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Chapter 2 (1)

Compass surveying is a method that uses angular measurements from a compass and linear measurements with a chain or tape to locate objects, particularly in large areas or when obstacles are present. It involves the use of a prismatic compass and surveyor's compass, both requiring temporary and permanent adjustments for accurate measurements. Local attraction can affect the magnetic needle's position, and methods exist to detect and correct for these errors during surveying.

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4 views

Chapter 2 (1)

Compass surveying is a method that uses angular measurements from a compass and linear measurements with a chain or tape to locate objects, particularly in large areas or when obstacles are present. It involves the use of a prismatic compass and surveyor's compass, both requiring temporary and permanent adjustments for accurate measurements. Local attraction can affect the magnetic needle's position, and methods exist to detect and correct for these errors during surveying.

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bibek8547
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Chapter 2: Compass Surveying

Definition:
Compass surveying is the branch of surveying in which the position of an
object is located using angular measurements determined by a compass
and linear measurements using a chain or tape. Compass surveying is
used in following circumstances:
•If the surveying area is large, chain surveying is not adopted for
surveying rather compass surveying is employed.
•If the plot for surveying has numerous obstacles and undulations which
prevents chaining.
•If there is a time limit for surveying, compass surveying is usually
adopted
•Compass surveying is not used in places which contain iron core, power
lines etc which usually attracts magnets due to their natural properties
and electromagnetic properties respectively. Compass surveying is done
by using traversing. A traverse is formed by connecting the points in the
plot by means of a series of straight lines.
Major parts of a Prismatic Compass are:
•Magnetic needle
•Graduated ring
•Adjustable mirror
•Sliding arrangement for mirror
•Object vane
•Eye vane
•Metal box
•Glass cover
•Horse hair

PRISMATIC
FIG: PRISMATIC
COMPASS
COMPASS
Temporary adjustments
•Centering: it is the process of fixing the compass exactly over the
station. Centering is usually done by adjusting the tripod legs. Also a
plumb-bob is used to judge the accurate centering of instruments over
the station.
•Leveling: the instrument has to be leveled if it is used as in hand or
mounted over a tripod. If it is used as in hand, the graduated disc should
swing freely and appears to be completely level in reference to the top
edge of the case. If the tripod is used, they usually have a ball and
socket arrangement for leveling purpose.
•Focusing the prism: Prism can be slide up or down for focusing to make
the readings clear and readable.

Permanent adjustments are same as in the Surveyor’s compass.


Surveyor’s compass consists of a circular brass box containing a
magnetic needle which swings freely over a brass circle which is divided
into 360 degrees. The horizontal angle is measured using a pair of sights
located on north – south axis of the compass. They are usually mounted
over a tripod and leveled using a ball and socket mechanism.

FIG: SURVEYOR’S COMPASS


They also have two types of adjustments, temporary and permanent.
Temporary adjustments are same as described in prismatic compass.
Permanent adjustments
They are done only in the circumstances where the internal parts of the
prism is disturbed or damaged. They are:
Adjustments in levels
Adjustment of pivot point
Adjustment of sight vanes
Adjustment of needle
Measurement of angles and Computation of area
The observations of a plot using compass surveying will be:
Here the bearings are observed in Whole Circle Bearing (W.C.B)
system.

Line Fore bearing Distance measured (m)

AB 40˚ 0’ 10.8
BC 110˚0’ 8.2
CA 280˚0’ 13.1
Local Attraction:
While compass surveying, the magnetic needle is
sometimes disturbed from its normal position under the
influence of external attractive forces. Such a disturbing
influence is called as local attraction.The external forces
are produced by sources of local attraction which may
be current carrying wire (magnetic materials)
or metal objects. The term is also used to denote
amount of deviation of the needle from its normal
position. It mostly causes errors in observations
while surveying and thus suitable methods are
employed to neglect these errors.
Sources
The sources of local attraction may be natural or artificial. Natural sources
include Iron ores or magnetic rocks while as artificial sources consist of steel
structures, iron pipes, current carrying conductors.
The iron made surveying instruments such as metric chains, ranging rods and
arrows should also be kept at a safe distance apart from compass.
Detection:
Local attraction at a place can be detected by observing bearings from both
ends of the line in the area. If fore bearing and back bearing of a line differ
exactly by 180°, there is no local attraction at either station. But if this
difference is not equal to 180°, then local attraction exists there either at one
or both ends of the line.
Remedies:
There are two common methods of correcting observed bearings of the lines
taken in the area affected by Local Attraction. The first method
involves correcting the bearing with the help of corrected included angles and
the second method involves correcting the bearing of traverse from one
correct bearing ( in which difference between fore bearing and back bearing is
exactly equal to 180°) by the process of distribution of error to other bearings.

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