DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

GGE 2105: SURVEYING 1 QUIZ AND ANSWERS

a) By use of very neat diagrams, explain the following methods of plane table surveying.(6
marks)

i. radiation
ii. traversing
iii. IntersectionCHECK NOTES.

b) A line of levels at 20m intervals running from a point at the top of a quarry face around
the edge of the excavation and then across it to a point immediately below the starting
point, yielded the bookings given in the table below. The bench mark at I has a reduced
level of 149.73m. Complete the level book by the RISE AND FALL method and apply
the usual checks(1 2marks)
BS IS FS RISE FALL Reduced DIST REMARKS
level
0.44 168.16 0 A (top of face)
1.64 1.2 166.96 20 B
2.94 1.3 165.66 40 C
0.17 3.98 1.04 164.62 60 D
2.12 1.95 162.67 80 E
0.32 4.11 1.99 160.68 100 F
0.54 3.88 3.56 157.12 120 G
0.11 4.08 3.54 153.58 140 H
4.00 3.96 3.85 149.73 160 I(bench mark at the commencem
cut
2.44 1.56 151.29 180 J
3.86 0.11 2.33 153.62 200 K
0.59 3.27 156.89 220 L( bottom of face below a)

9.44 20.71 7.16 18.43

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SUM BS-SUMFS=SUM RISE-SUM FALL=LAST RL-FIRST RL=-11.27.

a) State 4 examples of gross errors in chain surveying. (4 marks)

Misreading of the tape
Confusion of units of measurement
Omission of a whole leng by misplacing the arrows
e.t.c
b) The downhill end of the 30 m tape is held 80 cm too low. What is the horizontal length? (6
marks)

Correction for slope = h2 / 2l

Here h = 0.8 m; l = 30 m

~ The required correction = 0.82 / 2 x 30 = 0.01067 m.

Hence the horizontal length = 30 – 0.01067 or l-(l2-h2)

= 29.989 m

c) A 30 m tape is suspended between the ends under a pull of

180 N. The mass of the tape is 1.12 kilograms. Find the corrected length of the tape. (5marks).

Correction for sag = Cs = l1 (Mg)2 / 24 P2=w2l3/24p2

where W is the wight per meter length of the tape.

l1 = 30 m; M = 1.12 kilograms; P = 180 N.

~ Cs = 30 x (1.12 x 10)2 / (24 x 1802 )= 0.00484 m.

~ Corrected length of the tape =l

– Cs

= 30 – 0.005m

= 29.995 m.

d) A line of levels at 20m intervals running from a point at the top of a quarry face around the edge
of the excavation and then across it to a point immediately below the starting point, yielded the
bookings given in the table below. The bench mark at I has a reduced level of 149.73m.
Complete the level book by the rise and fall method and apply the usual checks (10marks)

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 BS IS FS Rise Fall Reduced DIST REMARKS
level
0.44 197.86 0 A (top of face)
2.94 2.50 195.36 20 B
1.64 1.3 196.66 40 C

0.17 3.98 2.34 194.32 60 D

2.12 1.95 192.37 80 E
0.32 4.11 1.99 190.38 100 F
0.11 4.08 3.76 186.62 120 G
0.54 3.88 3.77 182.85 140 H
4.00 3.96 3.42 179.43 160 I(bench mark at the
commencement of the cut
2.44 1.56 180.99 180 J
3.86 0.11 2.33 183.32 200 K
0.59 3.27 186.59 220 L( bottom of face below a)

9.44 20.71 8.46 19.73

Check=sum BS-sum Fs=-11.27

Sum rise –sum fall=-11.27
=last RL –first RL=-11.27

a) Enter the field book according to the following field notes :( 9 marks).
i. Chainage of line AB is 95.5m
ii. The offsets to the pond at the left of chain line are as follows:
a. Chainage – 10,15,20,25,30 m
b. Offset – 16,12,10,14,20 m
iii. The offsets to the river at the right of the chain line are :
a. Chainage – 5,25,40,80 m
b. Offset -13,17,19,19.5m
B
95.5M
80 19.5

