Topic: Traverse

Survey

Lab Title:
Class number and section:
Group Number:
Name:
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1.0 Objectives

TYPE THE DOCUMENT

TITLE
:
 A traverse survey is one in which the framework consists of a series of connected lines, the
lengths and direction of which are measured with the help of tape or chain and an angle measuring
instrument. The main objective and purpose of this lab (filed work) is to make a traverse survey, reduce
the field data and plot the results graphically. This also covers the horizontal angle, zenith angle. The
basic objective of this workout was to understand the basic usage of total station and go through the basic
knowledge of traverse survey.

2.0 Introduction
Traverse survey consists of an interconnected series of lines, running between a series of points
on the ground called traverse stations. A traverse survey is performed to measure both the distances
between the stations and the angle between the lines. Traverses have been used for local horizontal
control over relatively small area or for precise control over relatively large area.

When the lines from a circuit which ends at the starting point, the survey is termed a closed traverse, if
the circuit does not close, the traverse is known as open one. The closed traverse is suitable for wide areas
and for locating the boundaries of the lakes, wood etc., where an open traverse is carried out in the of long
strips of country as in the case of canal, road, railway etc.

In total station traversing, total station is used for measurement of angles or tape or chain, preferable, steel
tape is used for linear measurement. This method is applied for accurate and precise survey but for this
fieldwork, we have to estimate our own distance by using pegs.

3. Theory
3.1 Method of Traversing

The method of measuring the angle and bearing of a traverse may be divided into classes:

Those in which the angles at different stations are measured directly and the bearing subsequently
calculated from the measured angles and the given bearing of an initial line
By direct observation of bearing of different survey lines by a total station.

3.2 Total Station Traversing by Direct Observation of Angle

In this method, horizontal angles measured at different stations may be either,

a) Included Angle
b) Defection Angle

a) Traversing by the method of included angles:

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 In a closed traverse included angles can be measured by running a traverse in clockwise or
counterclockwise direction. The common practice is to run a closed traverse in counterclockwise
direction, but it is well to adhere to a regular of routine of measuring angles. Generally interior angles are
obtained it the traverse is run anticlockwise and exterior ones when it is run clockwise as shown in fig.
The angle may be measured by the repetition method and the observation should be taken with both the
faces and also by reading both the verniers. Then averaging the value of each angle should be calculated.

b) Traversing by the method of deflection angle

This method of traversing is more suitable in surveys for railway, roads, pipeline etc. in which a series
of traverse lines may make small deflection angles with each other. In measuring deflection angles having
observed the bearing at the starting Station L set the theodolite at each of station such as M,N,O,Q.
Bisect the back stations using lower clamp and its tangent screw. The vernier may be set to zero or the
initial reading may be taken. The theodolite is transited and the forward station is bisected with upper
clamp screw and the tangent screw. The verniers are again read, the difference between the first set of
reading and the second gives the angle of defection. The measurement is either right or left handed and
this direction must be most carefully noted in the field book. Chaining is done in the usual manner.

4.0 Method of Executing the Fieldwork

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Temporary adjustment of total station should be made at every instrument setting and preparatory
observation with instrument. The temporary adjustments include:

4.1 Setting up of the instrument: Assuming that the total station is to be erected over a ground mark
which is a peg driven into the ground. A nail driven into the top of the peg defines the exact position for
centering, which may referred to as station X. The equipment must be centered all the time over the
station mark X by using a plum bob by adjusting legs. It is also important to adjust the small circular
bubble so that it is centered by using eye judgment.

4.2 Leveling up: After having centered and approximately leveled the instrument, accurate leveling
is done by adjusting the foot screws to move the optical plummet cross-hair with the reference to the plate
level. It is important in order to make the vertical axis exactly vertical.

4.3 Eliminating Parallax: Parallax is a condition happen when the image formed by the objective is
not in the plane of the cross-hairs. Parallax should be eliminated in order to have accurate sighting. There
are two ways to overcome or eliminate the parallax. There are by accurately focusing the cross-hairs
against a light back ground and focusing the instrument on a distant target or by focusing the eye-piece
for distinct vision of the cross hairs.

