UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

Kolej Pengajian Alam Bina

Centre of Studies Surveying Science and Geomatics
Diploma of Science in Geomatics – AP120

PROJECT REPORT

COURSE FUNDAMENTAL ENGINEERING SURVEYING

COURSE CODE GSS130

SEMESTER SEMESTER 1

TITLE TRAVERSING SURVEY

SUPERVISOR SR. ZAKI AHMAD DAHLAN

MARKS

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 Group Members:

NAME UiTM NO. SIGNATURE

NUR AIN BINTI MOHD RAIS 2022871696

MUHAMMAD ARIFF DANIAL BIN MOHD 2022680686

AMIN NORDDIN

MUHAMMAD NAZIRUL ZAKWAN BIN 2022846062

IDRUS

MUHAMMAD SYUKRI SYAFIQ BIN MOHD 2022812058

ZAINAL

NURUL SAKINAH BINTI SHAFIEE 2022499422

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 CONTENT PAGES

INTRODUCTION 4

OBJECTIVE 5

INSTRUMENTS 5-7

METHODOLOGY 8-9

DATA PROCESSING 10

RESULT 11-12

CONCLUSION 14

COMMENT 13

REFERENCES 14-16

APPENDIX 17

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 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of traverse is to figure out where all the unknown points are in relatives to each
other and to find out where all the points in the traverse are in relative to a common grid. Three
pieces of initial data are required which are the coordinates, height of starting point, as well as
azimuth to a visible azimuth mark.

Traverse is a surveying technique for establishing control networks. Survey stations are
placed along a line or path of travel and the previously surveyed locations are used as a base
for observing the next point in traverse network. Each one is intervisible with its adjacent
stations, where each line’s bearing and length are measured. There are two type of traverse
which are open traverse and closed traverse. Open traverse is finish at point of unknown
coordinate. Closed traverse is normally form of polygon. The start and finish at point of known
coordinate.

The principle of traversing is a field method for delivering network control across
multiple networks. This also includes general placement of the point in the line access. The
points that were surveyed for the base observation. There are four method of traversing which
are chain traversing, compass traversing, theodolite traversing and plane table traversing. The
advantage of traversing is that each station only requires a few observations, whereas other
survey networks require many angular and linear measurements to be produced and analyzed.
Then, in triangular systems, traverse networks are not affected by the strength of figure
considerations. Finally, the traverse does not add up because of the scale mistakes. The distance
between stations can also be increased to avoid azimuth swing errors.

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 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this practical:

1. To learn the principle of running a closed field traverse.
2. To enhance knowledge in traversing procedure.
3. To enable to get hands-on experience in setting up and working with the theodolites,
tripod stand as well as other instruments and collect the data of the relevant fieldwork.
4. To learn the correct method in doing traversing.
5. To identify the error and make adjustment the data by using the correct formula.
6. Learn how to compute a traverse and properly adjust the measured values of a closed
traverse to achieve mathematical closure.
7. Determine the error of closure and compute the accuracy of work.

INSTRUMENT

SER INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION

1. 1 x Total Station Total Station is a precision instrument for

measuring angles in both horizontal and vertical
planes. It is used to identify the ground level and
the ways to construct super structure or sub
structure. A total station consists of a small sized
movable telescope mounted within two
perpendicular axis which are horizontal and
vertical axis. It also able to rotate 360 degrees on
a tripod stand that’s where we get angles from it.
When the telescope is pointed at a target object,
the angle of each axis can be measured with great
precision. It is commonly used to measure
horizontal and vertical angles, ranging, and
leveling as well as controlling vertically.

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2. 3 x Tripod A tripod stand is three-legged support platform
for the level. The main function of the tripod
stand is to ensure a stable instrument setup for
reliable measurements. The legs of the tripod can
be adjusted to get the vertical height that required.
Once the instrument is moved, then it must be set
up again which is to loosen the screw and adjust
again and lock it back tight. It usually has a flat
tip and a mounting screw for instrument
attachment. It is also to make sure that the
levelling tripod placed horizontally.

