PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA

College of Engineering and Technology

Civil Engineering Department

FIELD WORK NO. 3

Measurement of Obstructed Distance by Tape

Rating

Submitted by:

Cappal, Cainoa Nicko M.

CIV 0211.1-2; 2-2

Submitted to:

Leonardo C. Sawal, ASEAN Engr., ACPE

October 24, 2021

FIELD NO.: 3

TITLE: MEASUREMENT OF OBSTRUCTED DISTANCE BY TAPE

OBJECTIVES:
To determine obstructed distance by various methods using the tape only
under the following field conditions:
1. When terminal points are no intervisible
2. When terminal points are intervisible

INSTRUMENT & ACCESSORIES:

3-Range Poles, 1-Steel Tape, 1 Set of Marking pins

ALTERNATIVE:
1. 2 - Steel Tapes (10m and 7m)
2. Nails
3. Paper Tape
4. Yarn Threads
5. Protractor
6. Field Note
7. Pen

PROCEDURE:

I. When the Terminal Points are not Intervisible

A. Approximate Method (Slope-correction Formula)

1. Set a hub a point C visible to A and B
2. Erect a perpendicular line y along line AB passing through point C.
Measure y.
3. Measure slope S1 and slope S2.
4. Compute obstructed distance AB by
𝐴𝐵 = ℎ1 + ℎ2 = (𝑆 − 𝐶ℎ1 ) + (𝑆 + 𝐶ℎ2 )

Where:

ℎ1 2
𝐶ℎ1 =
2𝑆1
and
ℎ2 2
𝐶ℎ2 =
2𝑆2
SKETCH:

7m 7m

4.015m

5.71m 5.71m

CALCULATION:
ℎ1 2
𝐶ℎ1 =
2𝑆1
5.71𝑚2
𝐶ℎ1 =
2(7𝑚)
32.6041𝑚2
𝐶ℎ1 =
14𝑚
𝐶ℎ1 = 2.329𝑚=𝐶ℎ2
𝐴𝐵 = ℎ1 + ℎ2 = (𝑆 − 𝐶ℎ1 ) + (𝑆 + 𝐶ℎ2 )
𝐴𝐵 = (7 − 2.329) + (7 + 2.329)
𝐴𝐵 = 4.671 + 9.329
𝐴𝐵 = 14

SET-UP/ PHOTO ESSAY:

Preparation of Instruments
Setting point C and erecting a perpendicular line y along
line AB.

Measuring and plotting slopes 1and 2.

Plotting lines h1 and h2.

The final set-up is shown.

B. Cosine Method
1. Set a hub at point C Visible to both point A and B (The same as in
A).
2. Determine angle ACB by tape
a. Measure 3.5 m along line AC and designate this point as “b”.
b. Measure 3.5 m along line BC and designate this point as “a”.
c. Measure chord ab
d. Compute the angle bca using:

𝑎𝑏
1
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑐𝑎 = 2
2 3.5

e. Measure chord AC and BC

f. Compute distance AB by cosine law:

𝐴𝐵 = √𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝐵𝐶 2 − 2(𝐴𝐶)(𝐵𝐶)𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴𝐶𝐵

SKETCH:
 3.5m 5.7m 3.5m

3.5m 3.5m

CALCULATION:
𝑎𝑏
1
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑐𝑎 = 2
2 3.5
5.7
1
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑐𝑎 = 2
2 3.5
1 2.85
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑐𝑎 =
2 3.5
1
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑐𝑎 = 0.81
2
𝑏𝑐𝑎 = sin−1(0.81) ∗ 2
< 𝑏𝑐𝑎 = 108.192°

𝐴𝐵 = √(7𝑚)2 + (7𝑚)2 − 2(7𝑚)(7𝑚)cos (108.192°)

𝐴𝐵 = √128.596𝑚2
𝐴𝐵 = 11.34𝑚

SET-UP/ PHOTO ESSAY:

Setting point C and plotting lines AC, CB, and ab.

 Measuring point a and b and chord ab

The final set-up is shown.

