FIELDWORK #1

PACING AND TAPING

A. I. INTRODUCTION
Surveying, a means of making relatively large-scale, accurate measurements of the Earth’s
surfaces. Ancient tombs and scripture say that measuring the earth has its origin probably in ancient
Egypt. From, pyramids to land division, measuring the earth is a vital part in ancient civilization
(Wright and Lyman, 2019).
With these purposes, there are different methods of measuring distances. In plane surveying,
there are linear and angular measurements. Both methods are further subdivided into direct and
indirect measurement. Under direct measurement, there are several methods like pacing,
instrumental, judging time and distance and tape measure.
In this laboratory exercise, the method of pacing will be demonstrated. Pacing is the method
of measurement which consists of walking over a line and counting the number of paces. This, by
far, is the easiest and most primitive way of measurement. Though its accuracy is being questioned
and subject from person to person, it is best to use if you need rough estimates of measurement.

II. OBJECTIVES
a. To determine individual pace factor
b. To measure distance by pacing

III. EQUIPMENT
a. Steel Tape
b. Marker

IV. PROCEDURE:
a. Determining Pace Factor
i. Select a straight and level ground and on both ends, establish markers at least 90
meters apart. Designate these end points as A and B.
ii. Walk over the course at a natural pace starting with either heel or toe over point A
and count the number of paces to reach point B.
iii. For succeeding trials, walk over B to A and A to B until you reach five trials.

b. Measuring distance by Pacing

i. Establish two random points and assign it as point C and point D.
ii. Walk over the course C-D and count the number of paces it took you to reach from
C to D. Then, count the paces from D to C, complete 5 trials.
iii. Calculate the mean number of paces and multiply it to the pace factor that you
obtain in part 1 of this exercise.
iv. Then measure distance C and D by using a tape and connote it as taped distance.
V. ANALYSIS
a. Determining Pace Factor

1. Determining Distance by Pacing

MEAN
PACE
PERSON TAPED DISTANCE NUMBER OF PACES NUMBER OF
FACTOR
PACES
1 A, B, C, D, E 1
2 F, G, H, I, J 2
3 H, F, G, G, F 3
4 A, L, L, A, N 4
5 S, T, S, S, T 5

b. Measuring distance by Pacing

2. Determining Distance by Pacing

MEAN
PACE PACED RELATIVE
PERSON TAPED DISTANCE NUMBER OF PACES NUMBER OF
FACTOR DISTANCE PRECISION
PACES
1 A, B, C, D, E 1
2 F, G, H, I, J 2
3 H, F, G, G, F 3
4 A, L, L, A, N 4
5 S, T, S, S, T 5

Refer to the following table format for the recording of your data. (Please take note that this is just a
sample.)

NOTE:

Taped Distance
PACE FACTOR =
Mean of Pace Number

Taped Distance−Paced Distance

RELATIVE PRECISION =
Taped Distance
B. I. INTRODUCTION
The accurate determination of distance between two points on any surface is one of the basic
operations of plane surveying. (La Putt, 2009) This operation is the start of every construction or land
development there is. From the basic house repairs to buildings, roads and dams, horizontal
measurement is the initial step in starting the project. All of these are regulated by government
because they are the ones who started it after all.
Due to demand and rise of taxation, there is also a need for accurate measurement such as
ropes, lines, or cords that were treated with wax and calibrated in cubits or other ancient units. This
has gone on for centuries and the way of measurement for surveyors. For the first two-thirds of the
twentieth century the 100-ft steel ribbon tape, which was invented by English mathematician Edward
Gunter (1581–1626), was the common device used for measuring distances. Such measuring is often
called chaining, a carryover name from the time when Gunter’s chain was introduced. This chain,
which was a great improvement over the ropes and rods used up until that time, was available in
several lengths, including 33 ft, 66 ft, and 100 ft. (McCormac, et.al., 2013)

II. OBJECTIVES
1. To determine horizontal length of a line over uneven and sloping ground by the method of
breaking tape.

III. EQUIPMENT
1. Steel Tape (30-m or 100ft)
2. Chaining Pins
3. Range poles
4. Pegs
5. Chalk
6. Spring scale

IV. PROCEDURE:

Measuring Uphill

1. On a designated uneven and sloping ground, mark the ends of a line (about 90m long) to
be measured. Designate the hub at the bottom of the slope as point A and the hub at the upper
portion of the slope as point B. Range poles are held or set behind each point along the line to
insure better alignment during taping.
2. Head tapeman unreels and spreads out the tape and pulls the zero-mark uphill along the
line from point A. The rear tapeman raises the 30-m (or 100-ft) end of the tape breast high
while the head tapeman moves back to a place on the line near a full meter (or foot) mark
where the ground surface is as high as the other raised end of the tape. The head tapeman
stays by the side of the line measured and holds a chaining pin on the ground.
3. The rear tapeman temporarily releases end of tape and signals head tapeman to either move
to the right or to the left in order to align him. When the pin of the head tapeman is in line
with the range pole held over point B, the head tapeman is in line with the range pole held
over point B, the head tapeman is then signaled to stick the pin vertically into the ground.
 4. Rear tapeman plumbs from point A to the terminal mark of the tape with a plumb bob and
maintains this plumb bob steadily over A while the head tapeman pulls the tape taut, and
making sure that the tape is online by bringing one of its edges in contact with the previously
aligned pin. The head tapeman then moves the pin opposite the nearest full meter or foot
mark of the tape and he sticks it firmly into the ground.
5. The rear tapeman leaves his end of the tape, moves up the slope and gets hold of the tape at
the point previously held by the head tapeman. The next measurement is made horizontally
from the pin stuck in the ground by the head tapeman as done at point A.
6. The process is repeated until the whole tape length is used up thus finishing the
measurement of one tape length of horizontal distance.
7. From the pin marking the end of one tape length measurement, the horizontal measurement
continued until point B is reached. The last partial length is measured with the rear tapeman
holding the tape until he has a full meter length at his end while the head tapemen pulls the
taut and takes note of the fractional measurement. Then the number of tape lengths and the
last partial measurement are totaled to determine the horizontal length of the line measured.

Measuring Downhill

1. In measuring downhill slope, the tape is reversed to bring its zero end forward in the
direction of point A along the line. Horizontal measurements starts from B with the rear
tapeman holding his terminal meter (or foot) mark of tape in level with B.
2. After the plumb bob of the head tapeman has been aligned with the range pole held at A,
the head tape man drops the plumb bob causing it to leave a mark on the ground. He then
sticks a pin at the ground mark left by the plumb bob.
3. The next horizontal measurement starts from the pin until one whole tape length is
measured. As in measuring up the slope, the number of tape lengths plus the partial tape
length at the end of the line determines the total horizontal length of the line.

V. ANALYSIS

1. Tabulate observed and computed values accordingly. Refer to the accompanying sample format
tabulation of data.
2. Based on the data below, write a comprehensive report of the laboratory exercise.

TOTAL RELATIVE
TRIAL LINE SEGMENT LENGTH DIFFERENCE
LENGTH PRECISION
1 AE AB
BC
CD
DE
2 EA ED
DC
CB
BA
COMPREHENSSIVE REPORT
Write a comprehensive report of the exercise with the following format:
Short Bond Paper
Font Style: Times New Roman
Font Size: 11
(with Footer and Header )

1. Course Code and Subject (Name, course, section, and instructor, date submitted)
I. Title of the Fieldwork
II. Introduction/ Background of the topic
III. Objectives
IV. Equipment
V. Procedures (Please include documentation such as photos with narration of your experience.)
VI. Data Analysis (including calculations)
VII. Conclusion