BUD2202 LAND SURVEYING

COURSE CONTENT

1. Instrument for Chain Surveying

2. Chain Surveying for
3. Leveling Principle and method of reducing level readings.
4. Application of leveling for construction
5. Transverse surveying, types and uses]
6. Chains and compass method of transverse surveying
7. Theodolite: types, uses, and operations
8. Reporting survey finding and inference

DEFINITION OF SURVEY

Surveying may be described as the art and science of making measurement on the earth
surface for the purpose of producing a map or a plan of an area. It can also be defined as the
science of making measurement of the relative positions of natural and man-made feature on the
earth surface and the presentation of the information either graphically or numerically.
Therefore, survey is concern with determining the linear and angular measurement, the extent
and form of a particular area with the aim of constructing a map or a plan of the area.

The term “land” comprises of the solid and liquid act (physical and water bodies).

Generally, survey consists of three major components.

a. Taking a general view of a pilot survey before the actual field work survey. This act is
called reconnaissance.

Reconnaissance: - is the activity of getting information about an areas for survey or military
purpose using people (surveyor) soldiers, planes etc.

The reason for reconnaissance survey includes

1. To establish the best sites for survey stations
2. To identify the positions of important features to be included in the survey work
3. To locate a suitable ground for the base line measurement
4. To save time during the actual field work
 (b) Observation and measurement (actual field work)
(c) Presentation and recording i.e. plotting and production of maps or plan of the
surveyed area.

TYPES OR BRANCHES OF SURVEYING

1. Topographical Surveying:- These are surveys made for producing maps or plan which
shows such physical features of an area of land especially the position of its rivers,
mountain, vegetation, settlement and transportation routes.
2. Cadastral or Land Surveying:-There are surveys made for producing maps or plan and
showing properties boundaries such as plots of land, farm and estate.
3. Hydrographical Surveying;- These are surveys made from water areas such as
determining the depth of water at different point. The nature of the bottom, the coast
lines, the harbor etc.
4. Geodetic Surveying:-This is the process of measuring with a view to determine the size,
shape, figure, gravity and magnetic field of the earth.
5. Engineering Surveying :- This type of survey is usually carried out for the construction
of highways, railways, bridges, dams and other public work

Other types of surveying include mining surveying, air surveying and military surveying.

6. Minining Surveying;- This type of survey is usually carried out of the propose to getting
coal and other minerals from the ground.
7. Archaeological survey:- this is the types of surveys which is carried out to prepares
maps of ancient culture i.e antiquities

Classification base on the instrument used

According to the instruments or methods employed surveys may also be classified as follows:-
1. Chain Surveying
2. Compass Surveying
3. Plane Table Surveying
4. Theodolite Surveying
5. Triangulation Surveying
6. Aerial Surveying
Purpose of Land Surveying

Land surveying are generally carried out for one of the following reason.

1. To secure necessary data for exact description of the boundaries of a plot of land.
2. To determine the area of a plot of land.
3. To prepare an accurate plan of a plot of land
4. To demarcate the boundaries of a plot of land in a previously surveyed area
5. To divide a plot of land into a number of smaller units
6. To secure data for executing engineering projects i.e. alignment of roads railway line,
canals etc.

Stages of Survey Operations

The entire work of survey operations may be divided into three (3) distinct stages:

1. Field Work
2. Office Work
3. Care and Adjustment of the Instruments
1. Field Work:-The field work consists of the measurement of distance and angles required
for plotting to scale and also keeping a systematic record of what has been done in the
form of a field book. Field work is further divided into three (3) stages
(a) Reconnaissance
(b) Observation
(c) Field Records

Field Records:-All measurement are recorded in a field book. Every care should be made to
ensure correct entries of all the observations otherwise the survey work may be useless. To
prevent a survey work from being useless the following important rules must be observed.

