Engineering Surveying

Lecture 4

Baku 2020
Compass Surveying
We saw various methods by which you can measure the distances - we
started with the chain, tape and then we went to some modern
techniques, for example, the EDMI - the electronic distance measuring
instrument. There are some more methods for measuring the
distances; we did not touch all of them. For example, there is
tachometry, some of the optical methods are there by which we can
measure the distances, but the methods which we have touched are
the ones which are more common and which we should know. While
talking about this linear measurements, we saw many associated
concepts (taping, ranging, making offsets, field book, mapping, EDMI.
Today, we will start talking about the compass surveying.
Compass Surveying
• Concept of Traverse, What is traverse, Open and closed traverse,
meridian: true, magnetic and arbitrary; Designation of bearing: WCB,
QB. Bearing computations. Prismatic Compass, Surveyor compass.
We saw previously linear measurement..
• So, using chain and tape, we can do triangulation; we can plot the
things. So, we saw that, you know, we started with the linear thing;
that we are using the chain and tape just for a linear thing, but we can
use chain and tape also for a broader area, as you have seen in this
case, and we can make the map using the field book records.
• Can tape triangulation work in all cases?
• We cannot use a single chain here, in this case - we cannot use it
because the area is very wide.
• Can we really make the triangulation? The important thing is, in the
case of the triangulation, all the stations - three stations should be
inter-visible. The answer is -no, we cannot do the triangulation
• So, what to do; what kind of figure we can go for?
• The answer lies in traverse. What is traverse?
Why we need compass surveying?
• Tape surveying can be used when the area to be surveyed is
comparatively is small and is fairly flat.
• But when the area is large , undulating and crowded with many
details , making offset and triangulation is not possible, even if
possible, it will not be efficient.
• In such an area , the method of compass surveying is used.
What is traverse?
• Now, can we make a traverse here, and will the traverse solve our problem? In
traverse, we are taking two measurements: number one is linear, and angular.
Principle of compass surveying
• The principle of compass surveying is traversing; which involves a series of
connected lines.
• The magnetic bearing of the lines are measured by prismatic compass.
• Compass surveying is recommended when the area is large, undulating and
crowded with many details.
• Compass surveying is not recommended for areas where local attraction is
suspected due to the presence of magnetic substances like steel structures, iron
ore deposits, electric cables , and so on.
Traverse
• Traverse is a method in the field of surveying to establish control network. It is also used
in geodesy. Traverse networks involve placing survey stations along a line or path of travel, and then
using the previously surveyed points as a base for observing the next point. Traverse networks have
many advantages, including:
• Less reconnaissance and organization needed;
• While in other systems, which may require the survey to be performed along a rigid polygon shape,
the traverse can change to any shape and thus can accommodate a great deal of different terrains;
• Only a few observations need to be taken at each station, whereas in other survey networks a great
deal of angular and linear observations need to be made and considered;
• Traverse networks are free of the strength of figure considerations that happen in triangular
systems;
• Scale error does not add up as the traverse is performed. Azimuth swing errors can also be reduced
by increasing the distance between stations.
Traverse and types:
• In traversing , the frame work consist of connected lines.
• The length are measured by a chain or a tape and the direction measured by angle
measuring instruments.
• Hence in compass surveying direction of survey lines are determined with a compass
and the length of the lines are measured with a tape or a chain. This process is known
as compass traversing.
There are two types of traversing: open and closed
• Closed traverse: It is the traverse which is start from a known point and ends on the
same points (area of garden). Closed is better than open as you have a check of the
internal angles.
• Open (or free) traverse : it’s start from known point and end on an other point which
the coordinates are known (plot the bank of river)
Traverse examples
Some terms…
Meridian:  it is imaginary reference plane. Defined by a horizontal angle between the line and
a defined reference line called a meridian. There are three types of meridian
1. True meridian- the line on a plane passing through the geographical North Pole or geographical
South Pole and any point on the surface of the earth is known as true meridian. It is also called as
geographical meridian.
The angle between true meridian and line is known as true bearing of the line. It is also known as
azimuth.
Generally, we do not use true meridian in our usual surveys, because establishing true meridian is
tough; it is difficult. For a small area we take them to be parallel.
2. Magnetic meridian – when magnetic needle is suspended freely and balance properly , unaffected
by magnetic substance it indicate a direction this direction is known as magnetic meridian. The angle
between magnetic meridian and line is known as magnetic bearing of the line.
3. Arbitrary meridian – sometime survey of a small area a convenient direction is assume as a
meridian known as Arbitrary meridian. It is neither true, nor magnetic.
Bearing

