a survey. Altogether too many systems exist where the
backsight station is not entered in the recoid-it is assumed that this
68 Nofts and Calculations Notes and Calculat:c'r:
station has the preceding number or letter in the series or that the user separate line. Less sB
-In conditions, and u'hich
is clairvoyant. minJsurveying nothing could be further ffom the
truth. Each level usually has its own serial number (100 for a 100-ft. definite statements conc
level; 200 for a 200-ft. level; etc.). Bur station 216 may be in one drift The BS is a starior al
and station 217 in another many hundreds of feet away. Such a system have been determinC a
may be deplored, but under the peculiar conditions existing it is in most The same applies ro ::c
instances impossible to avoid. The surveyor should show in his notes coordinate system bur
all three of the stations involved in locating a point. This applies with the FS is the problem u
equal force to surface surveying. This is the purpose oi il:
It is not uncommon, when the BS is selected in starting a new survey position has been esrab.
off of an old drift, to find several stations grouped close together. The a definite orientation.
engineer is puzzled as to which he should take. Perhaps, at the time, right, distance, r'enical a
he observes only one station. Giving it what he thinks to be the right at an instrument staiion
number but recording nothing in the book, he goes blithely about his be it a permanent sia:
work. Later he is dismayed to find that the map does not correspond departures, rvhen calcu-
to the actual conditions. All of this could have been avoided if he had coordinates of the IS. oc:
recorded the BS number or, lacking a marker, have measured the rvhen combined u'irh rlr
horizontal distance. Consulting the office book along with this measure- the FS. And the a:igle
ment would immediately have located the station. Even though the IS, gives the beai;:
there had been no bearing from the BS to the IS, one could be calculated If the srudent keras i
on the basis of the coordinates of it and the IS. The foregoing example trouble in undersra::r:l
may appear fanciful and very unlikely. But anyone having experience sufficient time. probaolr
in catching up surveys in old workings, or in workings where the is required than for cc
services of many engineers have made a patchwork of the notes, will pensated for b,r' clea:er ;
readily recall having had such troubles.
There is only one solution to this state of affairs, and that is definitely Surfr
and unmistakably to record the backsight as well as the instrument Figure 30 shou's r'* o s'
station and the foresight station. Without one the other two are ground traverse: ].: c--
useless. The only exception is in surveying with a compass, and even ereatly condensed f..::r-
there knowledge of the backsight may prove invaluable. The type of noreb'ooir
In the suggestions for note-keeping and office records that follow, but an ordinan' lere. b,,:,
provision is made for recording all three stations. It is well to call of a lot of closilr seaec
attention at this point to just what each of these three stations means after it is u,ritten. i::i.
in the notes and records. Impossible as it may seem, many students, only the headinss D;: r:.
evgn after completing more than a year's intensive training in surveying, for recordine the angle e
still believe that the data collected at a given setup refer to the location that the sinele anei: nS:
of the instrument station. (This happens to be true when locating mistake is sometim3s
and the double abore:
=
bearing trees or witness corners.) It is believed this is because, in the
customary system of notes given in plane surveying, the IS is written results.
on one line and under this are given son:re angular and linear measure- It will be noted trai :
ments. Several lines under this we find a notation to the effect that the omission is custom3:..
transit is now at station so-and-so. It is only natural to assume that Under remarks. skerchet
all this information refers to the station whose importance warrants a be avoided). \\'hen i:e:

