University of Technology, Jamaica

Faculty of Built Environment

Traversing

Presenter: Trecia Williams, Msc. (Distinction)

January 18, 2021

Methods of Traversing
➢ Compass Traversing using one of the following:
1. A prismatic compass
2. A tubular of through compass fitted to a theodolite
3. A special compass theodolite.

➢ Separate angular measurements:- (Theodolite Traversing)

1. Angles are measured by finding the difference between adjacent
recorded pointings.
2. This is done on both faces and the mean values are then
converted to azimuths/bearings.
3. In a closed polygon the angles can be checked for geometric
conformity. i.e. The summation check for any polygon is (2n-
4)90º for internal angles and (2n+4)90º or external angles.
4. Azimuth/bearing and distance measurements are used for
coordinate computation purposes.
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Accuracy Orders of Traverse
➢ The accuracy required for a traverse will dictate the methods and
equipment to be used
Typical Angular Distance
Type Purpose
Accuracy Measurement Measurement
Accuracy better than
• Provision of very accurate
1mm required – use
1:50000 or reference points for Use 0.1” industrial
Geodetic/Precise specialized EDM
better engineering surveys theodolite
equipment or industrial
• Primary control surveys
total station
• General engineering work
Electronic
including site surveys and
theodolite or total Use total station or
1:5000 to setting out of structures and
General station with steel tapes to match
1: 1:50000 roadworks
accuracy between accuracy requirement
• Adding secondary control to
1” and 10”
primary networks
Electronic
• Control for drainage schemes
theodolite or
1:500 to and earthworks Total station, steel or
Low accuracy optical theodolite
1:5000 • Small scale surveys and synthetic tapes
of 20” or lower
mapping
accuracy required

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Sequence of Traversing
➢ Reconnaissance and Planning

➢ Station marking and Line clearing

➢ Angular Observations (for azimuths and bearings)

➢ Linear Observations

➢ Computations and Adjustments

➢ Preparation of Plan and Report

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Reconnaissance and Planning
➢ Gather information relevant to the survey area

➢ Visit the site and choose the final position of stations

In selecting the position of stations:

➢ Keep the number of traverse stations to a minimum, traverse lines

should be as long and equal as possible.

➢ Where possible, short lines should be avoided to minimize

centering errors.

➢ Lines should be good for linear measurements.

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Reconnaissance and Planning
➢ If the traverse is to be used for a specific purpose, e.g., detail
survey, the stations should be placed at points that are favourable
for the job (maximum visibility to the details to be surveyed) even
if this means using short lines.

➢ Station positions should be located with intervisibility in mind,

preferably at ground level, to minimize the need for line clearing.

➢ Avoid lines that will cause grazing rays during angular

observation.

➢ Stations should be placed in firm, level ground.

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Station marking and Line clearing
➢ Stations have to be marked for the duration, or longer, of the
survey.

➢ Station markers must be permanent and not easily disturbed, and it

should be easy to set up and centre an instrument over them.

➢ The construction and type of station depend on the requirements of

the survey.

➢ Clearing of traverse lines is essential especially when distance

measurements are to be done by taping.

➢ All stations should have a station description prepared for ease of

relocation.
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Station marking and Line clearing
➢ Temporary marks are usually wooden pegs with a cross mark or
nail in it.

➢ The nail should be hammered flush in the wooden peg and the
wooden peg should be flush in the ground.

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Station marking and Line clearing
➢ Ground markers provide a more permanent method of station
marking in soft ground.

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Station marking and Line clearing
➢ In hard surfaces such as concrete or tarmac, stations can be
marked with nails driven into the surface and these will remain
until the area is resurfaced.

➢ To help identify the station (nail) a steel or plastic washer marking

washer can be used.

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Station marking and Line clearing
➢ For longer stability and better precision a steel in concrete can be
used.

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Station marking and Line clearing
➢ For longer stability and better precision an observation pillar can
be used.

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Angular Observations
➢ The accuracy in the observer’s ability to bisect the target will be
critical, especially for shorter lines.

➢ Care must be taken to measure all angles (not forgetting the one at
the closing station).

➢ Target can be a chaining arrow or the mark itself.

➢ The target should be properly centered and must be held vertical.

➢ It is always helpful to bisect the lowest seeable point on the target.

➢ For consistency and ease of calculation clockwise angles are

encouraged.
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Angular Observations: Observation
Technique
➢ Ensure that temporary station adjustments are executed.

➢ Turn the instrument clockwise when measuring angles, that is, on

FL swing right and on FR swing left.

➢ Always observe on both faces in order to minimize errors in

horizontal and vertical collimation, line of sight not passing
through the telescope axis, circle graduation and transit axis
dislevelment.

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Angular Observations: Observation
Technique
➢ Sequence of Angular Observations:
1. On FL sight RO and record the circle reading
2. On FL sight the forward station and record the circle reading
3. On FR sight the forward station and record the circle reading
4. On FR sight RO and record the circle reading
Reference Station Forward Station
(RO)

Occupied Traverse Station

➢ This process completes 1 round or set of angles.

➢ Reduce field books at the station before moving the instrument

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Linear Observations
➢ See previous slides

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Booking of Angular and Linear
Measurements
➢ Book up the page.
➢ Mean FL and FR Hz angles
➢ Reduce zenith angles to vertical angles
➢ Mean FL and FR Vertical angles
➢ Compute HD: SD * cos (vertical angle)
Horizontal
Horizontal Hz Angle Zenith Slope Distance
Station Vertical Angle Distance
Reading Reduced Angles (m)
(m)

FR 2 - 1 226º 29' 31" (104º 00’ 56“) 279º 21’ 19" 09º 21’ 19"

FR 2 - 3 330º 30' 32" 104º 01' 01" 269º 22’ 04" 00º 37’ 56"

FL 2 - 3 150º 30' 56" 104º 00' 51" 90º 38’ 05" 00º 38’ 05" 1310.177 1310.097

FL 2 - 1 46º 30' 05" 80º 39’ 10" 09º 20’ 05" 6656.505 6568.163

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