ANGLES AND DIRECTIONS

RELATED DEFINITIONS:

1. BEARING – the bearing of a line is the acute horizontal angle between a

reference meridian and a line. The angle is measured from either the north or
south toward the east or west, true bearings are measured from the true
meridian, magnetic bearings from the local magnetic meridian, assumed
bearings from any adopted meridian, and grid bearings from the appropriate
grid meridian.
2. AZIMUTH – horizontal angles which are measured clockwise from the north
or south end of the meridian. Azimuths may be true, magnetic, grid, or
assumed, depending on the meridian used.
3. TRAVERSE – a series of distances and angles, or distances and bearings, or
distances and azimuths, connecting successive points.
4. OPEN TRAVERSE – a series of lines of known lengths and direction which
are continuous but do not return to the starting point.
5. CLOSED TRAVERSE – a series of lines known lengths and directions which
return or close back to the point of beginning or at points whose positions
have been fixed by other surveys of higher precision.
6. LOCAL ATTRACTION – the amount of deviation or deflection from the normal
pointing of the magnetic needle towards magnetic north due to local
influences such as the proximity of steel, iron, magnetic ores. And direct
electric current.
7. BEST LINE – a line in a traverse which appears to be free from local
attraction. It is also on this line where the adjustment of the remaining
traverse lines affected by local attraction is started.
8. ANGULAR ERROR OF CLOSURE – the angular error of closure for a closed
traverse is the difference between the sum of the computed interior angles
and the quantity (n-2)x180⁰, where “n” is the number of sides in the traverse.

EXAMPLES

Example 1
For the traverse shown in Figure 1, the bearing of side AB is given as well as the interior
angles at B and C. Compute the north azimuths and the bearings of sides BC and CD.

FIGURE 1
Computing azimuth and
bearing for side BC

Deflection A @ C = 180°-76°44’ = 103°16’R

Azimuth of CD = 114°52’+103°16’

= 218°08’

Bearing of CD = 538°08’W

Example 2
The magnetic bearing of line AB was recorded as S43°30'E in 1988. If the magnetic
declination was 2°00’E, what is the astronomic bearing of the line? If the declination is
now 3°00'W, what is the magnetic bearing of the line today?
Solution

FIGURE 2

Astronomic bearing

of side AB.
Magnetic bearing

of side AB

PROBLEMS

a) Convert 51.3165g to sexagesimal units. (Ans.: 46° 11 '05")

b) Convert 67°16'45" to centesimal units (Ans.: 74.7546g)

A circular arc has a radius of 620.00 ft and a central angle of 41°15'30".

Determine the central angle in radians and the arc length.

Three lines have the following north azimuths.' 141°16', 217°23' and 34 °37'.

What are their bearings? (Ans.: S38°44'E, S37°23' W, N48°23'W)

Determine the north azimuths for sides AB, BC, and CD in the accompanying sketch for

which the bearings are given.

Calculate the north azimuth for sides OA, OB, OC, and OD in the accompanying figure.

(Ans.: 17°22'16"; OB = 109°41'14")

Find the bearings of sides BC and CD in the accompanying figure.

Compute the bearings of sides BC and CD in the accompanying figure.

(Ans.: S17°32'E; CD = N85°10'W)

What are the bearings of sides CD, DE, EA, and AB in

the accompanying figure?

Determine the angles AOB, BOC, and DOA for the figure of Problem 9-5

(Ans.: AOB= 92°18'58"; BOC = 81°27’38”)

Compute the value of the interior angles at B and C for the figures shown.
In Problems with figure shown below, compute all of the interior angles for each of the

figure shown.

Compute the deflection angles for the traverse of Problem 9-12.

(Ans.: B = 146°06'33"R; C = 58°25’02” R)

Compute the deflection angles for the traverse of Problem 9-14.

From the data given, compute the missing bearings.

1-2 =_________

2-3 =_________

3-4 = N8°10'00"W

4-1 = _________

Interior at 1 = 51°16'00"

Interior at 2 = 36°22'00"

Interior at 4 = 221°37’36"

(Ans.: 1—2 = N78 56'04"; 2-3 = S42°34'04” W)

From the data given. Compute the missing bearings

1-2 = N25°49’E

2-3 = _______

3-4 = S35°18’W

4-5 = _______

5-6 = N81°11’W

6-1 = ________
Interior at 1 = 114°06’

Interior at 2 = 79°54’

Interior at 4 = 242°38’

For the accompanying figure, compute the following:

a. Deflection angle at B. (ans.: 72°28’R)

b. Interior angle at B. (ans.: 107°32’)
c. Bearing of the line CD. (ans.: S26°40’E)
d. North azimuth of DA. (ans.:289°18’)

For the figure shown, compute the following:

a. Bearing of line AB
b. Interior angle at C
c. North azimuth of line DE
d. Deflection angle at B

For the figure shown, compute the following:

a Deflection angle at B. (Ans.: 93 51 'R)

b Bearing of CD. (Ans.: S61°27'W)

c North azimuth of DE. (Ans.: 159° 54')

d Interior angle at E. (Ans.: 57°12')

e Exterior angle at F (Ans.: 244° 52')

The following values are deflection angles for a closed traverse: A = 109°18'R, 84°27'R,

113°43'R, D = 80°22'L, and E = 132°54'R. If the bearing of side CD is S24°16'W,

compute the bearings of the other sides.

