Compass Traversing

Presented by:

Sharfan Upaul
Lecturer,
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Khulna University of Engineering & technology, KUET, Khulna-9203. Bangladesh
Email: [email protected]
Acknowledgement
• This presentation covers the basic understandings of compass
traversing. I acknowledge the book “Surveying and Levelling by N.
N. Basak” and all other internet sources where the photographs
are collected for better understanding.
Principle of compass surveying
• The principle of compass surveying is traversing

• Compass surveying is recommended:

1. A large area to be surveyed
2. The course of a river or coast line is to be surveyed
3. The area is crowded with many details and triangulation is not possible

• Compass surveying is not recommended for areas:

where local attraction is suspected due to the presence of magnetic
substances like steel structures, iron-ore deposits, electric cables
conveying current, and so on.
Traversing
• Surveying which involves a series of connected lines is known as ‘traversing’
• The sides of the traverse are known as ‘traverse legs’
• In traversing, the lengths of the lines are measured by chain and the
directions are fixed by compass or theodolite or by forming angles with chain
and tape
Methods of traversing

1. Chain traversing (by chain angle) 3. Theodolite traversing (by fast needle)

2. Compass traversing (by free needle) 4. Plane table traversing (by plane and table)
True Meridian

The line or plane passing through the geographical north pole, geographical
south pole and any point on the surface of the earth, is known as the ‘true
meridian’ or ‘geographical meridian’
True Bearing
True Meridian
The angle between the true meridian and
a line is known as ‘true bearing’ of the
line. It is also known as the ‘azimuth’
True Bearing

B
A
Magnetic Meridian
When a magnetic needle is suspended freely and balanced properly, unaffected
by magnetic substances, it indicates a direction. This direction is known as the
‘magnetic meridian’
 Magnetic Bearing
Magnetic Meridian
The angle between the magnetic meridian
and a line is known as the ‘magnetic
bearing’ or simply the ‘bearing’ of the line
Magnetic
Bearing

B
A
 Arbitrary Meridian
• Sometimes for the survey of a small area, a convenient direction is assumed as a
meridian, known as the ‘arbitrary meridian’
• Sometimes the starting line of a survey is taken as the arbitrary meridian.
• The angle between the arbitrary meridian and a line is known as the ‘arbitrary
bearing’ of the line
Grid Meridian
• Sometimes, for preparing a map, some state agencies assume several lines
parallel to the true meridian for a particular zone
• These lines are termed grid lines and the central line the ‘grid meridian’.
• The bearing of a line with respect to the grid meridian is known as the grid
bearing of the line
Designation of Magnetic Bearing
• Magnetic bearings are designated by two systems:
(a) Whole circle bearing (WCB),
(b) Quadrantal bearing (QB)
Whole Circle Bearing (WCB)
• The magnetic bearing of a line measured clockwise from the north pole
towards the line, is known as the ‘whole circle bearing, of that line
• Such a bearing may have any value between 0° and 360°

Example:

WCB of AB = θ1
WCB of AC = θ2
WCB of AD = θ3
WCB of AE = θ4
Quadrantal Bearing (QB)
• The magnetic bearing of a line measured clockwise or counterclockwise from
the North Pole or South Pole (whichever is nearer the line) towards the East
or West, is known as the ‘quadrantal bearing’ of the line
• This system consists of four quadrants—NE, SE, SW and NW. The value of a
quadrantal bearing lies between 0° and 90°

Example:

QB of AB = Nθ1 E
QB of AC = Sθ2 E
QB of AD = Sθ3 W
QB of AE = Nθ4 W
Reduced Bearing (RB)

When the whole circle bearing of a line is converted to quadrantal

bearing, it is termed the ‘reduced bearing’. Thus, the reduced
bearing is similar to the quadrantal bearing.

