Principles of Chain Surveying It is one of the oldest method of surveying. It is used in horizontal measurement on the earths surface.

The principle of chain surveying is the triangulation. It is used for measuring small areas of land when the level of accuracy required is not high. Chain surveying is recommended where: The ground surface is more or less level. A small area is to be surveyed. A small-scale map is to be prepared The formation of well-conditioned triangle is easy. Chain survey is unsuitable when: Area is crowded with many details. Area consists of too many undulations. Area is very large. The formation of well-conditioned triangle becomes difficult due to obstacles

 It means that the area to be surveyed is divided into number of small triangles. The triangles should be well-conditioned. The sides of triangles are directly measured using chains or tapes. The tie lines and check lines control the accuracy of the work.

The angles should not be too acute or too obtuse. It should be well-conditioned triangle The angle: shouldn't less than 30 and shouldn't greater than 120