C. Similar Triangles
1. Set a hub visible to point A and B (same as in A)
2. Measure distance AC and BC. Measure any pt. along AC and
designate this as “D”
3. Measure any point along BC and designate this as E, such that,
𝐶𝐸 𝐶𝐷 𝐶𝐷(𝐵𝐶)
= ; 𝐶𝐸 =
𝐵𝐶 𝐴𝐶 𝐴𝐶
4. Measure the distance DE
5. Solve AB using the property of similar triangles
𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐶 𝐵𝐶
= =
𝐷𝐸 𝐶𝐷 𝐶𝐸
𝐷𝐸(𝐵𝐶)
𝐴𝐵 =
𝐶𝐸
𝐴𝐶(𝐷𝐸)
𝐴𝐵 =
𝐶𝐷

SKETCH:
 5.4m
6.785m 6.785m

3.39m

CALCULATION:
𝐶𝐷(𝐵𝐶)
𝐶𝐸 =
𝐴𝐶
3.39𝑚(6.785𝑚)
𝐶𝐸 =
6.785
𝐶𝐸 = 3.39𝑚

𝐷𝐸(𝐵𝐶)
𝐴𝐵 =
𝐶𝐸
5.4𝑚(6.785𝑚)
𝐴𝐵 =
3.39𝑚
𝐴𝐵 = 10.81𝑚

𝐴𝐶(𝐷𝐸)
𝐴𝐵 =
𝐶𝐷
6.785𝑚(5.4𝑚)
𝐴𝐵 =
3.39𝑚
𝐴𝐵 = 10.81𝑚
SET-UP/ PHOTO ESSAY:
Setting point .M measuring and plotting lines AC, CB, and DE.

D. Random Line and Chord Bisection Method (Swing Offsets)

1. Layout a random line AO longer than AB. (AB is the same as in A)
2. Using a sufficient tape as radius, swing an arc with B as the center.
3. Measure distance “ab” and establish point C midway between “a”
and “b”
4. Measure BC and AC.
5. Solve AB by “Pythagorean Theorem”
𝐴𝐵 2 = 𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝐵𝐶 2

Or 𝐴𝐵 = √𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝐵𝐶 2
SKETCH:

AC = 3.485m
aC = 1.65m
Cb = 1.65m
ab = 3.3m
bB = 3.755m
BC = 3.22m
aB = 3.46

CALCULATION:
𝐴𝐵 = √𝐴𝐶 2 + 𝐵𝐶 2

𝐴𝐵 = √(3.485𝑚)2 + (3.22𝑚)2

𝐴𝐵 = √12.15𝑚2 + 10.37𝑚2

𝐴𝐵 = √22.52𝑚2
𝐴𝐵 = 4.745𝑚
SET-UP/ PHOTO ESSAY:

Measuring and plotting lines AC, aB, CB, bB, and Ab.

II. When the Terminal Points are Intervisible

A. Short Offset or Parallel Lines Method

1. Erect perpendicular lines 𝐴𝐴𝐼 = 𝐵𝐵 𝐼
2. Measure 𝐴𝐼 𝐵 𝐼 as that of AB.

SKETCH:

𝐴𝐼 𝐵 𝐼 = 6𝑚

𝐴𝐴𝐼 = 2.5𝑚
SET-UP/ PHOTO ESSAY:

Measuring and plotting lines AA’ and A’B’.

The final set-up is shown together with the future engineers.

B. Long Offset
1. Use points A and B as of in Short Offset ( Parallel Lines Method)
2. Set point C far enough from AB to clear the obstruction and such
that AC makes an angle CAB not exceeding 45° but not less than
30°.
3. Determine the chord length of 𝜽 for a radius about 30.0 meters
4. Measure CE, E being any convenient point such that will be less
than 45°.
5. Measure AC and CD, CD being roughly perpendicular to AB.
6. Measure EB and EF, EF being roughly perpendicular to AB.
7. Measure the angle by determining its chord length for a radius of 30
m.
8. Determine distance AB by:
𝐴𝐵 = 𝐴𝐷 + 𝐶𝐸 + 𝐹𝐵

SKETCH:
 5.32m 53°

6.10m

2.15m 3.17m

CALCULATION:
𝐴𝐵 = 𝐴𝐷 + 𝐶𝐸 + 𝐹𝐵
𝐴𝐵 = 2.15𝑚 + 6.10𝑚 + 3.17
𝐴𝐵 = 11.42𝑚

SET-UP/ PHOTO ESSAY:

Measuring and plotting lines CD, CE, AC, FB, EF, 𝜽 and angle CAB and EBF in
accordance to Part A.

act of measuring and plotting.

The final set-up is shown.

CONCLUSION:

During the process of accomplishing the procedures given in the field work 3, I
was able to concur in assigning measurements, plotting, and the utilization field work
instruments and its alternatives. I was able to determine the obstructed distance using
tape only by applying the different method and formulas under the field conditions like
how terminal points are intervisible or not. Measuring distance in an open space is
hard when obstruction is present. With the help of my co-engineers, I was able to
know the obstructed distance and also execute cooperation while planning on how to
finish the task. This task enhanced my skills in analyzing and measuring precise
distance using tape.