TAPE CORRECTIONS

Corrections Due to Incorrect Tape Length

Corr = TL NL
C = Corr ( ML/NL)
CL = ML + C
Where:

C = total correction to be applied to the measured length or length

to be laid out
CL = corrected length of the line to be measured or laid out
ML = Measured length or length to be laid out
NL = nominal length of tape

RULES IN APPLYING THE CORRECTION

FOR TAPE TOO LONG
- subtract the correction in laying out
- Add the correction in measuring
FOR TAPE TOO SHORT
- add the correction in laying out distances
- subtract the correction in measuring
distances

distances
distances

1.

The rectangular lot having a dimension of 217.3m by 148.5m was

measured by a tape 30 m which is 0.04m too long.
a. What is correct width of the lot?
b. Find the error in the area.
c. If the same tape is to be used to set a baseline with length 837.5 m,
determine the actual distance to be laid out.

1.
width = 148.5 m
Length = 217. 3 m

Correct width = 148.5 + 0.04 (148.5/30) = 148.698 m

Correct length = 217.3 + 0.04 (217.3/30)= 217. 59 m
Error in area = True value erroneous value
= 148. 698 (217.59) (148.5)(217.3)
= 86.15 m
Correct length to be laid out = 837.5
0.04(837.5/30)
= 836.38 m

Practice problem 1.
A building 38 m x 45 m is to be laid out with a 50 m long metallic
tape . If during standardization the tape is found to be only 49.950 m,
determine the ff:
a.
Dimensions to be laid out using this tape, in order that the building
shall have the desired dimensions.
b.
Using the same tape what should the diagonals read?

Corrections applied in measuring or laying out

distances

Correction due to slope

Gentle Slopes (less than 20%)

=

Slopes (between 20% and 30%)

Steep
= +
Very Steep Slopes (greater than 30%)
= s (1 cos )

Correction due to pull

=C(p

P)L
2 P1
AE

P2= Pull during measurement or during

laying out.
P1= Standard pull
L = Length of the tape
A = Cross sectional area of tape
E = modulus of elasticity of tape

Correction due to temperature

= K (T2 T1 )L
K = 0.0000116/C
T=2 Temp during measurement or during
laying out.
T1= Standard temp
L = Length of the tape

Correction due to sag

C p = wL
24 P

W = weight of tape per linear meter

L = unsupported length of tape
P = actual pull applied

Correction due to sag

C p = wL
24 P

W = weight of tape per linear meter

L = unsupported length of tape
P = actual pull applied

Practice Problem:
The taped distance of a line 99.812-m using a 100-m steel tape
weighing 2 kg at a pull of 10 kg and temp of 32 C. The difference in
elevation between the end points is 45 cm. The tape is exactly 100-m
at a temp of 28 and standard pull of 10 kg. If the coeff of expansion
of the tape is 0.0000118/C and the tape was supported at the ends
and at 25-m interval during measurement find the correct horizontal
distance of the line.
(ans: 99.805m)