Surveying Traverse Practical

Report
Errors
Horizontal Angle Readings
The reading of the horizontal angles was incorrect because of the way we
measured them. We recorded the horizontal and vertical angles at the same
point, parallel to the ground (i.e. to a point on the person standing over the
mark). We only realised this in hindsight after discovering our large angular
misclose. What we should have done was measure the horizontal angle directly
to the mark on the ground. Over a number of readings, this error is what
contributed to our large misclose of
-52130. To work this out we used the formula (2n-4) x 90 = 180 to find the
internal angle sum of the traverse points. Our angle sum using the values
calculated on the theodolite equated to 1743830 therefore less than the
allowable angle sum.

Vertical Angle Reading

The vertical angle reading was slightly skewed due to the positioning of the
person over the point on the ground that we were measuring to. To obtain a
vertical angle reading parallel to the surface of the ground, the theodolite was
aimed at a point on the person at the same height as the height of the
instrument. This in itself is a fairly accurate measurement but with no clear way
of telling if the person is directly over the mark or if their body is vertical, its hard
to obtain an exact measurement.

Distance Readings
When measuring the surface distance with the measuring tape, the reading will
not perfect because of the inconsistencies of the surface of the ground. The error
in our measurement was on minimal due to the relatively flat surface of the
ground, however there is still an error.