SURVEYING - I

CE – 182
LECTURE NO. 03
Batch 2021 - 2025

BY
ENGR. HAMZA SUBHANI
 INTRODUCTION
Area is defined as the area of land as projected upon a horizontal plane
and not the actual area of the land.
The units of area in metric system, commonly used, are:
 Square meters
 Hectares
 Square Feet
 Acres
 Square Yards
Areas may be determined:
By the direct use of the field notes, and
From the previously plotted plan.
AREA CONVERSION CHART
 METHODS OF AREA COMPUTATION
• Regular Polygons 
• Irregular Polygons

Computation of Areas Computation of Areas

from Field Notes from Plans Entire Area By dividing into Squares
By dividing into Trapezoid

1. By Geometry (Triangles) 1. Graphical

2. By Co-ordinates 2. Instrumental Mid-Ordinate Rule
Average Ordinate Rule
Planimeter
Area along Trapezoidal Rule
Boundary Simpson’s One-Third Rule
 Methods of Determining Land Area
1. Area by Triangles
The area can be found by dividing the lot into a series of triangles, making the necessary
measurements and then calculating the area by any of the usual trigonometric formulas.

½ (30)(50) = 750
 METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
Equilateral Triangle Area

A = ½ x base x height
METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
Scalene Triangles and Heron’s Formula

S = ½ (12+14+20) = 23 Find the area of the following triangle

So
A = 23(23 − 12)(23 − 14)(23 − 20)
= 23.11.9.3
= 82.65
 METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
2. Area by Coordinate Squares
The scaled drawing is marked off in squares of unit areas then counted. This is used to
approximate areas.

Abscissa - Ordinate

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 METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
3. Area by Polar Planimeter
The polar planimeter is a mechanical device used to determine the area of any shape of figure
plotted to a known scale by directly tracing the perimeter and reading the result from the scale.

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METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA

Parts of a Polar Planimeter

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METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA

Sample Polar Planimeters

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METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
Sample Polar Planimeters

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METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA

Guiding Table Supplied By Manufacturer

Vernier
Position on Area for one revolution of
Constant
Scale the tracer bar measuring wheel (M)
(C)
(i.e. index Scale Actual
mark)
1:1 21.51 10 sq. inch 10 sq. inch 26.448
3/8” = 1’ (1:32) 30.24 100 sq. ft 14.06 sq. inch 23.617
1/4” = 1’ (1:48) 26.88 200 sq. ft 12.5 sq. inch 24.319
1/2” = 1’ (1:24) 26.88 50 sq. ft 12.5 sq. inch 24.319

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 METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
Procedure of Finding the Area with a Planimeter
1. The Vernier of the index mark is set to the exact graduation marked on
the tracer arm corresponding to the scale as obtained from the table.
Suppose the scale is 3/8” = 1”. Then the Vernier of the index mark
should be set to 30.24 (Obtain from the table).
2. The anchor point is fixed firmly in the paper outside or inside the
figure. It should be ensured that the tracing point is easily able to reach
every point on the boundary line.
3. A good starting point is marked on the boundary line.
4. By observing the disc, wheel and Vernier, the Initial Reading (IR) is
recorded.
5. The tracing point is moved gently in a clockwise direction along the
boundary of the area.

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METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
6. The number of times the zero mark of the dial passes the index mark in
clockwise or anticlockwise direction should be observed.
7. Finally, by observing the disc, wheel and Vernier the final reading (FR) is
recorded.
8. Then, the area of the figure may be obtain from the following expression:
Area A = M (FR – IR ± 10N + C)
Where
M = multiplier given in the table
N = number of times the zero mark of the dial passes the index mark.
C = Constant given in the table.
FR = final reading
IR = Initial reading

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METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA

Example : The following readings were recorded by a planimeter with the

anchor point inside the figure.

IR = 9.377, FR = 3.336, M = 100cm2, and C = 23.521

Calculate the area of the figure when it is observed that the zero mark of the
dial passed the index mark once in the anticlockwise direction.

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METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA

Solution : Given data:

IR = 9.377 M = 100 cm2
FR = 3.336 C = 23.521
N = -1 (for anticlockwise)

From the expression, A = M (FR – IR ± 10N + C)

A = 100(3.336 – 9.377 – 10 x 1 + 23.521)

A = 748 cm2

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 METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
4. Mid-Ordinate Rule
The rule states that if the sum of all the ordinates taken at midpoints of each division multiplied by
the length of the base line having the ordinates (5 divided by number of equal parts).

In this, base line AB is divided into equal parts and the

ordinates are measured in the midpoints of each division.

