Chapter 4 Chain Surveying

Chain surveying is one of the method of land surveying. In chain surveying, the sides of
triangle are measured directly on the ground with the help of tape and chain and no angular
measurements are taken.

Principle of Chain Surveying

The principle of chain surveying is triangulation. This means that the area to be surveyed
is divided into a number of small triangles which should be well conditioned. Here, Tie lines or check
lines control the accuracy of work.
It should be noted that plotting triangles requires no angular measurement to made, if
three sides are known.

Chain survey is recommended when:

1. The ground surface is more or less level,
2. A small area to be surveyed,
3. A small scale map is to be prepared,
4. The formation of well conditioned triangle is easy.

Chain Survey is Unsuitable when:

1. The area is crowded with many details,
2. the area consist of too many undulation,
3. The area is very large,
4. The formation of well condition triangle becomes difficult due to obstacles.

Well Conditioned and Ill conditioned Triangles

A triangle is said to be well conditioned when no angle in it is less than 30° or greater than
120°. An equilateral triangle is considered to be the best well or ideal triangle.
A triangle in which an angle is less than 30° or greater than 120° is said to be ill conditioned
triangle. Ill conditioned triangle is not usedin chain surveying. This is because their apex points are
not sharp and well defined, that's why a slight displacement of these points may cause considerable
error in plotting

60
60

60 60 40 80

Well conditioned
Ideal Triangle
 20

25 135

Ill conditioned

Technical Terms and their Defination

1. Main Station
Station taken along the boundary of an area as controlling point is known as main
station. The line joining the main station are called main survey lines. The main survey line
should cover the whole area to be surveyed. The main stations are denoted by ' ∆ ' with
letter A, B, C, D, E and so on. The chain line is denoted by:

" ... ... ... ... "

2. Subsidiary Station
Station which are on the main survey lines or any other survey lines are known as
subsidiary station. These stations are taken to run subsidiary lines for dividing the area into
triangles for checking the accuracy of triangles and for locating interior details. These
stations are denoted by 'O' with letters S1, S2, S3, etc.

3. Tie Lines
These are also subsidiary station taken on the main survey lines. Lines joining the tie
stations are called tie lines.

4. Base lines
The line on which the framework of the survey is built is known as base line.
Generally the longest of main survey lines is considered to be the base line. The magnetic
bearing of the base line is taken to fix the north direction of map.

5. Check line
The line joining the apex points of the triangle to fix point on its base is known as
check line. It is taken to check the accuracy of the triangle. Sometimes this line helps to
locate the interior details.
 A B
River

Pppppp Pond
p
S2

S1

T2

D T1 C
Index Sketch

6. Offset
The lateral measurement taken from an object to the chain line is known as offset.
Offset are taken to locate objects with reference to the chain line.
Offset may be of two types:
A. Perpendicular Offset
B. Oblique Offset

A. Perpendicular offset
When lateral measurements are taken perpendicular to the chain line is called
perpendicular offset.
Perpendicular offset may be taken in following ways:
1. By setting a perpendicular by swinging a tape from an object to the chain line.
The points of minimum reading on tape will be base of perpendicular.
2. By setting a right angle in the ratio 3:4:5.
3. By setting a right angle with the help of builder's square or tri-square.
4. By setting right angle by cross staff or optical square.
 O (Object)

P ( Base of Perpendicular )

3 5

A 4 B
3:4:5 Method
O

Builders Square

B. Oblique Offset
Any offset not perpendicular to the chain line is said to be oblique offset.
Oblique offset are taken when the objects are at long distance from chain line or when
it is not possible to set up right due to some obstacles.
 Oblique offset

Oblique Offset

Perpendicular offsets are preferred for the following reasons:

 They can be taken very quickly
 The progress of surveying is not hampered
 The entry in the field book becomes easy
 The plotting of offset also becomes easy

