I.

INTRODUCTION
Taping using the steel tape is the process of measuring the length of a line or course.
Over a large-scale measurements, taping once is not enough to have an accurate and precise
measure of a specific course. This activity is conducted in order to enable the students to measure
actual course by performing multiple trials to find out their precision in measuring and obtaining
accurate value.

II. OBJECTIVES
The following are the objectives of the experiment:
1. Determine the horizontal length over smooth and level ground;
2. Measure from one point to another with precision and accuracy as possible;
3. Communicate with groupmates on measuring the 30-m mark;
4. Evaluate how justified the given measures in certain conditions; and
5. Identify factors that may conflict measuring of 150 m;

III. MATERIALS AND APPARATUSES

Range Poles 2

Steel Tape (100 m) 1

Markers 1

TOTAL 4

IV. METHODOLOGY
1. Measuring smooth and level ground:
a. Using hubs, mark both ends of the line (150 to 300 m long) to be measured. Place
a range pole behind each point and also establish intermediate points along the
line to ensure unobstructed sight lines. If the point to be marked is on pavement,
use chalk or marking crayons. Designate these end points as A and B.
b. The rear tapeman with one pin stations himself at the point of beginning and the
head tapeman takes the zero end of the tape and advances toward the other end
of the line to be measured.
c. When the head tapeman was nearly a full tape length, the rear tapeman calls “tape”
to stop the head tapeman. The rear tapeman then holds the 30-m (or 100 ft) mark
at the starting point and aligns the other end of the tape held by the head tapeman
on the range pole set behind the end point or on any of the intermediate points
earlier established along the line.
d. With the 30-m mark at the starting point, and the head tapeman aligned, the rear
tapeman calls “all right”. The head tapeman then pulls the tape taut and sticks a
chaining pin in the ground to mark the 0-m end of the tape. If the measurement is
done on pavement, a chalk or marking crayon is used to mark the end of the tape.
e. The rear tapeman picks up his chaining pin and the head tapeman pulls the tape
forward and the process is repeated for the next full tape length.
f. When the end of the line is almost reached and the last full tape length has been
measured, the remaining partial length is then measured. The rear tapeman holds
the tape until he has a full meter (or foot) mark at his chaining pin while the head
tapeman pulls the tape taut and takes note of the fractional measurement read
from the tape end.
g. After the measurement of the whole line is completed, a second measurement
should be made along the opposite direction. The mean of the two measurements
is taken as the most probable value of the length of the line.
 h. Tabulate observed and computed values accordingly. Refer to the accompanying
sample format for the tabulation of data.

TRIAL LINE LENGTH DIFFERENCE MEAN RELATIVE PRECISION

1 AB

2 BA

2. Computation:
a. The mean length of the measured line is determined by adding the two
measurements and dividing the sum by two.
b. The discrepancy for the measurement is the difference between the first
measurement and the second measurement.
c. The relative precision of the measurement is determined by dividing the
discrepancy by the mean length, where the numerator is reduced to unity or 1.
Relative precision is expressed in fractional form and the denominator is rounded
to the nearest hundredth.
3. Remarks, Hints & Precautions:
a. The hub is set at each end of the designated line, and a range pole is set about a
meter beyond the far hub to serve as guide during taping. A 2” X 2” piece of lumber
with a nail in the middle is used for this purpose and embedded securely into the
ground.
b. Prior to measurement, the tape should first be calibrated
c. As a rough check, the designated line should also be measured by pacing.
d. During measurement, the tape should be supported throughout its entire length
and a required pull (approximately 4 to 7 kg) applied at the ends of the tape to
avoid inconsistent errors.
e. During the lining-in process, the head tapeman is in a kneeling position to one side
and facing the line so that he can hold the tape steady and allow the rear tapeman
to have a clear view of the range pole marking the distant point.
f. As the rear tapeman leaves after each full tape length is measured, a pin is pulled
out of the ground. There is always one pin in the ground, and the number of pins
held by the rear tapeman at any point of beginning to the pin in the ground.
g. A steady and firm pull is made on one end of the tape if the leather thong at the
end of the tape is wrapped around the hand, or by holding on to a chaining pin
slipped through the eye at the end of the tape, or by using a tape clamp.
h. The tape may be held between the fleshy portion of the fingers and that of the
palm. Enough friction is applied to sustain the required pull without causing injury
or discomfort to the tapeman.
i. The acceptable precision should be at least 1/1,000. If this is not attained the
measurement should be repeated.

V. DATA & RESULTS

TRIAL LINE LENGTH DIFFERENCE MEAN RELATIVE PRECISION

1 AB 150
0 150 0%
2 BA 150
COMPUTATION NOTES:
The length of the first measurement AB and the second measurement BA has zero
difference, therefore there is no discrepancy.

VI. OBSERVATION
Same with Experiment No.1, the group conducted the Experiment No.2 in the exit way for
vehicles within the campus beside the pathway for students. It was around 4:50 pm when we did
the experiment, so the heat is not something to complain about. We lay the tape on the ground
and then measured it, so it can be assumed that the only parameter which can cause inaccuracy
of results is the alignment and pulling of the tape. Setting out a straight line is not quite that hard
since we use the pathway as a straight guide by laying out the tape parallel to it. Our group
measured first a 150-m distance between points designated as C and D before we proceed with
the 30-m break tape in measuring the distance between the aforementioned two points, and
repeating the 30-m break tape in the opposite direction as instructed in the lab exercise outline.
We are able to finish the experiment within a short period of time since all of the group
members are cooperative and our chosen location is easy to work with.

VII. DISCUSSION
The first part of the Laboratory experiment is to measure 150 to 300m length in a smooth
& ground surface. Since there were no available length, we have to consider a 150m length within
the campus which is done by marking 30-m mark along the road. The group was very cautious
on doing the experiment and was keen enough on marking the 30-m chopped length up to 150m.
The first trial indicated the 150m by chopping it into 5 points. Through the second trial, the group
ended up on the same marking on point A which is fascinating on how accurate the measurement
was.

During the experiment we have already speculated why the group reached a perfect &
accurate measuring of the same length over two trials. Was it truly possible? Yes. However, there
are particular reasons why a perfect measurement does not entirely mean a precise or an
acceptable value. On the surveying field, the group of students chose a pavement that relatively
is the main road of the campus. If we put it on a mathematical perspective, the slope penetrating
to the ground that the fore group has measured factors their data and computation at some point.
If we demonstrated on how high the slope, it can be shown in the figure below. The 150m long
road considered as the hypotenuse of the ventured triangle angled in 20-degree angle, in an
estimation. This means, if we use trigonometry on identifying the measurement of the triangle,
therefor, the actual measurement of the group during the experiment was 140.95m that was in
ideal to smooth and level ground. Mathematically speaking, the experiment done may not be a
150m long based from the ground however, it is 150m long in the 20-degree angled with accuracy
and precision of the work done.

Figure 7.1
VIII. DOCUMENTATION

Preparation of Equipment

Calibrating Steel Tape

VIIII. CONCLUSION

Using two ways to measure a horizontal length and both ending up at 150 meters from
point A to B and point B to A, we can say that the measurements leading up to zero difference
and relative precision are accurate.

X. SOURCES

La Putt, J. (1985). Surveying: Lab Manual. Baguio, Philippines: Baguio Research &
Publishing Center

Joyce, D. (2013). Summary of Trigonometric Formulas. Retrieved last January 30, 2020
from https://www2.clarku.edu/faculty/djoyce/trig/formulas.html