FGE 432: ENGINEERING SURVEYING B CAT.

1. Briefly explain any FOUR methods used in the calculation of areas

enclosed by irregular figures.

i) ‘Give and take’ lines-The entire area is divided into triangles or trapezoids. The irregular
boundaries being replaced by straight lines so arranged that small areas excluded from the survey
by the straight line are balanced by other small areas outside the survey that area not included.
The positions of the lines are estimated by the eyes using either a thin transparent straight-edge
or a silk thread and the lines are then drawn in pencil faintly on the plan. The areas of the
resulting triangles or trapezoids are calculated by the methods already described.
ii) Counting squares-An overlay of squared tracing paper is laid on the drawing. The number of
squares and parts of squares that are enclosed by the figure under consideration is now counted
and knowing the scale of the drawing and the size of the squares on the overlay the total area of
the figure is computed.
iii)Trapezoidal Rule-Given an area bounded by a survey line and a boundary, the survey line is
divided into a number of small equal intercepts of length x, and the offsets O1, 02 etc. are
measured either directly on the ground or by scaling from the plan. If x is short enough for the
length of boundary between the offsets to be assumed straight, then the area is divided into a
series of trapezoids
iv) Simpson’ Rule-This method which gives greater accuracy than other methods assumes that
the irregular boundary is composed of a series of parabolic arcs. It is essential that the figure
under consideration be divided into an even number of equal strips

2. A series of offsets were taken at 10 meter intervals in the following order from a chain
line to a curve boundary: 0, 7.2m, 5.4m, 6.0m, 6.8m, 7.4m, 8.2m, and 0m. Find the area
enclosed between the chain line, the curve boundary and the end offsets.
3. With a well labeled diagram and using the usual (duly explained) notations, show that
the area of cross section of an embankment with cross fall is given as;

Area = 1 (b + mh) (w1 + w2)- b2

2m 2 2
4. Coordinate (E, N) of corners of a polygonal area of ground are taken in order, as
follows, in metres: A (0, 0); B (-32,40); C (-41,126); D (14,200); E (80,144); F (108,62); G
(27,-19), returning to A. Calculate the area of the enclosed ground.

5. (a) The volume of earthworks can be computed, using THREE approaches based on
vertical cross sections. Discuss.
(b)State Pappus’s theorem and explain how it is used in calculations associated
with earthworks.
It states that a volume swept out by a plane constant area revolving about a fixed axis is given by
the product of the cross-sectional area and the distance moved by the centre of gravity of the
section.
The theorem is use to overcome the errors that results in volumes calculated from either the end
areas method or the prismoidal formula which occurs when the cross-section will no longer be
parallel to each other where a horizontal curve occurs.

6. Summarize the FOUR approaches used in orientation of a line segment underground.