Example:
Solved Problem:
Convert the following WCBs to QBs • (a) QB of AB = N 45°30′ E
• (a) WCB of AB = 45°30 ′ • (b) QB of BC = 180°0′ – 125°45′ = S54°15′ E
• (b) WCB of BC = 125°45 ′ • (c) QB of CD = 222°15′ – 180°0′ = S42°15′ W
• (c) WCB of CD = 222°15 ′ • (d) QB of DE = 360°0′ – 320°30′ = N39°30′ W
• (d) WCB of DE = 320°30 ′
Fore and Back Bearing
• Every line has two bearings: one is observed along the progress of the survey
or forward direction, and is called ‘fore bearing’,
• And the second is observed in the reverse or opposite direction and is called
‘back bearing’
 Fore and Back Bearing
• we consider the direction of meridian as upward
• Bearing is measured clockwise from the meridian
• Back bearing = Fore Bearing ± 180°

• In case of quadrantal bearing system, the numerical value of fore bearing and back bearing is equal
but the quadrants are just opposite.
• For example, if the fore bearing is N30° E then its back bearing is S30°W
Solved Problem:

The FBs of the following lines are Solution

given. Find the BBs • (a) BB of AB = 310°30′ – 180°0′ = 130°30′
• (a) FB of AB = 310°30 ′
• (b) BB of BC = 145°15′ + 180°0′ = 325°15′
• (b) FB of BC = 145°15 ′
• (c) BB of CD = 210°30′ – 180°0′ = 30°30′
• (c) FB of CD = 210°30 ′
• (d) BB of DE = 60°45′ + 180°0′ = 240°45′
• (d) FB of DE = 60°45 ′
Solved Problem:
The fore bearings of the lines AB, BC, CD and DE, are 45°30 ′ 120°15 ′, 200°30 ′ and 280°45 ′,
respectively. Find angles ∠B, ∠C and ∠D.

Solution:
Interior ∠B = BB of AB – FB of BC = (45°30′ + 180°0′) –
120°15′ = 225°30′ – 120°15′ = 105°15′

Interior ∠C = BB of BC – FB of CD = (120°15′ + 180°0′) –

200°30′ = 300°15′ – 200°30′ = 99°45′

Exterior ∠D = FB of DE – BB of CD = 280°45′ – (200°30′ –

180°0′) = 280°45′ – 20°30′ = 260°15′

Interior ∠D = 360°0′ – 260°15′ = 99°45′

 Magnetic Declination
• The horizontal angle between the magnetic meridian and true meridian is
known as ‘magnetic declination’
• When the north end of the magnetic needle is pointed towards the west side (+) of
the true meridian, the position is termed Declination West (θ W).
• When the north end of the magnetic needle is pointed towards the east side (-) of
the true meridian, the position is termed Declination East (θ E)
 Magnetic Declination
• True bearing = Magnetic bearing ± Declination
• Magnetic bearing = True bearing ± Declination
Solved Problem:

(a) The magnetic bearing of a line AB is 135°30 ′. What will be the true bearing, if the
declination is 5°15 ′ W.
(b) The true bearing of a line CD is 210°45 ′. What will be its magnetic bearing, if the
declination is 8°15 ′ W.
Solution
• (a) True bearing of AB = Magnetic bearing – Declination = 135°30′ – 5°15′ = 130°15′
• (b) Magnetic bearing = True bearing + Declination = 210°45′ + 8°15′ = 219°0′
 Isogonic and Agonic Lines
• Lines passing through points of equal declination are known as ‘isogonic’
lines.
• The line passing through points of zero declination is said to be the ‘agonic’
line
Local Attraction
• A magnetic needle indicates the north direction when freely suspended or
pivoted. But if the needle comes near some magnetic substances, such as iron
ore, steel structures, electric cables conveying current; etc. it is found to be
deflected from its true direction, and does not show the actual north. This
disturbing influence of magnetic substances is known as ‘local attraction’.
• To detect the presence of local attraction, the fore and back bearings of a line
should be taken.
• If the difference of the fore and back bearings of the line is exactly 180° then
there is no local attraction.
• If the FB and BB of a line do not differ by 180° then the needle is said to be
affected by local attraction, provided there is no instrumental error
Method of Application of Correction
(a) First Method The interior angles of a traverse are calculated from the
observed bearings. Then an angular check is applied. The sum of the interior
angles should be equal to (2n – 4) × 90° (n being the number of sides of the
traverse). If it is not so, the total error is equally distributed among all the
angles of the traverse.
(b) Second Method In this method, the interior angles are not calculated. From
the given table, the unaffected line is first detected. Then, commencing from the
unaffected line, the bearings of the other affected lines are corrected by finding
the amount of correction at each station.
 Closed traverse
• When a series of a connected lines forms a closed circuit, i.e, when the
finishing point coincides with the starting point of a survey, it is called a
‘closed traverse’.
• Here ABCDEA represents a closed traverse
Open traverse
• Open Traverse When a sequence of connected lines extends along a general
direction and does not return to the starting point, it is known as ‘open
traverse’ or ‘unclosed traverse’
• Here, ABCDE represents an open traverse
Check on closed traverse

