F U N D A M E N TA L S

OF SURVEYING
CE010

EG Escondo
 HORIZONTAL AND
VERTICAL MEASUREMENTS
M E A S U R E M E N T O F H O R I Z O N TA L
D I S TA N C E S
TA P I N G
Taping is the process of directly measuring distances with the use of a graduated tape. When
the measurement is undertaken in fairly level ground in an open field, the taping party
usually consists of the following individuals:

1. Head Tapeman – the person responsible for the accuracy and speed of all linear
measurements with the tape.
2. Recorder – keeps a record of all measurements, sketches, and observations taken during
the process of measurement.
3. Flagman – the person whose duty is to hold the range pole (or flagpole) at selected
points.
4. Rear Tapeman – the person whose duty is to assist the head tapeman during a taping
operation.
TA P I N G I N S T R U M E N T S

Steel Tape
Synthetic Tape
TA P I N G I N S T R U M E N T S

Plumb Bob
Ranging Rod
TA P I N G I N S T R U M E N T S

Chaining Pins
Chalk
T H E P R O C E D U R E O F TA P I N G
1. Aligning the Tape.
2. Stretching the Tape.
3. Plumbing.
4. Marking Full Tape Lengths.
5. Tallying Taped Measurements.
6. Measuring Fractional Lengths
B R E A K I N G TA P E
S L O P E TA P I N G
S L O P E TA P I N G
EXAMPLE 1

SLOPE TAPING. A measurement is made along a line that is inclined by a vertical angle of
15°25’ as measured using a hand level and clinometer. The slope measurement is 756.52 m.
What is the corresponding horizontal distance?
EXAMPLE 2
SLOPE TAPING. A horizontal distance of 325.75 m. is to be established along a line
that slopes at a vertical angle of 13°06’. What slope distance should be laid out?
EXAMPLE 3
SLOPE TAPING. A line XYZ is measured on the slope in two segments. The first segment XY
measures 824.45 m. and the second segment YZ measures 1244.38 m. If the difference in elevation
between points X and Y is 4.25 m. and that between Y and Z is 6.47 m, determine the horizontal
length of the measured line.
C O R R E C T I O N S I N TA P I N G
Taping operations could either be of the following: taping to determine an unknown length, or
taping for the purpose of laying out a required or specified length. Regardless of which these
two categories is involved, there are some corrections which are applied to the original
measurements to determine the correct and more accurate length. Corrections to taping are
applied by the use of the following rules:

1st RULE: When a line is measured with a tape that is “too long”, the corrections are applied to
the observed length by adding.
2nd RULE: When a specified or required length is to be laid out with a tape that is “too long”,
the corrections are subtracted from the known length to determine the corrected length to be laid
out.
3rd RULE: When measuring or laying out lengths with a tape that is “too short”, the corrections
are applied opposite to those stated in the first two rules.
CORRECTION DUE TO INCORRECT
TA P E L E N G T H
EXAMPLE 4
EXAMPLE 5
CORRECTION DUE TO
T E M P E R AT U R E
EXAMPLE 1
CORRECTION DUE TO SLOPE. Slope distances AB and BC measures 330.49 m. and 660.97
m, respectively. The differences in elevation are 12.22 m. for points A and B, and 10.85 m. for
points B and C. Using the approximate slope correction formula for gentle slopes, determine the
horizontal length of line ABC. Assume that line AB has a rising slope and BC a falling slope.
EXAMPLE 2
CORRECTION DUE TO SLOPE. A line AB cannot be measured directly because of an
obstruction on line. Accordingly, the two lines AC and CB were measured as 2,400.850 m
and 1,320.420 m, respectively. Point C was set at a perpendicular distance of 155 m from
point D on line AB. Using the approximate slope correction formula for steep slopes,
determine the length
EXAMPLE 3
CORRECTION DUE TO TEMPERATURE. A steel tape with a coefficient of linear
expansion of 0.0000116/°C 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
CORRECTION DUE TO TENSION
CORRECTION DUE TO TENSION
EXAMPLE 4
CORRECTION DUE TO TENSION. A 30-m steel tape weighing 1.45 kg is of
standard length under a pull of 5 kg, supported for full length. The tape was used in
measuring a line 938.55 m. long on smooth level ground under a steady pull of 10
kg. Assuming E = 2.0 x 10^6 kg/cm^2 and the unit weight of steel to be 7.9 x 10^-3
kg/cm^3, 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.
CORRECTION DUE TO SAG
NORMAL TENSION
NORMAL TENSION
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 2
EXAMPLE 2
EXAMPLE 3
EXAMPLE 4
COMBINED CORRECTIONS
EXAMPLE 1
COMBINED CORRECTIONS. A line was determined to be 2395.25 m. when measured with
a 30-m steel tape supported throughout its length under a pull of 4kg and at a mean temperature
of 35 °C. Determine the correct length of the line if the tape used is of standard length at 20 °C
under a pull of 5 kg. The cross-sectional area of the tape is 0.03 sq. cm, it coefficient of linear
expansion is 0.0000116 /°C, and the modulus of elasticity of steel is 2.0 x 10^6 kg/cm^2.

Given:
L = 2395.25 m T = 35 °C A = 0.03 cm^2
NL = 30 m Ts = 20 °C C = 0.0000116 / °C
Pm = 4 kg Ps = 5 kg E = 2.0 x 10^6 kg/cm^2
EXAMPLE 2
COMBINED CORRECTIONS. A 50-m steel tape is of standard length under a pull of 5.5 kg
when supported throughout it entire length. The tape weighs 0.05 kg/m, has a cross-sectional area
of 0.04 sq. cm, and being made of steel, it modulus of elasticity is 2.10 x 10^6 kg/cm^2. This tape
was used in the field to measure a distance that was determined to be 458.650m. At the time the
measurement was made, the constant pull applied was 8 kg with the tape supported only at its end
points. Determine the correct length of the line.

Given:
NL = 50 m A = 0.04 cm^2
Ps = 5.5 kg E = 2.10 x 10^6 kg/cm^2
W = 0.05 kg/m L = 458.650 m
Pm = 8kg
EXAMPLE 3
COMBINED CORRECTIONS. In problem no. 2, if the tape used was standardized at 20 °C
and during the measurement the mean temperature observed was 18 °C, determine the correct
length of the line for the combined effects of tensions, sag, and temperature. Assume the
coefficient of linear expansion of the tape to be equal to 0.0000116 / °C.

Given:
Cp = + 0.014 m T = 18 °C
Cs = -1.828 m C = 0.0000116/ °C
Ts = 20 °C L = 458.650 m