MEASUREMENT OF ANGLES AND DIRECTIONS 25-1. ADJUSTMENT OF A CLOSED COMPASS TRAVERSE 16-2. PRECISION OF COMPASS READINGS 28-3. SOURCES OF ERROR IN COMPASS WORK 1. & Bent Needte Bent Pivot Stuggish Weedte Pkane of Sight Not Vertical Electrically Charged Compass Box Locat Attraction Magnetic Variations Enronrs in Reading The Needte 26-4. MISTAKES IN COMPASS WORK 26-5. ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM 1. Adjustment 0 A Closed Compass Traverse’ [Lesson 2828-1. ADJUSTMENT OF A CLOSED COMPASS TRAVERSE. - adjustment of a closed compass traverse is similar the adjustment of an open compass traverse except that iny closed traverse the effects of observational errors ary considered. The following are the three important step, performed during the adjustment: (a) computing and adjust ing the interior angles, (b) selecting the best line or the line in the traverse which is unaffected by local attract. ion, and*(c) adjusting the observed bearings of successive lines. It will be noted that the last two steps are sini- larly done in the adjustment of an open compass traverse. Each interior angle is computed from the observed bear- ings of the back line and the forward line at each traverse station. These computed angles, which are taken to be inde- Pendent of local attraction, are determined conveniently by simply drawing an isolated Sketch of each station. The con- puted interior angles, when summed up, should be equal to (n-2)180*, in which ‘nm is the number of sides or interior angles in the traverse. However, there will always be sone amount of inconsistency due to errors of observation or the effects of local attraction. Any discrepancy between thest two quantities is the error of closure. If the error in the sum of the interior angles is quite large, it is possible that a mistake In reading the compass was Committed, and it is advisable to recheck the field measurements or possibly repeat it. Wher adjusting the interior angles, the correction t? be applied to each angle must first be ascertained. ‘Th correction is devermined by dividing the total error of closure by the number of interior angles in the traverse: Since it is assumed that the error of observing bearings 4 accidental, the error of closure is distributed equally até tue interior angles are corrected accordingly. If the suf of the computed angles is less than (n-2)180°, the correct” ion is added to each interior angle to determine the ad” juste angle at each station. However, if the same sum is greater than (n-2)180°, the correction is eae subtracted from each computed interior angle. When thé error cannot be divided equally among the angles, an arbit: rary method of adjustment should be applied. Usually, this is done By apportioning a larger correction to angles £% which the conditions prevailing during the observation welt noted to be least favorable. After the required correction are applied, the sum of the adjusted interior ‘angles shovly then be equal to (n-2)160°; if not, an error has probabll been committed in the computations. After the interior angles have already been adjusted! the forward and back bearings of each line in the travet! are also corrected. Just as in the adjustment of am OPS) Compass traverse, ‘the observed bearinus are adjusted Mf starting from the “best line" or a line whose observe) forward and back bearings are assumed to be correct. Simboth. ends of the best line are assumed to be free from local attraction, any other observation made from these ends are also assumed to be correct. Also, the adjustment of bearings of successive lines is made around the traverse starting from either end of the best line. Adjusted forward and back bearings are computed with reference to adjusted interior angles. + To check the adjustments made, the forward bearing of the best line is also computed from the corrected bearings and adjusted interior angles. It will be safe to assume that a traverse has been adjusted accordingly if the same forward bearing,is determined. Fig. 16-1. Sample {ietd notes for a closed compass traverse. rose] cowrkss 1 arene 7 erties ‘25, Ben 4, Grur Sdocivisppn) Gra no erce 221 [sewer The tabulation of data for a closed compass traverse Is kept. in a form similar to that shown in Figure 28-1. the portrayed data is simply a record of the different observa- tions made. All*pertinent data are entered line by line in different columns giving the line description, length of the line, and the observed forward and back bearings. It alsc includes a tabulation of computed interior angles, corrections applied, the adjusted interior angles, and the adjusted bearings. 