I
 and Calculations
the se:tes or that the user
ould :.e iurther from the
rurnbe: tl00 for a 100-ft.
rn I i5 may' be in one drift
f,eet a'i a)'. Such a system
itrons :risting it is in most
sbo::.: show in his notes
r trci:: This applies with
d in s::ning a new survey
,upec :lose together. The
te. P:rhaps, at the time,
t he t::nks to be the right
he go:s blithely about his
maF coes not correspond
ne bern avoided if he had
rrke:. har e measured the
rk a. ::.: * ith this measure-
c sl3t.\-10. Even though
IS. c:: ;ould be calculated
S. T:: ioreeoing example
lr.e having experience
an-\
rr in ', orkings where the
tch*c:x of the notes, will
ffairs. .nd that is definitely
as \re.i as the instrument
t o:3 lhe other two are
u ith d compass, and even
inr rl:able.
ortc= ::cords that follow,
raric:.. It is well to call
rhe>e ::ree stations means
ma\ s3em. many students,
nsii : l:ainins insurveying,
s€r'J: refer to the location
to b.a lrue rvhen locating
:rei :i:s is because, in the
une\::rg. the IS is written
ngul.r' and linear measure-
ta'.ic: :o the effect that the
rit' :a:ural to assume that
ose ii-.)ortance warrants a
Notes and Calculations 69
separate line. Less space should be devoted to personnel, climatic
conditions, and which member is running this or that, and more to
definite statements concerning the stations involved.
The BS is a station about which all data are known. Its coordinates
have been determined and the station is permanently fixed in position.
The same applies to the IS, it being connected to the BS not only by the
coordinate system but by a definite bearing, BS to IS. Establishing
the FS is the problem under consideration. Its position is not known.
This is the purpose of the survey. By occupying the IS, a station whose
position has been established, and orienting on the BS, which provides
a definite orientation, data concerning the FS are obtained-angle
right, distance, veitical angle, HI, HS, etc. Therefore, the data collected
at an instrument station refer to the foresight station, or unknown point,
be it a permanent station or a topographic feature. Latitudes and
departures, when calculated from these data and combined with the
coordinates of the IS, conclusively locate the FS. Elevation information,
when combined with the elevation of the IS, results in the elevation of
the FS. And the angle right, when added to the bearing of the BS to
the IS, gives the bearing of the IS to the FS.
If the student keeps this firmly fixed in mind, he will experience no
trouble in understanding the note-keeping system to follow or, given
sufficient time, probably any other system of notes. A little more space
is required than for conventional methods, but this is greatly com-
pensated for by clearer and more usable notes.
Surface and Underground Notes
Figure 30 shows two systems of keeping notes for a surface or under-
ground traverse: 30b contains information identical with 30a, but in a
greatly condensed form, and is preferable.
The type of notebook recommended is not the so-called transit book
but an ordinary level book. Thus the right-hand page will not consist
of a lot of closely spaced lines on which it is impossible to see anything
after it is written. If the level book is used, no lines need be drawn but
only the headings put in. In a, col. 4, or b, col. 3, if a single line is used
for recording the angle and its doubled value, great care must be used
that the single angle right is recorded at the top of the square. The
mistake is sometimes made of recording the single angle on the line
and the double above; this is overlooked in the office, and trouble
results.
It will be noted that no space is assigned to calculated data. This
omission is customary, since the office record is for this purpose.
Under remarks, sketches may be drawn if necessary (usually they may
be avoided). When these notes are used on the surface, no space is
:
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72 No,r.:s and Calculations Notes and Calculat:or:
allotted to HS, R, L, etc. The rights, R, and the lefts, L, are taken The FS is placed la_s: :
facing the direction in which the iraverse is progressing. Downs, D, When it occupies rhis :
are measured from the top of the plumb bob to t[e tra&. are more easilv found a:
stope Survey Notes. Figure 3L illustrates the method of keeping Some forms orri, the H,
transit notes of a stope survey. Here columns are provided ror irol doing so is the neces::--
VD, and elevations. Calculations are made in the office and the results record when compu:;:
recorded in the field book. Coordinates of stations A, B, etc., with quadrants, then ordinar
location data, are recorded in the record book. The map is plotted Ll/ coordinates.
directly from the field book. These notes should be At mines u,here rn.c:
- ;hspe"t"a in
connection with Fig. 87a (p. 188). not available (it is real.',
Level Notes. Figure 32a shows surface survey notes and Fig. 32b without one, but ne\ 3-
shows underground notes. Observe that the BS is subtracted and the practice of makine ali .
FS added, except in starting the survey. If the survey had started from Entry of only a fJr. s.-:
a station in the back, this BS would also have been subtracted. because of the space r3c l

Stadia Notes. Figure 33 illustrates a system for keeping stadia notes advantage in follouing :
for a transit stadia survey. The data are reduced in t[e office and are available for larer-::
entered in the spaces indicated by ,. Numbered stations represent rod entered in the same of .-,
shots for topography or other detail.
A very rapid and exceptionally accurate method for transit stadia
work is to take a drawing board mounted on a tripod (a plane table Computations are ui _
board and tripod are excellent) and the map into ihe field. There a place) tables. If bea:::..
computer/draftsman plots the notes immediately as the transitman must be used. Fcr su.-.-
takes them. This method is more accurate than that of the plane table (1916), and the U.S De:
and alidade, more rapid than cross-sectioning with a level and transit, If a calculator is no: 3\ i.:.
and almost as accurate as the latter. methods. For this ri6;L
The stadia interval should be calibrated by laying out, on a level these are I0-sec.. Se i 3-..
spot, 100-ft. inrervals up to 1000 ft. with the tape. -A rod is read at This, of course. is a s:i
these points and the correction noted for each tOO ft. for the particular Hon,ever, if the ord::i
instrument. 'fhese corrections are applied to each stadia distance. is lost in interpolario;: ::
(Sj. Chapter 17.) This is more satiifactory than working with the necessity vert, seldo; c"---
(f + c) constant. With the folloui:s :
_ Triangulation Notes. The form of notes shown in Fig. 34 may be quickly performed a..c-
k:pt in the ordinary level book recommended for triversing. - All amount of space is ;--:., _
adjustments are made on the office record. Traverse. The reiu.-:- -- r

to HD and VD. This ::'. i

Office Record
Office records are kept in record books or in a card index. The latter
log HD :
does-not appeal to the writer. Any printer can make up the form shown log cos VA :
in Fig. 35. It is in looseleaf form,-with two holes on the left side for Iog SD :
fastening log sin VA :
_between
the covers. Many-the
engineering offices have additional
columns for recording the date of iurvey, ihe number of the field log VD :
book, and the engineer's initials. Or space is provided for this infor- Coordinates. Here \i e .
mation at the top of the sheet. HD to obtain the larrr::::

