SLU SEA/CE

CE 2121 FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

MODULE 3

MEASURING HORIZONTAL DISTANCES

SLOPE TAPING
d = s cos(𝛼)
d = √𝑠2 − ℎ2

Problem:
1. A measurement is made along a line that is inclined by a vertical angle of 15°25’ as measured using a hand
level and clinometer. The slope measurement is 756.52 m. What is the corresponding horizontal distance?

2. A line XYZ is measured on the slope in two segments. The first segment XY measures 824.45 m and the second
segment YZ measures 1244.38 m. If the difference in elevation between points. X and Y is 4.25 m and that
between Y and Z is 6.47 m, determine the horizontal length of the measured line.

CORRECTIONS IN TAPING
1st RULE: When a line is measured with a tape that is “too long”, the corrections are applied to the observed
length by adding.
2nd RULE: When a specified or required length is to be laid out with a tape that is “too long”, the corrections are
subtracted from the known length to determine the corrected length to be laid out.
3rd RULE: When measuring or laying out lengths with a tape that is “too short”, the corrections are applied
opposite to those stated in the first two rules.

“When measuring with tape too long, add; tape too short, subtract. Do the reverse when laying out.”

Correction Due to Incorrect Tape Length

Corr = TL – NL
TL = actual length of tape
NL = nominal length of tape

𝑀𝐿
𝐶𝑙 = Corr ( )
𝑁𝐿
CL = ML ± 𝐶𝑙
𝐶𝑙 = total correction to be applied to the measured length or length to be laid out.
CL = corrected length of the line to be measured or laid out
ML = measured length or length to be laid out
NL = nominal length of tape

Problem:
1. A rectangular lot was measured using a 50 – m steel tape which was found to be 0.025 m too short. If the
recorded length and width of the lot are 180.455 and 127.062 m, respectively, determine the following:
a. Actual dimension of the lot.
b. Error in area introduced due to the erroneous length of tape.
2. A building 38 m x 45 m is to be laid out with a 50 – m long metallic tape. If during standardization the tape is
found to be only 49.950 m, determine the following:
a. Dimensions to be laid out, using this tape, in order that the building shall have the desired dimensions.
b. Using the same tape what should the diagonals read?

Correction Due to Slope

When distances are measured along the slope, the equivalent horizontal distance may correspondingly be
determined by applying an approximate slope correction.
ℎ2
𝐶ℎ =
(𝑠+𝑑)

s = measured slope distance between points A and B

h = difference in elevation between A and B
d = equivalent horizontal distance AC
𝐶ℎ = slope correction or the difference between the slope length and the horizontal distance, 𝐶ℎ = s – d

For gentle slopes (less than 20%) it is safe to assume that the slope distance (s) is approximately equal to the
horizontal distance (d) or
ℎ2
𝐶ℎ =
2𝑠

ℎ
Slope = (100%)
𝑑

For steep slopes, 20% to 30% range.

ℎ2 ℎ4
𝐶ℎ = +
2𝑠 8𝑠 3

For very steep slopes are involved such as those greater than 30%.
ℎ
Sin𝜃 = , d = cos𝜃, and 𝐶ℎ = s – d
𝑠
Therefore:
𝐶ℎ = s – s cos𝜃 or 𝐶ℎ = s ( 1 – cos 𝜃 )

Problem:
1. Slope distances AB and BC measures 330.49 m and 660.97 m, respectively. The differences in elevation are
12.22 m for points A and B, and 10.85 m for points B and C. Using the approximate slope correction formula for
gentle slopes, determine the horizontal length of line ABC. Assume that line AB has a rising slope and BC a falling
slope.

2. A line AB cannot be measured directly because of an obstruction on line. Accordingly, the two lines AC and CB
were measured as 2,400.850 m and 1,320.420 m, respectively. Point C was set at a perpendicular distance of 155
m from point D on line AB. Using the approximate slope correction formula for steep slopes, determine the length
of AB.

Correction Due To Temperature

“The tape lengthens as the temperature rises and shortens as the temperature falls”
𝐶𝑡 = k(T – 𝑇𝑠 )L
𝐶𝑡 = Correction due to temperature
k = Coefficient of linear expansion
T = is the observed temperature of the tape at the time of measurement
𝑇𝑠 = is the temperature at which the tape was standardized
L = Length of tape was standardized

Problem:
1. A steel tape with a coefficient of linear expansion of 0.0000116/(1ᵒC) is known to be 50 m long at 20ᵒC. The
tape was used to measure a line which was found to be 532.28 meters long when the temperature was 35ᵒC.
Determine the temperature correction per tape length, temperature correction for the measured line and correct
length of the line.

2. A steel tape, known to be of standard length at 20ᵒC, is used in laying out a runway 2,500.00 m long. If its
coefficient of linear expansion is 0.0000116/(1ᵒC), determine the temperature correction and the correct length
to be laid out when the temperature is 42ᵒC.

Correction Due To Tension

(Pm−Ps)L
Cp=
AE
Cp = total elongation in tape length due to pull or the correction due to incorrect pull applied on the tape
Pm = pull applied to the tape during measurement
Ps = standard pull for the tape or pull for which the tape is calibrated
L = measured length of line
A = cross sectional area of the tape
E = modulus of elasticity of the tape material

Problem:
A 30-m steel tape weighing 1.45 kgs is of standard length under a pull of 5 kgs, supported for full length. The
tape was used in measuring a line 938.55 m long on smooth level ground under a steady pull of 10 kgs. Assuming
E = 2.0x10^6 kg/sq.cm and the unit weight of steel to be 7.9x10^-3 kg/sq.cm., determine the cross-sectional area
of the tape. Determine the correction for increase in tension. Determine the correct length of the line measured.

