PCE1-M: Fundamentals of Surveying

3 units
Wed 3:00-6:00pm
E 22
Reference book: Elementary Surveying 3rd edition by Juny Pilapil La Putt
Chapter 5: Traversing and Traverse
Computations
A closed traverse is related to a system in equilibrium.
Example: A cylinder weighing 400 lb is held against a smooth incline by means of a
weightless rod AB in Fig. P-309. Determine the forces P and N exerted on the
cylinder by the rod and the incline.
Solution by Force Polygon:
 
 
 
 
 Error of Closure

The linear error of closure (LEC) is usually a short line of unknown length and
direction connecting the initial and final stations of the traverse. It is approximately
determined by plotting the traverse to scale, or more exactly by computing the
hypotenuse of a right triangle whose sides are the closure in latitudes and the closure
in departures, respectively. This quantity reflects the algebraic sum of all the
accumulated errors of measurement both in angles and distances when running the
traverse. The length of the linear error of closure and the angle that this line makes
with the meridian is determined by the following equations
and
Where: LEC = linear error of closure
CL = closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of north and south latitudes
CD = closure in departure or the algebraic sum of east and west departures
θ = bearing angle of the side of error
 Compass Rule
The compass or Bowditch rule which was named after the distinguished American
navigator Nathaniel Bowditch (1773 - 1838), is a very popular rule for adjusting a closed
traverse. Of the several methods used for balancing latitudes and departures, perhaps
the most commonly used is this rule. It is simple to apply and at the same time
theoretically sound.
and
Where: cl = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course
cd = correction to be applied to the departure of any course
CL = total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north and south
latitudes (ƩNL + ƩSL)
CD = total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the north and
south latitudes (ƩED + ƩWD)
d = length of any course
D = total length or perimeter of the traverse
 Adjusted Lengths and Directions
After the latitudes and departures of the courses of a closed traverse have been so
adjusted, the bearings (or azimuths) of the courses and their lengths should also be
adjusted to correspond to the adjusted latitudes and departures. The following are the
equations used for this purpose.

and

Where: L’ = adjusted length of a course

Lat’ = adjusted latitude of a course
Dep’ = adjusted departure of a course
θ = adjusted horizontal angle between the reference meridian and a
course
Sample Problem 1:
Given in the accompanying tabulation are the observed data for a traverse obtained
from a transit-tape survey. Determine the latitudes and departures of each course and
balance these quantities by employing the compass rule. Also determine the linear
error of closure, bearing of the side of error, and the relative error of closure. Tabulate
values accordingly.
 Transit
Rule
The method of adjusting a traverse by the transit rule is similar to the method using
the compass rule. The main difference is that with the transit rule, the latitude and
departure corrections depend on the length of the latitude and departure of the course
respectively instead of both depending on the length of the course.

and

Where: cl = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course

cd = correction to be applied to the departure of any course
CL = total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north and south
latitudes (ƩNL + ƩSL)
CD = total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the north and
south latitudes (ƩED + ƩWD)
Sample Problem 2:
Solve sample problem 1 using Transit Rule.
THANK YOU