(i) Readings should be recorded in the filed book as soon as observations are made.
Nothing should be kept in mind for recording later.
(ii) Only one field note book should be maintained.
(iii) Entries should be made by a sharp 2H or 3H period and not by a soft pencil.
(iv) Neat sketches should be drawn to explain relative position and directions.
 (v) Never erase wrong readings. If readings are to be scored, rule one line through the
incorrect value and record the correct reading above it.
(vi) Style of writing should be consistent and numerical values should be bold and
legibly written.
(vii) Each day’s work and field notes must be signed daily.
2. Office Work:-The field notes are brought to the office and necessary drafting, computing
and designing work are done by draftsmen and computers.
3. Cares and Adjustment of Instrument:-A great care is required to handle survey
instrument. A beginner should always be made familiar with care and adjustment of the
instruments and its limitation. Precisions instrument such as theodolite, level and
prismatic compass need more care than the equipment such as chain, arrows and ranging
rods. The following care and precaution must be taken.
1. While removing a theodolite or a dumpy level from its box, do not lift it by its
telescope. It should be lifted by its standards by placing hand under the leveling
head or the foot plate.
2. While carrying an instrument from one place to the other. It should be carried on
the shoulder if the distance is short, otherwise it should be carried in the box.
3. Do not set an instrument on smooth surface, to avoid spreading its tripod legs and
ultimately falling off the instrument. In an unavoidable circumstance, tripod legs
should be inserted in the joints or cracks.
4. The instrument must be kept clean and frequently dusted with a small brush.
Lenses should be dusted lightly with a brush.
5. Keep the hands off the vertical circles and other exposed graduations to avoid
tarnishing.
6. Do not expose the instrument to dust dampness and scorching sun. An umbrella
may be conveniently used to protect it from sun.
7. Do not leave the instrument on the road foot paths or in unguarded postures
8. Do not force the foot-screws and tangent screws too hard.
9. Whenever observations are interrupted the cap of the object should be placed.
10. In case of a compass its needle should not be left to swing unnecessary. When not
in used, it should be lifted off the pivot.
 11. After day’s work the steel tapes should be wiped clean and dried with a dry cloth
slightly only one.
12. The theodolite should be turned a few revolutions in altitude.

Methods of Determining Distance

Generally, there are two main method of determining the distances between points on the surface
of the earth: (1) Direct methods and (2) commutative method.

Direct Measurement:- In this method distances are actually measured on the surfaceof the earth
by means of chains tapes etc.

Computative Measurement:- In this method distance are determining by calculation as in

tachometry, triangulation etc. Several methods are available for measuring the distances directly.
Each method has its own limitation of the degree of accuracy.

Instruments for Measuring Distance

The instruments used for measuring distance are as discussed below:

1. Tape: Tapes are classified according to the material used viz.

(i) Cloth or linen tape
(ii) Metallic tape
(iii) Steel tape
(iv) Invar tape
(i) Cloth or linen tape:- Linen tapes are closely woven linen and varnished to resist
miniature. They are generally 10 metresto 30 metres in length and 12 to 15mm in width.
One end of the tape is provided with a ring whose length is included in the total length of
the tape. Cloth tapes are generally used for measuring off set measurement. It has the
following demerit to it use.
(a). It is easily affected by moisture and thus gets shrunk.
(b). its length gets attired by stretching.
(c). It is likely to twist and tangle
(d) It is not strong as a chain or steel tape
(e) It is light and flexible and so does not remain straight in strong wind
 (f) Due to continuous use, its figure gets in-distinct

(ii) Metallic Tape: - Is a linen that is reinforced with brass or copper wires to prevent
stretching or twisting of fibers. It is available in different length but tapes of 20m and
30m length are more common. Metallic tape can be used for measuring accurate
distances but. It is commonly used for taking offset distance in chain surveying.