3. 2 x Prism A prism is a corner cube or retroreflector,

normally attached on a tripod stand, used as a
target for distance measurement using, for
example, a total station.

4. 1 x Tape Tapes are used to measuring the distance between

every station. Taps also are issued in various
lengths and widths and graduated in variety of
ways.

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5. Wooden pikets Pickets are used when certain points on the field
require more permanent marking. The field
require more permanent marking. The size of the
pegs (40-60cm) depends on the type of survey
work they are used for and the type of soil they
have to be driven in. The pegs should be driven
vertically into the soil and the top should be
clearly visible.

1 x Hammer

6. Hammer used to plant wooden picket on the

ground.

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 METHODOLOGY

Traverse is a method in the field of surveying to establish control networks. It is also

used geodesy. Traverse networks involve placing survey stations along a line or path of travel,
and then using previously surveyed points as a base for observing the next point.

Each point of traverse is called a traverse station and there were marked well on the
ground each point with ground marker (peg) before the surveying started.

Procedure of traversing:
1. Traverse stations were marked around the given area to the surveyed where
each station were at least 40m away from each points.
2. At station 1-3, prism was setup centered and leveled. At point 2, a total station
was setup, leveled and centered as normal.
3. Horizontal angle at 2 were measured and recorded as well as distance 2-1 and
2-3.
4. Prism at station 1 moved to station 4 while total station at station 2 and prism
at station 3 were interchanged place.
5. Horizontal angle at 3 were measured and recorded as well as distance 3-2 and
3-4.
6. Prism at station 2 moved to station 1 while total station at station at station 3
and prism at station 4 were interchanged place.
7. Horizontal angle at 4 were measured and recorded as well as distance 4-3 and
4-5.
8. Repeat the process until station 5.
9. Horizontal angle at 1 were measured and recorded as well as distance 1-5 and
1-2 (closed traverse).

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 TRAVERSE ADJUSTMENT

For a closed traverse, the first back bearing of the last line must equal to the last fore bearing
of the same line. If this does not correspond, therefore adjustment must be made to both face
left and face right. For adjustments of coordinate, there are two methods explained below:
1. Bowditch’s method
This method adjusts the departure and latitudes of traverse courses in proportion to their
lengths. Although it is not rigorous as least-square method, it results in logical
distribution of misclosure. Corrections are made using the following methods:

Correction departure of a line = Total departures misclosure x length of a given line

Perimeter of traverse
Correction to latitude of a line = Total latitudes misclosure x length of a given line
Perimeter of traverse

2. Transit rule
In previous method, all lines will have some corrections made in both latitudes and
departures. There is no mathematical background and lengths of the lines are not
included in the calculation. The corrections are made using the following rules:

Correction departure of a line = Difference in departures x departure of a given line

Total departure errors
Correction to latitude of a line = Difference in latitudes x latitude of a given line
Total latitude errors

Latitudes and departures can be calculated using these formulas:

Latitude = Length of line x Cos θ
Departure = Length of line x Sin θ
(Where θ is the forward bearing of a given line)

Note : To calculate the coordinates of the points, point A can be assumed to have
coordinates N: 1000.00 and E: 1000.00
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 DATA PROCESSING

BEARING/ANGLE F Line Dist Distance Final

Stn
r T Vertical Tem Between Dista
Face Left Face Right Mean Final (m)
o o Angle p. Support nce
Bearing
m (m)

Datum PC 259º 00’ 00” 2 1 49.58 49.58

from

1 259º 00’ 00” 78º 59’ 51” 174º 40’ 29” 2 3 61.83 61.83
2
3 174 º 40’ 29” 354 º 40’ 29”

2 354 º 40’ 29” 174 º40’ 29” 33 º 19’ 48” 3 4 40.59 40.59
3
4 33 º 19’ 57” 213 º 19’ 38”

