SOUTHERN MINDANAO COLLEGES

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
PAGADIAN CITY

CE 121 MIDTERM
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

Compiler:

ENGR. GERSON RYAN M. SUMAMPONG

Geodetic Engineer
 I. MEASUREMENT OF ANGLES AND DIRECTIONS

MERIDIANS
The direction of a line is usually defined by the horizontal angle it makes with a fixed reference line or
direction. In surveying, this is done with reference to a meridian which lies in a vertical plane passing through a
fixed point of reference and through the observer’s position.

4 TYPES OF MERIDIANS
1. True Meridian – also known as the astronomic or geographic meridian. It is the generally adapted
reference line in surveying practice.
2. Magnetic Meridian – is a fixed line of reference which lies parallel with the magnetic lines of force of the
earth. Its direction is defined by the a freely suspended magnetic needle of a compass held at the observer’s
position.
3. Grid Meridian – is a fixed line of reference parallel to the central meridian of a system of plane rectangular
coordinates.
4. Assumed Meridian – is an arbitrarily chosen fixed line of reference which is taken for convenience.

UNITS OF ANGULAR MEASUREMENTS

1. Degree
2. Grad
3. Mil
4. Radian
DESIGNATION OF NORTH POINTS
There is always a starting or reference point to define directions. Map users are primarily concerned with the north point for the determination of directions and the
following are the commonly used reference points.

1. True North – is the north point of the true meridian. In maps and sketches, it is portrayed in the direction of the actual location of the earth’s north geographic pole
and is always shown along a vertical line. It is symbolized by a star, an asterisk, or the letters TN.
2. Magnetic North – a north point that is established by means of a magnetized compass needle when there are no local attractions affecting it. Magnetic north may be
located either east or west of true north. The point is usually symbolized by a half-arrowhead or the letters MN.
3. Grid North – a north point which is established by lines on a map which are parallel to a selected central meridian. It may coincide with lines directed toward true
north. Grid north may be symbolized by a full arrowhead or the letters GN or Y.
4. Assumed North – is used to portray the location of any arbitrarily chosen north point. It may be symbolized by a small blacked circle or the letters AN.
EXAMPLE:
DIRECTION OF LINES
The direction of a line is defined as the horizontal angle the line makes with an established line of reference. Directions may be defined by means of: interior angles,
deflection angles, angles to the right, bearings, and azimuths.

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR ANGLES ANGLES TO THE RIGHT

DEFLECTION ANGLES
BEARINGS
The direction of a line may be described by giving its bearing. The bearing of a line is the acute horizontal angle between the reference meridian and the line. A quadrantal
system is used to specify bearings such that a line may fall under one of the following quadrants: NE, SE, NW and SW. Each quadrant is numbered from 0 to 90 degrees from either
the north or south end of the meridian to the east or west end of the reference parallel.
Note: Bearings never exceed in 90 degrees.
FORWARD AND BACK BEARINGS
AZIMUTHS
The azimuth of a line is its direction as given by the angle between the meridian and the line measured in a clockwise direction from either the north or south branch of the
meridian. Azimuths are generally measured from the north branch of the reference meridian for ordinary plane surveys. But in the Philippines, azimuths are measured from the
south.
Determining Angles from Bearings Determining Angles from Azimuths
CONVERTING BEARING TO AZIMUTH CONVERTING AZIMUTH TO BEARING