(iii) STEEL Tape: - Steel tapes are available with different accuracy of graduation. A steel
tape of lowest of accuracy is generally superior to a metallic or cloth tape for linear
measurements. It is available in different length but 10m, 20m, 30m and 50metre steel are
usually used for survey measurements. The length of the metal ring is included in the
length of the tape. A steel tapes is delicate they are generally not used in terrain with
vegetable or rocky grounds.
(viii) Invar Tape:- Invar tapes are made of an alloy of nickel (36%) and steed (64%) having
very co-efficiant of thermal expansion (0.000000122 per 1oc) invar tapes are used mainly
for high degree of precision required for base measurement. It has the following demerit
to its use.
(a) Get deformed more easily than steel tape
(b) Develop creep with time
(c) Required more assistant to stretch and handle
(d) Need greater care to handle them to avid bending and kinking

2. CHAINS: - The chain used in surveying is generally of the following types.

(a) Gunter’s Chain:- consist of 66ft long and is divided into 100 links each link measures
0.66ft
b. Engineer’s Chain: - Consist of 20m or 30m long and is divided into 100 or 150 links
respectively. Each link measures 20cm.
c. Metric Chain:- Consist of 20m or 30m long and is divided into 100 or 150
links respectively. Each link measures 20cm.
CHAIN SURVEYING INSTRUMENT

1. Gunter chain (20m or 30m chain with 10 arrows):- It is the simplest form of linear
measurement device. It is graduated with numbered yellow mark called tallies at every
one meter however, at the 5th, 10th, 15th ….the yellow tallies are replaced by numbered red
tally.

2. Linear tape (20m metallic tape):- It is used for relatively short distance measurement such
as offset and tie lines measurement during chain surveying.

3. Ranging Pole (20m long):- Round wooden pole having a pointed metal should or shoe at
one end for easy penetration into the ground. It is usually graduated into 20cm divisions
painted “red” and “white” so that it can easily be seen on the field.
4. Marking Arrow:- (about 3.75cm long) made of steel wire pointed at one end so that it can
easily be driven into the found. The other end is bent into a circular shape to which a
brighter coloured cloth (red) is tied to enable them see in the field.

5. Cross Staff or Optical Square: - this is made up of four (4) directional links at right angle
to the other. It is used for showing directions on the field.
6. Field note book:- this is sed for making sketches and recording on the field varies in sizes
of about 11cm-18cm stiff cover.

A pen knife or cutlass: - Used for clearing vegetation along the chain line

7. Pencil:- (Hb, 2h) Used for writing and sketching etc.

8. Hammer (varies in sized):- it is used for driving peg into the ground
9. Theodolite/dumpy level:- this is the major survey instrument. It is usually used in chain
surveying for the aligning of ranging pole on a straight line.

CHAIN SURVEYING TERMS

Terms used during chain surveying includes

1. CHAINING: - Chaining usually denotes measurement made with a chain.

2. TAPING: - Taping denotes measurement with a tape.
3. RANGING: - alignment of ranging poles for setting out the director of the chainage line.
This may be done by;
a. The eye for ordinary measurement
b. Theodolite for more precise/accurate measurement
4. SURVEY STATIONS: These stations are of two type’s i.e the main station and the
subsidiary or substation.
a. Main station:- The main station are selected due to the following
1. At least two adjacent stations must be indivisibly.
2. Chaining can be easily carried out between adjacent stations.
3. It must be easily referenced in case of checking measurement if errors are
detected.
b. Subsidiary or Sub-Stations: They are usually along the main survey line to
establish subsidiary lines either for the purpose of fixing feature and boundaries.
5. MAIN SURVEY LINES:-This is the line linking two main survey stations.
6. OFFSET: they are short distance measured between the man survey line and the
boundary of the features being surveyed. Generally, off-sets are usually taken at right
angle.
7. CHECKLINE:-They are line used in checking the accuracy of the survey work when the
map is produced.
8. THE LINES:-They are two linear measurement made from the main survey line.
CHAINING OPERATION
Chaining operation is usually carried out by the surveyor and two chain men refers to as the
leader and the follower and other survey assistants. The procedure is as follows.
(a) The surveyor or who will record all the measurement in the field will first sketch an index
map of the area being surveyed on the first page of the field note book and insert and the
survey line or stations
(b) The chain is then untied at the station of origin and the chain men takes each end of the
chain. The leader carried cutlass in case there are vegetation along the chain lines and at
least (10) marking arrows along. The follows hold his own end of the chain firmly against
the first ranging pole at the starting point. The leader then proceeds in the direction of the
next station with the second end of the station.
(c) When the leader is perfectly in line, he marks the end of the chain with one arrow struck
to the ground. Having done this, the survey assistants will start taking off sets to the
boundaries and important features in the area from the chain as it lies on the ground.
(d) The exercise then proceeds when the leader signals to the follower to move up towards
the arrow struck on the ground from the starting point. The leader again move towards
the next station with the chain and the remaining nine (9) arrows the follower picks up
the arrows at temporary stations as the exercise continues. The number of arrows picked
up by the follower multiplied by the chain length gives the distance between the stations.
The work then continues until all the survey stations or lines are measured.

