TRAVERSE

SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)

 Important Technical Terms:
1. Meridians and Bearings: The direction of survey lines may be defined in two ways:
a). Relatively to each other
b). Relatively to some reference direction
In the first case, directions are expressed in terms of the angles between two
consecutive lines. In second case, these are expressed in terms of bearings.
The fixed direction on the surface of the earth with reference to which, bearings
of survey lines are expressed is called a meridian. The meridians of reference directions
employed in surveying may be one of the following:
a). True Meridian b). Magnetic Meridian
c). Grid Meridian* d). Arbitrary Meridian
o The line of intersection of the earth surface by a plane containing north pole, south
pole and the given place is called true meridian or geographical meridian.
oThe geometrical longitudinal axis of a freely suspended & properly balanced magnetic
needle, unaffected by local attractive forces, defines the magnetic north-south line which
is called the magnetic meridian.
o The convenient direction assumed as meridian for measuring bearings of survey lines
is known as arbitrary meridian.
oGrid Meridian. All meridians traverse in north-south direction and their ends converge
at north and south poles. Meridian lines are used as one of the reference points
2
(coordinates) with baselines in land surveying grid system to locate any point on earth.
 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
The horizontal angle between the reference meridian and the survey line
measured in a clockwise direction is called bearing.
a). True Bearing b). Azimuth
c). Magnetic Bearing d). Grid Bearing

o The horizontal angle between the true meridian and a line measured in a clockwise
direction is called true bearing of the line.
o The smaller angle which a survey line makes with true meridian is called azimuth.
oThe horizontal angle which a line makes with the magnetic meridian is called magnetic
bearing.
o Bearings of survey lines referred to and reckoned from grid lines are called grid
bearings.

o The angle between the true meridian & the magnetic meridian at any place is known
as magnetic declination, whereas, the angle between the true meridian & the grid
meridian at any place is known as grid convergence.

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 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
 Designation of Bearings:
1. The Whole Circle Bearing System (W.C.B)
2. The Quadrantal Bearing System (Q.B)

1. The W. C. B System: The W. C. B system is also sometimes known as Azimuthal

System. In this system, bearing of a line is measured from the true north or magnetic
north in clockwise direction. The value of a bearing may vary from 0° to 360°, utilizing
the whole circle of graduations. Prismatic Compass is graduated on whole circle bearing
system.

2. The Q. B System: In Q. B System, bearings of survey lines are measured eastward

or westward from North and South whichever is nearer. In this system, both north and
south directions are used as reference meridians & bearings are reckoned either
clockwise or anticlockwise, depending upon the position of the line. The quadrant in
which a line lies is mentioned to specify the location of the line. Surveyor’s compass is
graduated in quadrantal bearing system.
Bearings designated by Q.B. System are sometime called Reduced Bearings.

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 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)

Conversion Of W.C.B into Q.B

CASE W.C.B Rule for Q.B Quadrant

between
I 0˚ and 90˚ W.C.B N.E.

II 90˚ and 180˚ 180˚ - W.C.B S.E.

III 180˚ and 270˚ W.C.B - 180˚ S.W.

IV 270˚ and 360˚ 360˚ - W.C.B N.W.

5
 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)

