GEFS: FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

TOPIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1] Students must be able to familiarize and
describe errors associated to measurements.

PREPARED BY: JPGaridan CE, SE

 ERRORS
ERRORS: Difference between the true value and the measured value.
MISTAKES: Inaccuracies in measurements such as carelessness, poor judgement, improper execution, etc.
INSTRUMENTAL Errors: ACCURACY – how close the quantity to the exact
- errors due to imperfections in the instruments value.
used (steel tape of incorrect length, leveling rod
PRECISION – how close the values/trials to each
with painted graduations not perfectly spaced,
instrument whose line of sight is not in other.
adjustments, improper adjustment of the plate
bubbles of a transit or level, etc.)
NATURAL Errors:
- caused by variations in the phenomena of
nature such as changes in magnetic declination,
temperature, humidity, wind, refraction, gravity,
and curvature of the earth.
PERSONAL Errors:
- errors arise principally from limitations of the
senses of sight, touch and hearing of the human
observer which are likely to be erroneous or
inaccurate.
 ERRORS
THEORY OF PROBABILITY Probable Error:
Probability: - quantity which when added or subtracted
defines a range within which there is a 50%
- the number of times something will probably change that the true values lie within the limit set.
occur over the range of possible occurrences.
SINGLE MEASUREMENT
Residual:
- difference between any measured value of a PES = ±0.6745
σ V2 n = number of observations
quantity and its most probable values. (n−1)

V = x – MPV
MEAN MEASUREMENT
x = measured or observed
σ V2
MPV = Most Probable Value PEM = ±0.6745 n = number of observations
n(n−1)

Most Probable Value (MPV): Relative Error (Relative Precision):

- refers to quantity which, based on available - a fraction having the magnitude of error in
data, has more chances of being correct. the numerator and the magnitude of a measured
quantity in the denominator.
sum of quantities (lengths or angles) PE
MPV = RP =
number of observations MPV
 ERRORS
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES:
E1] A surveying instructor sent all the 40 students in his class to measure a distance between two points
marked on a runway. The students working in groups of four came up with 10 different measurements as
follows: 920.45, 921.05, 921.65, 920.25, 920.15, 921.85, 921.95, 920.45, 921.15, and 921.35 m.
Determine the relative precision of a single measurement and of the mean.

SOLUTION: A]Relative Precision(RPS and RPM): Measured Value Residual , V V2

using: PE 920.45 -0.58 0.3364

Measured Value RP =
MPV 921.05 0.02 0.0004

920.45 then: PES 921.65 0.62 0.3844

● RPS = 920.25 -0.78 0.6084
921.05 MPV
PEM 920.15 -0.88 0.7744
921.65 ● RPM = 921.85 0.82 0.6724
MPV
where:
920.25 σx 9210.30
921.95 0.92 0.8464
MPV = = = 921.03 m 920.45 -0.58 0.3364
920.15 and;
n 10
921.15 0.12 0.0144
921.85 σ V2 921.35 0.32 0.1024
● PES = ±0.6745
(n−1) ∑x = 9210.03 ∑V2 = 4.076
921.95
920.45 σ V2 Therefore;
● PEM = ±0.6745 PES 0.45392 1 𝟏
n(n−1) ● RPS = = = say
921.15 but; MPV 921.03 2029.058 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎
921.35 V = x – MPV PEM 0.14354 1 𝟏
V = x – 921.03 Eq(1) ● RPM = = = say
MPV 921.03 6416.539 𝟔𝟎𝟎𝟎
 ERRORS
ADJUSTMENT OF WEIGHTED OBSERVATION using:
σWx W1 x1 +W2 x2 +W3 x3 +⋯+Wn xn
MPV = =
1) Weight of Observation is proportional to the σW W1 +W2 +W3 +⋯+Wn
number of observations. 3 123.54 +6 1234.67 +5(1234.59)
σWx =
W = kn MPV = 3+6+5
use: σW
MPV = 1234.61357 units
k = 1 if not stated in the problem, then W = n
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE: ADJUSTMENT OF WEIGHTED OBSERVATION
E1] Three groups with different number of trials measured 2) Weight of Observation is inversely proportional
distance AB as follows:
to the square of the probable errors.
AVERAGE DISTANCE (x) NUMBER OF TRIALS (n) σWx
W = kൗE2 MPV =
GROUP A 1234.54 3 use: σW
k = 1 if not stated in the problem, then W = ΤE2
GROUP B 1234.67 6 1

