SURVEYING I

ENGR. EDWARD J. LAFORTEZA

SURVEYING – has to do with the determination of the relative spatial location of the points on
or near the surface of the earth. It is the art of measuring horizontal and vertical distances
between objects, of measuring angles between lines, of determining the direction of lines, and
of establishing points by predetermined angular and linear measurement.

• GEODETIC SURVEYING – the type of surveying which takes into account the true shape of
the earth. Surveys employing the principles of geodesy are of high precision and generally
extended over large areas.

• PLANE SURVEYING – the type of surveying in which the mean surface of the earth is
considered as a plane, or in which its spheroidal shape is neglected.
TAPE CORRECTIONS
Measuring (Measure) Laying out (Laid out)
300mm (Actual Length)

(300mm – C) C

TOO SHORT!

Corrected/True Length = Actual Length - Correction

C

TOO LONG!

(300mm + C)
Corrected/True Length = Actual Length + Correction
TAPE CORRECTIONS
Measuring (Measure) Laying out (Laid out)
300mm (Actual Length)

(300mm + C) C

TOO SHORT!

Corrected/True Length = Actual Length + Correction

C

TOO LONG!

(300mm - C)
Corrected/True Length = Actual Length ⎼ Correction
TECHNIQUE!!! Corrected/True Length = Actual Length ± Correction

too Short Laid out Addition Measure Subtraction

too Long Laid out Subtraction Measure Addition

CORRECTIONS APPLIED IN DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
1. Correction due to Temperature (add or subtract) 3. Correction due to Sag (subtract only)

where: 𝛼 = coefficient of thermal expansion

= use 0.0000116/ ℃ if not given
L = measured length/length of tape where: 𝜔 = weight per tape length (usually in kg/m
∆T = T – To or N/m)
T = temperature during the measurement L = measured length/length of tape
To = standard temperature Pactual = applied pull/tension

2. Correction due to Pull (add or subtract)

4. Normal Tension (Special Case)
From: – the pull used to compensate the correction due
to sag.
where: ∆P = P – Po
P = applied pull/tension
Po = standard pull/tension
L = measured length/length of tape
A = cross-sectional area of tape
E = elastic modulus of steel
CORRECTIONS APPLIED IN DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
5. Correction due to Slope (subtract only) 6. Sea Level Correction

where:
𝐻 = Horizontal Distance or Corrected Distance
𝑆 = Inclined Distance
Note: You could also use trigonometry for corrections
due to slope.
Problem 1: A 50 m steel tape (α = 0.0000116/°C, standard temperature = 27 °C) was used to measure
the distance between two points. A length of 820 m was measured at a temperature of 37 °C. Find the
corrected distance between the two points.
Solution:

Ct = (0.0000116) (820) (37 ⎯ 27)

Ct = 0.09512m

Corrected/True Dist. = Actual Dist. + Ct

Corrected Dist. = (820) + (0.009512)

add algebraically

Corrected Dist. = 820.095 m. answer.

Problem 2: Distance AB has a measured length of 405 m. The steel tape used has the standard pull of
5.5 kg with a cross-sectional area of 0.000005 m2. The modulus of elasticity of the tape is 2.10 x 106
kg/cm2. Find the corrected distance if the pull used during the measurement is 9 kg.
Solution:
( 100 cm )2
A = 0.000005 m2 x
( 1 m )2
A = 0.05 cm2

(9 ⎯ 5.5)(405)
Cp =
(0.05) (2.10x106)

Cp = 0.0135 m
Corrected/True Dist. = Actual Dist. + Ct
Corrected Dist. = (405) + (0.0135)

add algebraically

Corrected Dist. = 405.014 m. answer.

Problem 3: A 50 m tape was used to measure a length of 170 m. During measurement, the tape is
supported only at the ends and under a steady pull of 7 kg. If the tape weighs 0.90 kg, find the
corrected length.
Solution:

(0.90/50)2 (170)3
Cs = = 1.354 m.
24 (7)2

(0.90/50)2 (50)3 (0.90/50)2 (20)3

Cs = (3) +
24 (7)2 24 (7)2 50m 50m 50m 20m
Cs = 0.1055 m. (⎯)
Corrected/True Dist. = Actual Dist. + Ct 170m
Corrected Dist. = (170) + (⎯ 0.1055)

always subtract (170 ⎼ Cs) Cs

Corrected Dist. = 169.894 m. answer.
Problem 4: A sloping distance between two points measures 200 m. The difference in elevation
between the points is 5 m. Find the horizontal distance between the two points.
Solution:

(5)2
Cslope = = 0.0625 m.
2 (200)

H = (200) ⎼ (0.0625) = 199.938m.

answer.

