2.

1 Measuring Distances: Pacing

1. Pacing 5. Taping

2. Odometer readings 6. Tacheometry (stadia)

3. Optical rangefinders 7. Electronic distance

measurements (EDM)
4. Subtense bars 8. Satellite systems
2.1 Measuring Distances: Pacing

1. Pacing – consists of counting the number of steps, or paces, in a required

distance

Formula: 𝑑 = 𝑛𝑝 where n = no. of paces, p = pace factor

2.1 Measuring Distances: Pacing

Methods in determining pace factor (m/paces):

1. In a level ground, measure at least 100 m.

2. Count the number of your paces while traversing this 100-m distance.

3. Pace factor, 𝑝 = 100/𝑛.

2.1 Measuring Distances: Pacing

Determining distances using pace factor:

1. Count the number of your paces on an unknown distance.

2. Distance, 𝑑 = 𝑛𝑝.
2.1 Measuring Distances: Pacing

Example: Engineer A wanted to determine the distance of line AB using

pacing. He first used a distance of 100 m to determine his pace factor. He
traversed this distance five times and the number of paces he got we
159.2, 158.4, 160.0, 158.8, and 159.6. (a) Find his pace factor, (b) What is
the distance of line AB if he got 436.6 paces on it?

Solution:
average paces = (159.2 + 158.4 + 160.0 + 158.8 + 159.6)/5
= 159.2
2.1 Measuring Distances: Pacing

Solution:
average paces = (159.2 + 158.4 + 160.0 + 158.8 + 159.6)/5
= 𝟏𝟓𝟗. 𝟐

(a) pace factor

100 100
𝑝= = = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟐𝟖
𝑛 159.2

(b) distance: 𝑑 = 𝑛𝑝 = 436.6 × 0.628 = 𝟐𝟕𝟒. 𝟏𝟖 𝐦

2.2 Measuring Distances: Odometers
2.2 Measuring Distances: Odometers

Diameter or radius is known.

𝑪 = 𝝅𝒅 = 𝟐𝝅𝒓

Distance covered in 1 rev = 1 𝐶

2.2 Measuring Distances: Odometers

Example: Line AB was measured using an odometer with a diameter of 42 cm.

If the odometer registered a total of 10.5 revolutions, determine the
distance of line AB.

Solution:
𝐶 = 𝜋𝑑 = 0.42𝜋 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟐 𝐦

𝑑 = 𝐶 × rev = 1.32 × 10.5 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟖𝟔 𝐦

2.3a Measuring Distances: Subtense Bars

𝛼 𝑑 2
tan =
x 2 𝑥
𝛼 𝑑 2
𝑥=
tan 𝛼 2
2.3a Measuring Distances: Subtense Bars

Example: Line AB was measured using a 2-m subtense bar. If the subtended
horizontal angle was 20°, find the distance of line AB.
d
Solution:
𝑑 = 2 m; 𝛼 = 2°
AB
𝑑 2 2 2
𝑥= = = 𝟓𝟕. 𝟐𝟗 𝐦
tan 𝛼 2 tan 2° 2
𝛼
2.3b Measuring Distances: Rangefinders