Compass rule

The compass or bow ditch rule which has named after the distinguished American navigator
Nathaniel bow ditch (1773-1838)

The compass rule is based on the assumption that all lengths wee measured with equal care
and all angles taken with approximately the same precision. It is also assumed that the errors in
measurement are accidental and that the total error in any side of the traverse is directly
proportional to the total length of the traverse.

The compass rule may be stated as follows: the correction to be applied to the latitude or
departure of any course is equal to the total closure of latitude or departure , multiplied by the
ratio of the length of the course to the total length or perimeter of the traverse. These
correction are given by the following equations.

C1= CL(d/D) Cd=CD(d/D)

Where:

C1 = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course

Cd = correction to be applied to the departure of any course

CL = total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north and south latitudes (∑NL+∑ED)

CD = total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the east and west departures
(∑ED+∑WD)

d = length of any closure

D= total length or perimeter of the traverse

All computed corrections should be added to check whether their respective sums equal the
closures in latitude and departure. To determine the adjusted latitude of any course the
latitude correction is either added to or subtracted from the computed latitude of the course. A
simple rule to remember is: if the sum of the north latitudes exceeds the sum of the south
latitudes , latitudes corrections are subtracted from north latitudes and added to corresponding
south latitudes. However , if the sum of the south latitudes exceeds the sum of the north
latitudes, the correction are applied in the opposite manner. A similar procedure is used when
adjusting the departures. After all corrections have been applied properly to the latitudes and
departures of the traverse. it will be expected that a perfect closure will be obtained.
Adjusted length and directions

L’=√𝑙𝑎𝑡 2 + 𝑑𝑒𝑝2

𝐷𝑒𝑝′
Tan α=
𝐿𝑎𝑡′

Where:

L’ = adjusted length of a course

Lat’ = adjusted latitude of a course

Dep’ = adjusted departure of a course

α = adjusted horizontal angle between the reference meridian and a course

COMPASS RULE

(problem)

Given the accompanying tabulation are the observed data for a traverse obtained from a transit-tape
survey. Determine the latitudes and departures of each course and balance these quantities by
employing the compass rule. Also determine the linear error of closure, bearing of the side of error and
the relative error of closure. tabulates values accordingly

COURSE DISTANCE BEARING COMPUTED COMPUTED

LATITUDE DEPARTURE
+N -S +E -W
AB 495.85 N 05 30 E 493.57 47.53
BC 850.62 N 46 02 E 590.53 612.23
CD 855.45 S 67 38 E 325.53 791.09
DE 1020.87 S 12 25 E 996.99 219.51
EF 1117.26 S 83 44 W 121.96 1110.58
FA 660.08 N 55 09 W 377.19 541.70
SUMS 5000.13 (m) +1461.29 -1444.48 +1670.36 -1652.28
a) Computing Latitudes:

Lat = length x cos α

b) Computing Departures

Dep = length x sin α

c) Determining Total Closure in Latitudes and Departures’

∑NL = +493.57 + 590.53 + 377.19

= +1461.29m (summation of north latitudes)

∑SL = -325.53 – 996.99 – 121.96

=- 1444.48m (summation of south latitudes)

∑ED = +47.53 + 612.23 + 791.09 + 219.51

= +1670.36m (summation of east departures)

∑WD = -1110.58 – 541.70

=- 1652.28 (summation of west departure)

CL = ∑NL + ∑SL = +1461.29 + (-1444.48)

= +16.81 m

CD = ∑ED + ∑WD = +1670.36 + (-1652.28)

= +18.08m

D = d1 + d2 +d3 +d4 +d5 + d6

d) Determining corrections for latitude

K1=𝐶𝐿⁄𝐷
16.81
K1= 5000.13 = 0.00336

CAB = 0.00336 X 495.85 = 1.67

CBC =0.00336 X 850.62 =2.86

CCD =0.00336 X 855.45 =2.88

CDE =0.00336 X 1020.87 =3.43

CEF =0.00336 X 1117.26 =3.75

CFA =0.00336 X 660.08 =2.22

SOLUTION CHECK:

