Traversing

 A series of consecutive lines whose ends have been marked in the

field and whose lengths and angles have been determined from
observations which used established horizontal location of
points(X,y)from reference location.
 In surveying it means’ determining the length ,Angles and direction
of consecutive lines.
 The linear measurements are made with tape and relative angle of
the lines are measured with the theodolite.

n determined from observations

 Traversing
Types of Traverse
In General a traverse can be divided in to two
 1.Closed traverse. The traverse which starts from known point
and ends on one of two points, either the same known point from
which it began or on the different of known location (Known
point).
I. Closed loop (ring) traverse which starts and ends on the same
known point.
II. Closed route (link) traverse which starts and ends on the
different known point.
2. Open traverse
It is a kind of traverse that starts from known point and ends on
unknown point.
 This type of traverse is sometimes expedient for the survey of a
strip project such as a pipeline or highway.
 There is no method to verify that the measurements of the angles
and distances are free from error.
 TRAVERSE TYPES

3
Departure and latitude
Departure:-The difference in x- coordinates between two
points (X)
Latitude: - The difference in y- coordinates between two
points (Y)
Departure and latitude are described and computed in
different coordinate systems as follows:
I By using rectangular coordinate system
Departure of AB = ΔXAB= XB- XA
Latitude of AB = ΔYAB= YB-YA
II- By using distance and azimuth
Departure = distance * sin of Azimuth of line.
Latitude = distance* cos of Azimuth of line.
ΔX AB = dis.AB*
sinΦ
ΔYAB = dis AB*cosΦ
Illustrative Example
If the coordinates of A=(600.72, 802.93) and B= (700, 891.3)
Calculate departure and latitude of AB and BA
Solution
Departure AB = XB-XA = 700.00-600.72 = 99.28
Latitude AB = YB-YA = 891.30-802.93 = 88.37
Again for line BA
ΔXBA = XA-XB = 600.72-700.00 = - 99.28
ΔYBA = YA-YB = 802.93-891.30 = -88.37
Example

Azimuth of a line AB = 600 11‟23‟ and its length is 400.2m.

Calculate its departure and latitude .
solution
Departure of a line = distance* sin of Azimuth
= 400.23 * sin 60011‟23‟
= 347.244
Latitude of a line = distance* cos of Azimuth
= 400.2* cos 60011‟23‟
= 198.951
Signs of Departures and Latitudes

North

Departure (-) Departure (+)

Latitude (+) Latitude (+)

West East

Departure (-) Departure (+)

Latitude (-) Latitude (-)

South
Computation of Azimuth of consecutive lines

The general formula that is used to compute the azimuths

consecutive lines is:
forward azimuth of line = back azimuth of previous line + clockwise
(internal) angle
The back azimuth of a line is computed from
back azimuth = forward azimuth  180
or
By using the given azimuth of the first line find the azimuth of all
lines.
If it is right hand traverse Az of (i+1) = Az of i + 1800 -ß
If it is left hand traverse Az of (i+1) = Az of i + ß - 1800
Example

The angles measured at 2, 3 and 4 are 100, 210, and 190

respectively, and the azimuth of the line from 1 to 2 is given as 160,
then
Az23 = back AZ 12 + angle at 2 = (160 +180) + 100 = 440  80
Az34 = back Az23 + angle at 3 = (80+180) +210 = 470 110
Az45 = Az34 + angle at 4 = (110+180) +190 = 480 120
Computation of relative coordinates
If the coordinate of one point and departure and latitude of a
line that joining this two point are known, we can calculate
the coordinate of unknown point.
i.e. X2 = X1 + dep 12
Y2 = Y1 + lat 12
Example the coordinates of point A are (1000.2, 2341.32)
and departure and latitude of line AB are 300.32 and 543.2
respectively, determine the coordinates of point B.
Solution
XB = XA + dep AB = 1000.2 + 300.32 = 1300.52
YB = YA + lat. AB = 2341.32 + 543.2 = 2884.52
Therefore B (1300.52, 2884.52)
PROCEDURE FOR RUNNING A TRAVERSE IN THE FIELD WORK

 To begin any traverse, a known point must be occupied.