40 19

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 30 30

14 25 17

10M 20

12M 15

16M 10

5 13

b) State 5. examples of gross errors in chain surveying . (5 marks)

i. Displacement of arrows: - When the arrow is displaced, it may not be replaced

accurately. To guard against this mistake, the end of each chain length should
be marked both by the arrow and by a cross (+) scratched on the ground.

ii. Failure to observe the position of the zero point of the tape: - The chainmen
should see whether it is at the end of the ring or on the tape.

iii. Adding or omitting a full chain or tape length (due to wrong counting or loss
of arrows): - This is the most serious mistake and should be guarded
against. This is not likely to occur, if the leader has the full number (ten) of
arrows at the commencement of chaining and both the leader and follower
count them at each transfer. A whole tape length may be dropped, if the
follower fails to pick up the arrow at the point of beginning.

iv. Reading from the wrong end of the chain: - e.g. reading 10 m for 20 m in a
30 m chain, or reading in the wrong direction from a tally, e.g. reading 9.6 m
for 10.4 m. The common mistake in reading a chain is to confuse 10 m tag with
20 m tag. It should be avoided by noticing the 15 m tag.

v. Reading numbers incorrectly: - Transposing figures e.g.37.24 for 37.42 or

reading tape upside down, e.g. 6 for 9, or 36 for 98.

vi. Calling number wrongly: - e.g. calling 40.2 as “forty two”.

vii. Reading wrong metre marks: - e.g. 58.29 for 57.29.

viii. Wrong booking: - e.g. 345 for 354.

ix. To guard against this mistake, the chainmen should call out the measurements
loudly and distinctly, and the surveyor should repeat them as he books them.

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c) The downhill end of the 30 m tape is held 80 cm too low. What is the horizontal length?
(6 marks)
d) Correction for slope = h2 / 2l

e) Here h = 0.8 m; l = 30 m

f) ~ The required correction = 0.82 / 2 x 30 = 0.01067 m.

g) Hence the horizontal length = 30 – 0.0167

h) = 29.989

i) 33 m

a) Explain how you would set a perpendicular line in the following cicurmstances: (4 marks)

i. Dropping a perpendicular from a point p to the baseline.

ii. Drawing a perpendicular from the baseline to a point p.

b) A line was measured with a steel rape which was manufactured exactly 30m at 18oC and a
pull of 50 N. The measured length was 459.242 m. Temperature during measurement was
28oC and the pull applied was 100 N. The tape was uniformly supported during the
measurement. Find the true length of the line if the cross-sectional area of the tape was
0.02 cm2, the coefficient of expansion per oC = 0.0000117 and the modulus of elasticity =
21 x 106 N per cm2.(16 marks).

Temperature Correction per tape length = α ( (Tm – To)L

= 0.0000117 x (28 -18)

30

= 0.00351 m (+ ve)(4
MARKS)

Pull correction per tape length = (Pm - Po)L / AE

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 = (100 – 50)30 / 0.02 x 21
x 10^6

= 0.00357 m (+ve)(4
MRKS)

~ Combined correction = 0.00351 + 0.00357 m.

= 0.00708 m(2MARKS)

True length of tape = 30.00708 m(2

MARKS)

True length of the line = 30.00708 / 30 x

459.242

= 459.350 m. (4 MARKS)

a. Explain with the aid of sketches how you would carry out the following chain survey
operations.
i. Measure a line which crosses a river of 40m width. (2 marks)

ii. Set out a right angle from a survey line using a tape. (2 marks)
b. The figure below shows a field work book that involve levelling under the bridge using the
inverted staff. Reduce the network by the HEIGHT OF COLLIMATION METHOD
and perform the necessary checks. (10 marK).

BS IS FS HC RL REMARKS
1.317 101.37 100.00m A
-3.018 104.335
1.427 2.894 99.85 98.423
-2.905 102.755
-3.602 103.452
1.498 98.352

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 a) Identify four factors that may affect the accuracy in levelling (6 marks)
• error in permanent adjustment
•
• lack of the levelling of instrument
• the unstable ground and lack of use of the change plate
• the staff is slopy
• parallax error.
Reading errors
Booking errors
Adjustment errors

e) Discuss the three principles applied in surveying. (3 marks)