1.67+2.86+2.88+3.43+3.75+2.22 = 16.81

16.81=16.819(CHECKS)
 e) Determining corrections for departure

K2=𝐶𝐿⁄𝐷
18.08
K2= 5000.13 = 0.00362

CAB = 0.00362 X 495.85 = 1.79

CBC =0.00362 X 850.62 = 3.08

CCD =0.00362 X 855.45 = 3.09

CDE =0.00362 X 1020.87= 3.69

CEF =0.00362 X 1117.26= 4.04

CFA =0.00362 X 660.08 = 2.39

SOLUTION CHECK:

1.79+3.08+3.09+3.69+4.04+2.39= 18.08

18.08=18.08(CHECKS)

f) tabulated solutions

COURSE CORRECTION ADJUSTED LATITUDE ADJUSTED DEPARTURE

LAT DEP +N -S +E -W
AB 1.67 1.79 491.90 45.74
BC 2.86 3.08 587.67 609.15
CD 2.88 3.09 328.41 788.00
DE 3.43 3.69 1000.42 215.82
EF 3.75 4.04 125.71 1114.62
FA 2.22 2.39 374.97 544.09
SUMS 16.81 18.08 +1454.54 -1454.54 +1658.71 -1658.71
 g) ADJUSTED LATITUDES:

ADJ LAT= COMPUTED LAT ± Cl

NOTE: SINCE THE SUM OF NORTH LATITUDES EXCEEDS THE SUM OF SOUTH LATITUDES. LATITUDES CORRECTIONS ARE
SUBTRACTED FROM THE CORRESPONDING NORTH LATITUDES AND ADDED TO CORRESPONDING SOUTH LATITUDES TO
DETERMINE THE ADJUSTED LATITUDES.

ADJUSTED DEPATURES:

ADJ DEP= COMPUTED DEP ± Cd

NOTE: SINCE THE SUM OF EAST DEPARTURE EXCEEDS THE SUM OF WEST DEPATURES, THE DEPARTURE CORECTIONS ARE
SUBTRACTED FROM THE CORRESPONDING EAST DEPARTURES AND ADDED TO CORRESPONDING WEST DEPARTURES TO
DETERMINE THE ADJUSTED DEPARTURES.

h) Determining the linear error of closure, bearing of the side of error and relative error of closure

LEC = √𝐶𝑙² + 𝐶𝑑²

LEC = √(+16.812 ) + (+18.08)²

= 24.69 (linear closure of error)

−𝐶𝐷 −(+18.08)
Tan β = =
−𝐶𝐿 −(+16.81)
= 1.075550
β = 47’ 05’ (bearing of the side of error = S44 05W)
RP = LEC/D
=24.69/5000.13
= 1/202.52
= SAY 1/1000 (relative precision)
 ADJUSTMENTS OF LENGTH AND BEARING

Given the observed and calculated data in the problem . Determine the adjusted length and
adjusted bearing of each course and tabulate accordingly.

a) Determining adjusted length of each course

L’AB= √(+491.90)2 + (+45.74)² = 494.02m
L’BC=√(+587.67)2 + (+609.15)² = 846.02m
L’CD=√(−328.41)2 + (+788.00)2 = 853.70m
L’DE=√(−1000.42)2 + (215.82)² = 1023.43m
L’EF=√(−125.71)2 + (−1114.62)² = 1121.69m
L’FA=√(+374.97)2 + (−544.09)² = 660.78m

𝐷𝐸𝑃′
b) Determining adjusted bearing of each course TAN α =
𝐿𝐴𝑇′

+45.74
TAN α AB = = N 5°19’E
+491.90
+609.15
TAN α BC =+587.67 = N 46°02’E
+788.00
TAN α CD = = S 67°23’E
−328.41
+215.82
TAN α DE = = S12°10’ E
−1000.42
−1114.62
TAN α EF = = S 83°34’W
−125.71
−544.09
TAN α FA = +374.97= N55°26’W

C) tabulated solution:

COURSE ADJUSTED LENGTH ADJUSTED BEARING

AB 494.02 N05°19’E
BC 846.42 N46°02’E
CD 853.70 S67°23’E
DE 1023.43 S12°10’E
EF 1121.69 S83°34’W
FA 660.78 N55°26’W
TRANSIT RULE
The method of adjusting a traverse by the transit rule similar to the method using the compass rule. The
main difference is that with the transit rule the latitude and departure corrections depend on the length
of the latitude and departure of the course respectively instead of both depending on the length of the
course.

