Mapua Institute of Technology

School of Civil Engineering

ELEMENTARY SURVERING
FIELD MANUAL
FIELD WORK NO. 5
DETERMINATION OF PENTAGONAL AREA BY
RADIAL TRAVERSING
COURSE AND SECTION: CE 120-0F / A4

SUBMITTED BY:
NAME: ALEJO, Danica B.
STUDENT NO.:2012107733

GROUP NO.: 1

DATE OF FIELD WORK: MAY 7, 2015

DATE OF SUBMISSION: MAY 14, 2015

SUBMITTED TO:
GRADE

PROFESSOR: Engr. Bienvenido Cervantes

CHALK - It is used to mark the
pavements.
Instruments:

LEVELLING ROD - A graduated

wooden or aluminum rod, used
with a levelling instrument to
determine the difference in height
between points or heights of
points above a datum surface.
THEODOLITE - a surveying
instrument for measuring
horizontal and vertical angles,
consisting of a small tripodmounted telescope that is free to
move in both the horizontal and
vertical planes Also called (in the
US and Canada) transit

50 METER TAPE- A tape meter is

used
for
measuring
longer
distances.
Tape
meters
are
frequently used in sports and
construction to determine long
distances accurately. A tape meter
is a measuring tape that is
generally at least ten yards in
length to over one hundred yards
in length. The tape itself is made
to have low stretch to increase the
accuracy
of
long
distance
measurements.
PLUMB BOBS (2pcs.) - These are
used in taping to permit the surveyor
to hold the tape horizontal when the
ground is sloping. A graduation mark
on the horizontal tape can be
transferred down to a point on the
ground using the plumb bob string.
Also, a plumb bob can be used to
provide precise theodolite and total
station sightings.

zero reading. Tighten

the upper clamp.
5. Sight the first corner of
the field and tightened
the lower clamp.
6. Release
the
upper
clamp.
Rotate
the
transit in a clockwise
manner and sight the
next adjacent corner
of a rectilinear field.
Procedure:
A. Determination
of
the
area of a rectilinear field
by radial traversing.
1. The professor assigned
the corners of the
rectilinear field to be
observed. Drive on
each corner hubs or
mark each corner with
a chalk on pavement.
2. Set-up the transit at a
central location where
all corner points will
be visible and call it
point O.
3. The tape men must
measure and record all
radial distance of the
central
point
from
each corner of the
rectilinear field in the
field notes provided
for in this manual.
4. Level the bubbles of
the transit. Set the
horizontal vernier to

7. Read and record the

first horizontal angle
of the outer vernier
between the first two
adjacent corners.
8. Rotate the transit to
sight on the third
corner of the field.
9. Read and record the
next central horizontal
angle of the rectilinear
field.
10.
Follow the same
procedures until you
reach the first corner.
11.
The sum of the
central angle after
measuring a closed
central angle traverse
must be 360*
12.
Transfer
the
instrument in another
central point where all
points of the field will
also be visible and
repeat
exactly
the
same procedure for

the second trial of this

field work.

FINAL DATA SHEET

FIELD WORK 5 FIELD WORK 9 :DETERMINATION OF
PENTAGONAL AREA BY RADIAL TRAVERSING
DATE: 07 MAY 2015
GROUP NO. 1
TIME: 1:30PM-6:00PM
LOCATION: Intramuros
WEATHER: SUNNY

Station
Occupie
d
O

A1

A2

PROFESSOR: Engr. B. Cervantes

A3

A4

A5

a= 14.55
b= 17.06
=112

a= 14.55
b= 12.30
=52.10

a= 12.30
b= 15.60
=63.90

a= 18.60
b= 8.55
=78

a= 8.85
b= 16.17
=54

Area=27.48

Area= 115.07

Area= 86.16

Area= 65.23

Area= 55.92

TOTAL AREA = 392.99 m2

Station
Occupied
P

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

a= 17.31
b= 10.56
=98

a= 10.56
b= 16.73
=45

a= 16.73
b=
6.01
=55

a= 6.01
b= 21,76
=62

a= 21.76
b= 13.26
=100

Area= 90.53

Area=62.48

Area= 41.21

Area= 57.76

Area= 142.10

TOTAL AREA = 394.08 m2

MOST PROBABLE AREA OF A RECTILINEAR FIELD = 393.54 m2

D. COMPUTATIONS

STATION OCCUPIED:
1
1
A= absin= ( 14.55 )( 17.06 ) sin ( 112 )=27.48 m 2
2
2

TOTAL AREA:
27.48+115.07+ 86.16+65.23+55.92=392.99 m 2

MOST PROBABLE AREA:

TOTAL AREA (1 )+TOTAL AREA (2) 394.08+392.99

=
=393.54 m2
2
2

For this field work to be

possible, the group needs the
following instruments:

Discussion of Results:
This field work entitled,
Determination
of
the
Rectilinear Area by Radial
Traversing aims to acquire the
knowledge in getting the area of a
rectilinear field by staking a
central station; to learn how to
read the horizontal angle of
transit; to improve skills in the
analysis of the area of right
triangles and to develop the ability
to
lead
or
to
follow
the
designated/desired task of ones
party or group and to be fully
responsible in the performance of
the assigned task.