 Next, a direction must be established. Note only first direction
established at field the other calculate at the office.
 This can be done by sighting with the instrument a second
known point, or any definite object, which is in a known
direction from the occupied point or known point .
 Then Once the instrument is occupying a known point and the
telescope has been pointed toward the first unknown point then
an angle and a distance is measured to the first unknown point.
 This procedure is repeated Instrument is occupying a unknown
first point and the telescope has been pointed toward the
second unknown point then an angle and a distance is
measured to the third unknown point until measurements have
been taken to all the needed points.
The check of error in Traversing

The are two types of errors in closed traversing

Linear error : summation of latitude and longitude  0

IF NOT  Adjustment required

Angular error: The sum of measured interior angles

should be equal to the theoretical

IF NOT  Adjustment required
For closed traverses, a check can be applied to ensure that the
measured angles can meet the required specifications.
For a closed loop traverse with n internal angles, the check
that is used is:
(internal angles) = (n – 2) 180
(external angles) = (n + 2) 180
For a closed link traverse, the check is given by
A1 +(angles) – A2 = (n – 1) 180
where A1 is the initial or starting azimuth, A2 is the closing
or final azimuth, and n is the number of angles measured.
 TRAVERSE COMPUTATION procedure
Step 1: Check Allowable Angle Misclosure
 Checking the measurment angular errors
and adjust errors
Step 2: Computation of directions Preliminary
Azimuths or reducing bearing
Step 3: Compute Departures and Latitudes
Compute Linear Misclosure
Step 4: Adjust Departures and Latitudes
Step 5: Compute coordinates
Step 6: Compute area covered

15
procedure Traverse computations in the office work
Illustrative example
The following data is observed in the field for a closed
loop traverse ABCDEF. Using given data calculate the
coordinates of stations B, C, D, E, F.
Step 1: Check Allowable Angle
Misclosure

c K n

where:
c is the allowable misclosure in seconds
K is a constant that depends on the level
of accuracy specified for the survey
n is the number of angles
Solution
1. Computation of error, correction and adjusted angles
 ∑ ß practical = ßA + ßB + ßC+ ßD + ßE + ßF
 = 7200 02’00”
∑ ß Nominal = (n-2) * 1800 = (6-2)*1800
= 7200 00’00”
Error = ∑ ß Nominal - ∑ ß practical = -2’00”
Allowable error = 1’ (n) 1/2
= 2’27” since error is less than allowable error the
measurement is ok!
Correction = Error/ n = -20” from all angle (A, B, C, D, E,
F)
S Measured Adjusted Azimuths Hor.D Calculated Adjusted Coordinates
t. Hor.Angle Hor.Angle. istanc ∆X ∆Y ∆X ∆Y X Y
e

A 115011’00” 500 1000

115 11’20”
0

191011’00” 429.3
7

B 95000’20” 95000’00”

656.5
4

C 129049’20” 129049’00”

301.8
3

D 130036’20” 130036’00”

287.4

E 110030’00” 110029’40”

526.7
2

F 138054’40” 138054’20”

A Sum = 372.4 500 1000

720000’00” 7
Step 2: Computation of Preliminary Azimuths
By using the given azimuth of the first line find the azimuth of
all lines.
If it is right hand traverse Az of (i+1) = Az of i + 180 0 -ß
If it is left hand traverse Az of (i+1) = Az of i + ß - 180 0
Where ß is adjusted angle . Computation of azimuths
Az AB = 191011’00“
Az BC = Az AB + ßB - 1800 = 106011’00“
Az CD = Az BC + ßC - 1800 = 56000’00“
Az DE = AzCD + ßD - 1800 = 6036’00“
Az EF = AzDE + ßE - 1800 = 297005’40“
Az FA = AzEF + ßF -1800 = 256000’00“
S Measured Adjusted Azimuths Hor.D Calculate Adjusted Coordinates
t. Hor.Angle Hor.Angle. istanc d ∆X ∆Y X Y
e ∆X ∆Y

A 115011’00” 500 1000

115011’20”

191011’00” 429.3
7

B 95000’20” 95000’00”

106011’00” 656.5
4

C 129049’20” 129049’00”

56000’00” 301.8
3

D 130036’20” 130036’00”

6036’00” 287.4

E 110030’00” 110029’40”

297005’40” 526.7
2

F 138054’40” 138054’20”

A 720000’00” 256000’00” 372.4 500 1000

7
Step 3: Compute Departures and Latitudes

departure = L sin (Azimuth)

latitude = L cos (Azimuth)
S Measured Adjusted Azimuths Hor.Dista Calculate Adjusted Coordinates
t. Hor.Angle Hor.Angle. nce d ∆X ∆Y X Y
∆X ∆Y

A 115011’2 115011’0 500 1000

0” 0”
115011’20” 429.37 -83.76
-
421.217
B 95000’20” 95000’00”

106011’00” 656.54 630.524

-
182.985
C 129049’20” 129049’00”

56000’00” 301.83 250.228

168.781
D 130036’20” 130036’00”

6036’00” 287.4 33.033

285.495
E 110030’00” 110029’40”

297005’40” 526.72 -
468.916
239.899
F 138054’40” 138054’20”
Step 5: Compute Linear Misclosure
Another way of illustrating this is that once you go around the traverse
from point A back to point A’ you will notice that the summation of the
departures and latitudes do not equal to zero. Hence a linear
misclosure is introduced.