Another Solution: Using Pythagorean Theorem

B
S = 200m
H= (200)2 ⎯ (5)2 = 199.938m. answer.
h = 5m

A
H
Problem 5: A line measures 7.5 km at an average elevation of 720 m. Find the equivalent sea-level
length. The average radius of curvature of the area is 6400 km.
Solution:

L = 7500 m

Similar Polygons, use Ratio and Proportion:

Lc L Lc
= h
R R+h = 720 m

Lc 7,500
=
(6,400,000) (6,400,000) + (720) R
= 6,400,000 m
Lc = 7,499.156 m. answer.
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
LEVELING – used to determine the difference of elevation between two points.

Back Sight: Measuring Fore Sight: Measuring

backwards forward

FS
B
BS

A
Elev. B

Elev. A

datum
Elev. A + BS = Elev. B + FS Elev. B = Elev. A + BS ⎻ FS
DIFFERENTIAL LEVELING
Problem 6: From the given data of a differential leveling as shown in the tabulation.
Points

24.53
25.48 Elev. B = Elev. A + BS ⎻ FS
23.03
25.10
30.28
34.86
45.67 36.05

1. Find the elevation of Station 2.

Elev. 2 = Elev. 1 + BS ⎻ FS
Elev. 2 = (25.24) + (6.15) ⎯ (6.86) = 24.53 units answer.
2. Find the difference in elevation of Sta. 1 and Sta. 7.
△Elev.(1-7) = |(25.24) ⎻ (34.86)| = 9.62 units answer.

shortcut: △Elev.(1-7) = |(45.67) ⎻ (36.05)|= 9.62 units answer.

TWO PEG TESTS
TWO PEG TESTS – method used to correct the error in the line of sight as well as get the difference in
elevation between two points.

e1 e2
Rod reading
B at B.
Rod reading
at A.

Note: be consistent on your conventions

Reminder: if the calculated value is negative,
just inverse the set convention
TWO PEG TESTS
Problem 7: In a two-peg test, the following observations were taken.

1. Find the true difference in elevation between two points.

2. Find the error in the line of sight?
△Elev. + 1.605 = e + 2.005
First Setup:
△Elev. ⎯ e = 0.40 Eq. 1
L

e
1.605m
2.005m
△Elev. A

B datum
TWO PEG TESTS
Problem 7: In a two-peg test, the following observations were taken.

1. Find the true difference in elevation between two points.

2. Find the error in the line of sight?
△Elev. + 1.605 = e + 2.005
Second Setup:
△Elev. ⎯ e = 0.40 Eq. 1
L
△Elev. + 0.935 + e = 1.455
△Elev. + e = 0.52 Eq. 2
2 Equations, 2 Unknowns
e
0.935m Using Casio Calc, Mode 5-1:
1.455m
△Elev. A Using Canon Calc, Mode 5-1:

B datum △Elev. = 0.46 m.

answer.
e = 0.06 m.
SENSITIVITY OF LEVEL TUBE
Bubble Sensitivity – Angular value of one space of the level tube.

(tilted position) b
(upright position)
b-a
n*Ɵ
a
L

n (space/s)
n*Ɵ

Ɵ (bubble sensitivity) Ɵ (bubble sensitivity)

SENSITIVITY OF LEVEL TUBE
Problem 8: Using an engineer’s level, the reading on a rod 70m away was observed to be 2.55 m. The bubble
was leveled thru 3 spaces on the level tube and the rod reading increased to 2.60 m.

2.60m
1. Determine the angle that the bubble tube was
deviated due to an increase in the rod in seconds of arc.
Using Trigonometric Function: 0.05m
0.05m n = 3 spaces n*Ɵ
tan (n*Ɵ) =
70m 2.55m
n*Ɵ = 2’ 27.33’’ = 147.33’’ answer.
2. Determine the angular value of one space of the tube
in seconds of arc. 70m

147.33’’
Ɵ= = 49.11’’ answer.
3
EFFECT OF EARTH’S CURVATURE AND REFRACTION
Curvature

actual reading L.O.S.

H.I.
HC correct reading
where: HC is in meters, k is in kilometers

H.I.
k Level line

Refraction – bending of the light rays

where: HR is in meters, k is in kilometers

correct reading L.O.S.
HR
actual reading H.I.

Level line
k
EFFECT OF EARTH’S CURVATURE AND REFRACTION
Correction due to Earth’s Curvature and Refraction

HCR = 0.0675 k2
EFFECT OF EARTH’S CURVATURE AND REFRACTION
Problem 9: Yi Sun Shin’s eyes, 1.75m above sea level, can barely see the top of the tower 20km away from
him. What is the elevation of the top of the lighthouse above sea level?

B L.O.S.

