New Era University

College of Engineering and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
( CE 211F-18 )

FIELDWORK NO. 5

MEASUREMENT OF OBSTRUCTED
DISTANCE BY TAPE
When terminal points are intervisible

RATING

NAME: CRISTINE ANGEL A. JASMIN DATE PERFORMED: SEPT. 28, 2023

SECTION: 2CE-4 SCHEDULE: THU. DATE SUBMITTED: OCT. 5, 2023

7:00 - 10:00 AM

ENGR. RODEL C. ANGKAHAN

Instructor
 FIELDWORK NO. 5

MEASUREMENT OF OBSTRUCTED DISTANCE BY TAPE

OBJECTIVES:

1. To determine obstructed distance by various methods using tape under the following
field conditions when terminal points are intervisible
a. Parallel line offset
b. Long offset
2. To erect perpendicular line to a given line by tape

THEORY
In some instances, it may not be possible to directly measure distances which may
be blocked or obstructed between end points by building, trees or existing features. The
required length may also be inaccessible or difficult to measure. Several methods are
employed to measure obstructed distances that are intervisible which include parallel lines
offset and long offset

INSTRUMENTS

1 – 30m Steel tape

1 - String
2 - Range Pole
8 - Marking Pins/Chalk

PROCEDURE

When terminal points are visible

a. Parallel offset
1. Erect perpendicular lines A’A = B’B 3:4:5 method
2. Measure A’B’ as that of AB
 b . Long Offset
1. Use points A and B as in Parallel lines method. Set point a along AB. Measure 2m at
the left call it point “b” and st 2 m at the right and call it point “c”.
2. With center at “b” and radius of 4 m swing the arc passing “c” making an angle
about 85 degrees.
3. With center at “c” and radius of 4 m swing the arc passing “b” making an angle about
85 degrees
4. Locate the intersection of two arcs called it “d”
5. Along line “ad” measure a distance of 4m from “a” and call C
6. Measure the “Aa” “CD” “eB”
7. Determine distance AB = Aa + CD + eB

b. Long offset Method Length

Length of line bc
Length of line fg
Length of line aC
Length of line eD
Length of line Aa
Length of line CD
Length of line eB
Computed length of AB
Taped length of line AB
Relative Precision
C. By Similar Triangles
a. The method illustrated in the figure is one where two line, BD and CE, are established
perpendicular to the line ABC. The distance between the two perpendiculars (or BC) is
measured and with points D and E both line up with A, the length of AB can then be
determined by similarity of triangles or:
b. Measure the actual length of AB and record it.
c. Compute the discrepancy and relative precision.
d. Instead of using mean distance in solving the relative precision, you may use the value of the
measured actual length

𝐴𝐵
= (𝐴𝐵 + 𝐵𝐶)
𝐵𝐷 𝐶𝐸
(AB)(CE) = BD(AB+BC) (AB)
(CE) = (AB)(BD)+ (BC)(BD)
(AB)(CE)- (AB)(BD) = (BC)(BD)
(AB)(CE-BD) = (BC)(BD)

(BC)(BD)
(AB) =
(CE−BD)

1
Relative Error of Precision (REP) =
𝑇𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵
𝑇𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵 − 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑡𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵
SKETCH OF THE SET-UP
NAME: CRISTINE ANGEL A. JASMIN DATE PERFORMED: SEPT. 28, 2023

SECTION:2CE-4 SCHEDULE: THU. DATE SUBMITTED: OCT. 5, 2023

7:00 - 10:00 AM
PRELIMINARY DATA SHEET

FIELDWORK No. 5

Measurement of Obstructed Distance by Tape

When terminal points are intervisible

a. Parallel Line Method Length

Altitude of line A'A 12m
Altitude of line B'B 12m
Measured length of A’B’ 9.68m
Taped length of AB 9.87m
Relative Precision

b. Long Offset Method Length

Length of line bc = 2m
Length of line fg= 2m
Length of line aC= 3.74m
Length of line eD 3.74m
Length of line Aa= 2.25m
Length of line CD 4.96m
Length of line eB 2.67m
Computed length of AB=Aa+CD+eB 9.88m
Taped length of line AB 9.87m
Relative Precision

c. By similar triangle Method Length

Length of line BC = 4m
Length of line BD= 2.13m
Length of line CE= 3m
Computed length of AB 9.79m
Taped length of line AB 9.87m
Relative Precision

Checked by:

ENGR. RODEL C. ANGKAHAN

Instructor
 QUESTIONS:

1. Among the two methods used in measuring the obstructed distance, which had you find more
accurate? Explain briefly.

 A similar triangle method is more accurate. The Similar Triangle Method is a trigonometric
technique used in surveying and distance measurement when a direct line of sight is obstructed. It
involves three main components: the baseline, the height of the obstruction, and the angle of elevation.
This method is particularly accurate when dealing with tall or wide obstructions, especially when the
obstruction is significantly higher or wider than the baseline. Unlike the Long Offset Method, which
requires a clear line of sight, the Similar Triangle Method does not rely on a direct line of sight to the
obstruction. It can yield highly accurate results, especially when calculating horizontal distances,
especially in situations where direct measurement is impractical, such as dense vegetation, rugged
terrain, or buildings.

PROBLEM:

From the figure shown below, line CD and AB are established perpendicular to line AE,
while points B and D are line up with a distant point E. If line CD= 192.5 m, line AB = 238.7m and
line AC = 115.4 m, determine the obstructed distance CE

C
river

A D

B
GIVEN: SOLUTION:
CE CD
CD = 192.5m DF
= FB
AB = 238.7m
CA = 115.4m ( DF )(CD )
CE = FB
FB = AB - CD CE = (115.4 m)¿ ¿
FB = 238.7m - 115.4m
FB = 123.3m CE = 180.17m