GROUP C 1234.59 5
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE:
Find the most likely value0of the distance form A to B.
E1] Three different groups with the following probable errors
measured distance AB.
SOLUTION:
AVERAGE DISTANCE (x) PROBABLE ERROR (E)
AVERAGE NUMBER OF W = kn
DISTANCE (x) TRIALS (n) (use k = 1) GROUP A 1234.54 0.3
GROUP A 1234.54 3 1(3) = 3 GROUP B 1234.67 0.2
GROUP B 1234.67 6 1(6) = 6 GROUP C 1234.59 0.15
GROUP C 1234.59 5 1(5) = 5 0 distance form A to B.
Find the PROBABLE value of the
 ERRORS
SOLUTION:
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE:
E1] The difference of elevation between BM1 and BM2 was taken
AVERAGE PROBABLE W = 𝐤ൗ𝐄𝟐 by a survey party using three different trials taking the
DISTANCE (x) VALUE (E) (use k = 1) length of each path alongside with it. Assuming the
distance taken were accurate, find the most probable value
GROUP A 1234.54 0.3 1
ൗ 0.3 2 = 100Τ
9 of the difference in elevation between BM1 and BM2.
GROUP B 1234.67 0.2 ൗ 0.2 2 = 25
1 DIFFERENCE IN ELEVATION (x) DISTANCE
TRIAL 1 34.54 3
GROUP C 1234.59 0.15 1
ൗ 0.15 2 = 400Τ
9
TRIAL 2 35.67 4.6
TRIAL 3 34.59 3.5
using: σWx W1 x1 +W2 x2 +W3 x3 +⋯+Wn xn
MPV = =
σW W1 +W2 +W3 +⋯+Wn SOLUTION:
100 400
123.54 +25 1234.67 + 9 (1234.59) DIFFERENCE IN W = 𝐤Τ𝐝
9 DISTANCE
= 100 400 ELEVATION (x) (use k = 1)
9
+25+ 9
TRIAL 1 34.54 3 1ൗ
3
MPV = 1234.60793 units
TRIAL 2 35.67 4.6 1ൗ
4.6
ADJUSTMENT OF WEIGHTED OBSERVATION TRIAL 3 34.59 3.5 1ൗ
3) Weight of Observation (except distance) is inversely 3.5
proportional to the distance where measurement is using: σWx W1 x1 +W2 x2 +W3 x3 +⋯+Wn xn
MPV = =
taken. k σWx σW W1 +W2 +W3 +⋯+Wn
W= Τd MPV =
use: σW 1 1 1
3
34.54 +4.6 35.67 +3.5(34.59)
k = 1 if not stated in the problem, then W = Τd
1 MPV = = 34.85077 units
1 1 1
+ +
3 4.6 3.5
 ERRORS
E2] The following interior angle of a triangle traverse were Then:
measured with the same precision.  For Angle A:
1 0
ANGLES VALUES MEASUREMENTS σWx 1 30
eA = = 15 1 1 =
A 410 5 σW + + 13
5 6 2
B 770 6
C 630 2 30
MPV = 410 – = 40046’9.23”
13
 Determine the most probable value of Angle A.
 Determine the most probable value of angle B.
 For Angle B:
 Determine the most probable value of angle C. 1 0
σWx 6
1 50
SOLUTION: eB = =1 1 1 =
σW + + 26
5 6 2
W = 𝐤Τ𝐝
ANGLES VALUES MEASUREMENTS
(use k = 1) 50
MPV = 770 – = 76048’27.69”
A 410 5 1ൗ 26
5
B 770 6 1ൗ
6  For Angle C:
C 630 2 1ൗ 1 0
2 σWx 1 150
eC = = 12 1 1 =
σW + + 26
using: S(I.A.) = (n-2)(1800) = (3-2)(1800) = 1800 5 6 2

