Notes on surveying and levelling

Prepared by Masen

Chapter One
Traversing(16 – 20 marks)
Defination: Traverse is defined as the process of forming a closed network with the help of traverse legs or
lines interconnected with each other in the series. In other word traverse is a series of consecutive lines
whose lengths and directions have been determined from field measurements.

Principle of traversing : The main objective of traversing is (XB, YB)

to find the co-ordinate of unknown station(B) with the help
of known station (A) and length and bearing of a line lcosθ
joining A & B. i.e θ L
XB=XA+Lsinθ YB=YA+Lcosθ (XA, YA) lsinθ
Dependent co-ordinate or latitude(L) and departure(D)
Latitude(L) : It is defined as the co-ordinates value parallel to
the assumed meridian(N-S).
L=lcosθ

Departure(D): It is defined as the co-ordinates value perpendicular to the assumed meridian(N-S).

D=lsinθ
Now,
Lsinθ D
Tan θ = =
lcosθ L
D
∴ θ =tan−1 ( ) where θ is reduced bearing.
L

Types of traverse
1. Close traverse: The traverse in which final station co-incide with initial station is called closed
traverse. In other words the traverse in which traverse line runs in between known co-ordinates is also
known as close traverse. Linked traverse is one of the example of closed traverse.

2. Open traverse: The traverse in which final station doesnot co-incide with initial station is called open
traverse.

Checked in closed traverse

1. Linear measurement check: for linear measurement check the traverse lines are measured with a tape
by different menbers on a different field temperature and compared with each other with their
accuracy achieved.

2. Angular measurement check

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a. Interior angle: The sum of interior angles in a closed traverse shold be (2n – 4)x90.

b. Exterior angle :The sum of exterior angles should be (2n + 4)x90.

3. Bearing check:The difference between FB and BB of each line of a closed traverse should be 180°.

4. Deflecton angle check: The sum of deflection angle in a

closed traverse should be 360° taking clockwise deflection as
positive and anticlockwise delflection as negetive.

Linear measurement: In an open traverse linear measurement

check can be done if initial and final station is intervisible to each
other and the distance between them is measureable. For linear
measurement check the same line is measured by different members of group at a sifferent temperature in
different location.

Angular measurement: In an open traverse the bearing check can be done by observing the FB & BB of line
AB . If the station A & B are intervisible and at shorter distance apart.

Clossing error and graphical adjustment: The distance by which traverse fails to close is called clossing
error.

If co-ordinate of A is (D1,y1) and A' is (x2,y2) then

e=√(DA − D′A )2 + (LA − L′A )2 = √(∆DA )2 + (∆LA )2
e=√(∑E − ∑W)2 + (∑N − ∑S)2
DA −D′A
θA'A=tan−1 ( )
LA −L′A
−1 ∆D
θA'A=tan ( )
∆L
Independent co-ordinate or total co-ordinate: The total latitude and total
departure of any station with respect to a common origin of co-ordinates, are
called total co-ordinates or independent coordinates.
In fig, Bis plotted with respect to A so B is dependent on A.
Balancing of clossing error
a) Bowditch’s method: this method is employed when linear measurement ans angular measurement are
of equal accuracy. The correction for a bowditch method is as in accordance with C.F bowditch rule
which states “As the sum of all the distances is to each particular distance so is the total error for
latitude (or departure) to the required correction for latitude (or departure)'. i.e. correction to latitude
(or departure) of a line
length of that traverse leg
= closing error in latitude (or departure) X ”
total length pf the traverse

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Angular errors, if any in the observed bearings, are not adjusted before
applying the Bowditch rule.
Let
l = length of any leg ∑ D = total error in departure
∑l = total length of the traverse δL = correction to the latitude of the leg
∑ L =total error in latitude δ D = correction to the departure of the leg
l
then δL=∑ L X
∑L
l
and δD=∑ D X
∑L
b) Transit rule: This method is used when angular measurement is higher precision than linear
measurement. It states “the correction to latitude (of departure) of any traverse leg should be
proeortional to the Latitude (or departure) instead of the length of the traverse leg itself
According to the Transit rule, correction to latitude of a traverse leg
Latitude of that traverse leg
= total error inlattitude X ”
total sum of latitudes
Let
l = length of any leg ∑l = total length of the traverse
d=departure of the same traverse leg ∑ L =total error in latitude
L=arithmetic sum of lattitude(igmoring signs) ∑ D = total error in departure
D= Arithmetic sum of Departure δL = correction to the latitude of the leg
δ D = correction to the departure of the leg
l
Then δL=∑ L X
L
d
and δD=∑ D X
D

c) Graphical method: let ABCDEA' be traverse plotted to a scale with the help of lengths and bearing
so that final station A' doesnot xoincide with A. then A A' is called clossingerror. The clossing error
is balanced ffrom a similar triangles as shoem in figure. The parallel siatances from the triangles are
shifted in the same direction of AA'

 Gales table: A table format provided to find the independent co – ordinate of each stations is known
as gales table.
dependent
WCB or co – corrected
horizontal angle RB (θ) ordinate correction co – ordinate
station line length θ ' " L D L D L D
A