The magnetic north azimuth of a line is 125°43' while the magnetic declination is 8°30'E.

What is the astronomic azimuth of the line? (Ans.: 134°13')

At a given place the magnetic bearings of two lines are N42°41'E and S58°35'E. If the

magnetic declination is 4°50'W, what are the astronomic bearings of the lines?

The magnetic bearings of two lines are N 14030'E and S85°30'E. If the magnetic

declination is 5°40'E, what are the astronomic bearings of the lines?

(Ans.: N20°10'E; S79°50'E)

The astronomic bearings of two lines are N85°44'E AND S43°38'W. Compute their

magnetic bearings if the magnetic declination is 4°40'E.

Change the following astronomic bearings to magnetic bearings for a 3°45'W magnetic

declination: N5°32'W, N16°32'E and S88°22'E.

(Ans.: N1°47' W, N20°17'E, S84°37'E)

The magnetic north azimuth of a line was 134 30' in 1890 when the magnetic

declination was 6°30'E. If the magnetic declination is now 3°20'W determine the

astronomic azimuth of the line and its magnetic azimuth today.

In 1860 the magnetic bearing of a line was S81°30'E and the magnetic declinations

3°15'W. Compute the magnetic bearing of this line today if the magnetic declination is

now 4°30'E„ What is the astronomic bearing of this line?

(Ans.: Astronomic = S84°45'E, magnetic = S89°15'E)

From the information given in Problems 9-30 to 9-33, determine the astronomic bearing

of each line and its magnetic bearing today.

Magnetic bearing Magnetic Magnetic

in 1905 declination in declination today

1905
9-30 N41°30’W 4°00’W 3°30’E
9-31 S85°45’ 5°30’E 4°15’W
9-32 N5°15’E 4°15’W 9°15’E
9-33 N6°30’E 7°30’W 4°45’W
(ans.: 9-31: astronomic = N88°45’W; magnetic = N84°30’W)

(ans.: 9-33: astronomic = N1°00’W; magnetic = N3°45’E)

1. Explain the difference between turning points and bench marks

2. From the given data, complete and check the level notes shown.

TRAVERSE ADJUSTMENT AND AREA COMPUTATION

EXAMPLES
Example 1
With reference to Figure below, it is assumed that coordinates have been assumed or
calculated for point A at the left end of the line shown. It is desired to calculate the
coordinates for point C at the other end.

XA = +200.000 ft
YA = +300.000 ft
Solution
First the x or horizontal component of the line is calculated. It equals the departure of
the line.
Departure AC = (length AC) (sin42°30' 00") = 202.678 ft
Then the y or vertical component of the line is calculated. It equals the latitude of the
line.
Latitude AC = (length AC) (cos42°30' 00") = 221.183 ft
Finally, the coordinates of point C are as follows:
XC = 200.000 + 202.678 = 402.678 ft
YC = 300.000 + 221.183 = 521.183 ft
Example 2.
LATITUDES AND DEPARTURES. Given in the tabulation below are notes
for an open traverse. Determine the latitude and departure of each course
and tabulate observed and computed values accordingly.

COURSE DISTANCE BEARING COURSE DISTANCE BEARING

AB 550.30 m N 28° 10’ E DE 631.22 m N 50° 00’ E
BC 395.48 m S 69° 35’ E EF 340.05 m S 25° 05’ E
 CD 462.70 m S 27° 50’ E FG 275.86 m Due East

Solution
a) Determining Latitudes: Lat = d Cos α

= 550.30 Cos 28° 10’ = +485.13 m

= 395.48 Cos 69° 35’ = -137.96 m

= 462.70 Cos 27° 50’ = -409.17

= 631.22 Cos 50°00’ = +405.74

= 340.05 Cos 25° 05’ = -307.98

= 275.86 Cos 90° 00’ = 0.00

b) Determining Departures: Dep = d Sin α

= 550.30 Sin 28° 10’ = +259.76 m

= 395.48 Sin 69° 35’ = +370.64

= 462.70 Sin 27° 50’ = +216.04

= 631.22 Sin 50° 00’ = +483.54

= 340.05 Sin 25° 05’ = +144.16

= 275.86 Sin 90° 00’ = +275.86

COURSE DISTANCE BEARING LATITUDE DEPARTURE

+N -S +E -W
AB 550.30 m N 28° 10’ E 485.13 259.76
BC 395.47 m S 69° 35’ E 137.96 340.64
CD 462.70 m S 27° 50’ E 409.17 216.04
 DE 631.22 m N 50° 00’ E 405.74 483.54
EF 340.05 m S 25° 05’ E 307.98 144.16
FG 275.86 m Due East - 275.86

Note: In the above calculations, north latitudes and east departures are
considered; south latitudes and west departures minus.

