Research Activity #3

Definition, Concept, Formula(if needed), Sample Problems(5)

•Compass Surveying

Definition:

Concept:

Formula:

•Bearing

Definition: Bearings are another system for designating directions of lines. The bearing of a

line is defined as the acute horizontal angle between a reference meridian and the

line.

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani & Paul R.
Wolf

Concept:

Formula:

•Azimuth

Definition: Azimuths are horizontal angles observed clockwise from any reference meridian.

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani & Paul R.
Wolf

Concept:

Formula:
•Magnetic Declination

Definition: Magnetic declination is the horizontal angle observed from the geodetic meridian to the
magnetic meridian. Navigators call this angle variation of the compass; the armed forces use the term
deviation.

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani & Paul R.
Wolf

Concept: ???? An east declination exists if the magnetic meridian is east of geodetic north; a west
declination occurs if it is west of geodetic north. East declinations are considered positive and west
declinations negative. The relationship between geodetic north, magnetic north, and magnetic
declination is given by the expression

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani & Paul R.
Wolf

Formula: geodetic azimuth = magnetic azimuth + magnetic declination

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani & Paul R.
Wolf

•Deflection Angle

Definition: A deflection angle is a horizontal angle observed from the prolongation of the preceding line,
right or left, to the following line.

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani & Paul R.
Wolf

Concept:

Formula:

•Route Surveying

Definition:

Concept:

Formula:
•Stadia Surveying

Definition:

Concept:

Formula:

•Formula Derivation

Definition:

Concept:

Formula:

•Horizontal Sights

Definition:

Concept:

Formula:

•Inclined Sights

Definition:

Concept:

Formula:

•Errors in Stadia Surveying

Definition:

Concept:

Formula:
Problems

Azimuth:

1. The first course of a boundary survey is written as N37°13.W. What is its equivalent azimuth?

Solution
Since the bearing is in the northwest quadrant, the azimuth is 360° - 37°13. = 322°47’.

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani & Paul R.
Wolf

Bearing:

1. The azimuth of a boundary line is 128°13’46’’. Convert this to a bearing.

Solution

The azimuth places the line in the southeast quadrant. Thus, the bearing angle is 180° - 128°13.46– =
51°46’14’’ and the equivalent bearing is S51°46’14’’E.

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani & Paul R.
Wolf
Magnetic Declination:

1. Assume the magnetic bearing of a property line was recorded as S43°30’E in 1862. At that time
the magnetic declination at the survey location was 3°15’W. What geodetic bearing is needed
for a subdivision property plan?

Solution

A sketch similar to Figure 7.12 makes the relationship clear and should be used by beginners to
avoid mistakes. Geodetic north is designated by a full-headed long arrow and magnetic north by
a half-headed shorter arrow. The geodetic bearing is seen to be S43°30’E + 3°15’ = S46°45’E.
Using different colored pencils to show the direction of geodetic north, magnetic north, and

lines on the ground helps

clarify the sketch. Although this problem is done using bearings, Equation (7.1) could be applied
by converting the bearings to azimuths. That is, the magnetic azimuth of the line is 136°30’.
Applying Equation (7.1) using a negative declination angle results in a geodetic azimuth of
136°30’ - 3°15’ = 133°15’, which correctly converts to the geodetic bearing of S46°45’E.

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani &

Paul R. Wolf
2. Assume the magnetic bearing of line AB read in 1878 was N26°15’E. The declination at the time
and place was 7°15’W. In 2000, the declination was 4°30’E. The magnetic bearing in 2000 is
needed.

Solution:

The declination angles are shown in Figure 7.13.The magnetic bearing of line AB is equal to the
earlier date bearing minus the sum of the declination angles, or N26°1’.E - (7°15’ + 4°30’) = N14°30’E

Again, the problem can be computed using azimuths as 26°15’ - 7°15’ - 4°30’ = 14°30’, which
converts to a bearing of N14°30’E.

Elementary Surveying; An Introduction to Geomatics (Thirteenth Edition) by Charles D. Ghilani &

Paul R. Wolf