A'

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Notes on surveying and levelling
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Omitted Measurements in Traversing

It is the finding of unknown quantity in a given traverse provided that the unknown quantities are not
more than two.
∑L=0
∑D=0
Case 1 when length or bearing of line is omitted
let BCDEFA be a closed traverse. Assume that either the length or bearmg or both of the traverse leg FA
is/are omitted from field measurements
procedure
(1) Calculate the algebraic sum of the latitudes from A to F. Let it be ∑L'
(2) Calculate the algebraic sum of the departures from A to F. Let it be ∑D'
We know that for a closed traverse the algebraic sum of all latitedes and departures should each be equal to
zero.
If L and D are the latitude and the departure of the traverse leg FA, then
L±∑L'= O
or latitude of FA = ∑L'
Similarly
Departure of FA = ∑D'
Knowing the latitude and departure of FA, its length and bearing may be calculated by equation
𝐷
L=√𝐷2 + 𝐿2 and θ = tan−1 respectively.
𝐿

Case 2 when length & bearing of line is omitted . Eg

Q.N.1. a clossing traverse was conducted and the following observation were made workout the
misssing quantities.
Side length azimuth
AB 500m 98 ° 30 '
BC 620m 30 ° 20 '
CD 468m 298 ° 30 '
DE 694m 260 ° 30 '
EA ? ?
For Traverse ABCDEA, EA is clossing line. For clossed
traverse

∑ L= 0
𝐿𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃𝐴𝐵 + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 cos 𝜃𝐵𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 cos 𝜃𝐶𝐷 + 𝐿𝐷𝐸 cos 𝜃𝐷𝐸 + 𝐿𝐸𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = 0
or, 500 cos 98 ° 30 ′ + 620 cos 30 ° 20 ′ + 468 cos 298 ° 30 ′ + 694 cos 260 ° 30 ′ + 𝐿𝐸𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = 0
∴ 𝐿𝐸𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = −569.989𝑚………(1)

∑ D= 0
𝐿𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃𝐴𝐵 + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 sin 𝜃𝐵𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 sin 𝜃𝐶𝐷 + 𝐿𝐷𝐸 sin 𝜃𝐷𝐸 + 𝐿𝐸𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = 0
or, 500 sin 98 ° 30 ′ + 620 sin 30 ° 20 ′ + 468 sin 298 ° 30 ′ + 694 sin 260 ° 30 ′ + 𝐿𝐸𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = 0
∴ 𝐿𝐸𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = 288.14𝑚……….(2)
Since latitude is – ve and geparture is +ve the clossing line lies in second quardant.
Now,
𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝜃𝐸𝐴 = tan−1 ( )
𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
−1 ( 288.14 )
𝜃𝐸𝐴 = tan
569.989
∴ 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = 26°49′2.8′′
∴ 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = 𝑆26°49′2.8′𝐸′
∴ 𝜃𝐸𝐴 = 180° − 26°49′28′′ = 153°10′57.2′′
Substituting value of θ in equation (1) we get
𝐿𝐸𝐴 cos(153°10′57.2′′) = −569.989𝑚
∴ LEA=638.679m

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Case 3: when lengths of two adjacent lines are omitted. E.G

Q.N.2. A traverse ABCD starts from station A & ends at Station D. The length of BC and CD couldnot
be measured due to large river. Co ordinates of A and D are (500mN,145mE) & (419.5mN,551mE)
Other measured data are given below.
Also find the co-rdinates of B and C.
Side length Bearing
AB 150 55 ° 20 '
BC ? 87° 30 '
CD ? 145 ° 20 '
solution
For closed linked traverse
∑ L=0
𝐿𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃𝐴𝐵 + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 cos 𝜃𝐵𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 cos 𝜃𝐶𝐷 = 0
or, 150 cos 55°20′ + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 cos 87°30′ + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 cos 145 °20′ = 0
∴ 85.320+0.0436LBC – 0.82247LCD=0………………(1)
∑ D=0
𝐿𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃𝐴𝐵 + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 sin 𝜃𝐵𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 sin 𝜃𝐶𝐷 = 0
or, 150 sin 55°20′ + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 sin 87°30′ + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 sin 145 °20′ = 0
∴ 123.3712+0.999LBC+ 0.5688LCD=0 …………….(2)
Solving Equation (1) & (2)
LBC=178.80m
LCD=94.442m
Now, let the co ordinates of B and C be (xB,yB)&(xc,yc)
XB=XA+LABsin θAB=500+150sin55°20′=623.3712 Xc=XB+LABsin θBc=
YB=YA+LABcosθAB=145+150 cos 55°20′=230.320 Yc=YB+LABcosθBC=