Conversion Of Q.B into W.C.B

CASE R.B Rule for W.C.B

W.C.B between
I N α° E R.B 0˚ and 90˚

II S β° E 180˚ - R.B 90˚ and 180˚

III S γ° W 180˚+R.B 180˚ and 270˚

IV N δ° W 360˚ - R.B 270˚ and 360˚

6
SURVEYING DIRECTIONS
QUADRANTS
N
 
NW NE
W E
 
SW SE
S
 SURVEYING DIRECTIONS
BEARING FACTS
BEARINGS BEARING =
• Always measured
from North or
BEARING =
N N 53° E
South, never from
53°
East or West. N 21° W
• Always < 90°.
21°
• Always preceded
by N or S and
followed by E or W.
W E
BEARING =
• Lines lying on an 67°
axis are listed as S 38° E
DUE NORTH, BEARING =
DUE SOUTH, S 67° W 38°
DUE EAST, or S
DUE WEST.
 SURVEYING DIRECTIONS
BEARING FACTS
BEARINGS
• Always measured
from North or N BEARING =
South, never from
East or West. BEARING = DUE
• Always < 90°. DUE NORTH
• Always preceded WEST
by N or S and
followed by E or W.
W E
BEARING =
• Lines lying on an
axis are listed as BEARING = DUE
DUE NORTH, DUE EAST
DUE SOUTH,
DUE EAST, or
SOUTH S
DUE WEST.
 IMPORTANT !!!

W E

BEARINGS ARE NEVER

MEASURED FROM THE
EAST OR WEST LINES !!!
Q/BEARING / WCB CONVERSIONS
WCB ∡ Q/BEARING ∡

N QUADRANT 1
QUADRANT 4 Q/BRG = WCB
Q/BRG = 360°- WCB
WCB = 360°- Q/BRG

W E
QUADRANT 2
Q/BRG = 180° - WCB
QUADRANT 3 WCB = 180° - Q/BRG
Q/BRG = WCB - 180°
WCB = 180° + Q/BRG
S
 SURVEYING DIRECTIONS
WCB WCB =
WCB FACTS WCB =
N 53°
53°
• Always measured 339°
clockwise from
North.
339°
• Can be any size, but
normally < 360°. W E
142°
247° WCB =
WCB = 142°
247°
S
 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
 Conversion of bearing from one system to the other:

1. Convert the following whole circle bearing to quadrantal bearing:

a. 680 32’
b. 1320 12’
c. 2360 37’
d. 3340 52’

2. Convert the following reduced bearing to whole circle bearings:

a. N 360 16’E
b. S 280 14’E
c. S 470 26’ W
d. N 580 24’ W

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 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
 FORE and BACK Bearings:
Every line may be defined by two bearings, one observed at either end
of the line. Both the bearings expressed in W.C.B System differ each other by 180°. The
bearing of a line in the direction of the progress of survey, is called Fore or Forward
Bearing (F.B) while the bearing in the opposite direction of the progress of survey is
known as Reverse or Back Bearing (B.B).

Relationship Between Fore and Back Bearings:

a). W.C.B System:
Back bearing = Fore Bearing + 180˚
Positive sign is used when fore bearing is less than 180˚ and negative sign is used
when the fore bearing is greater than 180˚.

b). Q.B System:

To convert the fore bearing of a line into its back bearing
in Q.B system, replace N by S, S by N, E by W and W by E , without changing the
numerical value of the bearing.

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SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)

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 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
1. The following are the observed fore bearing of the lines:
a. AB, 380 14’ ; BC, 1420 18’ ; CD, 2080 37’ and DE, 3180 26’
b. Find their back bearings.

2. The fore bearings of the lines are as follows:

a. AB: N 320 12’ E; BC: S 430 18 E; CD: S 260 30’ W; DE: N 650 24’ W.
b. Find their back bearings

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 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
 Calculation of included angles from bearings:
knowing the bearings of two adjacent lines, their included angles may be easily
calculated as under:
a) Given W.C.B of lines:
let W.C.B of the line AB = α̊
W.C.B of the line AB = β̊

Therefore , the included angle BAC = <NAC - <NAB

= β–α
= Bearing of AC – bearing of AB
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 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
b) Given Q.B of lines:
A diagram may be drawn and bearings of the lines plotted in their respective quadrants.
The included angle is calculated from one of the under mentioned formulae:

