A.

Swing Offset Method

The length of the line AB in the figure could not be measured directly because of an
obstruction.

a. Drive poles at the end of the line to be measured. Set a third pole at some distant
point D such that the line AD will clear the obstacle.

b. A perpendicular from point B to the line AD is established by chord bisection method.

Distances AC and BC are then measured and the length AB is computed by Pythagorean
Theorem.

AB = AC 2  BC 2 D
C

Building B
A

B. Similar Triangle Method

In the figure shown, direct measurement of line AB is not possible due to an obstruction.
a. A point C is established at a certain distance away from the obstructed line. The
distance AC and BC are then measured.
b. Distances CD and CE which are usually ½ or 1/3 of the distances AC and BC
respectively are laid out.
c. The length DE is then measured and the unknown length AB is found by ratio and
proportion.

AB AC AB BC
= or =
DE CD DE CE
C

D E

Building
A B