1working from whole to part
Use of ppropriate method of survey to achieve the desired results
Provision of adequate checks
f) Discuss any two applications of ordinary levelling. (3 marks)
i. taking of longitudinal sections
ii. cross sections
i. contouring
ii.
iv. setting out levels

c) Explain two types of ordinary leveling instruments (2 marks)

g) The following figures were extracted from level field book, some of the entries being
illegible due to exposure to rain. Insert the missing figures (A to F) and check your results.
(6 marks)

BS IS FS HEIGHT OF REDUCED REMARKS

COLLIMATION LEVEL
A? 279.08 277.65 OBM

2.01 C? 2

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 B? 278.07

3.37 0.40 D? 278.68

2.98 E?

1.41 280.64

F? 281.37 TBM

h) The downhill end of the 30 m tape is held 60 cm too low. What is the horizontal length?
(3 marks)

i) A 30 m tape has a mass of 0.026kg/m and a cross sectional area of 3.24 cm 2 . It was
standardized on the flat at 20oC under a pull of 100N. The coefficient of linear expansion
for the material of the tape is 0.0000117/o C, and a young modulus is 20.7 x 106 N per cm2.
The tape is suspended between the ends under an average pull of 180 N and used to
measure a length of distance 367.82 meters from point A to B. The difference in height
between the two end points is +1.2m. The temperature during measurement was
18oC. Find the corrected length of the distance measured. ( 12marks).

a. In levelling aross a river, reciprocal levelling observations gave the following

results for staff held vertically at X and Y from level stations A and B on each bank
respectively:
Staff reading of X from A=1.753m
Staff reading of X from B=2.080m
Staff reading of y Y rom A=2.550m
Staff reading of Y from B=2.895m
Ir the reduced level of X is 90.37 Above the Mean sea level, calculate the reduced level of
Y.(6 marks)

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 b. Using a diagram, distinguish a level line and a horizontal line (4 marks)

a. A line AB was measured using an EDM instrument which had a precision

of ±(2mm +2ppm). The height of instrument at A was measured as
1.50meters, the target Rod at B was 1.27m. the reduced level at A is
234.25 M. Above the mean sea level. The Reduced level at B is 241.26m
above the Mean sea level. The slope distance was found to be 227.329m.
the instrument centering error is ±2mm and the centering error of the rod
is ±3mm.
i) What is the horizontal distance between A and B(4 marks)
ii) What is the total overall error in the observed distance (3 marks)

iii) What is the precision of the slope measurement(2 marks)

a) List and define three classes of errors in surveying. (3 marks)

Gross errors Gross errors (mistakes)
These arise from carelessness, distraction of lapses in concentration due to
inexperience, fatigue or difficult observation conditions.
Systematic errors
They arise from variations of the physical conditions under which measurements are
made.
Random errors.
These are produced by random factors such as variation in observer's eyesight and
touch, slight mechanical imperfections.
b) Explain the following types of surveys. (3 marks)
iii. Topographic surveying: Topographic surveying provides maps of the physical and
cultural features on the ground (rivers, roads, coastline etc). Relief (variation in
height) is represented by means of contours. Topo maps range in scale from 1:500 to
1:250000 with contour intervals from 0.25 m to 100 m. maps at scales of 1:2500 and
larger are referred to as plans (especially if contour information is missing)

iv. Cadastral surveying

Cadastral, surveying is the determination of the positions of property boundaries. Plans
produced from these surveys form the basis of statutory registration of ownership and other
rights over land.

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 v. Engineering surveying
Engineering surveying involves the preparation of topographic maps at large scales
which are subsequently used as the basis for the design of engineering works such as
roads, dams etc

c) Distinguish. (8 marks)
i. Geodetic surveying and plane surveying

ii. Intersection and resection

iii. Offset and a tie

iv. Ordinary levelling and trigonometric heighting.

d) Discuss the three principles applied in surveying. (3 marks)

1working from whole to part
Use of ppropriate method of survey to achieve the desired results
Provision of adequate checks
e) Discuss any two applications of ordinary levelling. (3 marks)
i. taking of longitudinal sections
ii. cross sections
vi. contouring
vii.
v. setting out levels
vi. The downhill end of the 50 m tape is held 60 cm too low. What is the horizontal length?
(4 marks)

Correction for slope = h2 / 2l

Here h = 0.6 m; l = 50 m

~ The required correction = 0.62 / 2 x 30 = 0.01067 m.