1) If the bearings have been measured to the same side of the common meridian, the
included angle α = θ2 – θ1 i.e. the difference of the bearings. This is true for all
quadrants.[fig 4.25 a]
2) If the bearings have been measured to the opposite side of the common meridian,
the included angle α = θ1 + θ2 i.e. the sum of the bearings. [fig 4.25 b]
3) If the bearings have been measured to the same side of the different meridians, the
included angle α = 180˚ - (θ1 + θ2) i.e. the difference of 180 and the sum of the
bearings. [fig 4.25 c]
4) If the bearings have been measured to the opposite side of the different meridians,
the included angle α = 180˚ - (θ1 - θ2) i.e. the difference of 180 and the difference of
the bearings. [fig 4.25 d]

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SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)

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 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
 Calculation of bearings from included angles :

Knowing the bearing of the line and the included angles between the successive lines,
the bearing of the remaining lines, may be calculated as under:
Let the observed bearing of the line AB be θ1 (given)
α , β , γ , δ , φ ………etc, the included angles measured clockwise between adjacent
lines. θ2 ,θ3 ,θ4 ,θ5, etc , the bearing of successive lines.
The bearing of BC = θ2 = θ1 + α -180˚
The bearing of CD = θ3 = θ2 + β - 180˚
The bearing of DE = θ4 = θ3 + γ - 180˚
The bearing of EF = θ5 = θ4 + δ + 180˚
The bearing of FG = θ6 = θ5 + φ - 540˚
From fig.4.26, it is evident that each of (θ1 + α), (θ2 + β) and (θ3 + γ) is
more than 180˚;
(θ4 + δ) is less than 180˚ and (θ6 + φ ) is greater than 540˚.

20
 SURVEYING – I (CE- 182)
Hence, in order to calculate the bearing of the next line, the following statements may be
made:
“Add the included angle measured clockwise to the bearing of the previous line.
If the sum is:
more than 180˚,deduct 180˚
more than 540˚,deduct 540˚
less than 180˚,add 180˚,to get the bearing of the next line.”

21
 BEARINGS

1 – Open & closed traverses

2 – Angular closure of closed traverses
3 – Bearings and Azimuths – definitions
4 – Bearing/Azimuth conversion
5 – Calculating bearings
 TRAVERSE
• In survey, traverse is defined as the field
operation of measuring the lengths and
directions of a series of straight lines
connecting a series of points on the earth.
Each of these straight lines is called a
traverse leg, and each point is called a
traverse station.
• Determination of horizontal coordinates by
measuring horizontal angles & distances
 PURPOSE OF TRAVERSE
• Traversing is a convenient, rapid method for
establishing horizontal control. Traverses are
made for numerous purposes including:
– Property surveys to locate or establish boundaries.
– Location and construction layout surveys for highways,
railways, and other private and public works.
– Ground control surveys for photogrammetric mapping.
 TYPES OF TRAVERSE

• These are open traverse & closed traverse

• Open Traverse. An open traverse begins at a
point of known control and ends at a station whose
relative position is known only by computations. The
open traverse is considered to be the least desirable
type of traverse, because it provides no check on the
accuracy of the starting control or the accuracy of
the fieldwork. For this reason, traverse is never
deliberately left open. Open traverse is used only
when time or enemy situation does not permit
closure on a known point.
 CLOSED TRAVERSE
• This traverse starts and ends at stations of known
control. There are two types of closed traverse—closed
on the starting point and closed on a second known point.
• (1) Closed on the Starting Point. This type of closed traverse
begins at a point of known control, moves through the various required
unknown points, and returns to the same point. This type of closed
traverse is considered to be the second best and is used when both
time for survey and limited survey control are considerations. It
provides checks on fieldwork and computations and provides a basis
for comparison to determine the accuracy of the work performed. This
type of traverse does not provide a check on the accuracy of the
starting data or ensure detection of any systematic errors.
 CLOSED TRAVERSE
• Closed on a Second Known Point. This
type of closed traverse begins from a point of known
control, moves through the various required unknown
points, and then ends at a second point of known control.
The point on which the survey is closed must be a point
established to an equal or higher order of accuracy than
that of the starting point. This is the preferred type of
traverse. It provides checks on fieldwork, computations,
and starting control. It also provides a basis for comparison
to determine the accuracy of the work performed.
 Open Traverse
A

