T O P I C 4

TOPIC CONTENTS:
• CORRECTION DUE TO INCORRECT TAPE LENGTH
• CORRECTION DUE TO SLOPE & ALIGNMENT
• CORRECTION DUE TO TEMPERATURE
• CORRECTION DUE TO TENSION (PULL)
• CORRECTION DUE TO SAG
• NORMAL TENSION
P R E P A R E D B Y : E N G R . B R A N D O N C A L V I N Q . G O
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

Taping operations could either be the following: taping to

determine an unknown length, or taping for the purpose of laying out a
required or specified length. Regardless of which of these two
categories is involved, there are some corrections which are applied to
the original measurements to determine the correct and more accurate
length.

General Rule for applying corrections:

G O
Q .

“When measuring with tape too long, ADD; tape too short, SUBTRACT. Do
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :

the reverse when laying out.”

P R E P A R E D B Y : F U N D A M E N T A L S
B R A N D O N C A L V I N Q . G O O F S U R V E Y I N G 1

MEASURE
True distance AB is equal to 8 cm.
LAYING OUT
Laying out 8 cm from point A.
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

Manufacturers of assorted measuring tapes do not usually

guarantee their products to be exactly their correct length. They do not
provide a standardization certificate unless requested, and this usually
hast to be paid an extra amount. These tapes rarely correspond exactly
with its specified nominal length since they may actually be slightly
shorter or longer. This is often due to imperfections in their
manufacture, stretching, and wear. An incorrect length of tape
G O

introduces an error each time the tape is used and is classified as a

Q .

systematic error.
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :

The absolute value for the correction per tape length (Corr) is
determined from the difference between the true or actual length of
tape of tape (TL) and the nominal length of tape (NL).
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓 = 𝑻𝑳 − 𝑵𝑳

Correspondingly, corrected distances which are measured or laid

out with a tape that is too long or too short can be determined from the
following equations:

𝑴𝑳
𝑪𝒍 = 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓 𝑪𝑳 = 𝑴𝑳 ± 𝒄𝒍
𝑵𝑳
G O

where:
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N

Cl – total correction to be applied to the measured length to be laid out

P R E P A R E D B Y :

CL – corrected length of the line to be measured or laid out

ML – measured length or length to be laid out
NL – nominal length of tape
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

When distances are measured

along the slope, the equivalent
horizontal distance may
correspondingly be determined by
applying an approximate slope
correction.
G O

where:
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N

s – measured slope distance between points A and B

P R E P A R E D B Y :

h – difference in elevation between A and B

d – equivalent horizontal distance AC
Ch – slope correction or difference between the slope length and the
horizontal distance
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

The following are the different slope correction formulas used

when reducing slope measurements to equivalent horizontal distances:
GENTLE SLOPES STEEP SLOPES VERY STEEP
(<20%) (20% - 30%) SLOPES (>30%)

𝒉𝟐 𝒉𝟐 𝒉𝟒
𝑪𝒉 = 𝑪𝒉 = + 𝟑 𝑪𝒉 = 𝒔 𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜃
𝟐𝒔 𝟐𝒔 𝟖𝒔
G O

For any classification of slopes, the equivalent horizontal distance

Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N

(d) is determined by subtracting the slope correction ch from the

P R E P A R E D B Y :

measured slope distance (s) or

𝒅 = 𝒔 − 𝑪𝒉
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

It is usually difficult to keep the tape in perfect alignment with

the end marks when taping through grass or when a strong wind is
blowing. The head tapeman is likely to set the zero end of the tape on
one side and sometimes on the other side of the correct line. The linear
error due to inaccuracy in alignment of a tape is similar to the effect of
slope and can be computed in the same manner. It is, however, easier
to control and the resulting error is much smaller in magnitude.
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :

The tape lengthens as the temperature rises making the tape

too long and shortens as the temperature falls making the tape too
short. Any change in the length of a tape due to variations in
temperature is critical when undertaking precise measurements.
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

It can also be significant even for measurements of lower

precision as in most engineering-type surveys. In ordinary taping of
short distances it is not usually considered since the amount involved is
usually small and negligible. The correction applied to the length of the
tape due to change in temperature (Ct) is given by the formula:

𝑪𝒕 = 𝑪 𝑳 𝑻 − 𝑻𝒔
G O

where:
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N

C – coefficient of thermal expansion

P R E P A R E D B Y :

L – length of the line measured

T – observed temperature
Ts – standard temperature
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

During calibration (or standardization) a tape is subjected to a

certain amount of standard pull or tension on its ends. When used in
the field during taping, it is elongated or shortened accordingly
depending on the amount of pull applied on it. If the pull is greater than
that for which it was calibrated, the tape elongates and becomes too
long.
Correspondingly, it will stretch less than its standard length when
G O
Q .

an insufficient pull is applied thus, making it too short. An error in

B R A N D O N C A L V I N

measurement results whenever the pull applied is different from the

P R E P A R E D B Y :

standard tension used in calibration. To account for variations in

applied tension, a correction has to be added to or subtracted from the
measured length. This correction for pull is expressed as:
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

𝑷𝒎 − 𝑷𝒔 𝑳
𝑪𝒑 =
𝑨𝑬

where: Pm – measured pull of the tape during measurement

Ps – standard pull of the tape for which it was calibrated
L – measured length of the line
A – cross-sectional area of the tape
E – modulus of elasticity of the tape material
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :

A tape attains its correct length when it is fully supported and

subjected to the pull for which it was standardized. If the support is
only at its ends or at the two points measured, it will sag even if the
standard pull is maintained because of its own weight.
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

The tape takes the form of a catenary when it sags between

points of support just as an electric or telephone wire hangs and swings
loosely between two posts. Sag shortens the horizontal distance
between end graduations since the tape length remains the same.
Thus, when a stretched tape sags, the actual distance between the
points is something less than the reading on the tape. The correction
due to sag is expressed as:

𝒘𝟐 𝑳𝟑 𝑾𝟐 𝑳
G O

𝑪𝒔 = =
Q .

