LESSON 7

MEASUREMENT OF HORIZONTAL DISTANCES

WARNING! DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU HAVE NOT READ AND

UNDERSTAND LESSON 6

TARGET

This lesson will be dealing with, Electronic Distance Measurement, Types of Tapes
and Taping accessories.

After going through this lesson, you should be able to:

1. define/describe Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM), Geodimeter,

Tellurometer
2. identify and describe the different types of tapes
3. identify and describe the different taping accessories

REMEMBER
To make this learning material help you, don’t just read the lesson like reading a
novel or pocketbook. Reading alone will make you forget easily. Instead, write or jot down
important terms and events transpired in the discussion. This is the best way that you can
visualize and interpret the words/ instrument carefully. For problem solving and
computation discussion see to it that you have calculator, paper and pen or pencil. Write
the numbers/ essential details being talked about. There are two important questions that
should be answered in studying involving computation, the How it is done? and most
important the why it is done? As much as possible answer the “how, why” question in
order not to forget easily the discussion. Do not be satisfied just to know the “how” part.

ANCHOR
You have learned on our previous lesson about common method being employed
to measure horizontal distances.
 IGNITE
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)

1. Basic Principle
Linear measurement determined by EDM instruments are based on the basic
principle that the time required for a radio or light wave travel from one end of line
to the other is a function of the length measured.
2. Classification
a. Electro-optical Instruments
These are the type of instruments which transmit wavelengths within or slightly
beyond the visible region of the spectrum. The earlier model used mercury or
tungsten and only had a short operating ranges especially at daytime because
of excessive atmospheric scatter of this incoherent light. These are bulky and
requires large power source.
Newer models use modulated laser or infrared light which permit
measurements of longer distances even during daytime. These are smaller in
size and highly portable. Allows extremely precise measurement of angles and
distances within a single set-up.

b. Microwave Instruments
This type of EDM transmits microwaves corresponding to wavelengths of
about 1.0 to 8.6 mm. It can operate even during a drizzle or fog. It has
transmitter and receiver.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages
a. Advantages (improved EDM sometime in 1965, considered new EDM)
i. Speed and accuracy in measurement
ii. Lightweight and portable
iii. Low power requirement
iv. Easy to operate
v. Ease in measurement over inaccessible terrain
vi. Applicable to the measurement of short and long lengths
vii. Automatically measures displays and records
viii. Slope measurements are internally reduced to horizontal and vertical
components by built in computers thereby eliminating the need to calculate
these values
ix. Automatically accumulate and averages reading for slope, range horizontal
and vertical angles
b. Disadvantages (early EDM instruments before 1965, considered early EDM)
i. Bulky
ii. Heavy
iii. Expensive
iv. Lengthy measuring procedures
v. Difficult mathematical reduction computation
 4. Uses
Used for determining linear measurements required in traversing, engineering
construction, optical tooling, triangulation, trilateration and various tasks where
precise measurements or layouts are needed. They are extremely useful in
measuring distances over rough and rugged terrain which are difficult to access.
5. Operating ranges
a. Short (Does not exceed 25 km range, most of the instrument are of electro-
optical type)
b. Medium (from 25 km to 75 km range, either microwave or electro-optical type)
c. Long(range longer than 75 km, instruments in this group transmits radio
waves)

Geodimeter
• Geodimeter is an acronym for Geodetic Distance Meter.
• electro-optical device which was developed by a Swedish physicist, Erik
Bergstrand.
• it projects pulsating visible light beam to a reflector which returns the light to the
instrument.
• maximum range varies form 5 km – 10 km during day time and 25 km – 30 km
night time.
• relative Precision of the instrument can attain is about 1/200,000 of the distance

Tellurometer
• Dr. T.L. Wadley of South Africa announced his invention of Tellurometer in 1957
• it utilized high frequency microwave transmission and ws capable of measuring
distance up to 80 km day or night
• it takes about 30 minutes to set up the tellurometer and undertake a measurement
• line of sight between two stations should not be obstructed
• observation can be made during unfavorable weather conditions
• it can attain a precision of 1/300,000 under favorable conditions

Measuring tapes
Tapes are made in variety of length, materials and weights.
1. Steel Tapes
• also known as surveyors’ or engineers’ tape
• made of a ribbon of steel 0.5 to 1.0 cm in width
• weighs 0.8 to 1.5 kg per 30 meters
• length of 10, 20, 30, 50 and 100 meters are available
• designed for most conventional measurements in surveying and
engineering works
2. Metallic Tape
• sometimes called woven tapes
• made of water-proof linen fabric into which are woven longitudinally small
brass, copper or bronze wires
• usually 30 or 50 meters long
 • 10 – 15 mm wide
• used for short distances in locating details for maps, earthwork cross
secti9oning and for measuring were a light flexible tape is desirable
• unsuitable for precise measurement and should not be used around
electrical installations
3. Non-metallic tape
• woven from selected synthetic materials with strong dimensional stability
• coated with a plastic material to reduce the effects of moisture, humidity and
abrasion
• safe to use when working around electrical installations
4. Invar tape
• a special tape made of alloy nickel 35% and steel 65%
• very low coefficient of thermal expansion
• it is less affected by temperature changes
• used only for precise measurements in geodetic work
• used for standardization of other tapes
• ten times more expensive as ordinary tapes
• it requires careful handling since the alloy is soft and somewhat unstable
• easily bent and damaged
5. Lovar tape
• newer type of measuring tape which has properties and cost somewhere
between those conventional steel and invar tape
6. Fiberglass Tape
• made by weaving fiberglass in longitudinal and transverse pattern
• strong and flexible and will not shrink or stretch appreciably with changes in
temperature and humidity
• best suited in the vicinity of electrical equipment
7. Wires
• before the flat steel tapes were produced, wires were utilized in measuring
lengths
• used in hydrographic surveys
8. Builders Tape
• tapes having smaller cross sections and are lighter in weight than the
engineers tape
• tapes are graduated to suit commonly used dimensions in building
constructions
9. Phosphor-Bronze Tape
• rust proof tape designed for use in the vicinity of salt water
10. Nylon-coated Steel Tape
• flexible crack-resistant steel core tape with coating of permanently bonded
non-conducting nylon
• designed to be resistant to corrosion and immune to rust
Taping Accessories
1. Range pole
• also known as flags or lining rods
• used as temporary signals to indicate location of points
• either circular or hexagonal, or octagonal in cross section and pointed at
one end
• 2.0 m – 3.0 m length
• may be made of wood, metal or fiberglass
• marked or painted with alternate white and red sections 30 cm or 50 cm
long

2. Tape clamping handle

• scissor-type handle
• used to apply tension with a quick grp on any part of a steel tape without
causing damage to the tape or to the hands of the tapeman
3. Chaining Pins
• sometimes called surveyors arrow or taping pins
• they are stuck to the ground to mark the ends of the measured tape lengths
or partial tape lengths
• may be used in place of a wooden hub
• 30 cm long pointed at the other end have a round loop at the other
• painted with alternate red and white
• sets of eleven pins carried on a steel ring or loop are standard

4. Tension Handle
• referred to as spring scale
• used at one end of a tape for ensuring the application of correct amount of
pull on the tape during measurement
5. Tape Thermometer
• thermometers are used in precision taping
• used to determine the temperature of the air and approximate temperature
of the tape during measurement
• about 10 cm – 15 cm long
• graduated from 30°C to 50°C in 2 degree or 5 degree divisions
• fastened to the tapes by means of clip

6. Plumb Bob
• used for projecting the tape ends to the ground when tape is suspended
above the measured line
• should weight at least 0.25 kg and must be attached to a 1.5 m string or
cord free from knots
7. Wooden Stake or Hub
• made of 5 cm x 5 cm x 30 cm wood
• used to mark points, corners or station
• the top of the hub is usually marked by driving a nail or tack to its center

8. Leather Thongs
• attached to a ring located near the zero mark to provide comfortable grip on
the tape when measuring
9. Hand Level and Clinometer
• a 15 cm long device which consist of metal sighting tube with a level bubble
• it is used to keep the tape ends at equal elevations when measuring rugged
terrain,

10. Tape Repair Kit

• should be taken along when extensive taping operation is to be performed
at remote areas
• contains sleeve splices coated with solder and flux and are placed over the
two parts or ends of a broken tape
• the splice is hammered down and fastened with eyelets by means of a
puncher or riveter
11. Crayons
• lumber crayons
• 10 cm long and hexagonal cross section or square section
• blue, yellow and red are predominantly used colors
• chalk may be used if lumber caron are not available
• used for making points, corners, stations by indicating cross marks on
paved roads, sidewalks or walls
 EXPLORE

After reading and understanding the topics in Electronic Distance Measurement,

Types of Tapes and Taping accessories you can answer the question in UE 2 questions
4–5

Note: Compile your work (UE 2). Follow the guide in compiling UE problems.
(Deadline of Submission will be posted on the GC. Thank you.

IN A NUTSHELL

In this lesson Geodimeter and Tellurometer can attain high relative precision in
measuring distances.
Electronic Distance measurement is classified as electro-optical and microwave
instruments.
There is a particular type of tape suited for a particular type of taping. There are
taping accessories that can be used to improved performance in taping.