3 213 º 19’ 38” 33 º 19’ 57” 83 º 57’ 19” 4 5 42.37 42.37

4
5 83 º 57’ 15” 263 º 57’ 23”

4 263 º 57’ 23” 83 º 57’ 15” 127 º 53’ 45” 5 1 37.73 37.37
5
1 127 º 53’ 45” 307 º 53’ 45”

2 78º 59’ 51” 259º 00’ 00” 78º 59’ 56” 2 1 49.58 49.58
1

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 RESULT

1. ‘C’ CORRECTION
F Line
BEARING/ANGLE Dist Distance Final
Stn r T Vertical
Temp. Between Distance
Face Left Face Right Mean o Final Bearing o Angle (m) Support (m)
m

Datum PC 258º 59’ 55.55” 2 1 49.58 49.58

from

1 259º 00’ 00” 78º 59’ 51” 174º 40’ 29” 2 174º 40’ 28” 3 61.83 61.83
2 C- 01”
3 174 º 40’ 29” 354 º 40’ 29” 174⁰ 40’ 30’’

2 354 º 40’ 29” 174 º40’ 29” 33 º 19’ 48” 3 33º 19’ 46” 4 40.59 40.59
3 C- 02”
4 33 º 19’ 57” 213 º 19’ 38” 33° 19’ 50’’

3 213 º 19’ 38” 33 º 19’ 57” 83 º 57’ 19” 4 83º 57’ 16” 5 42.37 42.37
4 C- 03”
5 83 º 57’ 15” 263 º 57’ 23” 83° 57’22’’

4 263 º 57’ 23” 83 º 57’ 15” 127 º 53’ 45” 5 127º 53’ 41” 1 37.73 37.73
5 C- 04”
1 127 º 53’ 45” 307 º 53’ 45” 127° 53’ 49’’

2 78º 59’ 51” 259º 00’ 00” 78º 59’ 56” 2 78º 59’ 51” 1 49.58 49.58
1 C- 05”

Garisan dibaca 78º 59’ 56”

1-2
Sepatutnya dibaca 78º 59’ 51”
Tikaian +05” Dlm 5stn.
Iaitu 3,4,5,2
dan 1
Pembetulan -01” Pstn.

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 2. LATITUDE AND DEPARTURE

Line Bearing Distance Latitude Departure

(m) + - + -

2-3 174⁰ 40’28’’ 61.83 -61.563 5.738

3-4 33°19’46’’ 40.59 33.913 22.302

4-5 83°57’16’’ 42.37 4.462 42.134

5-1 127°53’41’’ 37.73 -23.174 29.774

1-2 78 59’ 51” 49.58 9.462 48.668

=232.1 = -36.90 = 148.616

L.M= √(−36.90)2 + (148.616)2

=153.1284

Accuracy= 232.1 ÷ 153.1284

=0.0111

Not acceptable

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 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this is our second fieldwork which is traversing. In this fieldwork, we were
required to carry out a closed loop traverse survey where located at Academic Height. My
fellow group mates and I conduct the survey together at there. We were together holding the
equipment, one of a group mate was recording down the data while one of us was taking the
readings for the traverse survey.

This is challenging fieldwork and there are several difficulties while conducting a traverse
survey. All team members take turns to adjust the levelling foot screw to center the survey
point through the optical plummet reticule. We also make sure to center the bubble in the
circular level by adjusting the tripod legs and bubble using levelling screws. Parallax error
may occur while adjusting the telescope to target causing an inaccurate result. However,
parallax error can be eliminated by accurately focusing the instruments on a distant target or
by focusing the eyepiece for a distinct vision of the crosshairs.

Our team gained a lot of hands on knowledge about surveying through this fieldwork.
This project taught us how to conduct and utilize pieces of equipment such as theodolite and
reflectors to gather detailed results. Moreover, we learned about horizontal and vertical
angles measurement and were able to describe the closed traverse survey well. We really do
likes site surveying because we can actually feel that we were working together.