A k2 k1 C
HCR1 =
HCR2 20km 1.75m

Solution: HCR = 0.0675 k2

(1.75) = 0.0675 (k1)2 k1 = 5.092 km

k1 + k2 = 20 5.092 + k2 = 20 k2 = 14.908 km

HCR2 = 0.0675 (14.908)2

HCR2 = 15 m. answer.
COMPASS SURVEYING
Compass Surveying – is a branch of surveying in which the position of an object is located using
angular measurements determined by the compass and linear measurements using a chain or tape.
N N “Magnetic Declination” Ex. 1°E
Angular measurements:
1. Bearing – acute angle with reference to the cardinal directions.
1° N or S
W Ex. N 69.70° E

W E
E

2. Azimuth – an angle between 0° and 360° measured clockwise

from South.
Ex. 270.20°
S
S
TRUE DIRECTIONS MAGNETIC DIRECTIONS
COMPASS SURVEYING
Angular measurements:
1. Bearing – acute angle with reference to the cardinal directions.
2. Azimuth – an angle between 0° and 360° measured clockwise from South.

True Bearing/Azimuth – the reference will be the Magnetic Bearing/Azimuth – the reference will be
true directions. the magnetic directions. TN MN
TN

2°

MW
40° 40°

TW TE TW TE
ME

MS TS
TS
True Bearing: N 40° E Magnetic Bearing: N 38° E
True Azimuth: 220° Magnetic Azimuth: 218°
COMPASS SURVEYING
Problem 10: The magnetic bearing of a line was N 48°18’ E in 1910 when the magnetic declination in the
locality was 1°10’ W. In 1989, the magnetic declination in the same locality is 2°45’E.
1. Compute the true bearing of the line in 1910.
Solution:
In 1910,
MN TN
48°18’

Ɵ
1°10’ ME
true bearing: Ɵ = 48°18’ ⎼ 1°10’
Ɵ = 47°08’
TW TE
MW Ɵ = N 47°08’ E answer.

TS MS
COMPASS SURVEYING
Problem 10: The magnetic bearing of a line was N 48°18’ E in 1910 when the magnetic declination in the
locality was 1°10’ W. In 1989, the magnetic declination in the same locality is 2°45’E.
2. Compute the magnetic azimuth of the line in 1989.
Solution:
In 1989,
TN MN

2°45’

MW ⍺
magnetic azimuth:
47°08’
⍺ = 180° ⎻ 2°45’ + 47°08’
TW TE
⍺ = 224°23’ answer.
ME

MS TS
TRAVERSE SURVEYING B C
It is a method in the field of surveying to establish control networks.

(TOP VIEW)
Departure B

A D
L Reminders:
Latitude
Ɵ Sign Conventions: to North and to East, use positive.
to South and to West, use negative.

A For a closed traverse, the sum of the latitudes and

Note: Ɵ is a true bearing departures should be equal to zero.
measurement

Latitude – Vertical (North or South) projection of the distance L.

Lat(A-B) = L cos Ɵ
Solving simultaneously
Departure – Horizontal (East or West) projection of the distance L. using calculator
Dep(A-B) = L sin Ɵ
TRAVERSE SURVEYING: ERROR OF CLOSURE For a closed traverse, the sum of the latitudes and
departures should be equal to zero.
2
∑Lat. = 0 ∑Dep. = 0

1 3

4
TRAVERSE SURVEYING: ERROR OF CLOSURE For a closed traverse, the sum of the latitudes and
departures should be equal to zero.
2
∑Lat. = 0 ∑Dep. = 0

1 3

e
elat
edep
4
TRAVERSE SURVEYING: ERROR OF CLOSURE
Problem 11: From the data below:
LINE DISTANCE BEARING LATITUDE DEPARTURE
1-2 59.82m N 53°27’ E +35.62m +48.06m
2-3 70.38m S 66°54’ E -27.61m +64.74m
3-4 76.62m S 29°08’ W -66.93m -37.30m
4-1 95.75m N 52°00’ W +58.95m -75.45m
∑Lat. = +0.03m ∑Dep. = 0.05m
1. Determine the linear error of closure

Lat(A-B) = L cos Ɵ Solving simultaneously

Latitude 2
Dep(A-B) = L sin Ɵ using calculator
Input: Rec(59.82, 53°27’) Lat.(1-2) = +35.624m
L Dep.(1-2) = +48.056m
Departure
Ɵ

1
Note: Ɵ is a true
bearing Error of Closure = (𝟎. 𝟎𝟑)2 + (0.05)2 = 0.0583 m. answer.
measurement
TRAVERSE SURVEYING: ERROR OF CLOSURE
Problem 11: From the data below:
LINE DISTANCE BEARING LATITUDE DEPARTURE
1-2 59.82m N 53°27’ E +35.62m +48.06m
2-3 70.38m S 66°54’ E -27.61m +64.74m
3-4 76.62m S 29°08’ W -66.93m -37.30m
4-1 95.75m N 52°00’ W +58.95m -75.45m
302.57m ∑Lat. = +0.03m ∑Dep. = 0.05m

2. Determine the relative error.

0.0583m / 0.0583m 1
Relative Error = Format: Relative Error =
302.57m / 0.0583m D
1
Relative Error = answer.
5189.88