GEE141

Fundamentals of Surveying
Measurement of Horizontal Distances

Contents:
1. Correction due to Slope 2

1.1. Gentle Slopes 2

1.2. Steeps Slopes 2

1.3. Very Steep Slopes 2

2. Correction due to Alignment 3

3. Correction due to Temperature 3

4. Correction due to Tension 4

5. Correction due to Sag 4

Correction due to Slope

When distances are measured along the slope, the equivalent horizontal distance may
correspondingly be determined by applying an approximate slope correction.

Where:

s = measured slope distance between

points A and B.
H = difference in elevation between A
and B
d = equivalent horizontal distance AC
Ch = slope correction or the difference
between the slope length and the
horizontal distance, Ch = s - d

SLOPE = (h/d) x 100%

1) Gentle Slopes (Less than 20%)

Ch = (h2/2s)

2) Steep Slopes (Between 20% and 30%)

Ch = (h2/2s) + (h4/8s3)

3) Very Steep Slopes (Greater than 30%)

Ch = s(1-cosƟ)

For any classification of slopes, the equivalent horizontal distance (d) is determined by the
subtracting the slope correction Ch from the measured slope distance (s) or

d = s - Ch
Sample Problem:

Slope distances AB and BC measures 330.49m and 660.97m, respectively. The differences in
elevation are12.22m for points A and B, and 10.85m for points B and C. Using the approximate
slope correction formula for gentle slopes, determine the horizontal length of the line ABC.
Assume that line AB has a rising slope and BC a falling slope.

Correction due to Alignment

The correction due to incorrect alignment, can be calculated by employing the slope correction
formulas.

Correction due to Temperature

The correction applied to the length of the tape due to change in temperature Ct is given by the
formula

Ct = CL(T-Ts)

Where:

C - coefficient of linear expansion

L - is the length of the tape or length of the line measured

T - is the observed temperature of the tape at the time of measurement

Ts – is the temperature at which the tape was standardized

Sample Problem:

A steel tape with a coefficient of linear expansion of 0.0000116/ 1֯C is known to be 50 m long
at 20 ֯C. The tape was used to measure a line which was found to be 532.28 meters long when the
temperature was 35 ֯C. Determine the following:

a) Temperature correction per tape length

b) Temperature correction for the measured line

c) Correct length of the line

Correction due to Tension

During calibration (or standardization) a tape is subjected to a certain amount of standard pull or
tension on its ends. When used in the field during taping, it is elongated or shortened
accordingly, depending on the amount of pull applied on it. If the pull is greater than that for
which it was calibrated, the tape elongated and becomes too long.

Where:

Cp = total elongation in tape length due to pull or the

correction due to incorrect pull applied on the tape
(m).
Pm = pull applied to the tape during measurement kg)
Ps = standard pull for the tape or pull for which the tape
is calibrated (kg)
L = measured length of line (m)
A = cross sectional area of the tape (sq.m.)
E = modulus of elasticity of the tape material (kg/cm2)
L’ = corrected length of the measured line (m).
Sample Problem:

A 30 – m steel tape weighing 1.45 kg is of standard length under a pull of 5kg, supported for full
length. The tape was used in measuring a line 938.55m long on smooth level ground under a
steady pull of 10 kg. Assuming E =2.0 x 106 kg/cm2 and the unit weight of steel to be 7.9 x 10-3
kg/cm3, determine the following:

a) cross-sectional area of the tape

b) correction for increase in tension

c) correct length of the line measured

Correction due to Sag

A tape attains its correct length when it is fully supported and subjected to the pull for which it
was standardized. If the support is only at its ends or at the two points measured, it will sag even
if the standard pull is maintained because of its own weight. The tape takes the form of a
catenary when it sags between points of support just as an electric or telephone wire which hangs
and swings loosely between two posts.
 Where:

Cs = correction due to sag or the difference between the tape reading and the

horizontal distance between supports (m)

w = weight of the tape per unit length (kg/m)

W = total weight of tape between supports (kg)

L = interval between supports or the unsupported length of tape (m)

P = tension or pull applied on the tape (kg)

Sample Problem:

A 50 – m steel tape weighs 0.04 kg/m and is supported at its end points and at the 8-m and 25m
marks. If a pull of 6 kg is applied, determine the following:

a) Correction due to sag between the 0m and 8m marks, 8m and 25m marks, and the 25m
and 50m marks.
b) Correction due to sag for one tape length.

c) Correct distance between the ends of the tape.