In a nutshell, we also thanks to our lecturer Sr. Zaki for giving us an opportunity to learn
and hands on in traversing. We hope next time we can have a change to conduct a survey like
this again.

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 COMMENTS

➢ We have learnt that a traverse consist of a series of consecutive line related by

horizontal angle and length or known as bearing and distance. The traverse also has
two types which is open and closed traverse.

➢ We have learnt that, the number of station should be kept to the minimum by using
the line of sight as long as possible. The ground around the stations must be stable to
get the correct data collected.

➢ We have learnt that, the measurement required on linear measurement and

angle/bearing method. Linear measurement has three measurement which is chains,
tape and Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM).

➢ We have learnt that, there are three angle/bearing method which is interior and
exterior. This angle/bearing method is run either clockwise and counter clockwise.

➢ We have learnt that the angle/bearing method function is to reduce mistake in

recording and reading turned clockwise from backsight to foresight station.

Requirements and Specifications

The achievement of the project objectives is we know how to collect data and
also how to calculate the data that we collect from this practical. At the end of the
day, we have gain information about the traversing should be carried out. We have
learnt very important new things and discover how to know about traversing, open
traverse and also closed traverse. Not like before this, at that time, we never know the
function of traversing and how it going to carried out and also not to forget how to
close traverse for closed traverse. But this time, we applied the knowledge about
traversing in front of our eyes. We know how to use it and the important things is, we
know what the purposes of traverse. The purpose and objective of all this activity is to
make sure to check the instrument is determine the c correction, datum, mean and run
the traverse either clockwise or counter clockwise. Finally, we achieve new
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 knowledge, studied new things, and the important things is, we know how to use the
instrument. We proud what we achieve, and hopes the things we learnt will be uses as
good as possible and will benefit others in the future. We manage to fulfill all
requirement and specifications while conducting this practical.

Discussion
While conducting this practical we faced many problem in the execution of this
project. The first problem is shortage of instrument, we have a problem when trying to
measure the point. We have to move the tripod every 1m and it very time consuming and
took time to complete the task. Second problem is the quality of instrument, the total station
measurement have an error and we have hard time to collecting the data. At last, problem that
we face while trying to mark every 1m point because we do not have enough pickets to mark
point every point. To overcome all of this problem, we tried our best to setup the instrument
correctly and try to be precise as possible while making observation. We also try to be careful
not to make any unnecessary error from our side.

The commitment of our group is great, everyone plays their own role in this practical.
Our group is consist of five members. Nazirul commitment is setting up the total station and
he know how to fix the bubble and other two members, Ariff and Shafiq their main
commitment is setup the prism and they will decide the station to setup the total station and
prism. Ain commitment is she will record the result, calculate, and make sure the prism is in
the center of crosshair. Ain commitment is she will read the bearing and the distance from the
instruments and collect the data to give to Sakinah.

NAME SHAFIQ NAZIRUL DANIAL AIN SAKINAH

COMMITMENT 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/10

LEADERSHIP 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10
ATTENDANCES 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10

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 Improvement
Things that we want to improve the quality of the practical task in the future is to
setup the instrument carefully to make sure get less c correction. After that, we need to make
sure the instrument we choose from the store is in good condition so next time there is no
problem when we on site to make a survey. Next suggestion, the thing we want improve is to
make sure that we can do more faster to avoid adverse weather conditions.

REFERENCES

1. Traverse Surveying- Definition, Types, Method, Checks

• https://civiltoday.com/surveying/251-traverse-surveying

2. Traverse measurement
• https://ecology.lifescience.ntu.edu.tw/old/course_932_ecology/Lab/TraverseMe
asurement.pdf

3. Traverse adjustment
• https://www.jerrymahun.com/index.php/home/open-access/topic-trav-
comps/44-travcomps-chap-
e?showall=1#:~:text=1.,the%20angle%20and%20distance%20measurements.&
text=The%20condition%20for%20an%20adjusted,and%20Deps%20sum%20to
%200.00.

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APPENDIX

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