Possible Errors and Mistakes in Chain Surveying

There are two main groups of errors in chain surveying.
These are: (i) Mistakes or Human Error (ii) Systematic or Cumulative Error
(1) The first group mistakes or human errors include the following.
(a) Failure to or incorrect booking of the survey line measured by the surveyor.
 (b) Incorrect readings of the tapes or the tallies of the chain.
(c) Incorrect bookings of offsets.
(d) Clogging of the chain and improper alignment of the chain in selection to the
survey line.

They above mistakes can easily be correct by going back to the field to take the measurement
again.

(2) The second groups of error are systematic or cumulative errors.

These are caused:

a. When the chain is longer or shorter than the standard length of the chain after protracted
use. Therefore, the measurement taken can either be under estimated or over estimated.
The correction of the error can be corrected using the formula.

Lo = L x I where Lo = correct length of line

Io L = measured length of line
Io = standard length of chain
I = length of chain used
b. Errors as a result of the nature of the topography. Generally, measurement made on
sloping grounds and longer than those made on horizontal plane or flat surface.
Correction of the slope length is made using the trigonometric function.
OSBTRUCTIONS IN CHAIN SURVEYING AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
Methods of circumventing the obstacles
All the different types of obstacle can be readily by-pass using some principles of plane
geometry such as taking right angle off sets using Pythagoras theorem and principal of similar
triangles.
(i) OBSTACLES IMPENDING CHAINING ONLY (ISOLATED)
a. Establish the survey line AB
b. From C take an offset to D
c. From E take an offset to F where CD = EF
d. Measure DF
CE = DF
C E
A B

D F
EF = CD
CE = DF

C F
A B

E G
CF = 2 x EG

D
(ii) OBSTACLE IMPEDING BOTH CHAINING AND ALIGNMENT
a. From point A and B on the survey line make an offset at equal distance at C and
D.
b. With C and D make a straight line by ranging and mark E and F.
c. Make an offset from E and F to G and H such that AC = BD = EG = FH.
d. The survey line has been re-establish, therefore BG = DE.

A B G H

C D E F

AC = BD, EG = FH
BG = DE

A B I G

C H

E F

D
 AD = DG = AG
BI = AD –AB - GI

(iii) OBSTACLE WHICH IS CONTINUES (RIVER)

a. From point C along the survey line Ab which is known from the boundary take an
offset ie construct a perpendicular to D.
b. Divide CD in to equal parts at C such that CO = OD.
c. Identify an important feature X at the other bank side of the river.
d. Take another offset or perpendicular from D to E produce DE to F with the aid of
a ranging pole at O and the feature X make a straight line XOF.
e. Then triangle COX and DOF are similar to straight C Therefore, line DF is also
equal to line CX Note: CX = CY + YX
f. Finally the width of the river lie XY is equal to DF – Cy
XY = DF-CY

CX = DF
CO = OD
OX = FO
 CX = CY + YX and XY = CX – CY
XY = DF = CY

LOCAL ATTRACTION is the distraction that deflects the needle

which causes slight error in measurement. It could be as a result
of a metal around the survey area. Local attraction is the disturbing
influence on the magnetic needle of the compass by the magnetic materials. The
amount of deviation of the needle is the measure of local attraction. In the presence
of magnetic materials such as iron pipes, steel structures iron lamp-posts

COMPASS OR TRAVERSE SURVEYING

Compass surveying is the surveying in which directions of survey
lines are measured by compass and lengths are measured by
tape.
 Traverse is a series of connected line. For examples, we have a
close and an open traverse.
A closed traverse has a polygon shape. The lines begins and
end at a point while open traverse has a zigzag lines shape.
The lines begin and end at another point different from the
initial point.
 Closed Traverse
Opened Traverse

