Michael John N.

Gacilan ASSIGNMENT
BSCE – 2F

Types of Measuring Tapes

1. Steel Tape – also known as surveyor's or engineer's tape, is made of a ribbon of steel 0.5 to 1.0 cm in width, and weighs 0.8 to
1.5 kg per 30 meters. Lengths of 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100 meters are available. The 30-m tape is most common. Usually steel
tapes are wound on a reel, or done up in loops about 2 meters long to make a figure 8. Steel tapes are designed for most
conventional measurements in surveying and engineering work.

2. Metallic Tapes – are sometimes called woven tapes. They are made of water-proof linen fabric into which are woven
longitudinally small brass, copper, of bronze wires to increase its strength and reduce stretching. Metallic tapes are usually
30 or 50 meters long, 10 to 15 mm wide, and come in enclosed reels. It is used principally for measuring distances in for maps,
earthwork cross sectioning, and for other measurements where a light and flexible tape is desirable. This type of tape is
unsuitable for precise measurements and should not be used around electrical installations.

3. Non-Metallic Tape – is a type of tape woven from selected synthetic materials with strong dimensional stability. The tape is in
turn coated with a plastic material to reduce the effects of moisture, humidity, and abrasion. Non-metallic tapes are safe to
use when working around electrical installations or for any type of work where a metallic tape would be unsuitable.

4. Invar Tape – a special tape made of an alloy of nickel (35%) and steel (65%) with a very low coefficient of thermal expansion
(1/30 to 1/60 that of a steel tape). Its name was derived from the word "invariable" since it is less affected by temperature
changes than in a steel tape. Invar tapes are used only for precise measurements in geodetic work and for checking the length
of other kinds of tape. They are about ten times as expensive as ordinary steel tapes. The use of invar tapes will require very
careful handling since the alloy is soft and somewhat unstable. It is a kind of tape which gets easily bent and damaged.

5. Lovar Tape – a newer type of measuring tape which has properties and costs somewhere those of conventional steel tapes
and the invar tape.

6. Fiberglass Tape – this tape is made by weaving fiber glass in a longitudinal and transverse pattern. They are strong and flexible
and will not shrink or stretch appreciably with changes in temperature and humidity. A fiber glass tape is best suited for use
in the vicinity of electrical equipment.

7. Wires – before thin flat steel tapes were produced, wires were utilized in measuring lengths. They are still practical to use in
special cases as in hydrographic surveys.

8. Builder's Tapes – are tapes having smaller cross sections and are lighter in weight than the engineer's tape. Such tapes are
graduated to suit commonly used dimensions in building construction.

9. Phosphor-Bronze Tape – a rust-proof tape designed for use in the vicinity of salt water.

10. Nylon-coated Steel Tape – is a flexible crack-resistant steel core tape with a coating of permanently bonded non-conducting
nylon. It is designed to be resistant to corrosion and is immune to rust.
Taping Accessories
1. Range Pole – also known as flags or lining rods, are used as temporary signals to indicate the location of points or the direction
of lines, and to mark alignment. They are either circular, hexagonal, or octagonal in cross section and with one end pointed.
The usual length used is 2.0 or 3.0 meters and it may be made of wood, metal, or fiberglass. Range poles are marked or
painted with alternate red and white sections 30 or 50 cm long which can be used for approximate measurements.

2. Tape Clamping Handles – with its scissor-type handle, clamps are used to apply tension with a tape quick grip on any part of a
steel tape without causing damage to tape or hands of the tapeman. A slight bend or kink on the tape may result if a tape is
held and pulled without a clamp. Once produced, these kinks on the tape cannot be easily straightened out.

3. Chaining Pins – sometimes called surveyor's arrows or taping pins. They are stuck in the ground to mark the ends of measured
tape lengths or partial tape lengths, and may also be used in place of wooden hubs or stakes. Most pins are made of heavy
wire about 30 cm long, are pointed at one end, have a round loop at the other end, and painted with alternate red and white
bands. Sets of eleven pins carried on a steel ring or loop are standard.

4. Tension Handle – also referred to as a spring scale, is used at one end of a tape for ensuring the application of the correct amount
of pull on the tape during measurement. The spring balance is attached tween the handle and the tape, and a clip is fitted to
the end ring of the tape. Tension handles are only used in precision taping. They are usually dispensed with in measuring
distances requiring ordinary precision.