28-2. PRECISION OF COMPASS READINGS. It must first of all be clearly understood that the compas:is not: an Yhstryument “of prettsion. . Wier? vetnd a: fiagneti, compass; pretfse work. should not be attempted’ nor expecteg, The compass. is not recpmmended for taying out directions with the type of precision required ip most™modern engi- neering constructions. A magnetic compass'is designed to be used only for ordinary surveys requiting low accuracy anq Precision, In an earlier lesson, it was explained that the compass is well suited for preliminary and reconnaissance surveys such as thosé required for highways, transmission lines, rallways, canals, and other similar purposes. It is also {deal for exploratory surveys required {n geologic and forestry Work. : : The circle on larger compasses are usually graduated to half-degrees.. Estimating the position of the needae to about’ one-third of the one-half degree graduation (or 10 min} is usually possible. On some compasses, bearings could be'read to within 15 minutes of correct values, however, a much lower accuracy is obtainable on-small pocket compasses which c@ulf be:read only to about one or two degrees. An agcurate quantitative statement regarding the accu- racy of compass surveys could not be made because of the varying ‘conditions affecting this type of work. It would be safe, “hovever, to.state that the error of Closure attain- able in most compass surveys will fall within 1/500 to 1/1000. Such accuracy is suitable for the various types of surveys mentioned earlier. 28-3. SOURCES OF ERROR IN COMPASS WORK. . There are various sources of errors and mistakes related to the use cf a magnetic compass. Some of these are listed as follows: . 1. Bent Needle. When a magnetic compass with a bent needle is used,, all observed bearings will have a constant error, Either ‘end of the needle will read higher or lower than the correct value. To eliminate the error during) an observation, both ends of the needle are read and.the two angular values determined should be averaged. Pliets may be used.to straightened a bent needle. 2. Bent Pivot. A variable systematic error. is intro- duced when a magnetic compass has a bent pivot. The magni- tudé of.the error will depend upon the direction in which the sight {s made. The error can be eliminated by reading both ends of the needle and averaging the two values obser~ ved. A bent pivot’ may be straightened by han@ or a pair of plicrs. When. straightened out correctly the ‘ends of the needle should givp readings exactly 180 degrees apart for any direction of pointing. + : 3. Sluggish Needle. When the magnetism of the needle is weak it tends to lag and move in # sluggish manner. This lag produces a-random error since the’ needle ig not « likely to come to rest exactly on the magnetic meridian. A weakneedle may be remagnetized by drawing its ends over a bar magnet from the center to the ends of the magnet. The north-seeking end of the compass needle is drawn over the south-seeking half of the bar magnet, and vice-versa? It must be seen to it that the needle is lifted well above the magnet on each return stroke during remagnetizing. Also, tapping -the glass lightly as the needle comes nearly to rest, prevents the needle from sticking to the pivot. If the pivot is blunt, it may be sharpened by a small file, a piece of sandpaper, or by rubbing it on a fine-grained oilstone. 4. Plane of Sight Not Vertical. When observing the di rection of a line, the line of sight may be steeply in- clined if the sight vanes are bent. The correct alignment of the vanes may be tested by aligning it with a plumb line when the compass is leveled. 5. Electrically Charged ‘Compass Box. The glass cover of the compass box becomes slightly charged with electricity When its surface is rubbed. It attracts the magnetic needle and causes it to stick. Touching the glass cover with a moistened finger will remove static electricity. 6. Local Attraction. The correct pointing of the magne- tic needle toward magnetic north is usually affected by different forms of local attraction such as power transmis- sion lines, items made of iron or steel, underground ore deposits, ‘and etc. Compass directions should always be observed at both ends of any line to detect local attract- ion and to be able to make the necessary corfections or adjustments. ‘7, Magnetic Variations. Systematic errors in*compass surveys are caused by daily, annual, secular, or irregular variation in magnetic declination. Such variations are the sources of the largest and most significant errors in com- Dass work. Since most types of variations in magnetic de- €lination can be detected it is possible to apply correct- ions and perform adjustments on observed magnetic direct- fons. @. Errors in Reading The Needle. Usually the source of most accidental errors in compass work is due to the inabi- lity of the observer to determine exactly the point on the graduated circle where the needle comes to rest. Before any reading is taken it is important that the compass needle Should be level. The observer should look down and along the direction of the needle and not obliquely since this Causes parallax and results in an incorrect reading. 