MEASURING HORIZONTAL

DISTANCE
TOPIC 3
Most surveying data are eventually plotted and drawn as either a boundary plat, a
topographic map, a building site plan, a profile of the ground along a route or a series
of route cross sections. With the exception of the last two types of drawings, the lines
shown on the paper represent projection of points onto a flat and horizontal surface.
The drawing paper represents the level reference plane. The scaled length of any line
on the drawing is proportional to the actual horizontal distance between the endpoints
on the earth.

The tasks of determining the horizontal distance between two existing points and of
setting a new point at a specified distance from some other fixed position are
fundamental surveying operations. The surveyor must select the appropriate
equipment and apply suitable field procedures in order to determine or set and mark
distances with the required degree of accuracy
Rough measurement is necessary only on:

1. Locating topographic features during the preliminary reconnaissance of a building site

2. Searching for a property corner and other survey markers

3. Checking taped distances so as to avoid blunders

Methods of Linear Measurements

I. Distance by Pacing - counting steps or paces while walking naturally along the line to be
measured

Unit Pace - the distance between two successive positions of the toe (or heel) of the
same foot. It is expressed in terms of meters per pace (m/pace) or feet per pace
(ft/pace)

Stride - comprises two paces

 Distance = unit pace x number of paces

A unit pace can be easily determined by walking normally along a line of known distance
on level ground. The number of paces taken to walk the distance is counted. The unit pace
is then computed as the ratio of known distance to the average number of paces.

Sample problem:

A surveying student walked along a given line that was known to be 200 ft. long, in order to
determine her average unit pace. She paced the line five times, recording 78, 76.5, 77, 87
and 76 paces respectively in her field book.

a. Determine her average unit pace

b. If the surveyor then counted an average of 123.5 paces while pacing off a line of
unknown distance, what is the distance?
Solution
a. Upon examining the recorded data it should be clear that a blunder was made in
counting or recording the value of 87 paces, it is too far off from the other values. To
handle it, disregard the value and compute the average number of the remaining values.
Average number of paces = (78 + 76.5 + 77 + 76) + 4 = 76.9 paces

Unit pace =
= = 2.6 ft/pace

b. Distance = unit pace x ave. pace

= (2.6)(123.5) = 321.1 ft
II. Distance by Taping – used of a graduated tape which is the most common method of
measuring or laying out horizontal distance
Tapes and Accessories

1. Steel Tapes
2. Plumb Bob - a small metal weight with a sharp, replaceable point. It is used to project
the horizontal position of appoint on the ground up to the tape, or vice versa.

3. Range Pole - made of wood, metal or fiberglass, 2.5 m or 8 ft. in length, painted with
red and white bands for easy sighting. It is placed vertically in the ground behind each
endpoint of the line to be measured.
4. Steel Taping Pins (also called chaining pins or surveyor's arrow) - used to mark the end of
the tape, or an intermediate point, when taping over grass or unpaved ground. Generally carried
in a set of eleven pins, on a heavy wire loop. It is most useful for tallying full tape length over
long measured distances.

5. Keel - a yellow lumber crayon used to mark temporary points on paved surfaces, a pencil
line or scratch.
6. Spring Balance Tension Holder - attached to the forward end of the tape to indicate
whether or not the correct pull or tension is acquired.

7. Tape Thermometer - temperature corrections to account for the possibility of tape

expansion or contraction

8. Tape Clamp Handle - used for providing a firm grip on the tape at any intermediate point,
without causing damage to the tape or injury to the surveyor from the steel edge.
Two persons needed to tape a distance

1. Front or Head Tape person - holding the front end of the tape
2. Rear Tape person - holding the back of the tape.

III. Distance by Tachymetry . It is based on the optical geometry of the instruments

employed and is indirect method of measurement.

1. Stadia Method
2. Subtense Bar Method
 tan =

D=

since S =2 therefore D = = cot

where: D = horizontal distance
Ø = angle subtended by the targets

Sample Problem 1

The following subtended angles were read on a 2-m subtense bar using a theodolite:
0o54’13”, and 0o22’20”. Compute the horizontal distance from the theodolite to each
position of the bar.
Solution

D1 = = 126.81 m

D2 = = 307.86 m
Sample Problem 2

A 2-m subtense bar is set up near the middle of a traverse line PQ using a theodolite set
up at P, the angle subtended reads 0O20’14”. When the theodolite was transferred and
set up at Q, the corresponding subtended angle was observed as 0o23’47”. Determine
the horizontal length of line PQ.
Solution

D1 = = 339.81 m (horizontal length of PS)

D2 = = 289.09 m (horizontal length of line QS)

D = D1 + D2 = 628.90 (horizontal length of PQ)

 IV. Distance by Graphical and Mathematical Methods. Widely employed in plane
table surveys and in triangulation work. Also in scaling for maps or aerial photographs.

V. Distances by Mechanical Devices

1. Odometer – a simple device than can be attached to a wheel for purpose of

roughly measuring surface distances. It is suitable for route location surveys.
preliminary surveys, small scale mapping, for performing quick check on other
measurements, and if pacing will take a longer time to accomplish.
2. Measuring Wheel - used to determine distance, by pushing the rod and rolling the wheel
along the line to be measured.

3. Optical Rangefinder a hand-held or mounted on a tripod device used to determine

distances approximately simply by focusing.
VI. Distance by Photogrammetry. Measurement of images on a photograph.

The Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) – an electronic instrument that allows a

rapid and accurate determination of linear distances, horizontal and vertical angles suitable
for large extent surveys.
Geodimeter an acronym for Geodetic Distance Meter is an electro-optical device developed
by Eric Bergstrand to improve method for measuring the velocity of light.

Tellurometer invented by Dr. Wadley of South Africa that utilized high frequency microwave
transmission and was capable of measuring distances up to 80 km day and night.
Breaking Tape - a surveying process when a ground slope is excessive, it may be difficult or
impossible to hold the full tape in a horizontal position by plumbing one end.

Slope Taping – measurements made directly along the slopes.

Stations - series of marks set on a line at measured distances

Full Station - point located at intervals of exactly 100 ft or 100 meters from the beginning
points.

Pluses - points located between the full stations