1 3

B 2 2
4 C
L1 L2 L3 L4
1 3

• Known coordinates: B only;

• Known bearing: AB only;
• Measured: L1-4 & 1-5
• Avoid whenever possible (large errors can go
 TRAVERSE STATION
• Any temporary or permanent point of reference over
which the transit is set up is called a traverse station.
On most surveys the traverse station is a peg, called a
hub, driven flush on the ground and having a tack
driven in its top to mark the exact point of reference for
measurements. On pavements the traverse station may
be a driven nail, a cross cut in the pavement or curb, or
a tack set in a hole drilled with a star drill and filled
with lead wool. In land surveying, the stations are often
iron pipes, stones, or other more or less permanent
monuments set at the corners. corners In mountainous
country, often the station marks are cut in natural rock.
Choosing Location of Traverse
Stations

Some practical guidelines:

1. Minimum number of stations (each line of sight as
long as possible)
2. Ensure adjacent stations always inter-visible
3. Avoid acute traverse angles
4. Stable & safe ground conditions for instrument
5. Marked with paint or/and nail; to survive
subsequent traffic, construction, weather
conditions, etc.
6. Include existing stations / reference objects for
checking with known values
7. Traverse must not cross itself
8. Network formed by stations (if any): as simple
as possible
9. Do the above without sacrificing accuracy or
omitting important details
FIELD MEASUREMENTS
• Distances- EDM, Total Stations,Chains.
• Angles-Theodelite, Total Station.
• Bearings-Compass ,Astronomical
Observations,Gyro-theodolite.
 HORIZONTAL CONTROL
•Horizontal control is required for initial survey work (detail surveys) and for setting out.

•The simplest form is a TRAVERSE - used to find out the co-ordinates of

CONTROL or TRAVERSE STATIONS.
 N (mag)

A
E

B D
Grass

C
 HORIZONTAL CONTROL
•Horizontal control is required for initial survey work (detail surveys) and for setting out.

•The simplest form is a TRAVERSE - used to find out the co-ordinates of

CONTROL or TRAVERSE STATIONS.
 HORIZONTAL CONTROL

•Horizontal control is required for initial survey work (detail surveys) and for setting out.

•The simplest form is a TRAVERSE - used to find out the co-ordinates of

CONTROL or TRAVERSE STATIONS.

•There are two types : - a) POLYGON or LOOP TRAVERSE

b) LINK TRAVERSE

A
F B

A C

B E
D
E
F G
C
D
 A X
F B

A C
E
B
D
E F G
C
Y
D

• Both types are closed. a) is obviously closed

b) must start and finish at points whose co-ordinates are known,

and must also start and finish with angle observations to other known points.

• Working in the direction A to B to C etc is the FORWARD DIRECTION

• This gives two possible angles at each station.

LEFT HAND ANGLES RIGHT HAND ANGLES
 TRAVERSE TYPES
D
• Open traverses E F
A
B C B
C

• Closed traverses
D
E A

F G
 TRAVERSE USES
• Open traverses
– Define a path from one point to another
• Centerlines of:
– Roads
– Pipelines
– Utilities (sewer, water, power, telephone, cable, etc.)

• Closed traverses
– Enclose an area
• Boundaries of:
– Properties
– Easements
– Rights-of-way (highways, railroads, etc.)
 TRAVERSE ANGLES
• Open traverse angles cannot be balanced
because they do not add up to a specific
number.

