Engineering Surveying I

Lecture 04 – Angle
Measurement
LOGO
 Definition

 Angle is used to describe the relative orientation of points and

properties with respect to each other.
 The measurement of angles is one of the most important
required in surveying and construction.
 Angles are usually measured using either a theodolite or a
total station.
Definition of terms

 Horizontal plane - a plane that is perpendicular to the vertical

line at a point; there can be only one horizontal plane through a
given point but unlimited horizontal lines exist at the same point.
 Horizontal angle - the difference between intersecting lines
when they are projected onto the datum plane.
 Vertical plane - any plane that contains the vertical line at a
given point; unlimited vertical planes exist at a given point.
 Vertical angle (Elevation angle) - the angle of elevation or
depression between the line of collimation and the horizontal
plane which passes through the horizontal axis of the theodolite.

 Zenith angle - a vertical angle from local vertical to the line of

sight of an object. 3
 Theodolite observations

 An angle can be observed in two ways:

i. Face left observation
 If the vertical circle is on the left hand side of the observer
ii. Face right observation
 If the vertical circle is on the right hand side of the observer.
For horizontal angle measurement,
F.R reading - F.L reading = 180°,

For vertical angle measurement the readings are Zenith

angles,
F.R reading + F.L reading = 360°
If the measurement is free from any errors.
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General measurement procedures

Horizontal Angle Measurement

Vertical angle Measurement

If the point sighted is above the horizontal axis of the
theodolite the vertical angle is known as angle of elevation
(+) and if it is below, it is known as angle of depression.

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Bearing and angles

i. Measurements of direct angle

 angle measured clockwise from the proceeding line to the
following line

ii. Measurements of deflection angle

 angles in which any survey line makes with the prolongation of
preceding line
Its value may vary from 00 to 1800 and is designated as right
deflection angle if it is measured in clock wise direction and as left
deflection angle if it is measured in the anticlockwise direction.

1 & 3 = left deflection

2 = Right deflection
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 Bearing

 Bearing of a line is its direction relative to a given meridian.

Meridian can be classified as follows:
 True Meridian: - The line of intersection of the earth surface by
a plane contains North Pole, South Pole and observer’s
position.
 True bearing: - the horizontal angle which it makes with the
true meridian through one of the extremities of the line.
 Magnetic Meridian: - the directions shown by freely
floating and balanced needle free from all attractive force.
The direction of magnetic compass.
 Magnetic bearing: - the horizontal angles which it makes
with magnetic meridian passing through one of extremities
of the line.
A magnetic compass is used to measure it.
 A theodolite is used to measure the angle.
 Arbitrary Meridian: - any convenient direction towards a
permanent and prominent mark or signal, such as a church,
top of chimney.
Such meridians are used to determine the relative
position of a line in a small area.
 Arbitrary bearing: - the horizontal angles which if makes
with any arbitrary meridian passing through one of the
extremities.

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Designation of Bearing

 The common systems of notation of bearing are:

The whole Circle bearing system (WCB)
quadratic bearing system
1. The whole Circle(Azimuth) bearing system (WCB)
The bearing of a line:
- measured north (or south) in clock with direction.
- The values vary from 00 to 3600.
- no direction is require
- Prismatic Compass is also used.

W.C.B of AB = 1, AC = 2, AD = 3, AF

2. Quadrantal(reduced) bearing System
The bearing of a line:
- Line measured eastward or westward from
- North or south, whichever is nearer.
- The value vary from 00 to 900
- direction is require(NE,NW,SE,SW)

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Conversion between QB and WCB

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Conversions of bearing from one system to other

Fore and back bearing

 If the bearing of the line AB is measured from A to ward B, it
is known as forward bearing or fore bearing (FB).
 If the bearing of the line AB is measured from B toward A, it
is known as backward bearing or back bearing (B.B).

C



F.B of line AB =  and B.B of line AB =   B.B =  = 180 + 

F.B of line CD = , and B.B of line CD =   B.B =  =  - 180

Then B.B = F.B + 180 for F.B < 1800

B.B = F. B  180 B.B = F.B - 180 for F.B > 1800
Calculations of angles from Bearing

 Knowing the bearing of two lines, the angle between the

two can easily calculated with the help of diagram

Included angle = F.B of one line - F.B of other line

both bearing measured from a
common point A

𝛼=( 180+ 𝜃 1 ) − 𝜃 2
Calculations of bearing from angles

 Included angles b/n successive lines have been measured, the

bearing of the line can be calculated.
 Let ,,,, be the included angles measured clockwise and 1
be the measured bearing

Bearing of the line BC = 2 =  + 1 – 180, CD = 3 = 2 +  - 180

DE = 4 = 3 +  - 180, EF = 5 = 4+  + 180
 From the above ( - 1), (2 + ) & (3+ ) are more than
1800 while (4 + ) is less than 1800. Hence in order to
calculate the bearing of the next line, the following
statement can be made.
 “Add the measured clock wise angle to the bearing of the
previous line if the sum is more than 180, deduct 1800. If the
sum is less than 1800, add 1800 ".
 W.C.B = R.B. = 200 30 , W.C.B = 180 - 90 48' = 1700 12',
W.C.B = 180 + 310 54 = 2110 54‘ W.C.B = 360 - 320
36' - 3270 24'

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Thank you!!

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