28-4. MISTAKES IN COMPASS WORK. Some of the typical mistakes committed in compass *work Include the following: a) Reading the wrong end of the magnetic needle. b) Failing to observe the reverse bearings or azimuthsof lines in the traverse c) Not releasing the needle completely and not allowing it to swing freely about the pivot. ’ a) Misreading the quadrant letters when taking a bear. Ang near the cardinal points of the compass. For example, 4 bearing of N15°25'W, is misread as N15°25'E, or a bearing of S76°15'E is misread as N76°15'E. e) Bearing letters are not changed when using the re versed bearing of a line. . £) Setting off the magnetic declination on the wrong side of north. g) Failing to adjust the observed traverse angles prior to calculating bearings or azimuths of traverse lines. h) Mixing or interchanging the recording of azimuths from north and south, magnetic and true bearings, clockwise and counterclockwise angles, or forward and back bearings. i) Selecting a line for referencing arbitrary direct- ions which may be difficult to locate later. 28-5. ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEM. 1. ADJUSTMENT OF A CLOSED COMPASS TRAVERSE, The folk ing ‘are’ observed bearings of a closed compass traverse, Compute. the Ini: lor angles and correct them, for observational errors, Assuming the observed bearing of line AB (‘best line") tobe corract, adjust the bearings of the remain- ing sides / ie OBSERVED BEARINGS LINE | LENGTH | “FORWARD BACK i aa | 46.50m | $30%<0'W | N30"AOTE . J ec | 75.15 ses‘so'e | nea"30'w | co | ti7.as No2"20'w | soztis'e DE 74.92 | sest3o'w UE EAST EA so.25 | szs’so'e N2s"00' Ww Fig. 18-1. Plot of the closed traverse based on observed data. FrsorootSolution: |. Solving for the interior angle: a) At station A Fig. 28-5, 6 eaebes yg = N2E°OO'W (observed bearing of AED . bp Gay = S30" 4OW tonserved bearing of AB) SE od cart Gq = 180+ oot Lap = 180°+ 28°00! + 30°40" 238°40' interior angle at AD \ ab 8 Fig. 18-4 b) At station B: Gygt N3O°4O'E (observed bosrtng of BAD Lye= SO3SO'E (observed beorny ot 8) S, = 180% (apo * ope) = 180°-( 30°40! + 83°50!) = 65°30! —Interfor angle ot 9) i ¢) At station C Fig. 08-5. Cy, N84°30'W (observed bearing of cf 42 NOZ"OO'W (observed bearing of CO) €, = Ley- Lee 84°30! - 02°00' = 82°30 ) At station D GLyg= SOZIS'E {observed dearing of OC) Logg SBS3O'W (obss ved bearing of DED Og = Lact Ste 02715' + 69°30" 91°45! Uintertor ero)e) At station E: Fig. 18-1. bearing of ED) y= Due East —fobserv Lyg= S28°50'E (observed bearing of EA) @, = 180°- (yy Leg) : = 180° - (90°00' + 28°50") = 61°10! (intertor angle at £) 2. Adjusting the interior angles: 0) Sum, = © +0, +O +0, +6, = 238°40'+ 65°30! + 82°30! + 91°45" + 61°10" = 539°35' (aum of Interior angles) The sum of the interior angles of a polygon of 5 sides should equal to: Sum, = (n= 2)180° where: n Is the number of sides = (5-2) 180° 3 540° e = Sump - Sum = 540° - 539°35' = 25! (orror of closure) CORR = e/n = 25'/5 = O5' {correction per Interior angie) Since Sum, is less than Sum, ,the corraction is added to each interior Gngle to determine the adjusted interior angle at each station, therefore: 6, = © + corr = 238°40' + O5' » 258%45" = © + corr =. 65°30'+ 05' = 65°35! % 7 4 . 9, = @ + corr = 82°30' + OS! = 82°35! 8 = Gy + corr = 91°48" + 08' © O1"5ot y+, t corr = GIT10' +058 = 611s! 540°00' : sum 3. Solving for the adjusted bearings: a) Adjustment of lines BC and CB (Not from either end of the best line) The adjustment is started O1, = 68°35" (adjusted int.angie ot BY oci,= N3O°40'E (correct becring of BA, be the best tine) Li" 1BO"- (pg + 04)Cy, * 180° (pg + @ = 180° - (30°40 + 65°35') = 83°45! or + ® S83°45'E (edjusted bearing of Bc) Also; Ci, = NB3°45'W (adjusted Dearin 1 CB wblah Is opposite the ‘adjusted of 8c) b) Adjustment of tines CD and DC: Fig, 224 82°35! (adjusted tnt, angle at) N@3°45'W (adjusted beating of CB)” Ley = = 83°45'- 62°38" = o1*10! or i = NOI°1O'W (adfwsted bearing of,co) iso; Cy, = SOI10' E tadjuste Jaring of DC which Is opposite the ‘adjusted bearing of CO) ¢) Adjustment of lines DE and ED: Fig. 28-10. ef, = 91°50" (adjusted int. angle at DY Gi, SOIIO'E (adjusted bearing of Dod Gig = 180" +0Cig- & = 180° + OI°10'- 91°50" = 89°20' or = N89°Z0'W (adjusted bearing of DE) Also; Cig * S89°2O'E (adjusted bearing of ED which {2 opposite ine o@~” usted bearing of DED . d) Adjustment of lines EA ond AE: ee = 61°15" (adjusted Intangie at E) Li," S89"°2O'E adjusted bearing of ED)28°05! or $28°05'E (adjusted bearing of EA) Also; Gh, = N28°O5'W (adjusted bearing of AE which Is opposite the od- justed bearing of EA) Solution Check: The forward bearing of the best line, AB is computed from the adjusted bearing of AE and the adjusted Interior angle at station A. if the same forward and back bearings are determined, the adjustment of the traverse was done correctly. Fig. 1-12. ‘ E 1 1 : C3, = N28°OS'W (adjusted bearing of AE) See i oy = 238°45' (adjusted Int. angle at Ad ] | We “ap = Oy~ (180° + Lag) 238°45' - (180° + 28°05’) 30°40! or S$ 30°40 W (adjusted bearing of AB) Also; Chg * N3O°40'E (adjusted boaring of BA which Is opposite. the ad > lusted bearing of AB) Ace iho compuiad bearing of tine pearlngs of the bast line ba correct 4B ond BA are the same as the gi- ceding computations are all assumed qeuletion of adjust era | Meet ADJUSTED BEARINGS: ANG! i FORWARD | BACK a 23846 Se8" Re |'$30°40'W | NBO°40'E 8 cotss! | ac [sestaste |Naestas'w cig e235’ | co |Noltto'w | solcto'e 2 | 91°50! ve | Nes*2o'w | sagtz0'e aks are ca _|szetos'e | n2e*os'