• Closed traverse angles must add up to a

specific number depending upon type of
angles measured and number of angles.
 RIGHT ANGLE
(CLOCKWISE)

ANGLE DIRECTIONS
LEFT ANGLE
(COUNTER-CLOCKWISE)
ANGULAR CLOSURE FORMULAS
CLOSED TRAVERSES ONLY !
INTERIOR ANGLES

∑ ∡ = (N-2)ⅹ180°
(N = NUMBER OF ANGLES)

DEFLECTION ANGLES

∑ OUTSIDE - ∑ INSIDE = 360°

 EXAMPLE – INTERIOR ANGLES
D

ACTUAL ∑ = 539° 49’

78° 40’
78° 42’
C
∑ ∡
SHOULD BE
540° ERROR = - 0° 11’
220° 13’
105° 09’ 220° 16’
E 105° 11’ 41° 40’ B
41° 42’
94° 09’ PROCEDURE
94° 07’
ADD 3’ TO LARGEST ANGLE,
AND 2’ TO ALL OTHERS,
A
THEN CHECK TOTAL AGAIN.
EXAMPLE – DEFLECTION ANGLES

147° 39’ ACTUAL ∑ = 360° 05’

147° 37’
28° 57’
∑ ∡ SHOULD BE
A 28° 56’ 360°ERROR = + 0° 05’
B
C 139° 40’
139° 39’

PROCEDURE
SUBTRACT 2’ FROM LARGEST ANGLE,
101° 41’
101° 42’ SUBTRACT 1’ FROM OTHERS (+1’ TO INSIDE),
D
THEN CHECK TOTAL AGAIN.
 CALCULATING BEARINGS
Bearings are calculated by
adding and subtracting angles
Bearing calculation process
1. Balance angles (closed traverses only).
2. Determine the basis of bearing for the traverse.
3. Determine direction to proceed around the traverse.
4. Determine which station to use for first calculation.
5. Sketch each station and calculate bearings around the
traverse (see following slides).
6. Calculate beginning bearing to check accuracy.
 BEARING
CALCULATIONS
INTERIOR ANGLES 1. Angles previously balanced.
D
2. Determine basis of bearing.
3. Proceed counter-clockwise.
78° 40’ 4. Begin with station “B”
78° 42’
C
220° 13’
105° 09’ 220° 16’
E 105° 11’ 41° 40’ B
41° 42’
94° 09’
94° 07’ ’ E BASIS
2 5
N 63° OF
BEARING
A
 BEARING
? 180°00’
CALCULATIONS - 63°25’
D C - 41°42’
=74°53’
41°42’ B
78° 40’
78° 42’
C N A BEARING =
7 4° 5
220° 13’ 3’ W 63°25’ N 74°53’ W
105° 09’ 220° 16’
E 105° 11’ 41° 40’ B
41° 42’
94° 09’
94° 07’ E FOR EACH SKETCH
2 5 ’ 1. Sketch course in and course out
6 3°
N 2. Sketch three angles
1. Incoming course bearing angle
A 2. Property angle
3. Outgoing course bearing angle
INTERIOR ANGLES 3. Calculate outgoing course bearing
 BEARING 220°16’ D ?
CALCULATIONS - 74°53’
=145°23’
D
180°00’ 220°16’
N
- 145°23’
34
C
° 37
78° 40’
= 34°37’
78° 42’ ’W B
C N 145°23’
7 4° 5 74°53’
220° 13’ 3’ W
105° 09’ 220° 16’
E 105° 11’ 41° 40’ B BEARING =
41° 42’ N 34°37’ W
94° 09’
94° 07’ E FOR EACH SKETCH
2 5 ’ 1. Sketch course in and course out
6 3°
N 2. Sketch three angles
1. Incoming course bearing angle
A 2. Property angle
3. Outgoing course bearing angle
INTERIOR ANGLES 3. Calculate outgoing course bearing
 BEARING
CALCULATIONS 78°42’
BEARING = - 34°37’
D S 44°05’ W = 44°05’
D
N
34
W

° 37
78°42’
5’