FB =
forward bearing from A to B
BB = backward bearing from
B+A
FB and BB should be equal to 180o
but if the result of FB and BB is not 180,
then there must be a local attraction
somewhere either at point A or B

SURVEY OBSERVED DIFF CORRECTION CORRECTED

LINE BEARING BRG
D/S F B F AND B F B F B
100m AB 39o 215o 176o -4 0 35o 215o
50m BC 94o 274o 180o 0 0 94o 274o
80m CD 58o 239o 181o 0 -1 58o 238o
60cm DA 18o 195o 177o -1 +2 17o 197o

SURVE OBSERVED DIFF CORRECTION CORRECTED

Y LINE BEARING BRG
A F B F AND B F B F B
AB 407.5 226.2 181.25 +0.75 -0.50 45.75 225.
BC 130.50 2 179.50 -00.50 0 130 75
CD 184.50 310.0 180.00 0 0 184.50 310.
DA 290.00 0 180.75 0 +0.7 290.00 00
4.50 5 4.50
109.2 110
5
Example
The following are the observed bearing
LINE FB BS
AB 554.5E N4SSW
BC 560E N 60.6W
CD N3.3E S5.50W.
DA 555.0W N 83.5E

Observe the bearing find out the local attractions and correct
them
Solution

SURVEY OBSERVED WC S DIF CORRECTE C B

LINE BEARING F D
A F B F B B F B F B
AB 554.5 44.5 125. 316.5 190
BC 60 60.6 5 299.4 179.
CD 3.3 5.550 120 185.5 4
DA 8.5 83.5 3.3 83.5 182.
265 2
181.
5

TRAVERSE
A transverse is a series of connected line which may be either closed or unclosed
component:
Closed traverse: A traverse is said to be when it return to the starting point forming
a closed polygon.
Characteristic of Closed Traverse
1. Its begin and ends at a point whose position on the plan are known
2. Work can be checked and balanced in a closed traverse
3. The difference between the fore bearing and back bearing of each line should
be equal to 1800
4. The sum of the include angle of a closed traverse should be equal to (2N-4)
right angles, when N is the number of side of the closed traverse.
5. A closed traverse is particularly suitable for locating boundaries of woods,
plots e.t.c. and for survey of moderately large areas
E D

A C

Unclosed Traverse: A traverse is said to be unclosed or open when it does not form
a closed polygon.
Characteristic of Unloosed Traverse
1. A series of connected line extends in the same general direction and does not
return to the starting points
2. It does not start and end at point whose position on plan are known
3. Unclosed traverse is most suitable for the survey of long narrow strip of
country e.g the valley of a river, railway etc.
B D F

A C E

ANGLE MEASURING INSTRUMENT

The following instruments are commonly used for measuring the angles.
1. Compass (prismatic compass, survey or compass)
2. Theodolites
3. Sex-tant
Prismatic compass consist of three (3) major part
1. The magnetic needle
2. A graduated circle
3. A line of sight
The prismatic compass is widely used for compass traversing in wooded counting,
predominantly survey for a rad, military purpose such as night marching and
sketching etc.
A compass may be define as an instrument in which a magnetic needle assumes a
more or less definite lines of reference from which angular direction line known as
bearing can be measure. The line of reference of a compass is usually 00 North.
Procedure Involved in Compass Traverse
1. Set up the compass at the station of origin and take a forward bearing to the
next station. For instance, if the station of origin is marked station A and the
next is marked station B, the forward bearing from A to B is the angular
bearing of station A from station B.
2. The compass is then removed to station B and with the surveying standing at
station B, a backward bearing is taken to station A. The backward bearing is
the angular bearing of station A from station B. Under normal circumstances
the backward bearing of any line should differ from the forward by +/- 1800
:.
Back bearing = Fore bearing +/-1800-
GENERAL SURVEYING INSTRUMENTS
Surveying instruments are usually grouped into:
1. Instrument for linear measurement e.g chain, type.
2. Instrument for measuring direction and bearing e.g prismatic compass, theodolite.
3. Instrument for measuring elevations e.g Abney level.
4. Other instrument which includes the ranging pole, marking arrow leveling staff, cross
staff, plane table and field notebook, cutlass and spade.
CHAIN SURVEYING:-This is the process of making linear measurement on the field. Linear
measurement is the basis of all surveying it is the distance between two established points on the
surface of the earth i.e the horizontal distance. The two main methods of measuring horizontal
distance are.
1. Direct Method:- Included the use of the chain, tape, odometer, pedometer, instrument
showing how for you have walked.
2. Indirect Method:- includes the use of range finder, tachometer, electromagnetic distance
measurement (e.g E.D.M)
CHAINING OPERATION

