2021 G.

C
Adjustment Computation; By Bacha B.

CHAPTER FOUR

Adjustment of Traverse Survey

The operation of adjusting the closing error in the closed traverse is applying corrections to the
departures and latitudes. The closure of traverse is checked by computing the latitude and
departure of each of its sides. When latitudes are added together, the resulting error is called the
error in latitudes (∑L). The error resulting from adding departures together is called the error in
departures (∑D)

If the measured bearings and distances are plotted on a sheet of paper, the figure will not close
because of summation in departures and latitudes as shown below.

Figure 4.1.Error in departure and latitude

N.B. In the closed travers the following conditions must be satisfied.

i. Summation of departure(∑D) = 0
ii. Summation of latitude(∑L) = 0

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2021 G.C
Adjustment Computation; By Bacha B.

Latitudes and Departures

The coordinates of points are defined as departure and latitude.

Latitude: The line of its projection on the North – South

Departure: The line of its projection on the East – West

N.B, A northeasterly bearing has positive latitude and departure.

LatAB = cosθ x DAB

DepAB = sinθ x DAB

Table 4.1. Bearing in the quadrants

Coordinates Quadrants
NE SE SW NW
Departure + + _ _
Latitude + _ _ +

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2021 G.C
Adjustment Computation; By Bacha B.

Methods of Adjusting Error in Traverse

1) Bowditch’s method or compass method

This method is popular for balancing error in traverse. In this method the total error in departure
and latitude is distributed in proportion to the length of the traverse line. Therefore
CD = ∑D and CL = ∑L

Where, CD and CL = the corrections to the departure and latitude of the line to which the
correction is applied,

l = the length of the line, and

∑l = the sum of the lengths of all the lines of the traverse.

2) Transit method
When the angular measurements are more precise than the linear measurements we use transit
rule. By transit rule, we have
CD = ∑D and CL= ∑L

Where, D and L = the departure and latitude of the line to which the correction is applied, and

DT and LT = the arithmetic sum of departures and latitudes all the lines of the traverse, (i.e.,
ignoring the algebraic signs).
Example: Adjust the latitude and departure of the traverse from the figure given below.

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2021 G.C
Adjustment Computation; By Bacha B.

Side Bearing Length Dep Lat Corr Corr Adjusted Adjusted

Dep Lat Dep Lat
AB 6015’SW 189.53m
BC 29038’SE 175.18m
CD 81018’NW 197.78m
DE 12024’NW 142.39m
EA 42059’NE 234.58m
Summation 936.46 -0.163 -0.079 Take all +ve

Derivation of Estimated error in latidude and departure

To derive the estimated error in the line’s latitude or departure, the following partial derivatives
are required from equation below.
LatAB = cosθ x DAB and DepAB = sinθ x DAB

Example: A traverse course has a length of 456.87 + 0.02m and an azimuth of 230 35’ 26’’ + 9’.
What are the latitude and departure and their estimated errors?
Solution:
Lat = cos230 35’ 26’’x 456.87m = 418.676m
Dep = sin230 35’ 26’’x 456.87m = 182.839m

∑Lat,Dep = [ ] [ ][ ] [ ]

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2021 G.C
Adjustment Computation; By Bacha B.

∑Lat,Dep = [ os -Dsin ] [ ][ ]
sin D os

∑Lat,Dep = [ - ] [ ][ ]
- -

∑Lat,Dep = [ ]

From this, σ211 is the varain e of latitude, σ222 is varaince of departure, and
σ12 and σ21 are their coverances.
Thus , the standard errors are:
ΣLat = √ = 0.019 ≈ 0.02m
ΣDep = √ = 0.019 ≈ 0.02m
Computing and Analyzing Polygon Traverse Misclosure Error
Example: Compute the angular and linear Misclosure of the traverse given below. Determine the
estimated Misclosure error error at the 95% confidence level and comment on weather or not the
observation contains blunders.

Solution:

Angular Misclosure = ∑angles – (n -2)*1800

= 540000’ ’’ – (5 – 2)*1800= 19’’

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2021 G.C
Adjustment Computation; By Bacha B.

Angular Misclosure at 95% confidence level is estimated as

Σ angle = + t* √

= +3.183* √ = + 24.6

Since, the appropriate value from table (‘t’ distribution) is t0.025, 3 which equal to 3.183

Azimuth computation within estimated error

To solve the problem, the azimuth of first course can be assumed as 00o ’ ’’ and free of error
lso estimated error assumed as ’’

Now, Az BC = Az AB + B + 180o

= 00o ’ ’’ + o
’ ’’+ 180o = 267o36’14’’ & 3.1’’

Az CD = 213o23’41’’ & 4.8’’ b/c √ = ’’ and lastly Az EA = 69o35’39’’ & 6.9’’

Computation of estimated linear Misclosure

First, computing the latitude and departure

LC = √ =√ = 0.086

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