5. Tape Thermometer – are used to determine the temperature of the air and the approximate temperature of the tape during
measurement. Those used in the field are about 10 to 15 cm long, and are usually graduated from -30 degrees centigrade to
+50 degrees centigrade in 2-degree or 5-degree divisions. It is fastened to the tape by means of clips and is kept in a protective
metal case when not in use.

6. Plumb Bob – used for projecting the tape ends to the ground when the tape must be suspended above the measured line.
Plumb bobs used should weigh at least 0.25 kg and must be attached to a 1.5-m long string or cord which is free of knots.
They are made of bronze with a pointed end which could be un screwed for replacement.

7. Wooden Stake or Hub – made of 5 cm x 5 cm by 30 cm wood to mark points, corners, or stations on the ground. These temporary
markers are required in staking out a building or structure, running the centerline of a proposed road, and in staking out any
line or grade. The top of the hub is usually marked by driving a nail or tack into its center.

8. Leather Thongs – is attached to a ring located near the zero-meter mark of the tape to provide a comfortable grip on the tape
when measuring.

9. Hand Level and Clinometer – is usually a 15-cm long device which consists of a metal sighting tube with a level bubble. At one end
the tube has a peep sight opening for viewing a sighted object. A horizontal line of sight is established if the is centered while
sighting through the tube. It is used to keep the tape ends at equal elevations when measuring over rugged terrain, in
approximately determining difference in elevation of points, and in other field operations where it is required to produce a
level sight. The clinometer is simply a hand level adapted for measuring vertical angles. A vertical circle is added upon which
angles may be read. It gives the value of the slope in terms of arc measure, percent grade, and rise (or fall) per horizontal run.

10. Tape Repair Kit – should be taken along when an extensive taping operation is to be performed at remote areas. These kits will
allow emergency repairs to be made on damaged or broken tapes. A kit usually contains sleeve splices coated with solder
and flux and are placed over the two parts or ends of a broken tape. The splice is hammered down and fastened with eyelets
by means of a puncher and riveter which are also part of the kit.

11. Crayons – used in surveying are usually lumber crayons. They are about 10 cm long and are hexagonal in cross section. Blue,
yellow, and red are the predominantly used colors. If lumber crayons are not avail able, white or colored chalk may be used
as a substitute. Crayons or chalk are used for marking points, corners or stations by indicating cross marks on paved roads,
sidewalks, or walls.
Taping Party
1. Head Tapeman – the person responsible for the accuracy and speed of all linear measurements with the tape. He determines
and directs the marking of points or stations, orders the clearing out of obstructions along lines to be measured, and is the
person who carries the zero end of the tape ahead.
2. Recorder – keeps a record of all measurements, sketches, and observations taken during the process of measurement. He also
checks by pacing all measurements made by the tapemen for possible errors, mistakes, and blunders.

3. Flagman - the person whose duty is to hold the range pole (or flagpole) at selected points. He also helps the tapemen in making
measurements and assists in clearing out obstructions along the line to be measured.

4. Rear Tapeman - the person whose duty is to assist the head tapeman during a taping operation. He is the one who holds the
30-m end or any intermediate meter mark of the tape during a measurement.

Procedure of Taping
1. Aligning the Tape
• When a line is to be measured, both ends must first be marked. It may also be necessary to establish a few intermediate
points to serve as guides in = obtaining a straight line. Range poles, held at both ends of the line are used as markers and
chaining pins are stuck to the ground to mark the intermediate points. The head tapeman hands over one chaining pin
to the rear tapeman, he then takes the zero end of the tape and moves forward in the general direction of the line to be
measured. At the initial point the rear tapeman carefully unrolls the tape from its reel and sees to it that the tape is not
or unduly twisted so as to cause kinks on the tape. When the 30-m end of the tape comes up even with the initial point,
the rear tapeman calls out "stop". At this command the head tapeman halts and positions himself along the line to be
measured by vocal or hand signals from the rear tapeman.

2. Stretching the Tape

• With the 30-m mark held at the initial point, and the head tapeman aligned, the rear tape man calls out "all right" or
"OK". The head tapeman takes his position just to the left (or right) of the line, kneels, and pulls the tape taut. The tape
may be held bet ween the fingers and the palm. He then sticks a chaining pin into the ground to mark the zero-meter
end of the tape. When the head tapeman sets his pin, the rear tapeman should be holding his end of the tape precisely
on the mark. A steady and firm pull, generally between 4 and 7 kg, is applied on one end of the tape during stretching.
No measurement should be made without stretching the tape since tapes are correct in length only when a standard pull
is applied to it. If the tape 18 stretched less than the out to be "too short". The tape will correspondingly be turn too
long" if the pull applied is greater than the standard pull. To maintain a steady pull, the leather thongs at the tape's end
should be wrapped comfortably around one hand. A firm pull could also eye at by holding on to a chaining pin slipped
through the eye at the end of the tape, or by using a tape clamp. An efficient method of communication must continue
to be established between the tapeman to obtain accurate results, save time, and avoid jerking the tape.