Linear misclosure = [(departure misclosure) 2 + (latitude

misclosure)2]1/2
linear misclosure = 0.08 m
Step 6: Compute Relative Precision
relative precision = linear misclosure / traverse length
expressed as a number 1 / ?
read as 1’ meter error per ? meter measured

Closure error of a traverse = [cldep2 + cllat2]1/2

= [0.1872 + -0.1362]1/2 = 0.231
Relative accuracy of a traverse = [Cl traverse / perimeter
(Total length of a traverse)]
= 0.231/2574.33 = (0.231/0.231)/ (2574.33/0.231)
= 1: 11,144 OR 1:11,000
Step 7: Adjust Departures and Latitudes
Methods: Bowditch and Transit Adjustment

According to the Bowditch rule error is proportional to the length of the side

\ Correction lat /dep = Closure error in lat/dep * length of the side

Perimeter of the traverse
According to Transit rule

Correction for
Procedures lat/dep = Closure
adjusting error traverse
closed loop in lat/depcan *belat/dep of the sidein the following
summarized
five (5) steps Total sum of lat/dep
correction in departure for AB = departure AB -

[(total departure misclosure)/(traverse perimeter)](length of

AB)

correction in latitude for AB = latitude AB - [(total

latitude misclosure)/(traverse perimeter)](length of AB)

Adjusts the departures and latitudes of the sides of the

traverse in proportion to their lengths.

S Measured Adjusted Azimuths Hor.D Calculate Adjusted Coordinates
t. Hor.Angle Hor.Angle. istanc d ∆X ∆Y X Y
e ∆X ∆Y

A 115011’00” 500 1000

115011’20”

115011’20” 429.3 -83.76 -83.307

7 -421.217 -421.194

B 95000’20” 95000’00”

106011’00” 656.5 630.524 630.476

4 -182.985 -182.950

C 129049’20” 129049’00”

56000’00” 301.8 250.228 250.206

3 168.781 168.797

D 130036’20” 130036’00”

6036’00” 287.4 33.033 33.012

285.495 285.510

E 110030’00” 110029’40”

297005’40” 526.7 -468.916 -468.954

2 239.899 239.927

F 138054’40” 138054’20”

A 720000’00” 256000’00” 372.4 -361.406 -361.433

7 -90.109 -90.089
Step 8: Compute Rectangular
Coordinates

XB = XA + departure AB
YB = YA + latitude AB
S Measured Adjusted Azimuths Hor.D Calculate Adjusted Coordinates
t. Hor.Angle Hor.Angle. istanc d ∆X ∆Y X Y
e ∆X ∆Y

A 115011’00” 500 1000

115 11’20”
0

115011’20” 429.3 -83.76 -83.307

7 -421.217 -421.194

B 95000’20” 95000’00” 416.69 578.86

3 6

106011’00” 656.5 630.524 630.476

4 -182.985 -182.950

C 129049’20” 129049’00” 1047.1 395.85

69 6

56000’00” 301.8 250.228 250.206

3 168.781 168.797

D 130036’20” 130036’00” 1297.3 564.65

75 3

6036’00” 287.4 33.033 33.012

285.495 285.510

E 110030’00” 110029’40” 1330.3 650.16

87 3

297005’40” 526.7 -468.916 -468.954

2 239.899 239.927

F 138054’40” 138054’20” 861.43 1090.0

3 90

A 720000’00” 256000’00” 372.4 -361.406 -361.433 500 1000

7 -90.109 -90.089 .001
Step 6: Compute Area using Coordinate
Method (continued)
Double area = +XAYB+XBYc+XcYD+XDYE+XEYA
-XBYA –XcYB –XDYC –XEYD -XAYE

An easy way to remember how to compute

the area using the coordinate method:

Be sure to begin and end at the same

coordinate. The products are computed
along the diagonals with dashed arrows
considered plus and solid ones minus. This
method computes the DOUBLE AREA so you
need to divide the result by 2 to get the
area.
Example 2 NN

 B

107o 32’ 30” 86.32 m.

127.54 m.

C
141 27’ 10”
o
A 96o 54’ 10”
78.45 m.
96.02 m.
106o 49’ 40”
87o 15’ 40”
E 149.68 m. D

33
solution
a. Adjustment of angles
Sum of included angles

∑ß practical = ß A + ßB + ßC+ ßD + ßE
= 539°59’10’’
theoretical value
=(n-2)*180° where n =5
(5-2)*180° = 540°00’00’’
angle error=et = (∑ interior angles - (n-2)*180° )
= 539°59’10’’ - 540°00’00’’ = -50 ’’
each angle correction = -(-50/5) = 10 ’’
Adjusted Angles
A = 96° 54' 20''
B = 107° 32' 40'‘
C = 141° 27' 20''
D = 87° 15' 50''
E = 106° 49' 50''
34
step 2 Computation of Azimuth of consecutive lines
The general formula that is used to compute the azimuths
consecutive lines is:

forward azimuth of line = back azimuth of previous line -

clockwise (internal) angle
The back azimuth of a line is computed from for ward Azimuth
back azimuth = forward azimuth  180
or
If it is right hand traverse Az of (i+1) = Az of i + 180 0 -ß
If it is left hand traverse Az of (i+1) = Az of i - 1800 + ß

Where ß is internal angle .