LINEAR ERROR OF CLOSURE

Linear Error of Closure is defined as

Where :
∑ latitude - summation of north and south latitudes
∑ departure - summation of east and west departures

Direction of Linear Error of Closure is defined as

Example :
In a traverse the latitudes and departures of the sides were calculated and it was
observed that
∑ latitude = + 1.39 and
∑ departure = - 2.17

Calculate the length and bearing of the closing error.

Solution :
 If L = latitude and D= departure, then

Closing error, =

= = 2.577 m

Reduced bearing of closing error =

= 57° 21’ 29.83”

Since, latitude and departure of the closing line are positive and negative respectively,
the line is in the fourth quadrant.
Hence, the bearing of the closing error is N 57° 21’ 29.83” W.

EXAMPLE 12-3
Compute the area of the land shown Figure 12-17:
(A) Using the trapezoidal rule.
(B) Using Simpson's one-third rule.

Solution

(a) Area by trapezoidal rule:

A = 50( + 43 + 48 + 49 + 45 + 51 + 50) = 16,500 sq. ft

(b) Area by Simpson's one-third rule: Since there are an even number of offsets the

area between the last two offsets on the right end is computed separately as a

trapezoid.

A= [(41+50) + 2(48+45) + 4(43+49+51)] +( (50) = 16,575 sq. ft

EXAMPLE 12-4

Using the coordinate rule for irregular areas, determine the area contained in the

irregular tract shown in Figure 12-18.

Solution

2A = (32) (50) + (46) (50 + 30) + (38) (30 +40) + (40) (40 + 20) + (39) (20 + 30) + (36)

(30 +30) + (33) (30)

A = 7720 sq. ft

PROBLEMS

In Problems 12-1 to 12-4, compute the latitudes and departures for the sides of the

traverses shown in the accompanying figures. Determine the error of closure and

precision for each of the traverses.

12-1 (Ans.: 0.133 ft, precision =

1/6432)
12-2

12-3 (ans.: EC = 1.254 ft, precision = 1/5065)

12-4

In problems 12-5 to 12-7, balance each of the sets of latitudes and departures given by

the compass rule and give the results to the nearest 0.01 ft.
12-5

Latitudes Departure
Side Length N S E W
AB 400.00 320.00 245.00
BC 300.00 180.00 235.36
CA 500.00 140.24 480.00
(ans.: 320.08; 179.94; 140.14; 244.88; 235.27; 480.15)

12-6

Latitudes Departure
Side Length N S E W
AB 600.00 450.00 339.00
BC 450.00 285.00 259.50
CA 750.00 164.46 599.22

12-7

Latitudes Departure
Side Length N S E W
AB 220.40 185.99 118.26
BC 287.10 234.94 165.02
CD 277.20 181.25 209.73
DE 200.10 187.99 68.55
EA 147.90 42.01 141.81

In problems 12-8 to 12-10 balance by the compass rule the latitudes and departures for

each of the traverses of Problems 12-1 to 12-3.

(Ans.: Problem 12-9 for AB 144.79, 635.21, for CD 213.97, 441.66)

In problems 12-11 to 12-13, from the given sets of balanced latitudes and departures

calculate the areas of the traverses in acres using DMDs with the meridians the most

westerly points.
12-11

Balanced Latitudes Balanced Departures

Side N S E W
AB 600 200
BC 100 400
CD 0 0 100
DE 400 300
EA 300 400
(ans.: 4.13 acres)

12-12

Balanced Latitudes Balanced Departures

Side N S E W
AB 100 200
BC 100 200
CD 200 100
DE 100

700
EA 300 200

12-13

Balanced Latitudes Balanced Departures

Side N S E W
AB 200 100
BC 100 200
CD 150 150
 DE 50

200
EA

100 250
(ans.: 1.29 acres)

For Problems 12-14 to 12-17, with the latitudes and departures balance with the

compass rule, compute the areas in acres using DMDs with the meridians through the

most westerly points.

12-14 Problem 12-1

12-15 Problem 12-2 (Ans.: 9.277 acres)

12-16 Problem 12-3

12-17 Problem 12-4 (Ans.: 65.50 acres)

12-18 Repeat Problem 12-11 with the meridian passing through the most easterly point.