Chaining operation is usually carried out by the surveyor and two chain men refers to as the
leader and the follower and other survey assistants. The procedure is as follows.

(e) The surveyor or who will record all the measurement in the field will first sketch an index
map of the area being surveyed on the first page of the field note book and insert in the
survey line or stations
(f) The chain is then untied at the station of origin and the chain men takes each end of the
chain. The leader carried cutlass in case there are vegetation along the chain lines and at
least (10) marking arrows along. The follows hold his own end of the chain firmly against
the first ranging pole at the starting point. The leader then proceeds in the direction of the
next station with the second end of the station.
(g) When the leader is perfectly in line, he marks the end of the chain with one arrow struck
to the ground. Having done this, the survey assistants will start taking off sets to the
boundaries and important features in the area from the chain as it lies on the ground.
(h) The exercise then proceeds when the leader signals to the follower to more up towards
the arrow struck on the ground from the starting point. The leader again move towards
the next station with the chain and the remaining nine (9) arrows the follower picks up
the arrows at temporary stations as the exercise continues. The number of arrows picked
 up by the follower multiplied by the chain length gives the distance between the stations.
The work then continues until all the survey stations or lines are measured.

COMPASS OR TRAVERSE SURVEYING

Compass surveying is the surveying in which directions of survey lines are

measured by compass and lengths are measured by tape.

 Traverse is a series of connected line e.g. ___________________ we have a

close and an open traverse.
A closed traverse has a polygon shape the lines begins and end at a point.

Closed Traverse Opened Traverse

FB = forward bearing from A to B

BB = backward bearing from B + A

FB and BB should be equal to 180o

but if the result of FB and BB is not 180,

then there must be a local attraction

somewhere either at point A or B

SURVEY OBSERVED BEARING DIFF CORRECTION CORRECTED BRG
LINE
D/S F B F AND B F B F B
100m AB 39o 215o 176o -4 0 35o 215o
50m BC 94o 274o 180o 0 0 94o 274o
80m CD 58o 239o 181o 0 -1 58o 238o
60cm DA 18o 195o 177o -1 +2 17o 197o

SURVEY OBSERVED DIFF CORRECTION CORRECTED

LINE BEARING BRG
A F B F AND B F B F B
AB 407.5 226.2 181.25 +0.75 -0.50 45.75 225.
BC 130.50 2 179.50 -00.50 0 130 75
CD 184.50 310.0 180.00 0 0 184.50 310.
DA 290.00 0 180.75 0 +0.75 290.00 00
4.50 4.50
109.2 110
5

Example

The following are the observed bearing

LINE FB BS
AB 554.5E N4SSW
BC 560E N 60.6W
CD N3.3E 55.50W.
DA 555.0W N 83.5E
 Observe the bearing find out the local attractions and corrected them

Solution

SURVEY OBSERVED BEARING WC S DIFF CORRECTED C B

LINE
A F B F B B F B F B
AB 554.5 44.5 125. 316.5 190
BC 60 60.6 5 299.4 179.
CD 3.3 5.550 120 185.5 4
DA 8.5 83.5 3.3 83.5 182.
265 2
181.
5
 TRAVERSE
A transverse is a series of connected line which may be either closed or unclosed component:

Closed traverse: A traverse is said to be when it return to the starting point forming a closed
polygon.