Case 4: when length of one line and bearing of another line are ommited. E.g
Q.N.3. Find out missing quantities
Side Length Bearing
AB 500 98 ° 30'
BC 620 30 ° 20'
CD 468 298 ° 30'
DE ? 230 °
EA 274 ?
Solution
For Traverse ABCDA, DA is clossing line. For clossed
traverse
∑ L= 0
𝐿𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃𝐴𝐵 + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 cos 𝜃𝐵𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 cos 𝜃𝐶𝐷 + 𝐿𝐷𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 0
or, 500 cos 98 ° 30 ′ + 620 cos 30 ° 20 ′ + 468 cos 298 ° 30 ′ + 𝐿𝐷𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 0
∴ 𝐿𝐷𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = −684.528𝑚………(1)

∑ D= 0
𝐿𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃𝐴𝐵 + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 sin 𝜃𝐵𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 sin 𝜃𝐶𝐷 + 𝐿𝐷𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 0
or, 500 sin 98 ° 30 ′ + 620 sin 30 ° 20 ′ + 468 sin 298 ° 30 ′ + 𝐿𝐷𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 0
∴ 𝐿𝐷𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = −396.34𝑚……….(2)
Since latitude is – ve and geparture is – ve the clossing line lies in third quardant.
Now,
𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝜃𝐷𝐴 = tan−1 ( )
𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
−1 ( 396.34 )
𝜃𝐷𝐴 = tan
684.528
′
∴ 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 30°4 14.64′′
∴ 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 𝑆30°4′ 14.64′′𝑊
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Notes on surveying and levelling
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∴ 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 180° + 30°4′64′′ = 210°4′ . 14.64′′

Substituting value of θ in equation (1) we get
𝐿𝐷𝐴 cos(210°4′ 14.64′′) = −684.528𝑚
∴ LEA=791m
Then we have
∠EDA=∠ =Bearing of DE – Bearing of DA= 230 ° – 210°4′ 14.64′′ =19°55′45.64′′
Using sine rule in ∆ ADE
274 791
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛾 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
274 791
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛19°55′45.64′′ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
∴ β =79 ° 44'30.21''
Now α=180 ° – 79 ° 44'30.21'' – 19°55′45.64′′=80°19'44.43''
𝐿𝐷𝐸 274 𝐿𝐷𝐸 274
= ↔ =
𝑠𝑖𝑛α 𝑠𝑖𝑛γ 𝑠𝑖𝑛80°19′44.43′′ 𝑠𝑖𝑛19°55′45.64′′
∴ LDE=792.425m
Again,
Bearing of EA= bearing of ED+ β =(230° – 180° )+ 79 ° 44'30.21''=129 ° 44'30.21''

Case 5: when bearing of two adjacent lines are omitted

Q.N.4. find missing quantities
Side Length Bearing
AB 500 98 ° 30'
BC 620 30 ° 20'
CD 468 298 ° 30'
DE 695.27 ?
EA 274 ?
solution
For Traverse ABCDA, DA is clossing line. For clossed
traverse
∑ L= 0
𝐿𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃𝐴𝐵 + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 cos 𝜃𝐵𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 cos 𝜃𝐶𝐷 + 𝐿𝐷𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 0
or, 500 cos 98 ° 30 ′ + 620 cos 30 ° 20 ′ + 468 cos 298 ° 30 ′ + 𝐿𝐷𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 0
∴ 𝐿𝐷𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = −684.528𝑚………(1)

∑ D= 0
𝐿𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃𝐴𝐵 + 𝐿𝐵𝐶 sin 𝜃𝐵𝐶 + 𝐿𝐶𝐷 sin 𝜃𝐶𝐷 + 𝐿𝐷𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 0
or, 500 sin 98 ° 30 ′ + 620 sin 30 ° 20 ′ + 468 sin 298 ° 30 ′ + 𝐿𝐷𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 0
∴ 𝐿𝐷𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = −396.34𝑚……….(2)
Since latitude is – ve and geparture is – ve the clossing line lies in third quardant.
Now,
𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝜃𝐷𝐴 = tan−1 ( )
𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒
−1 ( 396.34 )
𝜃𝐷𝐴 = tan
684.528
′
∴ 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 30°4 14.64′′
∴ 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 𝑆30°4′ 14.64′′𝑊
∴ 𝜃𝐷𝐴 = 180° + 30°4′64′′ = 210°4′ . 14.64′′
Substituting value of θ in equation (1) we get
𝐿𝐷𝐴 cos(210°4′ 14.64′′) = −684.528𝑚
∴ LEA=791m
Then we have
Using co-sine rule
𝐿𝐸𝐷 2 +𝐿𝐷𝐴 2 −𝐿𝐸𝐴 2 695.272 +7912 −2742
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛾 = =
2𝐿𝐸𝐷 𝐿𝐷𝐴 2.695.27X791

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∴ 𝛾 =19°55'54.22''

Using sine rule in ∆ ADE

274 791
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛾 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
274 791
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛19°55′54.22′′ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
∴ β =79 ° 46'45.47''
Now α=180 ° – 79 ° 46'45.47'' – 19°55'54.22'' = 80°17'20.31''
Again,
Bearing of DE= bearing of DC+ ∠EDC =(298°30' – 180° )+ 19°55'54.22''
=138°25'54.22''

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