Hence the horizontal length =

vii. A 30 m tape is suspended between the ends under a pull of

180 N. The mass of the tape is 1.12 kilograms. The tape is used to measure a length of
distance 367.82 metres Find the corrected length of the distance measured.. (6marks).

Correction for sag = Cs = l1 (Mg)2 / 24 P2=-w2l3/24p2

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where W is the wight per meter length of the tape.

l1 = 30 m; M = 1.12 kilograms; P = 180 N.

~ Cs = 30 x (1.12 x 10)2 / (24 x 1802 )= -0.00484 m.

~ Corrected length of the tape =29.99516

STANDIZED LENGTH =367.761M

d) Explain two types of ordinary leveling instruments (2 marks)

e)
f) Discuss two areas of applications of levelling besides determination of the differences in
levels between points. (6 marks).
a. Line of sight is the line passing through optical center of the objective traversing the eye piece and
entering the eye while the line of collimation is the line passing through optical center of the
objective and point of intersection of cross hairs stretched in front of eye piece and its collimation.
(2 mks)

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a. During the construction of an underground tunnel, invert levels were observed as shown below

Fill the data in the field book and reduce the leveling network using the height of collimation method. Find the
reduced levels A, B, D and E if the reduced level of C is 273.78 m above mean sea level? Carry out the necessary
checks. (12 mks)

STN BS IS FS HI RL (coll)

A 3.22 272.69 269.47

B -2.14 274.83

C -1.09 273.78

D -2.16 274.85

E 3.42 269.27

b. Types of levels used in leveling. (8 mks)

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 i. Dumpy level

4 screws are used to set the telescope level. The 4 foot screws surround the center bearing of the instrument
and are used to tilt the level telescope using the center bearing as the pivot.
During leveling, the telescope is first positioned directly over 2 opposite foot screws. The 2 screws are kept
tightened and rotated in opposite directions until the bubble is centered in the level tube.
ii. Tilting level

This level differs from the dumpy level in that the telescope is not fixed at 90` to the vertical axis. It has 2
spirit levels, a tubular one fixed to the telescope parallel to the collimation line and a one fixed to the top
plate. The telescope of the tilt level is usually pivoted at the center of the tribrach; an attachment plate with
3 screws. The footscrews are used to center the circular bubble thereby setting the telescope approximately
in a horizontal plane.
With all tilting levels, the telescope tubular bubble must be centered by turning the tilt screw to either raise
or lower one end of the telescope to set the line of sight more precisely.
Depending on the particular model , the image is seen through the tilt level as erect or inverted
iii. Automatic level

It does have a tilting screw or a tubular bubble as the telescope is rigidly fixed to the tribrach and the line
of sight is made horizontal by a compensator inside the telescope. This type of level once set up maintains
a horizontal collimation line automatically without further adjustment. Also, due to the optical design, it
shows an erect image through the telescope.
The basic concept of the automatic level can be linked to a telescope rigidly fixed at right angles to a
pendulum. To achieve horizontal sight line automatically, manufacturers use a variety of mechanisms which
involve some form of pendulum prism device.
To operate the instrument, it needs only to be roughly leveled to centralize the circular bubble by use of
dome and cup joint or 3 foot screws. To verify that the staff-leveling mechanism operates freely, the
surveyor should tap the tripod while looking through the telescope: the image should appear to swing and
return to its original position.
Many automatic levels utilize a concave base so that when the level is attached to its domed-head tripod
top it can be roughly leveled by sliding the instrument over the tripod. This rough leveling can be
accomplished in a few seconds. If the bulls eye bubble is nearly centered by this manoevour and the
compensator is activated, the leveling screw may not be needed at all to level the instrument.
iv. Electronic level

Also called digital level.