also: 150
E = (A+B+C) - 1800 MPV = 630 – = 62025’23.08”
26
= (410+770+630) - 1800
E = 10
 CORRECTION IN TAPING
TAPING ERRORS (SYSTEMATIC ERRORS) TAPING ERRORS (SYSTEMATIC ERRORS)
1) Error due to Incorrect Tape Length 3) Error due to Change in Pull (Tension)
ei = (-) for too short 𝚫𝐏𝐋
ep=
ei = (+) for too long 𝐀𝐄
where:
2) Error due to Change in Temperature
L = length of tape
et = ΔTαL
ΔP = change in pull (tension)
where:
= Pf - P i
L = length of tape
= (+) for increased pull
ΔT = change in temperature
= (-) for decreased pull
= Tf – Ti
A = cross-sectional area of steel tape
= (+) if increasing
Mass of steel tape
= (-) if decreasing =
(Length)(Density of material)
α = coefficient of thermal expansion
*For steel tape:
Derived from:
α = 6.45x10-6 ft/ft 0F W
W = γV
α = 11.6x10-6 m/m 0C
W = γ(A*L)
A=
γ(L)
 CORRECTION IN TAPING
TAPING ERRORS (SYSTEMATIC ERRORS) TAPING ERRORS (SYSTEMATIC ERRORS)
4) Error due to Sag (always NEGATIVE) 5) Error due to Incorrect Alignment (Slope)
5.a. Gentle Slope (less than 20%)
𝐋𝐖 𝟐
es = 𝐡𝟐
𝟐𝟒𝐏 𝟐 Ea =
where: 𝟐𝐬
5.b. Gentle Slope (between 20% - 30%)
P = applied pull
𝐡𝟐 𝐡𝟒
W = total weight of tape between two Ea = +
𝟐𝐬 𝟖𝐬 𝟑
supports (kg)
5.c. Very Steep Slope (greater than 30%)
W = ωL
Ea = s(1-cosθ)
but;
ω = weight per length of tape
eTOTAL = σ errors due to cases mentioned in numbers 1 to 5
L = length of tape b/n supports
Then; 𝐒𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝
es = error per span b/n two (2) supports E = eTOTAL* ( )
𝐋
es(TOTAL) = ns * es
but; Scorrected = Smeasured + E
NOTE:
ns = number of span per tape
If the activity is to lay-out a certain distance, Scorrected is given
so Smeasured is the one to be solved.
 CORRECTION IN TAPING
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE:
E1] A 100 m tape weighing 3 kg was standardized and found to be 0.02 m short at temperature of 10 0C and
a 30 N pull when supported throughout. It was used to measure a distance which was recorded as
3245.68 m. When the temperature was 150C and the pull was 40 N supported only at quarter points.
E = 200 GPa, density of material is 7500 kg/m3, coefficient of thermal expansion is 11.6x10-6/0C.
 Find the correct distance between the two (2) points.
 If the distance corrected in question 1 is an inclined distance whose difference in elevation between the points
is 2 m. Find the horizontal distance.

GIVEN: B]due to Change in Temperature: D]due to Change in Sag:

Ti = 100C et = ΔTαL LW2
Tf = 150C es =
= (15-10)(11.6x10-6)(100) 24P2
Pi = 30 N et = 0.0058 (at quarterpoints)
Pf = 40 N
C]due to Change in Pull:
γ = 7500 kg/m3 es LΤ WΤ 2 100Τ 3Τ ∗9.81 2
ΔPL W 4 4 4 4
α = 11.6x10-6/0C ep = ; A= = =
4 24P2 24(40)2
Smeasured = 3245.68 m AE γ(L)
E = 200 Gpa 3 kg
= es = -0.14097
L = 100 m (7500kgൗm3)(100m)
A = 0.000004 m2 Then:
SOLUTION:
eTOTAL = σ e from A to D
A]due to Incorrect Tape Length: ep =
(40−30)(100)
1000 2 = -0.02+0.0058+0.00125+(-0.14097)
ei = 0.02 (too SHORT) 0.000004 (200x103 )
ei = -0.02
1 = -0.15392
. ep = 0.00125
 CORRECTION IN TAPING
SOLUTION (Continuation…)
 If the distance corrected in question 1 is an inclined distance whose
eTOTAL = σ e from A to D difference in elevation between the points is 2 m. Find the horizontal
= -0.02+0.0058+0.00125+(-0.14097) distance.
= -0.15392 GIVEN:
And: Scorrected = 3240.68422 m
Smeasured 3245.68 h = 2m
E = eTOTAL* ( ) = -0.15392 ( ) h=2m
L 100
SOLUTION:
E = -4.99578 H.D.
A]due to Incorrect Alignment
Thus; h2 (2)2
Ea = = = 0.00061715
Scorrected = Smeasured + E 2s 2(3240.68422)
= 3245.68 + (-4.99578) Thus;
H.D. = 3240.68422 – E
Scorrected = 3240.68422 m
= 3245.68 – (0.00061715)
H.D. = 3240.68360 m
 REFERENCE

1. La Putt, Junny P., Elementary Surveying

2. La Putt, Junny P., Higher Surveying