𝑙𝑎𝑡(𝐶𝑙)
C1 =
∑𝑁𝐷− ∑𝑆𝐿

𝐷𝑒𝑝(𝐶𝐷)
Cd =
∑𝐸𝐷− ∑𝑊𝐷

Where:

C1 = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course

Cd = correction to be applied to the departure of any course

CL = total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north and south latitudes (∑NL + ∑SL)

CD = total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the east and west departures (∑ED + ∑WD)
Since the north latitudes are positive quantities and south latitudes are negative quantities, the
arithmetical sum of all latitudes is obtained if the summation of south latitudes is subtracted from the
summation of north latitudes. Similarly , the arithmetical sum of all departure is subtracted from the
summation of east departures since east and west departures are positive and negative quantities,
respectively. Another way to determining these arithmetical sums is simply to add the absolute values of
the required quantities.
 Transit rule

Formula use to determine the latitude and departure:

A) Computing latitudes
LAT = Length x Cos α
LATab = 495.85 x Cos 05°30’ = +493.57 m
LATbc = 850.62 x Cos 46°02’ = +590.53 m
LATcd= 855.45 x Cos 112°22’ = -325.53 m
LAT de= 1020.87 x Cos 167°35’ = -996.99 m
LAT ef= 1117.26 x Cos 263°44’ = -121.96 m
LATfa = 660.08 x Cos 304°51’ = + 377.19 m

B) Computing departures
DEP = Length x Sin α
DEPAB= 495.85 x Sin 05°30’ = +47.53 m
DEPBC= 850.62 x Sin 46°02’ = +612.23 m
DEPCD= 855.45 x Sin 112°22’ =+791.09 m
DEPDE= 1020.87 x Sin 167°35’ =+219.51 m
DEPEF= 1117.26 x Sin 263°44’ =-1110.58 m
DEPFA= 660.08 x Sin 304°51’ =-541.70 m

C) Tabulated solution

COURSE LENGTH AZIMUTH FROM COMPUTED LATITUDE COMPUTED

NORTH DEPARTURE
+N -S +E -W
AB 495.85 5°30’ 493.57 47.53
BC 850.62 46°02’ 590.83 612.23
CD 855.45 112°22’ 325.53 791.09
DE 1020.87 167°35’ 996.99 216.51
EF 1117.26 263°44’ 121.96 1110.58
FA 660.09 304°51’ 377.19 541.70
SUMS 5000.13(m) +1461.29 -1444.48 1670.36 1652.28
D) Determining the total closure
∑NL = +493.57 + 590.53 + 377.19
= + 1461.29 m (summation of north latitudes)
∑SL = -325.53 – 996.99 – 121.96
= -1444.48 m (summation of south latitudes)
∑ ED = +47.53 + 612.23 + 791.09 + 219.51
= +1670.36 m (summation of east departures)
∑WD = -1110.58 – 541.70
= -1652.28 m (summation of west departures)
CL = ∑NL + ∑SL
= + 1461.29 + (- 1444.48)
= +16.81 m (total closure in latitude)

CD = ∑ED + ∑WD
= +1670.36 + (- 1652.26)
= +18.08 m (total closure in departure)

𝐶𝐿
E) Determining correction for latitude: KI=
∑𝑁𝐿−∑𝑆𝐿
Where:
KI = corrections
CI = LAT x (KI)
Solution:
16.81
KI = = 0.00579
(+1461.29)−(−1444.48)
CAB= 493.57 x 0.00579 = 2.86 m
CBC= 590.53 x 0.00579 = 3.42 m
CCD= 325.53 x 0.00579 = 1.88 m
CDE= 996.99 x 0.00579 = 5.77 m
CEF=121.96 x 0.00579 = 0.70 m
CFA= 377.19 x 0.00579 = 2.18 m

Solution check : sum of latitude corrections = CL

2.86 + 3.42 + 1.88 + 5.77 + 0.70 + 2.18 = 16.81
16.81 = 16.81 (check)
 𝐶𝐷
F) Determining corrections for departure: K2 =
∑𝐸𝐷−∑𝑊𝐷