12-19 Repeat Problem 12-12 using double parallel distances (DPDs) with the reference

parallel passing through the most northerly point. (ans.: 1.95 acres)

12-20 Repeat Problem 12-13 using DPDs with the reference parallel passing through

the most southerly point.

In Problems 12-21 and 12-22, for the given coordinates compute the length and bearing

of each side.

12-21

Point X(ft) Y(ft)

A 0 0
B +200 +150
C +500 -100
D +300 -200
(ans.: AB = N53°08’E,250.00 ft; BC = S50°12’E, 390.51 ft)
12-22

Point X(m) Y(m)

A +300 +200
B +400 -300
C +100 0

12-23

Point X(ft) Y(ft)

A +100 +300
B +500 -100
C +200 -400
D -200 -250
E -150 +200
(ans.: 7.03 acres)

12-24

Point X(m) Y(m)

A 0 0
B +300 +150
C +600 -300
D +200 -250
E +100 -300

12-25

Point X(ft) Y(ft)

A +150 +250
B +350 +400
C +400 -250
D -200 -500
E -300 -300
F +200 -100
(ans.: 5.28 acres)

12-26 Repeat problem 12-11 using the coordinate method.

12-27 Repeat problem 12-12 using the coordinate method. (ans.: 1.95 acres)

12-28 Repeat problem 12-13 using the coordinate method.

12-29 Determine the area of the traverse of Problem 12-21 in acres using the

coordinate method. (ans.: 1.89 acres)

12-30 Using the coordinate method compute the area in hectares (1 ha = 10,000

m2) for the traverse of Problem 12-22.

12.31 A given planimeter has a constant of 2; that is, one revolution of the drum

equals 2 sq. in.

A. If a map area is traversed with the anchor point outside the area and a net

reading of 18.247 revolutions is obtained, what is the map area?

(ans.: 36.494 sq. in)

B. If the same area is traversed, with the anchor point outside the area and the net

reading is 7.695 revolutions, what is the area of the zero circle? (ans.: 21.104 sq. in)

12-32 Upon calibration, it was found that a given planimeter traversed 10 sq. in.

for every revolution of its drum and the area of the zero circle was 72.00 sq. in. With the

anchor point inside the area the reading before traversing an unknown area 5.162

revolutions and after traversing the area was 9.034 revolutions.

(a) What is the area in square inches?

(b) If the map scale is 1 in. = 50 ft, what is the area on the ground?

12-33 A given planimeter has a constant of 8. A map area is traversed with the

anchor point outside the area and a net reading of 15.896 revolutions is obtained. The

same area is traversed with the anchor point inside the area and a net reading of 8.124
revolutions is obtained. The scale of the map on which the area is being measured is I

in. = 50 ft. Determine the following

(a) Map area traversed. (Ans.: 127.168 sq. in.)

(b) Area of the zero circle. (Ans.: 62.176 sq. in.)

(c) Actual ground area. (Ans.: 7.30 acres)

In Problems 12-34 and 12-35, compute the area (in square feet) of the irregular tracts of

land shown using the trapezoidal rule.

12-34

12-35

12-36 Repeat Problem 12-34 using Simpson's one-third rule.

12-37 Repeat Problem 12-35 using Simpson's one-third rule.
(Ans.: 15,387 or 15,473 sq. ft.)
12-38 To determine the area between a base line AB and the edge of a lake the
following offset distances were measured at 40-ft intervals. Compute the area (in square
feet) of the tract by using Simpson's one-third rule. Offset distances: 32 ft, 41 ft, 49 ft, 60
ft, 73 ft, 68 ft, 60 ft, 55 ft, 41 ft, 37 ft.
For Problems 12-39 to 12-41, plot to a scale 1in. 50 ft the referenced information and
determine the areas (in square feet) using a planimeter.
12-39 Problems 12-34. (ans.: 18,000 sq. ft.)
12-40 Problem 12-35.
12-41 Problem 12-38. (ans.: 19,250 sq. ft.)

For Problems 12-42 to 12-44, the offsets are taken at irregular intervals. Determine the
area (in square feet) between the traverse line and the boundary for each case. Use the
coordinate method. The distances given are measured from the origin.

Problem 12-42 Problem 12-43 Problem 12-44

Distance Distance Distance
Offset Offset Offset
0 30 0 18 0 17
30 50 20 22 10 30
50 35 40 28 20 45
80 45 60 34 30 56
90 58 70 46 50 50
100 50 75 58 100 62
120 68 80 64 150 71
150 60 85 66 200 78
100 60 210 63
120 55 230 52
250 50

12-45 Determine the area of the figure shown below. (Ans.: 285,882 sq. ft.)