The Pontifical and Royal

University of Santo Tomas

The Catholic University of the Philippines
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering Lab 6, Ground Floor, Roque Ruaño Bldg., España
CE 311L: Surveying Fieldwork/Laboratory Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines 1008
(632)406-1611 loc. 8516

Year & Section 3CE-A Date Performed October 20 2014

Group No. 3 Time Started 10:40 A. M.
Actual Site Benavides Park Time Finished 12:07 P. M.
Weather Condition Sunny Date Submitted November 3, 2014

Group Members Designation

Duran, Raphael V. Computer
Escueta, John Ezekiel Y. Instrument Man
Florencio, Ken Andrew A. Rodman
Guancia, Sigmond Ted M. Data Collector
Inocencio, John Angelo B. Rodman
Leyno, Iana Renza L. Writer
Lopez, Arvyn Rey N. Photographer
Manalo, Raymund Jericho B. Chief of Party

Fieldwork No. 15
Closed Compass Traverse
I. Objective

To be able to gather data of a closed traverse and adjust this accordingly.

II. Introduction

A closed compass traverse consists of a series of lines of known length and magnetic
bearings which form a closed loop, or begin and end at points whose positions have been fixed
by other surveys of higher precision.

III. Activities

Site: Benavides Park, University of Santo Tomas

Procedure:

1. Establish six points on the ground. Call these as stations A, B, C, D, E, and F,

respectively;
2. Measure distance between stations A and B by taping;
3. Set up and level the transit over point A (back station) and set the horizontal circle
and vernier to 0-0 reading;
4. Release the magnetic compass needle and orient it along the reference meridian
(North – South Line). Note that the end with the copper wire should point towards the
South direction;
5. Sight point B (forward station) and observe the horizontal angle. Record this as
forward bearing of line AB;
6. Transfer the transit over point B. Set up and level the transit and set the horizontal
circle and vernier to 0-0 reading;
7. Orient the magnetic compass along the reference meridian;
8. Sight point A and observe the horizontal angle. Record this as the back bearing of
line AB;
9. Repeat steps 2-8 for lines BC, CD, DE, EF, and FA, respectively; and

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Closed Compass Traverse
 10. Choose the best line and adjust the open traverse.

IV. Formulas

 Theoretical sum of interior angle = (n-2)180 =720̊

 Deficiency = Theoretical-Actual
 Correction = Deficiency/6
 FB-BB=0
 Adjusted = (BB+FB)/2

V. Data and Results

15.1.1. Closed Compass Traverse

Forward Back Adjusted Forward Adjusted

Back Forward Line Bearing Bearing Bearing Back Bearing
Station Station 0̊ 0’0” 0̊ 0’0” 0̊ 0’0” 0̊̊ 0’0”

A B AB S 11̊ 27’ E N 11̊ 27’ W S 11̊ 27’ E N 11̊ 27’ W

B C BC S 68̊ 29’ E N 67̊ 29’ W S 67̊ 59’ E N 67̊ 59’ W
C D CD N 53̊ 07’ E S 54̊ 08’ W N 53̊ 37’ 30”E S 53̊ 37’ 30” W
D E DE N 25̊ 57’ W S 23̊ 51’ E N 24̊ 52’ 30” W S 24̊ 52’ 30” E
E F EF N 51̊ 10’ W S 52̊ 10’ E N 51̊ 40’ W S 51̊ 40’ E
F A FA S 7̊ 27’ W N 5̊ 9’ E S 6̊ 18’ W N 6̊ 18’ E

VI. Computations

BEST LINE:
AB: 11 ̊ 27’ - 11 ̊ 27’ = 0 ̊ 0’
BC: 68 ̊ 29’ - 67 ̊ 29’ = 1 ̊ 0’
CD: 53 ̊ 7’ - 54 ̊ 08’ = -1 ̊ 0’
DE: 25 ̊ 54’ - 23 ̊ 51’ = 2 ̊ 3’
EF: 51 ̊ 10’ – 52 ̊ 10’ = -1 ̊
FA: 7 ̊ 27’ - 5 ̊ 9’ = 2 ̊ 18’

THEREFORE, LINE AB IS THE BEST LINE

FOR LINE AB:

DE ADJUSTED = 11 ̊ 27’ - 11 ̊ 27’ = 11 ̊ 27’
2

INTERIOR ANGLE:
DEFICIENCY = 720 ̊ - (59 ̊ 37’ + 152 ̊ 41’ + 99 ̊ 58’ + 120 ̊ 36’ + 122 ̊ 58’ + 163
̊24’)
= 0 ̊ 46’ 0”

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Closed Compass Traverse
 CORRECTION = 0 ̊ 46’0” = 0 ̊ 7’40”
6
VII. Drawings and Figure

15.7.1 Instruments Used

Marking Pins, Tripod, Leveling Rods and Theodolite

15.7.2 Closed Traverses

Actual Traverse Adjusted Closed Traverse

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Closed Compass Traverse
15.7.3 Site Area

15.7.4 Pictures

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Closed Compass Traverse
CE 311L Fieldwork No. 15 5
Closed Compass Traverse
VIII. Sources of Errors

During an activity, the surveyors take note of the errors and it’s possible sources. In this
fieldwork, the only possible error that can be found is an opening in the traverse as this fieldwork
requires the traverse to be closed. The error that was noticed hasdifference of 46 minutes
between the theoretical and actual value of the total sum of interior angle. There are many
possible source that this error may have rooted. First error can be a simple human error in
computing as each line requires long input in computation, misreading numbers in a calculators
are common. Second error can be a wrong sighting while finding for the azimuth for the back and
front reading. Getting a traverse to close means getting the angle right down to it’s seconds, so
errors here cannot be easily avoided.

IX. Conclusion and Remarks

After conducting the fieldwork, the surveyors were able to determine the bearing of 6 different
points for a closed traverse. The surveyors also concluded that to minimize the errors, the
angles must be aligned to 0 degrees horizontally.

X. References

La Putt, J.P. (2010). Elementary Surveying. Baguio, Philippines: Baguio Research and Publishing

Center.

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Closed Compass Traverse