Number of Offset
The offset should be taken according to the nature of the object, so there is no hard and
fast rule regarding the number of offsets. It should be remembered that the object are to be
carefully represented and hence the number of offset should be decided on the field.
Some guidelines are given below;
1. When the boundary of the object is approximately parallel to the chain line, perpendicular
offsets are taken at regular interval. (Figure 1)
2. When boundary is straight, perpendicular offset is taken at both end of it. (Figure 2)
3. When the boundary line is zigzag, perpendicular offset are taken at every points of bend to
represents the shape of boundary accurately. In such case, the interval of offset may be
irregular.(figure 3)
4. When the road crosses the chain line perpendicularly, the chainage of intersection points
'a' and 'b' are to be taken.(Figure 4)
5. When the road crosses a chain line obliquely, the chainage of intersection points 'a' and 'b'
are noted. Then at least one offset is taken on both sides of intersection points. More offset
may be taken depending upon the nature of road. here perpendicular offset are taken at 'c'
and 'd',(Figure 5)
6. When the building is small, its corners are fixed by perpendicular or oblique offset and other
dimension are taken directly on the field and noted in the field book.(figure 6)
7. When the object is circular, perpendicular offset are taken at short and regular interval.
(Figure 7)
 Boundary line

Figure 1

Figure 2

Zigzag Boundary

Figure 3
 Road

a b

Figure 4

Road

b
C a

Figure 5
 5

3 10

Figure 6

Circular object

Figure 7

Limiting Length of Offset

The maximum length of the offset should not be more than the length of the tape used in
the surveying. Generally, the maximum length of offset is limited to 15 m.
Large scale and Small scale map
When 1 cm of a map represents a small distance, it is said to be large scale map.
For example,
1 cm = 1 m
i.e. RF = 1 / 100

When 1 cm of map represents a large distance, it is said to be a small scale map.

For example,
1 cm = 100 m
i.e. RF = 1 / 10000

A map have an RF(refractive fraction) of less than 1 / 500 is considered to be large scale
map.
A map of RF more than 1 / 500 is said to be small scale map.

Degree of Accuracy
Degree of accuracy is determined before the starting of any survey work. It is worked out
according to following factors:
1. Scale of Plotting
2. Permissible error in plotting
During recci, the length of the main survey lines are approximately determined
by pacing. One pace or walking steps of a man is considered to be 80 cm. When length of
the survey line is approximately known, the scale of the map may be assumed. Again, the
permissible error in plotting may be obtained from the concern department. Then the
degree of accuracy in measurement is ascertained.
For example,
Suppose the scale of plotting is 5 m to 1 cm, allowable error is 0.02 cm,
Then,
1 cm on map = 500 cm on ground
0.02 cm on map = 500 X 0.02 cm on ground
= 10 cm on ground
So the measurement should be taken nearest to 10 cm.

Selection of Survey Stations

The following points should be remembered during the selection of survey station:
1. The station should be so selected that the general principle of survey may strickly followed.
2. The station should be intervissible,
3. The station should be selected in such a way that well conditioned triangle may be formed,
4. The base line should be the longest of main survey line,
5. The survey line should be taken through fairly level ground as far as practicable,
6. the main survey line should pass close to the boundary lines of the area to be surveyed,
 7. The survey line should be taken close to the object so that they can be located by short
offset,
8. The tie station should suitably selected to fix the direction of adjacent sides,
9. The subsidiary station should be suitably selected for taking check lines,
10. Station should be so selected that obstacles to chaining are avoided as far as possible,
11. The survey lines should not be taken very close to main road as survey work may be
interrupted by traffic.

Field Book
The notebook in which field measurements and sketches are noted is known as field book.
The size of field book is 20 X 12 cm square and it opens lengthwise.
The field book may be of two types:
1. Single line field book
2. Double line field book

1. Single line field book

In this type of field book, a single red line is drawn through the middle of each page.
This line represents the chain line and chainage are written on it. The offsets are recorded
with sketches to the left or right of the chain line. The recording of the field book is started
from the bottom and continued towards the top. The main stations are marked by '∆' and
subsidiary stations are marked by 'O'
2. Double line field book
in this type of field book, two red lines, 1.5 cm apart are drawn through the middle of
each page. The column represents the chain line and chainage are written in it. the offsets
are recorded with sketches, to the left or right of this column. The recordings are started
from the bottom of page and continued towards the top. The main stations are marked by
'∆' and subsidiary stations are marked by 'O'. This type of field book is commonly used.
 B ∆
5 4