The bearing of a line is the horizontal angle which it makes with a reference
line(meridian).
Depending upon the meridian , there are three (3) type of bearings they are as follows:
1) True Bearing: The true bearing of a line is the horizontal angle between the true
meridian and the survey line. The true bearing is measured from the true north in the
clockwise direction.
2) Magnetic Bearing: the magnetic bearing of a line is the horizontal angle which the
line makes with the magnetic north.
3) Arbitrary Bearing: The arbitrary baring of a line is the horizontal angle which the line
makes with the arbitrary meridian.
Observing Bearing of Line
Meridians and Bearings
Designation of bearing
The bearing are designated in the following two system:-
• Whole Circle Bearing System.(W.C.B) : The bearing of a line measured
with respect to magnetic meridian in clockwise direction is called
magnetic bearing and its value varies between 0ᴼ to 360ᴼ.
• Quadrantal Bearing System.(Q.B) In this system, the bearing of survey
lines are measured with respect to (wrt) north line or south line which
ever is the nearest to the given survey line and either in clockwise
direction or in anti clockwise direction.
WCB vs QB
Conversion between WCB and QB
• When the whole circle bearing is converted into Quadrantal bearing ,
it is termed as “REDUCED BEARING-RB”.
Fore bearing and Back bearing
• The bearing of a line measured in the forward direction of the survey
lines is called the ‘fore bearing’(F.B.) of that line.
• The bearing of a line measured in direction backward to the direction
of the progress of survey is called the ‘back bearing’(B.B.) of the line.
Computation of Angles
• Observing the bearing of the lines of a closed traverse, it is possible to
calculate the included angles, which can be used for plotting the
traverse.
Check on Angular Measurements
• (a) The sum of the measured Interior Angles should be equal to (2N –
4) x 90ᵒ where N is the number of sides of the traverse.
• (b) The sum of the measured Exterior Angles should be equal to (2N +
4) x 90ᵒ
INSTRUMENT FOR MEASUREMENT OF
BEARING
• PRISMATIC COMPASS
Prismatic Compass

• The prismatic compass is the most convenient and portable form of magnetic
compass which can either be used as a hand instrument or can be fitted on a tripod.
• The greatest advantage of prismatic compass is that both sighting the object as well
as reading circle can be done simultaneously without changing the position of the
eye.
• Prismatic Compass comprises of a magnetic needle attached to the circular ring made
up of aluminum