Theodolite
Tape
Chalk / 1-set of marking pins
2 Range poles
Reading Glass

THEODOLITE

It is a precision instrument for

measuring angles in the horizontal
and vertical planes. Theodolites
are used mainly for surveying
applications, and have been
adapted for specialized purposes
in
fields
likemeteorology and rocket
launch technology.
A
modern
theodolite consists of a movable
telescope mounted within two
perpendicular axesthe horizontal
ortrunnion axis, and the vertical
axis. When the telescope is
pointed at a target object, the
angle of each of these axes can be
measured with great precision,
typically to seconds of arc.
Theodolites
may
be
either transit or non-transit. Transit
theodolites (or just "transits") are
those in which the telescope can
be inverted in the vertical plane,
whereas the rotation in the same
plane is restricted to a semi-circle
for non-transit theodolites. Some
types of transit theodolites do not

allow the measurement of vertical

angles

RANGE POLES

Ranging poles are used to

mark areas and to set out straight
lines on the field. They are also
used to mark points which must
be seen from a distance, in which
case a flag may be attached to
improve the visibility.
Ranging poles are straight
round stalks, 3 to 4 cm thick and
about 2 m long. They are made of
wood or metal. Ranging poles can
also be home made from strong
straight bamboo or tree branches.
Ranging poles are usually painted
with alternate red-white or blackwhite bands. If possible, wooden
ranging poles are reinforced at the
bottom end by metal points.

50 METER TAPE

A tape meter is used for

measuring longer distances.Tape
meters are frequently used in
sports
and
construction
to
determine
long
distances
accurately. A tape meter is a
measuring tape that is generally
at least ten yards in length to over
one hundred yards in length. The
tape itself is made to have low
stretch to increase the accuracy of
long distance measurements.

is not possible, sight to a plumbbob or accurately plumbed target

or signal; never sight to a hand
held ranging rod.
Errors can arise in misreading
and misbooking observations of
the vernier or micrometer, so
always check that the reading
booked
appears
on
the
instrument.

Linear measurements

Errors in linear measurement are

those as systematic, and random
errors. These errors in linear
measurements
should
by
corrected considering its type.
Problems
Encountered/Remedies to the
Problem:

Observational errors

Angular measurements

There are two main sources of

errors in the measurement of the
traverse angle.

Observational errors

Due to lateral refraction, haze

and wind the line of sight may not
be truly straight. It is therefore
important to keep the line of sight
1m above ground on hot sunny
days. In wind and haze no need to
attempt at accurate readings.

Due to lateral refraction, haze

and wind the line of sight may not
be truly straight. It is there fore
important to keep the line of sight
1m above ground on hot sunny
days. In wind and haze no need to
attempt at accurate readings.

If the signal is too large it is not

possible to bisect accurately, and
if the signal is not plumbed
vertically above the station mark,
wrong direction will be observed.
Therefore try and always observe
directly on the station mark. If this

If the signal is too large it is not

possible to bisect accurately, and
if the signal is not plumbed
vertically above the station mark,
wrong direction will be observed.
Therefore try and always observe
directly on the station mark. If this

is not possible, sight to a plumbbob or accurately plumbed target

or signal; never sight to a hand
held ranging rod.
Errors can arise in mis reading
and mis booking observations of
the vernier or micrometer, so
always check that the reading
booked
appears
on
the
instrument.

with an optical
plumbing rod.

plummet

or

If the horizontal circle is moved

between observations the reduced
angles will be in error. This can
occur for any of the following
reasons.
i) Screwing the theodolite too
loosely to the tripod head.
ii) Omitting to secure the movable
head.
iii) Omitting to clamp the lower
plate.

Instrumental errors

Error in the adjustment of the

theodolite. Always observe on
both faces of the theodolite when
measuring horizontal and vertical
angles.
The theodolite must be properly
leveled before observations are
made. So that ensure the plate
bubble remains in the same
position in its tube when the
theodolite is rotated through
360.
Ensure that the theodolite is
stable with the legs firmly planted
in solid ground and that the tripod
adjusting screws are properly
tightened.
The theodolite must be properly
centered over the station mark

iv) Using the lower tangent screw

instead of the upper tangent
screw.
v) Moving the orientation screw on
single-axis theodolites.