Usually used together with a bar-code rod.
This level features digital electronic image-processor that uses a charge-coupled device (CCD) for
determining heights and distances with the automatic recording of data for later transfer to a computer.
The digital level is an automatic level (pendulum compensator) capable of normal optical leveling with a
rod. When used in electronic mode and with the rod face graduated in bar code, this level can, with the
press of a button capture and process the image of the bar-code rod for distances in the range of about 1.8
m to about 100 m. this simple one button operation initiates storage of the rod reading and distance
measurement and computation of the point elevation. The processed image is compared using the

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instruments centered processing unit, with the image of the whole rod, which is strored permanently in the
level’s memory module thus determining height and distance values. Data may either be stored in internal
onboard memory, or transferable PC cards and then transferred to a computer via an R5232 connection.
Data can be transferred directly to computer database.
Most levels can operate effectively with only 30 cm of the rod visible. Work can proceed in the dark by
illuminating the rod face with a small flash light. The rod is graduated with bar code on one side and either
in feet or meters on the other side.
Pre-programmed functions include level loop survey, two-peg tes, self test, set time and set units. The rod
can be read optically as close as 0.5 m. if the rod is not plumb or held pside down, an error message flashes
on the screen or “instrument not level”. Distance accuracy is in the range of 1/1000 metres whereas leveling
accuracy is stated having a standard deviation for a 1 km double run of 0.3-1.0 mm for electronic
measurement and 2.0 mm for optical measurement.

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a. Define the following terms: (4 mks)
i. Horizontal surface- Surface tangential to the level surface at any point. It is
perpendicular to the plumb line at the tangent point.

ii. Vertical plane- The plane which contains the vertical line at a place.
iii. Datum surface- The imaginary level surface with reference to which vertical distances
of points (above or below) are measured.
iv. Minus sight- This is the sight taken on the leveling staff held at a point of unknown
elevation to ascertain the amount by which the point is above or below the line of sight.
It enables the determination of points of elevation.
b. A distance of 475.28 m was measured along a smooth slope. The slope angle was measured and
found to be 5°22’. What is the horizontal distance? (4 mks)

475.28cos5°22’

c. Explain with the aid of sketches how you would carry out the following operations.
i) Chain a line which crosses a river at a right angle of about 40m width.(2 marks)
ii) Set out a right angle from a chain line (2. marks)
d. DISTINGUISH
i. Small scale map from large scale map.(2 marks)
ii. Tie from offset. (2 marks).
e. A line was measured with a steel rape which was manufactured exactly 50m at 18oC and a
pull of 50 N. The measured length was 459.242 m. Temperature during measurement was
12oC and the pull applied was 70 N. The mass of the tape is 1.20 kilograms. The tape was
uniformly supported during the measurement. Find the true length of the line if the cross-
sectional area of the tape was 0.02 cm 2, the coefficient of expansion per oC = 0.0000117
and the modulus of elasticity = 21 x 106 N per cm2. MAINATIN A GRAVITY OF 10N/KG
(12marks).

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 Temperature Correction per tape length = α ( (Tm – To)L

= 0.0000117 x (12 -18)

50

=-0.0035 m (- ve)(2
MARKS)

Pull correction per tape length = (Pm - Po)L / AE

= (70 – 50)50 / 0.02 x 21

x 10^6

= 0.00238 m (+ve)(2
MRKS)

Correction for sag = Cs = l1 (Mg)2 / 24 P2=-

w2l3/24p2

W=24N/M2

CS=-(0.06122(-VE) (2MARKS)

~ Combined correction =-0.0035 + 0.00238-

0.06122 m.

=-0.06235 m(2MARKS)

True length of tape = 49.93765m(2 MARKS)

True length of the line = 49.93765 / 50 x

459.242

= 459.106 m. (2 MARKS)

The base line AC of a chain survey is measured and the following

records are noted. Make the necessary entries in a field book.

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(a) The corners of a building are 9 and 9,5m from chainage 7.5
and 18 m to the left of the chain line. The building is 7m wide.
(b) A 4 m wide road runs about parallel to the right of the chain
line. Offsets are 2,2.1,2.2, and 2.15m at chainages 0,20,40, and
55.5m respectively.
(c) A check line is taken from the sub-station at chainage 25 m to
the left.
(d)
The total chainage of the base line is 55.5m.
(e) The fore bearing and back bearing of the base line are 30030’
and 21003C’ respectively.
a) THE FIGURE BELOW IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE FIELD BOOK. USING AN APPROPRIATE SCALE
PLOT THE MAP TO SCALE

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