Area = ([O1 +O2 + O3 + …..+ On]*L)/n

L = length of baseline
n = number of equal parts, the baseline is divided
d = common distance between the ordinates
METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
4. Mid-Ordinate Rule - Example
The following perpendicular offsets were taken at 10m interval from a
survey line to an irregular boundary line. The ordinates are measured at
midpoint of the division are 10, 13, 17, 16, 19, 21, 20 and 18m. Calculate
the are enclosed by the midpoint ordinate rule.
Given:
Ordinates
O1 = 10, O2 = 13, O3 = 17, O4 = 16, O5 = 19, O6 = 21, O7 = 20, O8 = 18
Common distance, d =10m
Number of equal parts of the baseline, n = 8

Length of baseline, L = n *d = 8*10 = 80m

Area = [(10+13+17+16+19+21+20+18)*80]/8
= 1340sqm
 METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
5. Average Ordinate Rule
The rule states that (to the average of all the ordinates taken at each of the
division of equal length multiplies by baseline length divided by number of
ordinates).

O1, O2, O3, O4….On ordinate taken at

each of division.
L = length of baseline
n = number of equal parts (the baseline
divided)
d = common distance

Area = [(O1+ O2+ O3+ …. + On)*L]/(n+1)

METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
5. Average Ordinate Rule - Example
The following perpendicular offsets were taken at 10m interval from a
survey line to an irregular boundary line.
9, 12, 17, 15, 19, 21, 24, 22, 18
Calculate area enclosed between the survey line and irregular boundary
line.

Area = [(O1+ O2+ O3+ …. + O9)*L]/(n+1)

= [(9+12+17+15+19+21+24+22+18)*8*10]/(8+1)

= 139538sqm
 METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
6. Area by Offsets from Straight Lines
Areas with irregular or curved boundaries are usually measured by establishing a base line
conveniently near and by taking offsets at regular intervals from the base line to the boundary.

• Trapezoidal Rule The Trapezoidal rule determines the area by approximating it to that
of a trapezoid whereas Simpson's rule approximates the area to that
• Simpson’s One-Third Rule under a quadratic polynomial (forming an arc of parabola). This
makes it a more complex method and one that yields a value closer to
the definite integral that is actually being determined.
TRAPEZOIDAL RULE ILLUSTRATION
 TRAPEZOIDAL RULE ILLUSTRATION
Calculating areas with the Trapezoidal Rule

Hence, the total area is:

The Trapezoidal Rule assumes straight line segments on the boundary

TRAPEZOIDAL RULE ILLUSTRATION PROBLEM
METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA; SIMPSON’S RULE
“To the sum of the first and last ordinates, add twice the sum of the
remaining odd ordinates and four times the even ordinates.
Multiply the total sum thus by one third the common distance
between the ordinates, and the result gives the required area.”
Note:- O2,O4,O6,etc., (the 2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.,) are even ordinates, and O3,O5,O7,etc.,
(the 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc.,) are odd ordinates.
Note:- This method necessitates an even number of the divisions of the area, i.e. the
total number of ordinates must be odd. If there be an odd number of divisions, the area
of the last division must be calculated separately, and added to the result obtained by
applying Simpson’s rule to the remaining
divisions.

A  O1  4O 2  2O3  4O 4  .........  4On  2  2On  1  On 

d
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SIMPSON’S ONE-THIRD RULE ILLUSTRATION PROBLEM
Example: The following perpendicular offsets were taken at 10m intervals
from a survey line to an irregular boundary line:- 3.82, 4.37, 6.82, 5.26, 7.59,
8.90, 9.52, 8.42, and 6.43m.
Solution:
Let, d= the interval between the offsets= 10m
= the required area
(a)Applying Simpson’s rule, we get
= 10/3{3.82+4(4.37+5.26+8.90+8.42)+2(6.82+7.59+9.52)+6.43}
= 10/3 x (165.91)
= 553.03 sq.meters
(b)Using the Trapezoidal rule, we have
= 10/2{3.82+2(4.37+6.82+5.26+7.59+8.90+9.52+8.42)+6.43}
= 10/2 x (112.01)
= 560.05 sq.meters
SIMPSON’S ONE-THIRD RULE ILLUSTRATION PROBLEM

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METHODS OF DETERMINING LAND AREA
Difference between Trapezoidal and Simpson’s Rule
1. In trapezoidal, the boundary between the ordinates is considered
straight. In Simpson’s, the boundary between the ordinates is considered
parabolic.
2. In trapezoidal, there is no limitation, it is applicable for any number of
ordinates. In Simpson’s, the number of divisions should be even in this
case.
3. The Trapezoidal rule gives an approximate result. Simpson’s rule gives
accurate results.
4. The result obtained by the trapezoidal rule are not affected because the
boundary between the ordinates is considered straight. The result
obtained by Simpson’s rule are greater or lesser as the curve of the
boundary is convex or concave towards the baseline.

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 COMPARISON STATEMENTS
• The results obtained using Simpson’s rule are greater or less than those
obtained by using the Trapezoidal rule accordingly as the curve of the
boundary is concave or convex towards the base line. The results
obtained by using Simpson's rule are more accurate and, therefore,
where great accuracy is required, it should be invariably used.
• For the application of the Trapezoidal and Simpson’s rules the intervals
between successive ordinates must be uniform throughout the length of
the base line. If it is not the same, the base line may be divided into
different sections, each having the same interval. The areas of these
sections should be calculated separately and the results added to obtain
the required area.
ANY QUESTIONS????