3. Plumbing
• When the ground is covered by obstacles, weeds, low brush, and irregularities in the ground surface, it will be difficult or
impossible to lay the tape on the ground during measurement. Both ends of the tape should instead be held above
ground (about the level of the waist or chest) and in a horizontal position. Also, each end of tape is marked by positioning
a plumb line (defined by a plumb bob and string) held by both tapemen. When the point is being plumbed over soft
ground, the plumb bob is dropped and a pin is carefully set in the hole made by the plumb bob point. If the length to be
measured is less than a full tape length, the head tapeman moves the plumb line to a selected point on the tape where
it can be stretched horizontally, or over a specified or required ground mark. When the tape is aligned, stretched, and
ready for mar king, the rear tapeman continues to hold a plumb line over the fixed point while the head tapeman plumbs
his end of the line and marks it on the ground. A firm stance is important. The head tapeman should position the plane
of his body parallel to the tape, with his legs well spread apart. His forearm should be in line with the tape, and he should
snug it comfortably against his body. During the measurement, it is important to determine if the tape is held nearly
horizontal. A hand level should be used to check if the tape ends are held correctly at the same elevation so as to obtain
an accurate measurement. If hand level is not available, the tape may be estimated to be horizontal by eye. The task of
determining if the tape held horizontal during measurement may be assigned to the recorder.
4. Marking Full Tape Lengths
• When a full tape length is measured the rear tapeman holds his end of the tape opposite the pin earlier set on the ground.
The head tapeman, after being lined-in properly, exerts the required pull on the tape, notes the zero end and sets a pin
beside it. The chaining pin may be set vertically in the ground or given a slant at right angles to the line measured. If the
head tapeman is satisfied that the measurement was done accordingly, he signals that the point marked is acceptable.
The rear tapeman then picks up the rear pin set on the ground and both tapeman move forward. The tape is dragged by
the head tapeman who comes to a stop after pacing an equivalent tape length. This procedure is repeated until a partial
tape length is to be measured at the end of the line. In some instances, taping would be done on a hard sur face such as
a concrete or asphalt road, or on steel rails along a railroad. Since pins could not be used, the end of the tape is marked
by using colored crayons (keels), chalk, or paint. The number of tape lengths is recorded beside the mark to keep count
of the number of full tape lengths measured.

5. Tallying Taped Measurements

• At the initial point the rear tapeman holds one pin and the head tapeman begins with ten pins carried on his steel ring.
This is the reason why a set of eleven pins is normally used during taping operations. The first pin which the rear tapeman
holds indicates that one tape length has already been measured, and the total number of pins in his possession (not
counting the pin still set in the ground) indicates the total number of full tape lengths that have so far been measured.
When the head tapeman sets his last (11th) pin, a tally is made. The rear tapeman, who by then accumulates ten pins,
brings these forward and hands it over to the head tapeman. The same taping process is then continued. Thus, the
number of tallies indicates the number of tape lengths which have been measured. If a 30-m tape is used, each tally of
10 pins means that 300 meters has so far been measured.

6. Measuring Fractional Lengths.

• When the last segment of the line is to be measured, this will often be a measurement which will consist of a fractional
tape length. Upon reaching the end of the line, the head tapeman comes to a halt and the rear tapeman positions himself
at the last pin set. The rear tapeman holds the tape in such a manner that a whole meter mark is aligned with and
opposite the pin. The terminal point should fall within the end meter mark of the tape which is subdivided into smaller
graduations, usually in centimeters. After the correct pull is applied, the head tapeman observes the number of
centimeters which extends beyond the terminal point of the line measured, while the rear tapeman observes the number
of the meter mark he is holding at his end of the tape. The number of centimeters which the head tapeman observes is
subtracted from the meter reading which the rear tapeman observes to obtain the measured fractional length. Since it
is at this part of the measurement that mistakes in taping frequently occur, tapemen should exercise extreme care during
this particular measurement.