GEng 139 – Satellite

Geodesy
 ESci 121n – Fundamentals of
GEng 139 – Satellite
Surveying
Geodesy

Lesson 4.1 Angles and Directions

Department of Geodetic Engineering
Visayas State University

Martin Jan E. Mercurio

Learning outcomes
At the end of discussion, the student must be able
to:
1. Identify basic types of meridian
2. Differentiate azimuth & bearing
3. Convert azimuth to bearing and vice versa

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Angular measurements
 The location of points and the orientation of lines
frequently depend upon the measurement of angles
and directions.
 Horizontal and vertical angles are fundamental
measurements in surveying.
 Theodolite/Transit is the instrument used to
perform accurate angular measurementsin surveying.

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Polar and Rectangular Coordinates
• Polar coordinates are
represented by a distance and
an angle (d,θ) from a plane.
Example: (10.00meters,45° )
• Rectangular coordinates are
represented by two distance
components (x,y) that areat
right angles to eachother
(perpendicular). Example: (4,
5)

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Units of Angle Measurements
A pure arbitrary unit defines the value of an angle
 Degree – (Sexagesimal system) the circumference of the circle is divided
into 360 parts.
 Grad – divided into 400 parts (centesimal system)
 Mil – 6400 parts
 Radian - the angle subtendedat the center of the circle by anarc
length exactly the same to the radius of the circle, in which the
circumference of the circle is equalto 2π.
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Classification of angles in surveying
• Horizontal angle is the
difference between 2
intersecting lines when
they are projected onto the
datum plane.
• Vertical angle is the
angle of elevation or
depression between the
line of collimation
and the horizontal plane
which passes through the
horizontal axis of the
theodolite.

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Meridian and its types
Meridian – a real or an imaginary
reference line of fixed
direction.
1. true meridian–line passes thruthenorth-south
polesor the geographical poles of the earth.
2. Astronomic meridian – is the north-south reference
line thatpasses through the instantaneous
position ofthe Earth’s geographic poles
3. grid meridian - meridian that is parallelto the
centralmeridian,used when computing points in
planar rectangular coordinate systems of limited
extent.
4. magnetic meridian– it lies parallel with the
magnetic lines offorce ofthe earth. Its
directionis not constant because the magnetic
poles is constantly changing.
5. assumed meridian – an arbitrary or chosen
meridian.

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Meridian

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meridian-International.PNG

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Expedient Methods of establishing meridians
Meridian – a real or an imaginary
reference line of fixed direction.
1. Establishing magnetic meridian by compass
2. Determining true north by observing heavenly
bodies (e.g. Polaris, Sun)
3. GNSS techniques

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Direction of Lines
• The direction of line is defined as
the horizontalangle the line makes
withan established line of
reference.
• In surveying, directions
(horizontal) may be defined by means
of the following:
• Interior angles
• Deflection angles
• Angles to the right
• Bearing
• Azimuth

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Interior angle
• Angle between adjacent lines in a
closed polygon
• Sum of interior angles = (n-2)180°

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Deflection angle
• The angle between a line and the
prolongation of the preceding line

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Angles to the right
Anglesto the right are
measuredclockwisefrom the
rear to theforward station.
Angles tothe left,
turned
counterclockwise from the
rear station.
Note: As a survey progresses, stations
are commonly identified by consecutive
alphabetical letters

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Bearing
• an acute angle between the reference
meridian and the line.
• It may be true, magnetic, grid and
assumed bearings.
• The bearing of a line is indicated by
the quadrant in which the line
falls and the acute angle which the
line makes with the meridian in that
quadrant.

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Bearing (Forward and back)
 When the bearing of a line is
observed inthe direction in which
the survey progresses, it is
referred to as “forward bearing”, if
the bearingof the samelineis
observed in an opposite direction it
is referred to as “back bearing”.

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Azimuth
 the angle between the reference
meridian andthe line measured in
clockwise direction from either
North orSouthbranch of the
meridian. The values are ranging
from 0o to 360o, and letters (such
as, NE, NW, SE, and SW) are not
required to identify quadrants.

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Azimuth (Forward and back)
Forward and Back Azimuth
Rules in getting the value of back azimuth when forward
azimuth is given:
If forwardazimuth is greater than 180o, subtract 180o,
to obtain back azimuth.
Aback = Aforward – 180o
If forward azimuth is less than 180o, add 180o, to
determine the back azimuth.
Aback = Aforward + 180o

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Comparison between two angles
Bearing Item Azimuth

Acute (0 ≤ φ ≤ 90 degrees) Angle size 0 ≤ φ ≤ 360 degrees

Clockwise or counter- Direction of rotation Always clockwise

clockwise

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Converting bearing to azimuth
Assuming azimuth are
from south branch

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Reference direction for vertical angles
a. Horizontal plane
b. Zenith
c. Nadir

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Example
Convert the following angles (azimuth
to bearing)
• 225o
• 345o
• 200
• 90o
Example
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Compass
• Hand held instrument for
determining thehorizontal
direction of a line with reference
to the magneticmeridian.
• Since veryaccurate measurements
cannotbeexpected from the
compass,itis no longer used on
surveys(highprecision getpocket.com

requirement)
• Good for reconnaissance,
preliminary surveys, and rough
check of angles.
• Smartphones are already equipped
with e-compass

phonearena.com

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Magnetic Declination
It isthe angle between the
true meridian and the magnetic
meridian. The rate of change
is published yearly by the True North True North
Magnetic North Magnetic North
“Almanac for Geodetic
Engineers of the Philippines.”
An east declinationexistsif
themagnetic meridian iseast
of (geodetic) true north; west
declination occurs if it is
westof the true north. east declination
west declination

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