Example
Computation of azimuths of B,C,D,E
Using clockwise direction
Or right hand traverse
Az of (i+1) = Az of i + 1800 -ß
Az AB = 000’00“ azimuth bearing
Az BC = Az AB - ßB +1800 = 72027’0020“ N 72027’0020“ E
Az CD = Az BC- ßC +1800 = 111000’00“ S 69000’00“ E
Az DE = AzCD - ßD + 1800 = 203044’10“ S 23044’10“ W
Az EA = AzDE - ßE +1800 = 276055’20“ N 83005’40“W
Step 3: Compute Departures and Latitudes
 Latitude
 Length of a line along the
assumed meridian
 +ve → N
 - ve → S
 Departure
 Length of a line perpendicular
to the assumed meridian
 +ve → E
37
 - ve → W
Omitted Measurement
In a closed traverse if lengths and bearings of all
the lines could not be measured due to certain
reasons, the omitted or the missing
measurements can be computed provided the
number of such omissions is not more than two.
In such cases, there can be no check on the
accuracy of the field work nor can the traverse
be balanced. It is because of the fact
that all the errors are thrown into the computed
values of the omitted observations
Tacheometry:
Itis the procedure for obtaining horizontal distance and
differences in elevation by rapid indirect methods,
which are based on the optical geometry of the
instruments employed.
This tacheometry is applied for leveling, traversing, field
surveys etc. Methods that are used in tachometric
surveying are Stadia, substance bar, staff and alidade.
5.7.1 Stadia method
For the measurement of stadia distance, the reticle in
the telescope of the theodolite is equipped with three
horizontal cross hairs; the upper and lower cross hairs
(used for distance measurement) are called stadia hairs.
The actual separation of the upper and lower stadia
hairs in the reticle is taken as i.
The distance from the instrument to the rod held
vertically is obtained from a stadia interval s in the rod,
which crosses the upper and lower cross hairs
Control survey SURVEY MABE
 1-D → control which
governs height
measurment(Z)
 2-D → control which
governs horizontal
measurment(X,Y)
 3-D → Horizontal and height
40
measurment(X,Y,Z)
Control networks provide a reference framework of
points for
 Topographic mapping
 Dimensional control of construction work
 Deformation surveys for all manner of structures,
both new and old
 The extension and densification of existing
control networks

41
Methods used for control survey
 Traversing method- the most
common ,accurate and economical
method
Triangulation
Trilateration
Triangulateration

Point positioning methods

 Intersection
 Resection
42

Point Positioning Techniques
 Intersection - the coordinates of an
unknown point are obtained by observing
directions from the points of known
locations

43
When coordinates of the two points
are given and α & β are measured
Let the coordinate of B and D are as follows
B = (Xb,Yb), D = (Xd,Yd) - Given
C=

α and β are measured from BD toward BC and from DB toward

DC
γ = 180°- (α + β)

46
By sine law
Sin γ/c =sin β/d = sin α/b
ABD =tan-1(Xd-Xb/Yd-Yb)
ADB = ABD + 180° if 0 < ABD < 180°
ADB = ABD - 180° if 180° < ABD < 360°
ABC = ABD + α (α +ve clockwise)
ADC = ADB + β (β +ve clockwise)
47
ΔXcb = d*sin ABC → Xc = Xb + ΔXcb
ΔYcb = d*cos ABC → Yc = Yb + Δycb
OR
ΔXcd = b*sin ADC → Xc = Xd + ΔXcd
ΔYcd = b*cos ADC → Yc = Yd+ ΔYcd

48
Examples
1. Determine the coordinates of a point R from the
following data:
Coordinates of P = (400 m, 800 m)
Coordinates of Q = (800 m, 1100 m)
30° and 120° angles are measured counter clock wise
from PQ to PR and clock wise from QP to QR
respectively

49
PQ = √(800-400)2 + (1100-800)2 = 500 m
APQ = tan-1 (800-400/1100-800) = 53°

APR = APQ + α = 53-30 = 23°

Sin 120 ° = Sin 30 °
PR PQ
PR = 500*0.866/0.5 = 866 m
XR = XP + PR*sin APR = 400 +866*sin 23°
= 738.38m
YR = YP + PR*cos APR = 800 +866*cos 23°
= 1597.16 m
50
 Resection- the coordinates of an
unknown point are obtained by determining
the horizontal angles at the unknown point
between three unoccupied points of known
coordinates.

52
READIND ASSIGNMENT
RESECTION