GROSS ERROR

Gross errors are usually the result

of a major omission in observation
procedure, for example failing to
record the correct height of the
target prism when measuring
points with a detail pole, or
mistakes over orientation. The
advantage of using CAD for data
capture in real time means such
problems are recognized in the
field as soon as an error has
occurred. Otherwise they can
sometimes be corrected by editing
and re-processing the survey after
it has been downloaded.

Traversing is the method of

using lengths and directions of
lines between points to determine
positions of the points. Traversing
is normally associated with the
field work of measuring angles and
distances between points on the
ground. Closed traverses provide
the primary method used in
checking surveying field work.
Traverse closure and adjustment
procedures are used to distribute
error
in
measurements.
Mathematical traverses performed
on a computer are used to check
surveying work such as mapping
and legal descriptions.

A Traverse is a succession of
straight lines along or through the
area to be surveyed.
The
directions and lengths of these
lines
are
determined
by
measurements taken in the field.
Purpose of a traverse A traverse is
currently the most common of
several possible methods for
establishing a series or networkof
monuments with known positions
on the ground. Such monuments
are referred to as horizontal
control points and collectively,
they comprise the horizontal
control for the project.
In the past, triangulation
networks
have
served
as
horizontal control for larger areas,

sometimes
covering
several
states. They have been replaced
recently in many places by GPS
networks. (GPS will be discussed
in more detail later.) GPS and
other methods capitalizing on new
technology may eventually replace
traversing as a primary means of
establishing horizontal control.
Meanwhile, most surveys covering
relatively small areas will continue
to rely on traverses.
Whatever
method
is
employed to establish horizontal
control, the result is to assign
rectangular coordinates to each
control point within the survey.
This allows each point to be
related to every other point with
respect to distance and direction,
as well as to permit areas to be
calculated when needed.
What the ninth experiment
usually tackles is about Radial
surveying methods which can be
accomplished
using
various
equipment combinations, but they
are ideally suited for the modern
total station instrument connected
with a data collector. Radial
surveying techniques are also
suited for the one-person crew
using a robotic total station. Each
point is identified by number in
the data file, and instructions are
given to the instrument in terms of
commands, point numbers, and, in
some
cases,
attributes.
If

collecting data for a topographic

site plan, the point numbers may
be
assigned
sequentially
by
default. In the layout mode, the
operator specifies the points to be
used or staked in any order
desired. In either case (collecting
data or laying out points), both the
point occupied by the instrument
and the backsight point must be
specified by the user.

Radial surveying
primary advantages:

backsight and
from the instrument.

the responsible person in the field.

Intervisibility between points is
essential
for
line-of-sight
equipment, but, whether tying in
points or staking locations, the
logistical operations are made
easier by the flexibility of the

distance

Decisions about which

point
to
occupy
with
the
instrument and which point to use
as a backsight can be deferred to
method. When performing
radial stakeout, the computations
are performed by computer, and
details are rarely of concern to the
end user. However, should it be
necessary, for whatever reason, to
perform the angle-right/distance
computations
by
hand,
the
following procedure as illustrated
in Figure 4.14 may be helpful. The

has

two

The geometry of points to

be staked may involve curves,
spirals, offsets, or other complex
geometrical relationships, but, in
the field, the solution boils down
to an angle from a known

conventional procedure is to
perform two separate inverse
computations and to use the two
computed azimuths to find the
appropriate angle-right. Using a
trigonometric
identity,
the
procedure can be shortened and
done directly on any scientific
calculator.

Conclusions:
In surveying, traverse is
defined as a succession of straight
lines along or through the area to
be surveyed. The directions and
lengths
of
these
lines
are
determined
by
measurements
taken in the field. Purpose of a
traverse is currently the most
common
of
several
possible
methods for establishing a series
or network of monuments with
known positions on the ground.
Whatever method is employed to
establish horizontal control, the
result is to assign rectangular
coordinates to each control point
within the survey.
This allows
each point to be related to every
other point with respect to
distance and direction, as well as
to permit areas to be calculated
when needed.
What the ninth experiment
usually tackles is about Radial
surveying methods which can be
accomplished
using
various
equipment combinations, but they

are ideally suited for the modern

total station instrument connected
with a data collector. Radial
surveying techniques are also
suited for the one-person crew
using a robotic total station.
In this field work we had
learn another reliable technique
that varies from the Azimuthal
reading the side shots. Side Shots
is used for the determining the
dimensions of an obstruct object.
Sides Shots is established by
putting the reader outside the
regional basis of the object. Since
we are to determine the area. In
the field work we used side shots
to determine the certainty of the
length of one side of this lot,
consecutively getting all four of
them.
The
field
work
also
establishes the furnished and by
standard of the use of the
theodolite.
Radial traversing is another
way of computing the bearing and
distances of a given lot. It is easier
than the other methods because

we just need to have one station,

we dont need to move the
instrument in different places in
computing an angle or distance of
a point or line. And the error the
can be committed from this
method is relatively low if the
gathering of the data have been
done right.