• The readings increase in clockwise direction from 0o at South end, 90o at West end,
180o at North end and 270o at East end
 Elements of prismatic compass
Cylindrical metal box: Cylindrical metal box is having diameter of 8to 12 cm. It protects the compass and forms entire casing or body of the
compass. It protect compass from dust, rain etc.
Pivot: pivot is provided at the center of the compass and supports freely suspended magnetic needle over it.
Magnetic needle: Magnetic needle is the heart of the instrument. This needle measures angle of a line from magnetic meridian as the
needle always remains pointed towards north south pole at two ends of the needle when freely suspended on any support.
Graduated circle or ring: This is an aluminum graduated ring marked with 0ᴼ to 360ᴼ to measures all possible bearings of lines, and
attached with the magnetic needle. The ring is graduated to half a degree.
Prism : prism is used to read graduations on ring and to take exact reading by compass. It is placed exactly opposite to object vane. The
prism hole is protected by prism cap to protect it from dust and moisture.
Object vane: object vane is diametrically opposite to the prism and eye vane. The object vane is carrying a horse hair or black thin wire to
sight object in line with eye sight.
Eye vane: Eye vane is a fine slit provided with the eye hole at bottom to bisect the object from slit.
Glass cover: its covers the instrument box from the top such that needle and graduated ring is seen from the top.
Sun glasses: These are used when some luminous objects are to be bisected.
Reflecting mirror: It is used to get image of an object located above or below the instrument level while bisection. It is placed on the object
vane.
Before reading After reading
 TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OFA
PRISMATIC COMPASS
Before starting a compass survey, the compass should be adjusted properly for
accurate reading. The following are the adjustments usually necessary in the prismatic
compass:
• 1)Centering: The prismatic compass is centered over a survey station correctly by
means of a plumb bob or by dropping a pebble from the centre of the instrument.
• 2)Leveling: The compass is quickly levelled by ball and socket arrangement by eye
judgement.
• 3)Focusing: The prism attachment is slide up or down focusing till the readings are
seen to be sharp and clear.
• 4)Observing the bearing of a line: After citing the object correctly, the bearing of the
survey lines are noted through prism at which the line of sight and object cuts the
image of the graduation on the dial.
 INSTRUMENTS USED FOR COMPASS
SURVEYING
• The various instruments used in the compass survey are :
• Prismatic compass
• Tape
• Ranging rods
• Tripod
• Plumb-bob
• Arrows
Working of the prismatic compass
Video
Compass Surveying
• Running a compass traverse, Local attractions and corrections.
Plotting a compass traverse,  Bowditch method - it is a graphical
method for finding the error and adjustments, locating oneself on a
map, locating a point marked on a map.
Surveyor Compass
• It is similar to a prismatic compass except that it has an only plain eye slit instead of
eye slit with prism and eye hole.
• This compass is having pointed needle in place of broad form needle as in case of
prismatic compass.
• The graduated ring is attached to the circular box and not to the magnetic needle.
• As the compass box is turned, the letters N,E,S,andW turn with it, but the needle
continues to point towards the north and gives a reading which is dependent on the
position of the graduated circle.
• In a Surveyor Compass, the ring is divided into four quadrants and graduations are
made from 0 to 90 degrees in each quadrant.
• 0 degrees is marked at the North and South points, and 90 degrees is marked at the
east and west points.
Surveyor compass

N60oE
Surveyor Compass
Comparison
Running a compass traverse: Principles
Recy: by selecting/choosing station point so that they are inter visible,without any obstacles between them
to take bearing and length. Stations should be free of traffic or easly approach and to locate our
instruments.

Starting measuring lengths and bearings (FB,BB &length)

Redundancy

Plotting the information (FB,BB,lengths)

Looking for errors and making corrections before plotting

Local Attractions
• Types of errors in compass surveying – 1 Observer(e.g. looking to compass inclined) 2.
Instrument (needle is not free to turn anymore, or graduations are not uniform) 3.
External factors, which are beyond the control. For example,natural source which is local
attractions.
• When the compass is set up on the field in the presence of iron or steel structure, or any
high voltage current, then the magnetic needle will not point towards the magnetic north,
but it will deflected from its normal position. This deflection of the needle from the
magnetic north under the influence of magnetic substances is known as Local attraction.
• So, when the survey station are affected by the local attraction, the measured bearing
should be corrected before plotting the traverse.
• If FB-BB= 180 degrees , then Free from local attraction
• FB-BB≠ 180 degrees , then Error of local attraction
Corrections to compass errors
1) First Method
• In this method, unaffected line is firstly detected from the given reading.
Then starting from that line, the bearing of other affected lines are corrected
by finding out the amount of error at each stations.
If no lines is differing by 1800 in its fore and back bearing, then select a line
in which the difference of its FB and BB is nearer to 1800(starting with least
amount of difference). Then find out the mean value of the bearing of that
line by applying half the correction to both the fore and back bearing of that
line.
The modified bearing will be differing by 1800, so proceed with the modified
bearing to find out corrected bearing of remaining lines.
Corrections to compass errors
2) Second method
• In this method, first of all interior angles of a traverse are calculated
from the observed bearing. Then the angular check is applied to the
calculated angles. If the sum of the interior angles is not equal to (2N-
4)X90, then the total error is equally distributed among all the angles
of the traverse (ei=E/N). Note that in surveying, deviation amount of
15 √N ‘ (minute) is acceptable accuracy.
• Then starting from the unaffected line, the bearing of all the lines may
be corrected by using the corrected angles
Corrections to compass errors
3) Third method
Distribute the errors by weights : Bowditch method: Method to adjust
errors in bearings due to angular or linear inaccuracies where it
assumes observations are all done to the same degree of precision and
that misclosures could be logically distributed within the Survey Run
• To apply the correction in proportion to the length.
Application of compass surveying
• Locating oneself on a map
• Updating a map
• Locating a point marked on map onto the ground.