Correction Due To Sag

The correction due to sag is the difference in length between the arc formed by the tape and the subtending
chord. In determining this correction, the arc is assumed to be a parabola, and is computed with sufficient
precision by the formula
w2 L3
Cs =
24P2
Since W = wL or W 2 = w 2 L2, and substituting this to equation 1, we obtain
W2 L
Cs =
24P2
Cs = correction due to sag or the difference between the tape reading and the horizontal distance between
supports (m)
w = weight of tape per unit length (kg/m)
W = total weight of tape between supports (kg)
L = interval between supports or the unsupported length of tape (m)
P = tension or pull applied on the tape (kg)
Problem:
𝑘𝑔
1. A 50-m steel tape weighs 0.04 and is supported at its end points and at the 8 – m and 25 – m marks. If a pull
𝑚
of 6 kg is applied, determine the following:
a. Correction due to sag between the 0 – m and 8 – m, 8 – m and 25 – m marks, and the 25 – m and 50 – m
marks.
b. Correction due to sag for one tape length.
c. Correct distance between the ends of the tape.

𝑘𝑔
2. A 50 – m steel tape weighing 0.035 is constantly supported at mid – length and at its end points, and is used
𝑚
to measure a line AB with a steady pull of 6.5 kg. if the measured length of AB is 1,268.256 m, determine the
following:
a. Correction due to sag between supports and for the whole tape length.
b. Total sag correction for the whole length measured.
c. Correct length of line AB.

Correction due to Wind

A strong wind blowing perpendicular to the direction of taping will move the middle and unsupported portion of
the tape to one side of the line measured. This introduces an error to the measurement which is similar to the
effect of sag but is usually much less. To avoid this this type of error, it is preferable no to undertake any taping
work during windy days. If it cannot be avoided and the measurement has to be done on windy days, efforts
should be taken to support the tape from being affected by the blowing of wind.

Normal Tension
The normal tension is the amount of pull required to make the end points coincide with the marked points on the
pavement.
0.204 W √AE
PN =
√PN −Ps
PN = normal tension or the pull which will eliminate the effect of sag (kg)
W = total weight of tape between supports (kg)
A = cross-sectional area of tape (cm2 )
kg
E = modulus of elasticity of tape material ( )
cm2
Ps = standard pull for the tape (kg)

Problem:
1. A steel tape weighing 0.85 kg has a cross-sectional area of 0.05 𝑐𝑚2 . The tape measures exactly 30.00 m when
𝑘𝑔
supported throughout its length under a standard pull of 5.5 kgs. If the modulus of elasticity is 2.10 x 106 ,
𝑐𝑚2
determine the tension required to make the tape equal to its nominal length when supported only at the end points.

𝑘𝑔
2. A steel tape having a cross-sectional area of 0.06 𝑐𝑚2 and a modulus of elasticity of 2.0 x 106 , weighs 0.03
𝑐𝑚2
𝑘𝑔
. Its length is 30.00 m when standardized at a pull of 5 kg and supported throughout its length. Determine the
𝑚
tension at which the effect of sag will be eliminated by the elongation of the tape due to increased tension.
Combined Corrections
The corrections for the effects of incorrect length of tape, temperature, tension, slope, and sag may be combined
as a single net correction per tape length. Each correction is computed separately and it is important to identify
which correction tends to make the tape too long or too short.
Since the sign of each correction can be determined during computation, it is then a matter of adding these
quantities algebraically to arrive at a single and overall correction to lengths which are measured or laid out.
Combined corrections are usually determined on the basis of the nominal tape length since each correction is
relatively small and do not appreciably affect each other. The resulting net correction per tape length may be used
as long as conditions remain constant during taping. Variation in conditions may be due to changes in temperature
during the day, non-uniformity of pull exerted on the ends of the tape, the ground may be such that it becomes
necessary to support the tape at various intervals, and some other factors which may affect the taping operation.

Problem:
1. A line was determined to be 2395.25 m when measured with a 30-m steel tape supported throughout its length
under a pull of 4 kg and at a mean temperature of 35ᵒC. Determine the correct length of the line if the tape used
is of standard length at 20ᵒC under a pull of 5 kg. The cross-sectional area of the tape is 0.03 𝑐𝑚2 , its coefficient
0.0000116 𝑘𝑔
of linear expansion is , and the modulus of elasticity of steel is 2.0 x 106 .
1ᵒ𝐶 𝑐𝑚2

2. A 50-m steel tape is of standard length under a pull of 5.5 kg when supported throughout its entire length. The
𝑘𝑔
tape weighs 0.05 , has a cross-sectional area of 0.04 𝑐𝑚2 , and being made of steel, its modulus of elasticity is
𝑚
𝑘𝑔
2.10 x 106 . This tape was used in the field to measure a distance that was determined to be 458.650 m. At the
𝑐𝑚2
time the measurement was made, the constant pull applied was 8 kg with the tape supported only at its end points.
Determine the correct length of the line.

3. In problem 2, if the tape used was standardized at 20ᵒC and during the measurement the mean temperature
observe was 18ᵒC, determine the correct length of the line for the combined effects of tension, sag and
temperature. Assume the coefficient of linear expansion of the tape to be equal to 0.0000116 per 1 deg C.

Reference:
La Putt, Juny Pilapil. Elementary Surveying 3rd Edition