Learning different methods

in gathering data has a great
effect
on
a
surveyors
performance. There are different
shapes and sizes of lot in
everywhere and it cant just be
solved by using one formula and
method. We should know different
methods that can be used in
different situations.

Research:

So now Ill have a go at explaining

how I get my traverses to work
and why I do them. Ill try and
answer
some
introductory
questions and then move on to a
step by step walk through of the
TheoLt Pro procedures.

RADIAL TRAVERSE
A lot of searches for traverse and
how to traverse find this blog. So
far I have had a bit of a rant about
what a pain traversing is and how
TheoLt helps me get it right. The
handful of good textbooks on this
and an excellent online guide by
the US DoD education dept. take
you though the classic measure
1st and compute after method
and expect you to compute long
hand.
Been there, done that (even got
one published) but, to be honest,
its a tiresome business and I now
trust the whole maths game to
software. I can now build a
network of stations for building
survey swiftly and produce all the
required reports as I go along- this
method has the huge advantage
of letting me see the blunders as I
make them and take appropriate
action to keep things on the
level.

What is a traverse and who

needs one anyway?
A traverse is a method of getting
precise control points (stations)
measured by TST ( Total Station
Theodolite) such that they have a
precisely known and distributed
error. The idea is to establish a set
of points with the highest precision
reasonably achievable to measure
the detail from. An old survey
adage is always work from the
whole to the part. The traverse
provides control of the whole so
that measurement of the parts is
possible.

What kit do I need? Traversing is

a 3 tripod game, there is no point
pretending otherwise: any saving
you might make on using a single
pod and a hand held prism is lost
in the time taken to re-do the work
and the precision achievable will
be compromised by the number
of repeated set-ups you will need
to
get
the
required
backsight/foresight shots- each
set-up is a source of error!
you will need: TST, 3 Tripods, 3
tribrachs, 2 prisms, 2 prism
holders, 3m tape, a selection of
station marks, tablet PC with
AutoCAD/ Bricscad and TheoLt Pro.
You will need to be able to set
up the TST and targets over the
station marks- if you cant do this
swiftly and easily you are in the
wrong game.

How do I start? Walk the site and

consider where your stations are
going to be, I have found there are
2 things above all others to
remember: how am I going to
mark the station? and can I see
back from this point to the last
and forward to the next?
Setting up over ground that will
take a mark can save a huge

amount of time; a simple scratch

mark, a Sharpie x, a road nail in a
paving joint (never try and drive
one into a pave unless you want to
be charged for a broken one) all
work,
provided
you
have
something to mark on. If Im
forced to place a station in a
grassy lawn Ill see if I can find a
hard detail feature to mark and
work from- a peg is my least
favorite mark: they MOVE!
You will need a circuit of points so
a walk around the whole job is
needed,
spare
yourself
the
surprise of discovering an uncrossable road or blind alley once
you have begun, obvious places to
work from might also be obvious
places to get walked into: setting
up at gates and doorways is not
always the best thing to do. Trees
are a pain: if you are going to
return to a site in a different
season you can expect your sight
lines to be blocked by veg. Once
you are happy you can get around
the site in the minimum number of
stations and mark them safely,
pick one (I like to start at the back
of the property its up to you) set
up over your mark, set up your
backsight and foresight targets.
Note the heights of the 3 set ups.
The disposition of instrument and
targets should look like this:
Source:
http://billboyheritagesurvey.wordp
ress.com/2012/04/17/theolt-onthe-job/

FIELD WORK PEER ASSESSMENT

COURSE: CE120-0F

SECTION: A4

DATE: MAY 7, 2015

FIELD WORK TITLE: DETERMINATION OF PENTAGONAL AREA BY RADIAL

TRAVERSING
GROUP NO. 1
GROUP MEMBERS:
1. Anigan, Arnie
2. Banas, Cristine Joyce
CRITERIA

Time Element

Preparedness

Cooperativeness

SCORE
SCORE

20
20

Excellent

Very good

Limited

Poor

Arrives on time

Arrives within

Late for at

Late for more

the grace

most 30

than 30

period of 15

minutes

minutes

Knows what

minutes
Familiar with

Needs further

Does not

exactly is to be

the procedure

explanation

know what is

done in the field

Performs

Performs only

Limited in

to be done
Does not

assigned task

assigned task

performing

want to help

assigned task

at all

well and is
willing to help
group mates

Accuracy

Computes for the

Computes for

Computes the

Fails to

required value

required value

required

compute the

accurately and in

with little

value with

required

such a short time

assistance

some

value.

Overall

Performs

Performs the

assistance
Performs the

Does nothing

Contribution on

efficiently a very

important task

secondary

fieldwork

important task

assigned

load assigned

assigned

EVALUATORS NAME/SIGNATURE: