Introduction To Linear Measurement Part 2

Introduction to Linear
Measurement
Part 2
Taping
“In measuring, it’s not about the length…”
“…it’s all about…”
“ACCURACY”
Taping
Purposes of taping:
• Measurement – distance is unknown

• Laying out/Laying off – distance is known
Steps in Taping
Taping is performed in six steps:
• Lining in,
• Applying tension,
• Plumbing,
• Marking tape lengths,
• Reading the tape, and
• Recording the distance.
Errors in Taping
• Instrumental error – a tape may differ in actual length as
compared to its nominal or graduated length because of
manufacturing errors.
• Natural error – tape lengths can be affected by
temperature, wind, and other forces of nature.
• Personal error – there will always be a human factor
when it comes to taping. There can be errors in
measurement reading, pin marking, and other parts of
the taping process.
Main Taping Errors
We have four main taping errors, namely,
• slope,
• incorrect tape length,
• temperature,
• pull, and
• sag corrections.
Slope
• Slope correction can be shown in the
figure on the right. In here, L is the
tape measurement and H is the actual
horizontal distance measured. Because
of the angle of inclination α, H can be
computed as
H = Lcosα
• If the difference between the tape

ends (d) is measured, H can be
computed as
Incorrect Tape Length
• If the true length of a tape is not equal to its nominal
value, the correction can be determined as
• Where CL is the incorrect tape length correction, l the

actual tape length, l’ the nominal tape length, and L the
measured length of the line.
Temperature
• The temperature error occurs when the actual temperature of the
tape is not equal to the standardized temperature of the tape. The
temperature correction can then be determined as
• Where CT is the temperature correction, k is the coefficient of

thermal expansion, T1 the tape temperature at the time of
measurement, and T the tape temperature at standard length. The
coefficient of thermal expansion of steel is 6.45 x 10-6 per unit
length per °F, or 11.6 x 10-6 per unit length per °C.
Pull
• The pull error occurs when the actual pull applied of the tape is not
equal to the standard pull of the tape. If the actual tension is
greater than the standard pull, then the tape will elongate and
vice-versa.
• Where CP is the pull correction, P1 is the actual pull applied to the

tape, P the standard pull for the tape, A the cross-sectional area of
the tape, and E the modulus of elasticity of the tape. The modulus
of elasticity regulates the amount of change in length. The
modulus of elasticity of steel is about 29x106lb/in2 or 200 GPa.
Sag
• Sag happens when there is an unsupported length that
forms a catenary. Thus, the actual length of the
horizontal chord is less than the graduated distance
measured by the tape (thus, the sag correction is always
negative).
Sag
• Sag can be reduced by increasing the applied pull, but
cannot be eliminated unless the tape is supported all
throughout its length. The formula for sag correction is
• Where CS is the sag correction, LS is the unsupported

length of the tape, and w is the weight of the tape per
unit length.
Measuring VS Laying Out
• Measuring - Let’s say we have an error of 5 cm
Too long With error
correct
Too short With error
For too long = add error

For too shot = subtract error
• Measuring – this is what it would look like
Too long With error
A MEASURED DISTANCE B correct
For too long = add error

For too shot = subtract error
• Laying out - Let’s say we have an error of 5 cm
With error
Too long
Correct
For too long = subtract error

For too shot = add error
• Laying out – This is what it would look like
With error
Too long
For too long = subtract error

For too shot = add error
• Laying out – This is what it would look like
With error
Too long
If you know what error your tape has during measuring, just think of it this way:
“What ‘incorrect’ distance should I lay out to make it actually the correct one”
Additional Info
Measuring
• In measuring always follow the sign of the corrections
taking note that sag correction is always negative
• Always apply the slope correct last
Laying off/Laying out
• In laying out/laying off always take the opposite sign of
the corrections, sag correction will now be positive
• Always apply the slope correct last
Sample Problem
• Problem #1: A 100-ft steel tape standardized at 68°F and
supported through under a tension of 20 lb was found
to be 100.012 ft long. The tape had a cross-sectional
area of 0.0078 in2 and a weight of 0.0266 lb/ft. This tape
is used to lay off a horizontal distance CD of exactly
175.00 ft. The ground is on a smooth 3% grade; thus,
the tape will be used fully supported. Determine the
correct slope distance to layoff if a pull of 15 lb is used
and the temperature is 87°F.
• Problem #1: A 100-ft steel tape standardized at 68°F and supported through under a
tension of 20 lb was found to be 100.012 ft long. The tape had a cross-sectional area of
0.0078 in2 and a weight of 0.0266 lb/ft. This tape is used to lay off a horizontal distance CD
of exactly 175.00 ft. The ground is on a smooth 3% grade; thus, the tape will be used fully
supported. Determine the correct slope distance to layoff if a pull of 15 lb is used and the
temperature is 87°F.
• The applicable corrections here incorrect tape length, temperature, pull, and slope. Sag is
not applicable here since the tape is fully supported. Note that the slope correction is
applied only after applying the other types of corrections.
For incorrect tape length correction:
For temperature correction:
The coefficient of thermal expansion of steel is 6.45 x 10-6 per unit length per °F, or 11.6 x 10-6 per unit length per °C.
For pull correction:
The modulus of elasticity of steel is about 29x106lb/in2 or 200 GPa.

Since this is a layoff problem, all corrections must be subtracted.
CD (corrected) = 175 – 0.021 – 0.0214 + 0.0039 = 174.9615 ft

Then, apply slope correction, where H = 174.9615 ft.
Similar triangles
3 The variable d = 0.03(174.9615) = 5.2488 ft
100
Sample Problem
• Problem #2: A 30-m steel tape standardized at 20°C and
supported throughout under a tension of 5.45 kg was
found to be 30.012 m long. The tape had a cross-
sectional area of 0.050 cm2 a weight of 0.03967 kg/m.
This tape was held horizontal, supported at the ends
only, with a constant tension of 9.09 kg, to measure a
line from A to B in three segments. The data listed in the
following table were recorded. Apply corrections for
tape length, temperature pull, and sag to determine the
correct length of the line.
• Problem #2: A 30-m steel tape standardized at 20°C and supported throughout under a
tension of 5.45 kg was found to be 30.012 m long. The tape had a cross-sectional area of
0.050 cm2 a weight of 0.03967 kg/m. This tape was held horizontal, supported at the ends
only, with a constant tension of 9.09 kg, to measure a line from A to B in three segments.
The data listed in the following table were recorded. Apply corrections for tape length,
temperature pull, and sag to determine the correct length of the line.
• The applicable corrections here incorrect tape length, temperature, pull, and sag.
Temperature (due to different temperatures per segment) and sag corrections (due to
different unsupported lengths) should be done by segment.
A 1 2 B
30.000 30.000 21.151
14 °C 15 °C 16 °C
A 1 2 B
30.000 30.000 21.151
14 °C 15 °C 16 °C
• For incorrect tape length correction:
A 1 2 B
30.000 30.000 21.151
14 °C 15 °C 16 °C
• For temperature correction:
A 1 2 B
30.000 30.000 21.151
14 °C 15 °C 16 °C
• For pull correction:
A 1 2 B
30.000 30.000 21.151
14 °C 15 °C 16 °C
• For sag correction:
A 1 2 B
30.000 30.000 21.151
14 °C 15 °C 16 °C
• Since this is a measuring problem, all corrections must be added.
AB (corrected) = 81.151 + 0.0325 – 0.0048 + 0.0030 – 0.0503 = 81.1314 m

Activity
A steel tape is 100m long at a temp of 20°C and a pull of
10kg. It was used to measure a distance of 624.95m at a
temp. of 32°C with an applied pull of 15kg during
measurement with the tape supported at both ends. Has a
modulus of elasticity of 2 x 106 kg/cm2. Weight of tape is
0.04 kg/m and a cross sectional area of 0.06cm2.
a. Compute the total temperature correction

b. Compute the total pull correction
c. Compute the total sag correction
d. Compute the correct distance after applying the
temperature, pull and sag corrections.

Introduction To Linear Measurement Part 2

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Introduction To Linear Measurement Part 2

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Introduction to Linear

• Measurement – distance is unknown

• If the difference between the tape

• Where CL is the incorrect tape length correction, l the

• Where CT is the temperature correction, k is the coefficient of

• Where CP is the pull correction, P1 is the actual pull applied to the

• Where CS is the sag correction, LS is the unsupported

Too long With error

Too short With error

For too long = add error

Too long With error

A MEASURED DISTANCE B correct

Too short With error

For too long = add error

Too short With error

For too long = subtract error

Too short With error

For too long = subtract error

Too short With error

The modulus of elasticity of steel is about 29x106lb/in2 or 200 GPa.

Since this is a layoff problem, all corrections must be subtracted.

CD (corrected) = 175 – 0.021 – 0.0214 + 0.0039 = 174.9615 ft

Then, apply slope correction, where H = 174.9615 ft.

• Since this is a measuring problem, all corrections must be added.

AB (corrected) = 81.151 + 0.0325 – 0.0048 + 0.0030 – 0.0503 = 81.1314 m

a. Compute the total temperature correction

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