Review of Problem Solving

(Chapters 9-11)
Chapter 9: Measurement of Horizontal Distances

1. Correction Due to Slope

Formulas:

• For gentle Slopes (less than 20% or Ɵ<11.31°)

Ch=h2/2s
• For steep slopes (between 20% and 30% or 11.31°<Ɵ<16.699°)
Ch= (h2/2s) + (h4/8s3)
• For very steep slopes (greater than 30% or Ɵ>16.699°)
Cs = Ds * (1 - cos θ)

Concept: When measuring along a slope, the actual horizontal distance is shorter than the
slope distance. The slope correction adjusts the measured distance to a true horizontal
value.

Book Example 1. Page 96

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 the
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.

2. Correction Due to Temperature

Concept: Steel measuring tapes expand or contract with temperature changes. A correction
must be applied if the temperature during measurement differs from the standard
temperature.

Formula:
CT = α * (Tm – T0) L
Where:
- CT = Correction due to temperature
- α = Coefficient of expansion for steel (11.6 × 10⁻⁶/°C)
- Tm = Measured temperature (°C)
- T0 = Standard temperature (usually 20°C)
Book Example 3. Page 97

A steel tape with a coefficient of linear expansion of 0.0000116/1°C is known to be 50m

long at 20° C. The tape was used to measure a line which was found to be 532.28 meters
long when the temperature was 35°C. Determine the following:

a. Temperature correction per tape length

b. Temperature correction for the measured line

Checking

c. Correct length of the line

3. Correction Due to Tension or Pull

Concept: Tension on the measuring tape affects its length. When tension differs from the
standard, a correction is needed. If the tension in the tape is greater or less than the
standard, the tape will stretch or become shorter.

Formula:
CT = (Pm – P0) * L / (AE)
Where:
- CT = Correction due to tension
- Pm = Measured tension
- P0 = Standard tension
- L = Measured length
- A = Cross-sectional area of the tape
- E = Young’s modulus of elasticity

Area= w/λL

- W= weight of the tape

- λ = unit weight of the tape
- L= nominal length

Book Example 6. Page 98

A 30-m steel tape weighing 1.45 kg is of standard length under a pull of 5 kg, supported for
full length. The tape was used in measuring a line 938.55m long on smooth level ground
under a steady pull of 10 kg. Assuming E= 2.0 * 10 6 kg/cm2 and the unit weight of steel to be
7.9 * 10-3.
Determine the following:

a. Cross-sectional area of the tape

b. Correction for increase in tension

c. Correct length of the line measured

Chapter 10: Correction Due to Sag and Normal Tension

1. Correction Due to Sag

Concept: When a tape is suspended between two points, it sags due to its weight, making
the measured distance longer than the true horizontal distance. This correction
compensates for the sag.

Formula:
Cs = ω2 * L3 / (24 * P2) or Cs = W2 * L3 / (24 * P2)
Where:
- Cs = Correction due to sag
- ω = Weight of the tape per unit length (ω=W/L)

- W= weight of unsupported length of tape

- L = Distance between supports
- P = Applied tension

Book Example 1. Page 103

A 30-m tape is supported only at it’s ends and under a steady pull of 8 kg. If the tape weighs
0.91 kg, determine the sag correction and the correct distance between the ends of the tape.
Book Example 2. Page 104

A 50-m steel tape weighs of 0.04 kg/m and is supported at its end points and at the 8-m and
25-m marks. If a pull of 6 kg is applied, determine the following:

a. Correction due to sag between the 0m & 8m marks, 8m & 25m marks, and the 25m
& 50 marks.

b. Correction due to sag for one tape length.

c. Correct distance between the ends of the tape.

2. Normal Tension
Concept: Normal tension is the tension at which corrections due to sag and stretch are equal
and opposite, minimizing the need for further adjustments.

Theoretically, the elongation of due to increased tension can be made equal to the
shortening due to sag by equating the correction due to sag and the correction due to
tension.
Formula:

Where:
- Pn = Normal tension
- ω = Weight of tape per unit length

-W= weight of tape

- L = Span between supports
- E = Modulus of elasticity
- A = Cross-sectional area of the tape

Book Example 4. Page 106

A steel tape weighing 0.85 kg has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 cm2. The tape measures
exactly 30.00 m when supported throughout its length under a standard pull of 5.5 kg. If the
modulus of elasticity is 2.10 * 106 kg/cm2, determine the tension required to make the tape
equal to its nominal length when supported only at the end points.

Chapter 11: Combined Corrections and Measuring Angles

1. Combined Corrections
Concept: When multiple corrections (slope, temperature, tension, sag) apply to a
measurement, they are combined to get the total corrected distance.