15
road

10

Pond
5

A ∆0

Single line field book of line AB

 B
∆
25
5

4
5
20

15

Road

10

5
4
Pond
5

4
∆
A
Double line field book of line AB
Precaution to be taken while entering the field book
1. All the measurements should be noted as soon as they are taken.
2. Each chain line should be recorded on separate page. Normally it should be started from
the bottom of the page and end on the top of the page. No lines should be started from any
intermediate position.
3. Over writing should be avoided,
4. Figure and hand writing should be neat and legible,
5. Index sketch, object sketch and notes should be clear,
6. Reference sketches should be given in the field book, so that the station can be located
when requires,
7. Field book should be entered in pencil not in ink,
8. If the page is incorrect or a page is damaged, canceal the page and start the entry from new
ones,
9. Erasing a sketch, measurement or note should be avoided,
10. The surveyor should face the direction of chaining so that the left hand and right hand
object can be recorded without any confusion.
11. The field book should be carefully preserved,
12. The field book should contain the following:
I. Name
II. Location
III. Date of survey
IV. Name of party member
V. Page index of chain line.

Equipments for Chain survey

The followings equipments are required for conducting Chain Survey:
1. Metric Chain (30 m) = 1 no.
2. Metric Tape (30 m) = 1 no.
3. Arrows = 10 nos.
4. Ranging rods = 3 nos.
5. Offset rod = 1 no.
6. Clinometer = 1 no.
7. Plumb-bob with thread = 1 no.
8. Cross staff or optical square = 1 no.
9. Prismatic compass with stand = 1 no.
10. Wooden pegs = 10 nos.
11. Mallet = 1 no.
12. Field book = 1 no.
13. Pencil/Pen = 1 no.
Procedure of Field work of Chain Survey
Field work of chain survey should be carried out according to follow ways:
1. Recconaisance / Recci
2. Index Sketch
3. Marking the station on the ground
4. Reference Sketches
5. Taking Measurements of survey lines and noting them in the field book.

1. Recconaisance / Recci
Before starting survey work, the surveyor should walk over the whole area to be
surveyed in order to examine the ground and determine the possible arrangement of
framework of survey. During this investigation he should examination the intervissibility of
main survey stations. He should ensure that the whole area is enclosed by the main survey
lines and also that it is possible to form well conditioned triangles.

2. Index Sketch
After preliminary inspection of the area, surveyor should prepare a neat hand sketch
showing arrangement of the framework and approximate position of the object. He should
note the names of the station on the sketch maintaining some order (clockwise or
anticlockwise). The field work should be executed according to this index sketch. The base
line should be clearly indicated in the index sketch.

3. Marking the station on the ground

After Recci, the stations are marked on the ground by wooden pegs. These pegs are
generally 2.5 cm square and 15 cm long and have pointed end. They are driven into ground
firmly, and there should be height of 2.5 cm above the ground.

4. Reference Sketch
To take precaution against station pegs being removed or missed, a reference
sketch should be made for all stations. It is nothing but a hand sketch of all the station
showing at least two or three measurements from some permanent objects.

5. Taking measurements of Survey line and noting them in field book.

Ranging and chaining is started from base line, which should be measured carefully.
The magnetic bearing of the base line are measured by prismatic compass. These
measurements are noted in the field book showing the offsets to the left or right according
to their position. Then other survey lines are ranged and chained maintaining the sequences
of the traverse. The offsets and other field records are noted simultaneously. The check
lines and tie lines are also measured and noted properly. The station marks are preserved
until field work is completed.
Procedure of plotting
1. A suitable scale is chosen so that the area can be accommodated in the space available
on the map.
2. A margin of about 2 cm from the edge of the sheet is drawn around the sheet.
3. The title block is prepared on the right hand bottom corner.
4. The north line is marked on the right hand top corner, and should preferably be vertical.
5. A suitable position of base line is selected on the sheet so that the whole area along
with all the objects it contains can be drawn within the space available on the map.
6. The framework is completed with all survey lines, check lines and tie lines. If there is
some plotting error which exceeds the permissible limit, the incorrect line should be
resurveyed.
7. Until the framework is completed in proper form, the offsets shouldn’t be plotted.
8. The plotting of offsets should be continued according to the sequence maintained in
the field book.
9. The main stations, substation, chain line, object, etc should be shown as per standard
symbol.
10. The conventional symbols used in the map should be shown on the right hand side.
11. The scale of the map is drawn below the heading or in suitable space. The heading
should be written on the top of the map.
12. Unnecessary lines, objects, etc should be erased.
13. The map should not contain any dimensions