78° 40’
°0

78° 42’ ’W
44

C N 34°37’
S

7 4° 5
220° 13’ 3’ W E
105° 09’ 220° 16’ ? C
E 105° 11’ 41° 40’ B
41° 42’
94° 09’
94° 07’ E FOR EACH SKETCH
2 5 ’ 1. Sketch course in and course out
6 3°
N 2. Sketch three angles
1. Incoming course bearing angle
A 2. Property angle
3. Outgoing course bearing angle
INTERIOR ANGLES 3. Calculate outgoing course bearing
 BEARING 180°00’ 44°05’ D
CALCULATIONS - 105°11’
D - 44°05’
= 30°44’
E
N
34
W

° 37 105°11’
5’

78° 40’ BEARING =

°0

78° 42’ ’W
44

C N S 30°44’ E
S

7 4° 5
220° 13’ 3’ W A
105° 09’ 220° 16’ ?
E 105° 11’ 41° 40’ B
41° 42’
S

94° 09’
30

94° 07’ E FOR EACH SKETCH

5 ’
°4

3° 2 1. Sketch course in and course out

4’

N 6 2. Sketch three angles

E

1. Incoming course bearing angle

A 2. Property angle
3. Outgoing course bearing angle
INTERIOR ANGLES 3. Calculate outgoing course bearing
 BEARING E 30°44’
CALCULATIONS ?
B
D

N
34
A
W

° 37 94°09’
5’

78° 40’ BEARING =

°0

78° 42’ ’W
44

C N N 63°25’ E
S

7 4° 5 94°09’
220° 13’ 3’ W
105° 09’ - 30°44’
220° 16’ B
E 105° 11’ 41° 40’ = 63°25’
41° 42’
S

94° 09’
30

94° 07’ E FOR EACH SKETCH

’


5
°4

3° 2 1. Sketch course in and course out

4’

N 6 2. Sketch three angles

E

1. Incoming course bearing angle

A 2. Property angle
3. Outgoing course bearing angle
INTERIOR ANGLES 3. Calculate outgoing course bearing
 COMPLETED

N
34
’W
BEARINGS

°37
05

’W
°
44
S

N 74
°53’
W

N
S
30

E
°

’
44

° 25
3
’E

N6
Methods of traversing
 Chain traversing:

15 m

15 m

 Compass traversing: Fore bearings and back bearings between the

traverse leg are measured
 Theodolite traversing: Horizontal angles between the traverse legs
are measured. The length of the traverse legs are measured by
chain/tape or by stadia method
 Plane table traversing: Plane table is set at every traverse station in
clockwise and anticlockwise direction and the circuit is finally closed.
During traversing the sides of the traverse are plotted according to any
suitable scale.
Checks on traverse: Closed traverse
 Check on closed traverse:
 Sum of the measured interior angles (2n-4) x 90°
 Sum of the measured exterior angles (2n+4) x 90 °
 The algebric sum of the deflection angles should be equal to
360°. Right hand deflection is considered +ve, left hand
deflection –ve

 Check on linear measurement

 The lines should be measured once each on two different
days (along opposite directions). Both measurement should
tally.
 Linear measurement should also be taken by the stadia
method. The measurement by chaining and stadia method
should tally.
 Checks on traverse: Open
traverse
 Taking cut-off lines: measured
the bearings and lengths of
cut off lines after plotting and
tally with actual values.

 Taking an auxiliary point: Take

P permanent point as auxiliary
point measured bearings and
lengths of P from each
traverse point. If survey is
accurate, while plotting all the
measured bearing of P should
meet at P.
Problems:
 Convert the following WCBs to QBs
 (a) WCB of AB = 45°30’
(Ans 45°30’)
 (b) WCB of BC = 125°45’
(Ans 180- 125°45’ = 54° 15’)

 Fore bearing of the following lines are given. Find back

bearing
 AB=S 30°30’ E
 BC=N 40°30’ W
 The magnetic bearing of a line AB is 135°30’ what will be the
true bearing, if the declination is 5°15’ W.