TRAVERSE

Overview
In this lecture we will cover:
Rectangular and polar coordinates
Definition of a traverse
Applications of traversing
Equipment and field procedures
Reduction and adjustment of data

Rectangular Coordinates
North
Point B
(EB, NB)

NB

N = NB NA
NA

Point A
(EA, NA)

EA

E = EB - EA

EB

East

Polar Coordinates
North
Point B
d

Point A
~ whole-circle bearing
d ~ distance

East

Whole Circle Bearings

North
0

4th quadrant 1st quadrant

West
270

Bearing are measured

clockwise from NORTH
and must lie in the
range 0 360
East
90

3rd quadrant 2nd quadrant

South
180

Coordinate Conversions
Rectangular to Polar
= tan-1 ( E / N )
d = ( E2 / N2 )

Polar to
Rectangular
E = d sin
N = d cos

What is a TRAVERSE?

A polygon of 2D (or 3D) vectors

Sides are expressed as either polar coordinates
(,d) or as rectangular coordinates differences
(E,N)
Series of consecutive lines whose ends have been
marked in the field and whose length and directions
have been determined from measurements.
2 kind of traverse :
Open
Closed

Traverse

A closed traverse

A traverse between
known points

Closed vs Open traverse

Closed traverse :
Must close by itself
Within 1 15 ( 1st class survey)
Linear accuracy must be greater than 1 : 8000

Open traverse :
Series of lines that are connected but do not return to the
starting point
Start at a known point with established distance and
bearing
Should be avoid because they offer no checking for errors

Angles in Traversing

Several angles are used in traversing:

Azimuth :
Referring to the north bearing from the compass

Angle to the right:

Referring to the angle been key in as your backbearing
Usually start as 0 00 00

Selection of stations:

Also known as control stations

Marked with nails or wooden pegs
Shall be set in convenient locations
Must be visible, side by side
Create lines that are as long as possible
Reduced the numbers of stations
Not obstructed
Can be occupied
Stable

Applications of Traversing
Established coordinates for new points

(E,N)known
(E,N)known
(

,d
(

,d
)
(,d)

(E,N)new

(E,N)new

Applications of
Traversing
These new points can then be used as a framework for
mapping existing features

(E,N)known
(E,N)new

(E,N)new

,
(
d)

(,d)

(E,N)new

(,d)
(,d)

(,d)

(,d)

(E,N)new

(E,N)known
(,d)

(,d)

(E,N)new

)
d
,
(

Applications of Traversing
They can also be used as a basis for setting out new work

(E,N)known
(E,N)known

(E,N)new
(E,N)new

Equipment

Traversing requires:
A theodolite and measuring tape
OR a total station
OR an EDM
With the tripods and targets ( prism)
Magnetic compass

Computation Sequence
(contd)
Latit and Dipat (E,N) for each traverse line
Total distance
Adjustment for E and N
Adjusted E and N
Easting and Northing ( E, N)
Linear misclose
Accuracy

(E,N) for each line

The rectangular components for each line are

computed from the polar coordinates (,d)
E (latit) = d sin
N (dipat)= d cos
Note that these formula apply regardless of the
quadrant so long as whole circle bearings are
used

Bowditch Adjustment
The adjustment to the easting component of any
traverse side is given by:
Eadj = Emisc x side length/total length
The adjustment to the northing component of any
traverse side is given by:
Nadj = Nmisc x side length/total length

Adjusted E and N
The adjusted to the easting component of any
traverse side is given by:
Adjusted E = E Eadj
The adjusted to the northing component of any
traverse side is given by :
Adjusted N = N Nadj

Easting (E) and

Northing (N)
Easting = En+1 Adjusted E
Northing = Nn+1 Adjusted
N

Linear Misclose &

Accuracy
Linear misclose :

d = ( E2 + N2 )

Accuracy :

1: (traverse length / linear

misclose)