Characteristic of Closed Traverse

6. Its begin and ends at a point whose position on the plan are known
7. Work can be checked and balanced in a closed traverse
8. The difference between the fore bearing and back bearing of each line should be equal to
1800
9. The sum of the include angle of a closed traverse should be equal to (2N-4) right angles,
when N is the number of side of the closed traverse.
10. A closed traverse is particularly suitable for locating boundaries of woods, plots e.t.c. and
for survey of moderately large areas

E D

A C

Unclosed Traverse: A traverse is said to be unclosed or open when it does not form a closed
polygon.

Characteristic of Unloosed Traverse

4. A series of connected line extends in the same general direction and does not return to the
starting points
5. It does not start and end at point whose position on plan are known
6. Unclosed traverse is most suitable for the survey of long narrow strip of country e.g the
valley of a river, railway etc.

B D F

A C E
 ANGLE MEASURING INSTRUMENT

The following instruments are commonly used for measuring the angles.

4. Compass (prismatic compass, survey or compass)

5. Theodolites
6. Sex-tant

Prismatic compass consist of three (3) major part

4. The magnetic needle

5. A graduated circle
6. A line of sight

The prismatic compass is widely used for compass traversing in wooded counting,
predominantly survey for a rad, military purpose such as night marching and sketching etc.

A compass may be define as an instrument in which a magnetic needle assumes a more or less
definite lines of reference from which angular direction line known as bearing can be measure.
The line of reference of a compass is usually 00North.

Procedure Involved in Compass Traverse

3. Set up the compass at the station of origin and take a forward bearing to the next station.
For instance, if the station of origin is marked station A and the next is marked station B,
the forward bearing from A to B is the angular bearing of station A from station B.
4. The compass is then removed to station B and with the surveying standing at station B, a
backward bearing is taken to station A. The backward bearing is the angular bearing of
station A from station B. Under normal circumstances the backward bearing of any line
should differ from the forward by I 1800
:.
Back bearing = Fore bearing I 1800

LOCAL ATTRACTION

Local attraction is disturbing influence on the magnetic needle of the compass by the magnetic
materials. The amount of deviation of the needle is the measure of local attraction. In the
presence of magnetic materials such as iron pipes, steel structures iron lamp-posts
Method Linear Measurement

1. The Metric Chain

2. The Optical Means
3. The Electric-Magnetic Distance Measurement
Fig 2 Rise and Fall Method
Readings Back Inter Fore Rise Fall Reduced Dist. Remark
Sight Sight Sight Level
1 0.77 - - - - 36.00 00 BM
2 - 1.88 - - 1.11 34.89 10ms
3 - 1.31 - 0.57 - 35.46 10ms
4 - - 2.43 - 1.12 34.34 10ms
5 2.82 - - - - - 00 CP
6 - 2.78 - 0.04 - 34.38 21m
7 - 2.52 - 0.26 - 34.64
8 - - 3.52 - 1.00 33.64 24m
9 1.78 - - - - - 00 CP
10 - 2.86 - - 1.08 32.56
11 - - 1.92 0.94 - 33.50 20m

Collimation or Instrument Height method

Readings Back Inter Fore Reduced Dist. Remark
Sight Sight Sight Level
1 0.77 - - 36.00 00 BM
2 - 1.88 - 34.89 10ms
3 - 1.31 - 35.46 10ms
4 - - 2.43 34.34 10ms
5 2.82 - - - 00 CP
6 - 2.78 - 34.38 21m
7 - 2.52 - 34.64
8 - - 3.52 33.64 24m
9 1.78 - - - 00 CP
10 - 2.86 - 32.56 12m
11 - - 1.92 33.50 20m

Note: If the bookings are correct the following summation must all be equal.

1. The difference between the summation of the back sight & summation of the foresight.
2. The summation of the rises and the summation of the falls.
3. The difference between the first & last reduced levels.
The reduce level are the same with both method of booking.

Back sight is the first reading that is taken in a semen of level foresight is the last reading that is
taken is a series of level inter sight are all the reading are taken between back sight & foresight.
Method Linear Measurement

4. The Metric Chain

5. The Optical Means
6. The Electric-Magnetic Distance Measurement