Where:
K2 = corrections
Cd= LAT x (KI)
18.08
K2 = =0.00544
+1670.36−(−1652.28)
CAB = 47.53 x 0.00544 = +47.27 m
CBC = 612.23 x 0.00544 = +608.90 m
CCD = 791.09 x 0.00544 = +786.78 m
CDE = 219.51 x 0.00544 = +218.32 m
CEF = 1110.58 x 0.00544 = -1116.62 m
CFA = 541.70 x 0.00544 = -544.65 m

NOTE: since the sum of the east departures exceeds the sum of the west departures, the departures
corrections are subtracted from the corresponding east departures and added to corresponding west
departures to determine the adjusted departures.

Solution check: algebraic sum of adjusted departures = 0.00 + 47.27 + 608.90 + 786.78 + 218.32 –
1116.62 – 544.65 = 0.00
0.00=0.00 (checks)

COURSE CORRECTION ADJUSTED LATITUDE ADJUSTED DEPARTURE

LAT DEP +N -S +E -W
AB 2.86 0.26 490.71 47.27
BC 3.42 3.33 587.11 608.90
CD 1.88 4.31 327.41 786.78
DE 5.77 1.19 1002.76 218.32
ED 0.70 6.04 122.66 1116.62
FA 2.18 2.95 375.01 544.65
SUMS 16.81 18.08 +1452.83 -1452.83 +1661.27 -1661.27
ADJUSTMENTS OF LENGHTS AND AZIMUTHS
Given the observed and calculated data in problem no. 1 determine adjusted length and adjusted
azimuth (reckoned from north) of each course and tabulate values accordingly.

A) Determining adjusted length of each course L’√(𝑙𝑎𝑡 ′ )2 + (𝑑𝑒𝑝′ )²

L’AB = √(+490.71)2 + (+47.27)2 = 492.98𝑚 (adjusted length of course AB)

L’BC = √(+587.11)2 + (+608.90)2 = 845.85𝑚 (adjusted length of course BC)

L’CD =√(−327.41)2 + (+786.78)2 = 852.19𝑚 (adjusted length of course CD)

L’DE =√(−1002.76)2 + (+218.32)² = 1026.25𝑚 (adjusted length of course DE)

L’EF =√(−122.66)2 + (−1116.62)² = 1223.34𝑚 (adjusted length of course EF)

L’FA =√(+375.01)2 + (−544.65)² = 661.27𝑚 (adjusted length of course FA)

𝐷𝑒𝑝′
B) Determining adjusted azimuth of each course: TAN α=
𝐿𝑎𝑡′

+47.27
TAN α= = 5°30′ (therefore azimuth from north of course AB is 5°30’)
+490.71

+608.90
TAN α= = 46°03’ (therefore azimuth from north of course BC is 46°03’)
+587.11

+786.78
TAN α= = 67°24’ (therefore azimuth from north of course CD is 67°24’)
−327.41

+218.32
TAN α= = 12°17’ (therefore azimuth from north of course DE is 12°17’)
−1002.76

−1116.62
TAN α= = 83°44’ (therefore azimuth from north of course EF is 83°44’)
−122.66

−544.65
TAN α= = 55°27’ (therefore azimuth from north of course FA is 55°27’)
+375.01
 C) TABULATED SOLUTION:

COURSE ADJUSTED LENGTH ADJUSTED AZIM. FROM

NORTH
AB 492.98 m 5°30’
BC 845.85 m 46°03’
CD 852.19 m 112°36’
DE 1026.25 m 167°43’
EF 1123.34 m 253°44’
FA 661.27 m 304°33’
218.32 m (dep of
+47.27m DE)
+608.90( dep of BC) +786.78 m(dep of CD)

C
852.19m -327.41 m (lat of
AZn(112°36’) CD)

+ 587.11 m (lat
of BC) 845.85m
AZn (46°03’) D

B 1026.25m
AZn(167°43’)
-1002.76 m (lat of
+ 490.71 (lat 492.98m DE)
of AB) AZn(5°30’)

A 661.27m
+375.01 m AZn(304°33’)
(lat of FA) F 1123.34 m,AZn(263°44’) E

-544.65 (dep of FA) -1116.62 m (dep of EF)