•DISTANCE

MEASUREMENTS
• Distance measurement is generally regarded
as the most fundamental of all surveying
observations.
• In traditional ground surveys, even though
many angles may be read, the length of at
least one line must be measured to
supplement the angles in locating points.
• In surveying, linear measurements have been
obtained by many different methods.
• These include (1) pacing, (2) odometer
readings, (3) optical rangefinders, (4)
tacheometry (stadia), (5) taping, (7) electronic
distance measurement (EDM), and (8) satellite
systems.
 PACING

• Distances obtained by pacing are sufficiently

accurate for many purposes in surveying,
engineering, geology, agriculture, forestry, and
military field sketching.
• Pacing is also used to detect blunders that
may occur in making distance observation by
more accurate methods.
• Pacing consists of counting the number of steps, or
paces, in a required distance.
• The length of an individual’s pace must be
determined first. This is best done by walking with
natural steps back and forth over a level course at
least 100m long, and dividing the known distance by
the average number of steps.
• For short distances, the length of each pace is
needed, but the number of steps taken per 30 m is
desirable for checking long lines.
MEASURING WITH A STEEL TAPE
(“CHAIN”)
(a,b) Fiberglass tapes (c) Chaining pins or taping pins (d) hand level,
(e) Range poles (f) Plumb bobs
• Surveyor’s and engineer’s tapes are made of
steel 1/4 to 3/8 in.(6.35 to9.5 mm)
• Those graduated in feet are most commonly
100 ft long, although they are also available in
lengths of 200, 300, and 500 ft
• Metric tapes have standard lengths of 30, 60,
100, and 150 m.
CHAINING FUNDAMENTALS (p.22):
• Measure both directions (forward & back)
• Keep chain level (horizontal)
• Know the type of chain, where is “zero”
• Proper tension
• Maintain good alignment
• Set solid points (but at an angle)
• Protect points
• Maintain equipment (clean, dry, NO Loops!)
• Record the data as it is observed
s
MISTAKE AND ERRORS IN CHAINING:

1. MISTAKES: not horizontal, incorrect

reading, number of full tape lengths,
transposing figures, “cutting” a foot
2. ERRORS: improper length, (SYSTEMATIC)
temperature, sag, wind,
careless crew (RANDOM)
EXERCISE #2 (p.23)
TEMPERATURE CORRECTION OF STEEL
TAPES
Ct = 0.0000116 x (∆T) x L
Ct is the correction in meters
(sign + or – depends on whether
new or existing construction)
∆T = difference in chain temp, Tc and 20 oC
L = distance measured in meters
Determining Sign (+/-) of Ct Factor
• Problems 1 to 4: Laying out a point (setting
new construction)
<20o COLD TAPE: ADD factor to L
>20o HOT TAPE: SUBTRACT factor from L
• Problems 5 to 8: Measuring existing points on
the ground (existing construction, Lab #1)
<20o COLD TAPE: SUBTRACT factor from L
>20o HOT TAPE: ADD factor to L
 ASSIGNMENT
MEASURING EXISTING POINTS ON THE GROUND (EXISTING CONSTRUCTION)
 
5. Given: cold day, 9o Celsius steel tape, crew measured 138.915 meters between two
monuments. What is the true distance between the points?
 
_____ Ct factor __________ meters
 
6. Given: cold day, 5o Celsius steel tape, crew measured 206.875 meters between two
monuments. What is the true distance between the points?
 
_____ Ct factor __________ meters
 

REPORT ANSWERS TO 3 DECIMAL PLACES (millimeters)

LAYING OUT A POINT (SETTING NEW CONSTRUCTION)
 
1. Given: cold day, 12o Celsius steel tape, need to set points 140 meters apart; what
should be
measured with this tape?
_____ Ct factor __________ meters

2. Given: hot day, 29o Celsius steel tape, need to set points 180 meters apart; what
should be
measured with this tape?
_____ Ct factor __________ meters
 
3. Given: hot day, 36o Celsius steel tape, need to set points 220 meters apart; what
should be
measured with this tape?
_____ Ct factor __________ meters
 
4. Given: cold day, 15o Celsius steel tape, need to set points 200 meters apart; what
should be
measured with this tape?
_____ Ct factor __________ meters

ASSIGNMENT
Surveying Application Problem: a crew measured
54.000 meters between two existing point, but were
1.000 meters off-line in the middle. Calculate the
true distance between the two end points.