1
j!
L
$

"':' :''.':.'.' .=.ffi'=:'=:.1=l .-I

 l'oles and Calculations
rd the lefts, L, are taken
proeressing. Downs, D,
to the track.
; the method of keeping
rns are provided for HD,
n the office and the results
stations A, B, etc., with
cok. The map is plotted
; should be ;hrspected in
rn'e\ notes and Fig. 32b
BS is subtracted and the
re surve)' had started from
been subtracted.
n for keeping stadia notes
redu;ed in the office and
:red stations represent rod
merhtrd for transit stadia
rn a tripod (a plane table
rp into the field. There a
Ciatelr as the transitman
lan that of the plane table
r,e u'ith a level and transit,
br lar ing out, on a level
r€ taFe. A rod is read at
:h l0l ti. for the particular
to each stadia distance.
n than rvorking with the
shou n in Fig. 34 may be
:nded for traversing. A11
in a card index. The latter
rn make up the form shown
r holes on the left side for
rine offices have additional
:1. the number of the field
is pror ided for this infor-
Notes and Calculations 73
The FS is placed last and next to the coordinates for a definite reason.
When it occupies this position the coordinates for a particular point
are more easily found and plotted than if the FS is completely separated.
Some forms omit the HI and HS columns altogether. The objection to
doing so is the necessity of using both the field book and the office
record when computing elevations. tf the map embraces all four
quadrants, then ordinarily additional columns are required for S and
W coordinates.
At mines where mechanical or electrically operated calculators are
not available (it is really surprising that an engineering office would be
without one, but nevertheless many are), some engineers follow the
practice of making all calculations on the back of the office record.
Entry of only a few stations on each sheet is possible in such cases
because of the space required for the computations. There is a distinct
advantage in following this plan, however, since by it all computations
are available for later checking. Corrected triangulation data may be
entered in the same office form, headings being altered to suit the data.
Calculations
Computations are usually made with a calculator and 1-min. (five-
place) tables. lf bearings are used to seconds, a more refined table
must be used. For such work, the tables by Ives (1929, 1942), Vega
(1916), and the U.S. Department of the Interior (1950) are suggested.
If a calculator is not available, the engineer must fall back on logarithmic
methods. For this work Vega's logarithms are strongly recommended;
these are lO-sec., seven-place tables with interpolation to seconds.
This, of course, is a greater refinement than is generally necessary.
However, if the ordinary six-place (l-min.) tables are used, much time
is lost in interpolation to the nearest 0.01 ft. With the Vega tables this
necessity very seldom occurs, and time is saved.
With the following procedure, the computations are neatly and
quickly performed and- are readily checked. ln addition, the least
urnount of rpu.. is consumed.
Traverse. The reduction required is slope distance and vertical angle
to HD and VD. This involves the sine and cosine of the angle.
log HD : HD (or this may be written above)
log cos VA add
log SD
log sin VA I add
log VD : VD (or this may be written below)
Coordinates. Here we combine the bearing of the course with the
HD to obtain the latitude and departure. The cosine gives the latitude
E
74 Notes and Calculations Notes and Calcularior.,
Triangulation Calculer
for calculating the sides
given above.
Astronomical Obaeryrt
in Chapter 7, p. 8E
lf ano/es do nol add lo /60'. dis/ribule error
eaua//0 amoltq anq/es. frror' of cTocure ohould
nb/ exteed 6o'+humber o{ repe/ilions.

. Sdes are {ound ly

lhe /aw ol snes.
A// ca/culafims ore
corrted c/ear oround lfu
lrianq/e a., a chec?.

Frc. 36.

(north or south), and the sine gives the departure (east or west). In the
office record, columns are provided for all four of these possibilities.

logcosbearingE... )add
logHD : '
lofi sin bearing : :::::: : .: . ) add
log departure : ..- ...l: departure

Trigonometric Leveling.
VA :
log tan I add
logHD :..........,
log VD : ll- .ll.: vD
Erev
f flil;*.J#j *,1"?,,;'"!irlo(HD in m,es)2
= + with + vA
- with - VA
 Notes and Calculations 75
.\'. .'c,-r and Calculations
Triangulation Calculations. Figure 36 shows the data and procedure
tf5 for calculating the sides. To compute the coordinates use the form
T c
given above.
Astronomical Observations. A form of notes and calculations is given
J in Chapter 7, p. 88.
;s/r p"ie sror
'clos.''e .l$ou/d
ere',:on5.

-:-- 4

#
Z
-)

k,j=
5

side 5t/
.

west). In the
possibilities.

":J
:\D
=ti
0.1-: HD in miles)2