MODULE 3

Subject: CE 214 – Fundamentals of Surveying

1. Topic
Measurement of Horizontal Distances
• Measurement of distance, pacing and taping
2. Introduction
There are many various ways on how surveying is done. In any way, there
will be a specific tool and/or equipment for it to be done. Some of these tools and/or
equipment were useful on some ways but not on the other. These tools or equipment
has natural imperfections; thus, adjustments have to be done. This module will
enumerate those ways and tools and/or equipment that work together for surveying
to be carried out and how to adjust errors due to natural imperfections.
3. Learning Outcome
1. Students will know different ways on how to survey.
2. Students will be popular to the tools and equipment used in surveying.
3. Students will learn how to use tools and equipment.
4. Students will be able to determine errors and its’ corresponding
adjustment.

4. Learning Content
MEASUREMENT OF HORIZONTAL DISTANCES
The accurate determination of the distance between two points on any surface is
one of the basic operations of Plain Surveying. Such linear measurement are understood
to mean the horizontal distance. There are several methods of determining distance. The
choice depends on the purpose for which the measurement is intended, the required
precision, the cost, and the other conditions.
Distance by Pacing
Pacing consists of counting the number of steps or paces in a required distance.
A pace is defined as the length of the step in walking. It may be measured from heal to
heal or from toe to toe. In surveying means moving with measured steps and if the steps
are counted, distances can be determined if the length of the step is known.
Example. A 45m course, AB, on a level ground was paced by a surveyor for the purpose
of determining his pace factor. Data gathered as shown,
TRIAL LINE TAPED DIST NO. OF MEAN
PACES
1 AB 50
2 BA 53
3 AB 45.0 51 52
4 BA 53
5 AB 52
6 BA 53

Find:
a. Pace Factor.
b. If the surveyor then took 771, 770, 768, 770, 772 and 769 paces in walking an
unknown distance CD, what is the length of the line?
c. Assuming that the taped length of line CD is 667.0m, determine the relative
precision of the measurement performed.
Solution:
a. Pace Factor
L = 45m
n1 = 6 (trials for AB)
Sum1 = (50+53+51+53+52+53) = 312 paces
M1 = Sum1/ n1 = 312/6 = 52 paces (mean or average)
PF = L/ M1 = 45 m/52 paces = 0.865 m/pace (pace factor of surveyor)
b. Unknown Distance
n2 = 6 (trials for CD)
Sum2 = (771+770+768+770+772+769) = 4620 paces
M2 = Sum2/n2 = 4620/6 = 770 paces
PD = M2(PF) = 770 paces (0.865 m/pace) = 666.1 m (paced length)
c. Relative Precision
TD = 667.0 m (taped distance)
PD = 666.1 m (paced distance)
RP = (TD-PD)/TD = (667.0-666.1)/667.0 = 0.9/667.0 say 1/700 (relative precision)
 Distance by Tachymetry
Tachymetry (or Tacheometry) is another procedure of obtaining horizontal
distances. It is based on the optical geometry of the measurements employed and is an
indirect method of measurement. A transit or a theodolite is used to determine subtended
intervals and angles on a graduated rod or scale from which distances are computed by
trigonometry.
A. Stadia Method. This method provides a rapid means of determining horizontal
distances. It is introduced in 1771 by James Watt of Scotland and was at the time referred
to as micrometer of measuring distances. The precision of the stadia method depends on
the following factors:
Instrument Precision
Skill of the Observer
Length of Measurement
Effects of Refraction and Parallax
Example. A stadia rod held at a distant point B is sighted by an instrument set up at A.
The upper and lower stadia hair readings where observed as 1.300m and 0.900m,
respectively. If the stadia interval factor(K) is 100, and the instrument constant(C) is zero,
determine the length of line AB.
Solution:
d = Ks + C
d = 100(1.300-0.900) + 0
d = 40.0 m (length of the line AB)
B. Subtense Bar Method. The subtense bar is a convenient and practical devise
used for quick and accurate measurement of horizontal distances. The procedure of
determining the distance between two points consist of setting up the subtense bar (2m
long) at the distant station and measuring the horizontal angle subtended by the distance
between the two ends of the bar. A theodolite, set up at the other end of the line to be
measured, is used in measuring the subtending angle.
Example. The following subtended angles were read on a 2 m long subtense bar using a
theodolite 0°54’13’’, 0°22’20’’, 0°32’ 06’’ and 0°19’46’’. Compute the horizontal distance
from the theodolite to each position of the bar.
Solution:
D1 = 1/tan(0°54’13’’/2) = 126.81 m
D2 = 1/tan(0°22’20’’/2) = 307.86 m
D3 = 1/tan(0°32’ 06’’/2) = 214.19 m
D4 = 1/tan(0°19’46’’/2) = 347.83 m
C. Distance by Graphical and Mathematical Methods. By this method, unknown
distances may be determined through their relationship with known distances
geometrically. These methods are widely employed in plane table surveys, and in
triangulation.
D. Distance by Mechanical Devices. There are a few mechanical devices which
could also be employed for the measurement of distances. These devices, however, are
only applicable for low precision surveys or were quick measurements are desired. These
devices include: Odometer, Measuring Wheel and the Optical Range Finder.
E. Distance by Photogrammetry. The term photogrammetry refers to the
measurement of images on a photograph.
Electronic Distance Measurement
The basic principle of EDM instruments was that the time required for a light to
travel from one end of a line to the other is a function of the length measured. EDM was
classified into two main categories: Electro-Optical Instruments and Microwave
Instruments. Advantages of EDM includes:
Speed and Accuracy
Lightweight and Portable
Easy to Operate
Ease of measurement over inaccessible terrain
Applicable for short and long measurements
Automatic measurement reading
Applicable in uneven terrain
Automatically accumulates and averages readings
The EDM operating ranges is classified into short, medium and long range. 25 km
and below for short range, up to 75 km for medium range and over 75 km for long range.
Geodimeter or geodetic distance meter is an electro-optical device which was
developed in 1948 by Erik Bergstrand, a Swedish physicist. This device is set up at one
station, projects a pulsating visible light beam to a reflector (at another station) which
returns the light to the instrument. Its precision is about 1/200000 of the distance
measured.
 Tellurometer was the world’s second EDM invented by Dr. T.L. Wadley of South
Africa in 1957. This device utilizes high frequency microwave transmission and was
capable of measuring distances up to 80 km day or night.
Measuring Tapes are made in a variety of lengths, materials and weight. They
are also graduated in several ways. The following are some of the most commonly used
types:
1. Steel tape
2. Metallic Tape
3. Non-Metallic Tape
4. Invar Tape
5. Lovar Tape
6. Fiberglass Tape
7. Wires
8. Builder’s Tape
9. Phospor-Bronze Tape
10. Nylon-coated Tape
Taping Accessories are as follows:
1. Range pole
2. Tape clamping handles
3. Chaining pins
4. Tension Handle
5. Tape thermometer
6. Plumb bob
7. Wooden stake or hub
8. Leather thongs
9. Hand level and clinometer
10. Tape repair kit
11. Crayons
Composition of Taping Party
• Head Tapeman
• Recorder
• Flagman
• Rear Tapeman
Procedure of Taping
1. Aligning the tape
2. Stretching the tape
3. Plumbing
4. Marking full Tape Lengths
5. Tallying Tape Measurements
 6. Measuring fractional lengths
Breaking Tape. It is standard practice to hold the tape horizontally above ground
and to plumb at one end or both ends when taping on sloping or uneven terrain surfaces.
This requires the measurement of shorter distances which are accumulated to total a full
tape length.
Slope Taping. Taped measurements may be made directly along the slopes when
the ground is of uniform inclination and fairly smooth, rather than break tape every few
meters.
When angle of inclination is known, distance is computed as
d=s cosα
When difference in elevation is known, distance is computed as

d= √𝑠2 − ℎ2
Corrections in Taping. Taping operations could either be measuring or lay outing.
Regardless of which is involved, there are some corrections to be made to determine the
correct and more accurate length.
1st Rule. In measuring, when tape is “too long” corrections are added.
2nd Rule. In lay outing, when tape is “too long” corrections are subtracted.
3rd Rule. In either measuring or lay outing using tape that is “too short”, apply
opposite of the first two rules.
Corr = TL – NL
c1 = Corr (ML/NL)
CL = ML ± c1
Where,
c1 = total correction to be applied
CL = Corrected Length
ML = measured length or length to be laid out
NL = Nominal Length of tape
Example 1. A horizontal distance of 325.75m is to be established along a line that slopes
at a vertical angle of 13 °06 ‘. What slope distance should be laid out?
Solution
d= s cosα
 s= d/ cosα = 325.75/cos13 °06 ‘
s= 334.45m
Example 2. The length of a line AB measured with 50m tape is 465.285m. When the tape
is compared to a standardized invar tape it is found to be 0.016m too long in almost the
same condition of support, tension and temperature that existed during measurement of
the line. Determine the correct length of AB.
Given:
NL= 50m
ML= 465.285
Corr= 0.016m
Solution
c1 = Corr (ML/NL) = 0.016(465.285/50)
= 0.149m
CL = ML ± c1 = 465.285 + 0.149
CL = 465.434m

5. Teaching and Learning Activities

Activity 5
Discussion of Module Content
Activity 6
Field Work (Laboratory)
(Upload output in word, pdf or jpeg image via E-mail @ jericopacisfiel@gmail.com or
on designated drop-off / pick up points)

6. Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading.

Read also La Putt, J.P., Elementary Surveying (3rd Edition) 2013 Reprint

7. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

Online(synchronous) through telEducation
8. Assessment Task
Perform Activity 7(QUIZ 3). Submission of required output via E-mail @
jericopacisfiel@gmail.com or on designated drop-off / pick up points.

9. References
1. La Putt, J.P., Elementary Surveying (3rd Edition) 2013 Reprint
2. La Putt, J.P., Higher Surveying (2nd Edition) 2013 Reprint
3. Surveying for Civil and Geodetic Licensure Exam by Bessavilla

ISUE__ __ Syl ___

Revision: 02
Effectivity: August 1, 2020