Compass Traversing

According to the method employed, surveying is classified into Triangulation surveying and
Traverse surveying. A series of connected survey lines of known lengths and directions is called
a traverse. When triangulation is not possible, traversing method is used.

In traversing, when compass is used for making angular measurements, it is known as compass
traversing or compass surveying.

Purpose and principles of compass surveying:

Compass surveying is suitable in the following situations:

i. When the survey work is to be completed quickly.

Principle of compass surveying

In compass traversing the directions of survey lines are fixed by angular measurements and not
by forming a network of triangles. A compass survey is one in which the traverse work consists
of series of lines the lengths and directions of which are measured with a chain or a tape, and
with an angular instrument respectively.

A traverse may be classified as:

a) Closed traverse

b) Open traverse

Closed traverse: A closed traverse is a traverse in which the sides of a traverse form a closed
polygon.

Open traverse: An open traverse is a traverse in which the sides of traverse do not form a closed
polygon.
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Instruments used in compass traversing

Compass

The compass essentially consists of a freely suspended magnetic needle mounted on a smooth
pointed pivot. The needle can freely move over a graduated scale.

Prismatic Compass

It is the commonly used compass for engineering surveys and is suitable for surveys where speed
is more important than accuracy. The prismatic compass consists of a circular box about 85 to
110 mm diameter. At the center of metal box, a needle and pivot is provided.

Surveyor compass; This instrument is more or less obsolete these days and not often used for
land surveying.

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Terms in compass traversing

Meridian: Meridian is a standard direction from which, the bearings of survey lines are
measured.

There are three types of meridians; true meridian, magnetic meridian, and arbitrary meridian.

True meridian: It is a line of intersection of earth’s surface formed by a plane passing through
north and south poles and the given place.

Magnetic meridian: It is the direction indicted by a freely suspended magnetic needle.

Arbitrary meridian: It is any convenient direction assumed as meridian for measuring bearings
of survey lines.

Bearing: Bearing is a horizontal angle made by the survey line with reference to the

Meridian. There are three types of bearings; true bearing, magnetic bearing and arbitrary bearing.

True bearing: The angle made by a survey line with reference to true meridian is called true
bearing. It is always remains constant.

Magnetic bearing: The angle made by a survey line with reference to magnetic meridian is
called magnetic bearing. It changes from place to place and time.

Arbitrary bearing: The angle made by a survey line with reference to arbitrary meridian is
called arbitrary bearing.

Whole Circle Bearing (WCB)

The complete circle of angular measurement starts with north as 00 and ends at north at 3600 .
The bearing of line directly obtained by magnetic needle ranging from 00 to 3600 is called
whole circle bearing.

Reduced Bearing (RB): The more convenient way to comprehend the direction of a survey line
is to represent the bearing on a quadrantal system. The angle is measured with respect to N–S
line towards east or west as shown in the figure.

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Fore Bearing (FB): The angle measured in the direction of survey line from starting survey

station to the next station is called fore bearing. In the figure below, if the bearing of line AB is
measured from A towards B, it is known as forward bearing or fore bearing.

Back Bearing (BB): It is the bearing of the survey line taken from the forward survey station to

the preceding station from which the fore bearing was taken earlier. In the figure below, if the
bearing of same line AB is measured from B towards A, it is known as backward bearing or back
bearing.

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 +
Foreward bearing 1800 = Back bearing
−

You add when the foreward bearing is less than 1800 and subtract when the foreward bearing is
greater than 1800 .

Magnetic Declination: Magnetic Declination = (True Bearing – Magnetic Bearing)

Representation of bearing

Bearings are expressed in the following two systems.

i. Whole circle bearings system.

Conversions of WCB to Reduced bearings (RB)

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 Convert the following WCBs to QBs

(a) WCB of AB = 45°30 ′

(b) WCB of BC = 125°45 ′

(c) WCB of CD = 222°15 ′

(d) WCB of DE = 320°30 ′

Solution

(a) QB of AB = N 45°30′ E

(b) QB of BC = 180°0′ – 125°45′ = S54°15′ E

(c) QB of CD = 222°15′ – 180°0′ = S42°15′ W

(d) QB of DE = 360°0′ – 320°30′ = N39°30′ W

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