INTRODUCTION:

Estimation of area and volume is basic to most engineering systems such as route
alignment, reservoirs, construction of tunnels, etc. The excavation and hauling of material on
such schemes is the most significant and costly aspect of the work, on which profit or loss may
depend. Area may be required in connection with the purchase or sale of land, with the division
of land or with the grading of land. Earthwork volumes must be estimated:
It is frequently necessary as part of engineering surveying projects to determine the area
enclosed by the boundaries of a site or the volume of earthwork required to be moved. Many of
the figures involve accepted mensuration formula but it is more common to meet irregular shapes
and these require special attention.
Unless boundaries are straight and the corner points coordinated there are usually
irregular strips of ground between the survey lines and the property boundaries. The area of the
irregular strips is either positive or negative to the rectilinear area and since they are divided up
by offsets between which the boundary is supposed to run straight, they are computed as a series
of trapezoids. The mean of each pair of offsets is taken and multiplied by the change between
them. Where the offsets are taken at regular intervals, the trapezoidal rule or Simpson’s rule for
areas is used.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION:

Trapezoidal rule
To find the area of the tract of land the base length is divided into a number of equal
intervals of width d. This can be any number; the greater the number the more accurate the
result. The ordinates y1, y2, y3, etc. are accurately measured. The approximation used in this
rule is to assume that each strip is equal to the area of a trapezium.
AREA = ½ (y1 + y2) d + ½ (y3 + y4) d + ½ (y3 + y4) d + ½ (y4 + y5) d
+ ½ (y5 + y6) d + ½ (y6 + y7) d
= d [(y1 + + y7) / 2 + y2 + y3 + y4 + y5 + y6]
Generally, the trapezoidal rule states that the area of an irregular figure is given by
Area = (width of internal) [½ (first + last ordinate) + sum of remaining ordinates]

Simpson’s rule
To find the area of the land the base length must be divided into an even number of strips
of equal width d thus producing an odd number of ordinates. The length of each ordinate, y1, y2,
y3, etc., is accurately measured. Simpson's rule states that (the area of the irregular area is given
by;
Area of ABCD = d / 3 [(y1 + y7) + 4(y2 + y4 + y6) + 2(y3 + y5)]
More generally, the calculation of the area of:
Area = 1/3 (width of interval) [(first and last ordinates) + 4(sum of even ordinates) + 2 (sum
of remaining odd ordinates)]
When estimating areas of irregular figures, Simpson's rule is generally regarded as the most
accurate of the approximate methods available.

CONCLUSION & RECOMMEENDATION:

On this field work, we tried to determine the area of a trapezoidal field using the tape
only by Trapezoidal rule and using Simpson’s rule in getting the area. The common sources of
error on this field work are the inaccurate reading of measurements and human errors. Human
errors include the reading of measurements of the sides, included angle, and diagonal of the
polygonal field even if the measuring tape is not totally perpendicular to the ground.
It is recommended to have patience in doing the field work because this field work has so
much part and a lot to be done. Also check first if the measuring tape is completely perpendicular
to the ground before recording the measurement to lessen the error that might be acquired. Using
a plumb bob is also recommended to see if the measuring tape is perpendicular to the ground.
Follow the instructions on the manual carefully to avoid errors.

REFERENCE:
La Putt, J.P. (1985). Elementary Surveying Lab Manual. Baguio Research & Publishing
Center. Baguio City. Philippines.
La Putt, J.P. (1987). Elementary Surveying. 3rd Edition. National Book Store. Philippines.