Theory of Errors and Measurement
Problem 1.
A surveying instructor sent all the 40 students in his class out to
measure a distance between two points marked on a runway.
The students working in a group of four came up with 10
different measurements as follows: 920.45, 921.05, 921.65,
920.25, 920.15, 921.85, 921.95, 920.45, 921.15, and 921.35
meters. Assume these values are equally reliable and that
variations result only from accidental errors.
a) What is the most probable value?
b) What is the probable error of the mean measurement?
c) What is the relative precision?
Problem 2.
From the measured values of distance AB, the following trials
were recorded.
a) Find the probable error.
b) Find the standard deviation.
c) Find the standard error.
Weighted Measurement
Problem 3.
The difference in elevation between two ground points was
measured by each of three field parties using different kinds of
leveling instruments. The results are as follows: 1st Party, DE =
18.45m ± 0.05 m ; 2nd Party, DE = 18.40 m ± 0.04 m; 3rd Party,
DE = 18.48 ± 0.05 m. Determine the most probable difference
in elevation between two ground points.
Scale Mapping
Problem 4.
On a vertical photograph, the length of a drainage canal
measures 16 cm. On a map which is plotted to a scale of
1:25,000, the canal measures 10 cm. Determine the scale of the
photograph at the elevation of the canal.
Problem 5.
The scale of a certain map is 1: x. A lot having an area of 640
square meters is represented by an area of 25.6cm2 on the map.
What is the value of x?
Pacing
Problem 5.
A line 100 m. long was paced by a surveyor four times with the
following data: 142, 145, 145.5and 146. Then another line was
paced four times again with the following results: 893,
893.5,891 and 895.5.
a) Determine the pace factor.
b) Determine the number of paces for the new line.
c) Determine the distance of the new line.
Problem 6.
A surveyor wanted to know his pace factor, so he walked along
a line 50 m long with the following recorded number of paces:
71.50, 69, 70 and 70. He then took 465, 459, 463.5 and 468
paces in walking an unknown distance.
a) Determine the pace factor.
b) Determine the length of the second line.
Taping
Problem 7.
A line was determined to be 2395.25 m when measured with a
30 m steel tape supported throughout its length under a pull of
4 kg at a mean temperature of 35°C. Tape used is of standard
length at 20°C under a pull of 5 kg. Cross-sectional area of tape
is 0.03 sq. cm. Coefficient of thermal expansion is
0.0000116/°C, modulus of elasticity of tape is 2 x106 kg/cm2.
a) Determine the error of the tape due to change in
temperature.
b) Determine the error due to tension.
c) Determine the corrected length of the line.
Problem 8.
A 100 m. steel tape is known to be 99.99 m. long at 20°C when
supported throughout. The tape is stretched on the ground
between points at 4.5°C. If the standard pull is 2 kg. and the tape
has a cross sectional area of 0.04 cm2 and modulus of elasticity
of. 2.1 x 106. Coefficient of thermal expansion is 0.0000116/℃.
a) Determine the total correction.
b) Determine the required pull to eliminate the error.
Problem 9.
A 30 m tape was standardized and was found to be 0.0025 m
too long than the standard length at an observed temperature of
38℃ and a pull of 15 kilos. The same tape was used to measure
a certain distance and was recorded to be 354.12 m long at an
observed temp. of 28℃ and a pull of 15 kilos. Coefficient of
thermal expansion = 0.0000116 m/m℃.
a) Determine the temperature when the length of the tape
is 30 m.
b) Determine the true length of the line.
Problem 10.
Using a 50 m tape that is 0.02 m too long, the measured distance
from A to B is 160.42. What is the correct distance from A to B?
Problem 11.
A line is recorded as 472.90 m long. It is measured with a 0.65
kg tape which is 30.005 m long at 20°C under a 50 N pull
supported at both ends. During measurement the temperature is
5°C and the tape is suspended under a 75 N pull. The line is
measured on 3% grade, E=200 GPa, cross-sectional area of tape
is 3 mm2 and the coefficient of expansion of 0.0000116 /°C.
a) Compute the actual length of tape during
measurement.
b) Compute the total error to be corrected for inclined
distance.
c) What is the true horizontal distance?