FUNDAMENTALS OF

SURVEYING

ENGR. IRISH M. POLINGA

INSTRUCTOR
TAPE CORRECTIONS
1. Corrections due to Slope
2. Correction due to Alignment
3. Correction due to Temperature
4. Correction due to Tension
5. Correction due to Sag
6. Correction due to Wind
7. Normal Tension
CORRECTION DUE TO SLOPE
• When distances are measured along the slope, the equivalent horizontal
distance may correspondingly be determined by applying an approximate
slope correction.
CORRECTION DUE TO SLOPE
• For the figure, the correction for slope is derived by using the Pythagorean Theorem. Since
triangle ABC is a right triangle,

s2 = d 2 + h 2
Through derivations, the correction due to slope is:

Ch = h2 / (s + d)

For gentle slopes, it is safe to assume that the slope distance (s) is approximately equal to the
horizontal distance (d) or:
Ch = h2 / 2s
CORRECTION DUE TO SLOPE

• Slopes are classified gentle when it is not greater than 20%. To solve for the slope:
SLOPE = (h/d) * 100
• A plus or minus sign must be given to indicate if the slope is rising or falling.
• For Steep slopes from 20%-30%:
Ch = (h2/2s) + (h2/8s3)

• For Very Steep Slopes greater than 30%

Ch = s (1-cos<angle>)

• Therefore, for any slopes:

d = s - Ch
CORRECTION DUE TO ALIGNMENT

• Error due to alignment is generally the least important among the different
errors encountered in taping. Utmost care in aligning a tape is not extremely
important since the error is practically negligible for measurements of
ordinary precision.

• The correction due to incorrect alignment, Ca can be calculated by employing

the slope correction formulas, the only difference is that h and s are in the
horizontal plane.

BS CIVIL ENGINEERING
CESURV30 – FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
CORRECTION DUE TO TEMPERATURE

• The tape lengthens as the temperature rises and shortens as the temperature falls.
• Tapes used in measurements are standardized at a specific temperature.
• The correction applied to the length of the tape due to change in temperature Ct is given
by:
Ct = CL (T – Ts)

Where C is the coefficient of linear expansion or the amount of change in length per unit length
per degree change in temperature, L is the length of the tape, T is the observed temperature and
Ts is the temperature in which the tape was standardized.
CORRECTION DUE TO TENSION

• During calibration, (or standardization) a tape is subjected to a certain

amount of standard pull or tension in its ends.
• When used in the field during taping, it is elongated or shortened
accordingly, depending on the amount of pull applied on it.
• The tape stretches in an elastic manner and since the modulus of elasticity of
a material can expressed as the ratio of unit stress to unit elongation, the
change in length can be determined as:
CORRECTION DUE TO TENSION
E = Stress/Elongation per unit = (P/A)/(e/L) = PL/AE
By substituting the quantity, (Pm – Ps) to P, and computing for the value of the elongation, e or cp, the formula is:

Cp = (Pm – Ps)L/AE

and the corrected length CL = L +/- Cp

Where:
• Cp = total elongation in tape length (m)
• Pm = pulled applied to the tape during measurement (kg)
• Ps = standard pull for the tape (kg)
• L = measured length (m)
• A = cross-sectional area of the tape (sq.cm)
• E = modulus of elasticity of the tape (kg/cm2)
• CL = corrected length (m)
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
• 1. Slope distances AB and BC measures 330.49m and 660.97m, respectively. The
differences in elevation are 12.22m for points A and B, and 10.85m for points B
and C. Using 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.
SOLUTIONS:
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
• 2. A steel tape known to be of standard length at 20oC, is used in laying out a
runway 2,500.00m long. If its coefficient of linear expansion is 0.0000116/1 oC,
determine the temperature correction and the correct length to be laid out when
the temperature is 42oC.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
• A 30-m steel tape weighing 1.45kg is of standard length under a pull of 5kg,
supported for full length. The tape was used in measuring a line 938.55m long on
smooth level ground under a steady pull of 10kg. Assuming E = 2.0 x 106 kg/cm2
and the unit weight of steel to be 7.9 x 10-3 kg/cm3, determine the ff:
a) cross-sectional area of the tape
b) correction for increase in tension
c) correct length of the line measured
END OF THE LECTURE NOTE