1. Check on Angular Measurements:

• (a) The sum of the measured interior angles should be equal to (2N – 4) × 90°
where N is the number of sides of the traverse.
• (b) The sum of the measured exterior angles should be equal to (2N + 4) × 90°
• (c) The algebraic sum of the deflection angles should be equal to 360°. Right-
hand deflection is considered positive and left-hand deflection, negative.
2. Check on Linear Measurement
The lines should be measured once each on two different days (along
opposite directions). Both measurements should tally.
Solved Problem:
The following are the bearings observed in traversing, with a compass, an area where local
attraction was suspected. Calculate the interior angles of the traverse and correct them if necessary
 Solved Problem:
Solution:
(a) Interior ∠A = BB of EA – FB of AB = 229°30′ –
150°0′ = 79°30′
(b) Interior ∠B = BB of AB – FB of BC = 330°0′ –
230°30′ = 99°30′
(c) Exterior ∠C = FB of CD – BB of BC = 306°15′ –
48°0′ = 258°15′ Interior ∠C = 360°0′ – 258°15′ =
101°45′

(d) Exterior ∠D = FB of DE – BB of CD = 298°00′ –

127°45′ = 170°15′
Interior ∠D = 360°0′ – 170°15′ = 189°45′

(e) Interior ∠E = BB of DE – FB of EA = 120°0′ – 49°30′

= 70°30′
Solved Problem:
• Check Sum of interior angles
= ∠A + ∠B + ∠C + ∠D + ∠E = 541°0′ The error should be equally distributed among all the angles
• But, the sum of angles should be
(2N – 4) – 90° = 540°0′
• Here, Error = 541° – 540° = + 1°
• Correction per angle
= – (60’/5) = –12′
Types Of Compasses

There are two types of compasses:

1. The prismatic compass 2. The surveyor’s compass

Prismatic compass
Sources of error in a compass

1. Instrumental Errors
(a) The needle may not be perfectly straight and might not be balanced properly
(b) The pivot point may be eccentric
(c) The graduations of the ring may not be uniform
(d) The ring may not rotate freely on account of the pivot point being blunt
(e) The sight vane may not be vertical
(f) The horse hair may not be straight and vertical
Sources of error in a compass
2. Personal Errors
(a) The centring may not be done perfectly over the station.
(b) The graduated ring may not be levelled
(c) The object might not be bisected properly.
(d) The readings may be taken or entered carelessly.
(e) The observer may be carrying magnetic substances.

3. Other Sources of Error

• (a) There may be local attraction due to the presence of magnetic substances
near the station.
• (b) The magnetic field could vary on account of some natural causes.
• (c) The magnetic declination might vary.
Precautions to be taken in compass surveying
1. The centring should be done perfectly
2. To stop the rotation of the graduated ring, the brake pin should be pressed very gently and not
suddenly
3. Readings should be taken along the line of sight and not from any side
4. When the compass has to be shifted from one station to another, the sight vane should be folded over
the glass cover. This is done to lift the ring out of the pivot to avoid unnecessary wear of the pivot head
5. The compass box should be tapped gently before taking the reading. This is done to find out whether
the needle rotates freely
6. The stations should not be selected near magnetic substances
7. The observer should not carry magnetic substances
8. The glass cover should not be dusted with a handkerchief, because the glass may be charged with
electricity and the needle may be deflected from its true direction. The glass cover should be cleaned
with a moist finger.
Problems for practice:
• The bearings of the lines OA, OB, OC, OD are 30°30 ′, 140°15 ′, 220°45 ′ and 310°30 ′,
respectively. Find the angles ∠AOB, ∠BOC and ∠COD.
• A traverse is done by three stations A, B and C in clockwise order in the form of an equilateral
triangle. If the bearing of AB is 80°30 ′, find the bearings of the other sides.
• The following are the fore and back bearings of the sides of a closed traverse Calculate the
interior angles of the traverse
Problems for practice:
• The following are the fore and back bearings of the sides of a closed traverse Calculate the interior
angles of the traverse
Thank You