𝟐𝟒𝑷 𝟐 𝟐𝟒𝑷𝟐
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :

where: w – weight of the tape per unit length

L – unsupported length of the tape
P – measured pull applied on the tape
W – total weight of the tape between supports
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

Effect of sag on taping operations:

0-m 30-m
steel
mark mark
tape

a. Tape supported at end P P

points Cs

1st support 2nd support

steel
tape
0-m 15-m 30-m
mark mark mark

b. Tape supported at ends P P

and midpoint
G O

Cs = C s1 + C s2
Q .

1st support 2nd support 3rd support

B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :

0-m 10-m 20-m 30-m

mark mark mark mark

c. Tape supported at ends P P

and middle thirds
Cs = Cs1 + Cs2 + Cs3
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
support support support support
steel
tape
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1 0-m 7.5-m 15-m 22.5-m 30-m
mark
F U N D A M E N T A L S

mark mark mark

d. Tape supported
mark

at ends and every P P

quarter points steel Cs = Cs1 + Cs2 + Cs3 + Cs4
tape 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
support support support support support

steel
e. Tape supported by 0-m
mark
tape
30-m
mark
throughout
P P
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N

A strong wind blowing perpendicular to the direction of taping

P R E P A R E D B Y :

will move the middle and unsupported portion of the tape to one side
of the line measured. This introduces an error to the measurement
which is similar to the effect of sag but usually much less. To avoid this
type of error, it is preferable not to undertake any taping work during
windy days.
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

If it cannot be avoided and the measurement has to be done on

windy days, efforts should be taken to support the tape from being
affected by the blowing wind.

By exerting a sufficiently greater amount of pull on the tape

when it is suspended and sagged, the tape will be stretched and a
considerable decrease in the amount of sag results. The applied pull
which will lengthen the tape to equal the shortening caused by sag is
G O
Q .

referred to as the Normal Tension (PN). The formula for normal

B R A N D O N C A L V I N

tension is expressed as
P R E P A R E D B Y :

where: A – cross-sectional area of the tape

𝟎. 𝟐𝟎𝟒𝑾 𝑨𝑬
𝑷𝑵 = Ps – unsupported length of the tape
𝑷𝑵 − 𝑷𝒔 E – modulus of elasticity
W – total weight of the tape between supports
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

PROBLEM 1
The length of a line AB measured with a 50-m tape is 465.285 m. When
the tape is compared with a standardized invar tape it is found to be
0.016 m too long in almost the same conditions of support, tension, and
temperature that existed during measurement of the line. Determine
the correct length of AB.
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

PROBLEM 2
A building 38 m x 45 m is to be laid out with a 50-m long metallic tape. If
during standardization the tape is found to be only 49.950, determine
the following:
1. Dimensions to be laid out, using this tape, in order that the building
shall have the desired dimensions.
2. Using the same tape what should the diagonals read?
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

PROBLEM 3
Slope distances AB and BC measures 330.49 m and 660.97, respectively.
The differences in elevation are 12.22 m for points A and B, and 10.85 m
for points B and C. Using the approximate slope correction formula for
gentle slopes, determine the horizontal length of line ABC. Assume that
line AB has a rising slope and BC a falling slope.
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

PROBLEM 4
A steel tape with a coefficient of linear expansion of 0.0000116/°C is
known to be 50 m long at 20°C. The tape was used to measure a line
which was found to be 532.28 meters long when the temperature was
35°C. Determine the following:
1. Temperature correction per tape length
2. Temperature correction for the measured line
3. Correct length of the line
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

PROBLEM 5
A 30-m steel tape weighing 1.45 kg is of standard length under a pull of 5
kg, supported for full length. The tape was used in measuring a line
938.55 m long on smooth level ground under a steady pull of 10 kg.
Assuming E = 2.0 × 106 kg/cm2 and the unit weight of steel to be 7.9 × 10-
3 kg/cm3, determine the following:
1. Cross-sectional area of the tape
2. Correction for increase in tension
G O
Q .

3. Correct length of the line measured

B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

PROBLEM 6
A 50-m steel tape weighs 0.04 kg/m and is supported at its end points
and at the 8-m and 25-m marks. If a pull of 6kg is applied, determine the
following:
1. Correction due to sag between the 0-m & 8-m marks, 8-m & 25 m
marks, and the 25-m & 50-m marks.
2. Correction due to sag for one tape length
3. Correct distance between the ends of the tape.
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

PROBLEM 7
A steel tape weighing 0.85 kg has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 cm2. The
tape measures exactly 30.00 m when supported throughout its length
under a standard pull of 5.5 kg. If the modulus of elasticity is 2.10 × 106
kg/cm2, determine the tension required to make the tape equal to its
nominal length when supported only at the end points.
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :
O F S U R V E Y I N G 1
F U N D A M E N T A L S

PROBLEM 8
A line was determine to be 2395.25 m given measured with a 30-m steel
tape supported throughout its length under a pull of 4 kg and at a mean
temperature of 35°C. Determine the correct length of the line if the tape
used is of standard length at 20°C under a pull of 5 kg. The cross-
sectional area of the tape is 0.03 sq. cm, its coefficient of linear
expansion is 0.0000116/°C, and the modulus of elasticity of steel is 2.0 ×
106 kg/cm2.
G O
Q .
B R A N D O N C A L V I N
P R E P A R E D B Y :