Formula:
Dc = Dm + Cs + CT + Cp + Cg
Where:
- Dc = Corrected distance
- Dm = Measured distance
- Cs, CT, Cp, Cg are individual corrections.
Book Example 1. Page 117

A line was determined to be 2395.25m when measured with a 30m steel tape supported
throughout its length under a pull of 4 kg and at a mean temperature of 35° C. Determine
the correct length of the line if the tape used is of standard length at 20°C under a pull of 5
kg. The cross-sectional area of the tape is 0.03 sq cm, its coefficient of linear expansion is
0.0000116/1°C, and the modulus of elasticity of steel is 2.0*106kg/cm2.

Book Example 2. Page 117

A 50-m steel tape is of standard length under a pull of 5.5 kg when supported throughout its
entire length. The tape weighs 0.05 kg/m, has a cross-sectional area of 0.04 sq cm, and
being made of steel, its modulus of elasticity is 2.10*106kg/cm2. This tape was used in the
field to measure a distance that was determined to be 458.650m. At the time the
measurement was made, the constant pull applied was 8 kg with the tape supported only at
its end points. Determine the correct length of the line.

2. Measuring Angles with Tape

Concept: Using a tape to measure angles, particularly in cases where more precise
instruments (like a theodolite) are not available.

Method: Often involves laying out right triangles and applying trigonometric relationships
to calculate angles based on side lengths.

Problem Example:
- Given: A right triangle with sides measured as 3 m and 4 m.
- Required: Calculate the angle.
- Solution:
θ = tan⁻¹(3 / 4) = tan⁻¹(0.75) ≈ 36.87°
The angle is 36.87°.

3. Obstructed Distances
Concept: When obstacles prevent direct measurement, alternative methods such as
triangulation are used to compute the obstructed distance.

Method: Using auxiliary points and known angles/distances, compute the obstructed
distance using geometry and trigonometry.

Problem Example:
- Given: Points A and B cannot be directly measured. A third point C is used, and distances
AC = 50 m, BC = 60 m, and angle at C = 60°.
- Solution:
Apply the Law of Cosines to find the distance between A and B:
AB² = AC² + BC² - 2 * AC * BC * cos(60°)
AB² = 50² + 60² - 2 * 50 * 60 * 0.5 = 2500 + 3600 - 3000 = 1100
AB = √(1100) ≈ 33.17 m
The distance is 33.17 m.

Review of Terminologies
(Chapters 9-11)
Chapter 9: Measurement of Horizontal Distances

1. Correction Due to Slope

Slope Distance: The actual distance measured along the slope between two points.

Horizontal Distance: The true distance between two points when measured on a horizontal
plane.

Slope Correction: A calculation used to adjust the slope distance to its horizontal equivalent.
This is essential for accurate distance measurements in hilly or uneven terrain.

2. Correction Due to Temperature

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: The rate at which the length of a material (like a steel
tape) changes with temperature.

Standard Temperature: The temperature at which the tape’s length is accurate (typically
20°C for steel tapes).

Temperature Correction: The adjustment made to a measured distance to account for the
expansion or contraction of the tape caused by a temperature difference from the standard.

3. Correction Due to Tension

Tension: The pulling force applied to the measuring tape to stretch it taut during
measurement.

Standard Tension: The force at which the tape is expected to give accurate measurements
(specified by the tape manufacturer).

Tension Correction: A correction applied to compensate for differences between the tension
applied during measurement and the standard tension.

Chapter 10: Correction Due to Sag and Normal Tension

1. Correction Due to Sag

Sag: The drooping or downward curve of the tape when suspended between two points due
to its weight.

Sag Correction: An adjustment made to account for the additional length measured when
the tape sags, as the sagged tape does not represent the true horizontal distance.

2. Normal Tension
Normal Tension: The ideal tension at which corrections for both sag and stretch (elongation
due to tension) cancel each other out. When normal tension is applied, no correction for
either factor is necessary.
Chapter 11: Combined Corrections and Measuring Angles

1. Combined Corrections
Combined Corrections: The process of applying multiple corrections (slope, temperature,
tension, and sag) to a measured distance to ensure its accuracy.

Total Correction: The sum of all individual corrections applied to a measurement.

2. Measuring Angles with Tape

Angle Measurement: The process of determining the angle between two points using
various tools (including tapes and trigonometry).

Triangulation: A method used in surveying to measure angles indirectly by forming

triangles between known points and using their side lengths.

3. Obstructed Distances
Obstructed Distance: The distance between two points that cannot be directly measured
due to an obstacle in the way.

Triangulation Method: A common method to calculate obstructed distances by creating

auxiliary points and applying geometric principles to determine the distance indirectly.