THEORY

Traversing is a type of survey in which a number of connected survey lines form

the framework and the directions and lengths of the survey lines are measured
with the help of an angle measuring instrument and a tape or chain respectively.

There are two types of traverse surveying,

Closed traverse: When the lines form a circuit which ends at the starting point, it
is known as closed traverse.

Open traverse:
When the lines
form a circuit
ends elsewhere,
it is said to be
an open
traverse.
The closed traverse is suitable for locating the boundaries of lakes, woods,
etc.and for survey of large areas. The open traverse is suitable for surveying a
long narrow strip of land as required for a road of canal or the coast line. The
most satisfactory method of checking the linear measurements consists in
chaining each survey line a second time, preferably in the reverse direction on
different dates and by different parties.

The direction of a line is defined by a horizontal angle between the line and an
arbitrarily chosen reference line called a meridian.

The types of meridians (and thus directions) are,

Geodetic:Angle generally measured from geodetic north. Historically south has
occasionally been used.

Magnetic:Angle measured from magnetic north. Since magnetic fields fluctuate

over time, this meridian is time-dependent.

Grid:Angle measured from grid (map) north. This angle is dependent on the
mapprojection.

The types of directions are,

Azimuths:Horizontal angles measured clockwise from a reference meridian.

Azimuths can be any of the type above, geodetic azimuth, astronomic azimuth,
etc. For examples, 34°, 157°, 235°, 317°.

Bearings: Horizontal angles measured from the meridian either east or west.
They can be geodetic, astronomic, etc. Thus they are designated with
nomenclature; Require two letters and an acute angle (<90°) Measured both
clockwise and counter-clockwise Can be measured from North or South axis of
meridian

CONCLUSION

Traversing is a form of a control survey that requires the establishment of a

series of stations that are linked together by the angles and distances. The
angles are measured by theodolites, and the distances are measured
conventionally by tapes or electronic distance measuring equipment.

A theodolite is an instrument which is capable of measuring both vertical and

horizontal angles to the nearest whole seconds.
Basically there are two types of modern theodolite i.e. the optical theodolite and
electronic digital theodolite. But both have the same common features in terms of
their construction.

The theodolite system is comprised of the horizontal circle where it is

perpendicular to the vertical axis and the vertical circle where it is perpendicular
to the horizontal axis. Theodolites in correct adjustment have their a-es and line
of sight of the telescope mutually perpendicular. All three should intersect at one
point.