5.0 Apparatus / Equipment:

Total station Manufacturer Sokia C78305 Model SET 300

Tripods
Prism
Nail
Hammer
Wooden Peg

7.0 Procedure:
Step # 01:
Nine control points (CP) were established at the proposed site. (Point 12, Point 22,.Point 92).
Step # 02:
The total station was plumbed over point 12 and accurately leveled. Prisms were plumbed over point 500
and point 22. The horizontal distance between pint 12 and point 500, Zenith angle and Height of the
instrument was measured. The prism was then shifted to the point 22 and the horizontal distance between
pint 22 and point 12, Zenith angle and Height of the instrument was measured. The angle at point 12 was
also measured by placing the prism 1st at point 500 and then at point 22.
Step # 03:
The total station was moved to point 22. Prisms were plumbed over peg 12 and 32. Same procedure was
adopted as done before
Step # 04:

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The total station was moved to point 32, point 42, point 52, point 62 pint 72, and point 82 and last on
point 92 respectively to do the same procedure.
Step # 05:
All the readings were recorded in the field book.

8.0 Data & Calculations:

Table # 01 : Data Observed at Site
Length (ft) using Interior Angles
Station
Tap Electronic -1- -2-
1 100.25 - 48o 38o
2 166.61 166.56 71o 74o
3 235.20 235.29 101o 98o
4 332.68 329.44 131o 129o

Table # 02: Corrected Interior Angles

Actual Interior Corrected Interior

Station Correction
Angles Angles
1 48o 2o15 50o15
2 71o 2o15 73o15
3 101o 2o15 103o15
4 131o 2o15 133o15
Total Sum 351o 9o00 360o0

Sum of Interior Angles = (n-2)x180o = (4-2)x180o = 360o

Correction Required for each interior angle = (360 o 351o )/4 = 2o 15

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9.0 Discussion
From the data table in calculation and results, the interior angles were measured twice but the angles
measured in 2nd try was not seeming to be correct as the sum of the interior angles was very large i.e. 21
degrees. Although, the error in the first reading was also very high i.e. 09 degree but the angles was
corrected. The maximum allowable error for the total station is 2 calculated by

n xsmallest division=2 x 1' ' =2' ' .

In contrast to allowable error, the measurement taken at filed was exorbitant. This could be due to many
reason. The most common is due to inexperience of using total station. Furthermore, the correction has to
be done due to mis-closure of the traverse.
Errors are said to be unavoidable. Hence, correction is needed to correct any error that commonly caused
by the instruments. If we refer to the recorded measured interior angles
Total included angle = (2n 4)90
Where n is the number of side, which is refers to number of station for this case.
The execution of the fieldwork should be done carefully. The errors that we get from conducting this
experiment are caused by human errors. The setting up of instrument could also contribute errors in our
readings. Local attraction cannot be minimized as it is exists as it is in any environment.

10.0 Summary/Conclusion
From the fieldwork executed, we have come up with the results obtained from the fieldwork executed
using the method of traversing for a closed traverse. Although theres misclosure, the correction had been
made to this data. It is shown that these values calculated are not valid since the error is more than the
allowable error of total station. For example, the total interior angle in 04 sided traverse is 351 o, a 9o error
is found which is more than allowable error of 02
Errors are commonly found in traverse survey. By taking several precautions such as to make sure that
total station leveled and adjusted, accurately centering of the total station or signal and no parallax error
by using proper focusing of telescope should be taken in order to reduce the error.
However, instrumental errors can be eliminated or minimized by carefully manipulation of instrument and
by limiting the length of sight. This can be done by:
a) Make sure that theres no error or broken on the instruments used
b) Make sure that total station leveled and adjusted
c) Accurately centering of the total station or signal
d) No parallax error by using proper focusing of telescope

12.0 References

Books

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 Hasbullah M.A., Openg I., Simplified Land Surveying, 2009,Arah Publications
Dr. Punmia B.C., Jain A.K., Jain A.K, Surveying Vol. 1, 2005, Laxmi Publications (P) Ltd
Gopi, Sathikumar, Advanced Surveying: Total Station, GIS and Remote Sensinn, 2007, Pearson
Education
Barry F. Kavanagh, Surveying: With Construction Applications, 2004, Pearson Prentice Hall

12.0 Appendix

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 Sketch Made on CAD is attached:

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