UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

TR111: ENGINEERING SURVEYING 1

PRACTICAL REPORT

TITLE: PRACTICAL No. 1: HORIZONTAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

PARTICIPANTS: GROUP NO. 9

1) ABRAHAM, GLORIA KANDI 2013-04-02309

2) KABYEMELA, ELIZABETH 2013-04-02321
3) MAGOMA, EMMANUEL 2013-04-02328
4) NSHISHI, GEORGE 2013-04-07027
5) KAHURWELI, DEVOTHA 2013-04-02324
6) BILA, APOLINARIO 2013-04-06934
7) GIYUNGA, STANLEY YOHANA 2013-04-02337
8) NDEGEULAYA RAJABU JUMA 2013-04-02294
9) MWANJOKA, GEOFFREY K. 2013-04-02243

DATE OF FIELD PRACTICAL: 18TH NOV. 2013

INTRODUCTION:

Distance measurement is the basic part of any surveying work. Whenever there is a need to
establish reference points or monuments (that is, establishment of control points), it is the
distances that are primarily taken into consideration.

This particular practical is concerned with horizontal distances-distances on horizontally

flat or sloping terrain.

The practice, when performed to the desired levels of accuracy, leads to reliable results and
this assures safety of later operations that are expected to be conducted on a particular site
(such as building construction, road construction, dams, among others).

It is for this reason that the major stress put on any surveying activity is the accuracy (as
required in the specific activity) and the level of precision of the used instruments.

This practical report will consist of the sections as Objective of the practical, Task (field
work involved), list of Equipments used, the Methods used, Results and their Analysis,
Conclusion and Recommendation and the Plans.

OBJECTIVE:

To learn and get acquainted with simple survey equipments and methods of performing
linear measurements

TASK:

Ranging and measuring distances between two arbitrary established points (A and B).

EQUIPMENT:

i. Tape measure (precise to 0.001m)

ii. Ranging poles (5)
 iii. Ranging pole stands (2)
iv. Field work frame (1)
v. Chaining arrows (2)

METHODS USED:

The following is a description of the various methods used in carrying out the practical:

1) On a Flat ground:
a) Pacing:
i) Ranging poles were fixed at two arbitrary points A and B approximately 80
meters apart on the University of Dar es Salaam football grounds.
ii) Group members made 20 paces three times in a straight line from point A
towards B. Each member who participated in pacing was urged to walk at the
same pace each time, to minimize possible errors.
iii) The ends of each 20 paces for each member were marked with a chaining arrow
as P.
iv) The distances AP for each member were measured with aid of a plastic tape
measure.
v) The length of each pace for each member was calculated.

b) Ground taping:
i) Using the established line AB, the distances AB and BA (from B to A) were
measured and recorded. The repeated reading BA was for the purpose of
minimizing errors.
ii) The remaining three ranging poles were aligned between the two end poles A
and B to establish four segments between A and B then the distances AB and BA
 were measured in terms of the segments, and recorded. The segment readings
were thus taken twice for each segment

2) On a Sloping ground:
i) Two ranging poles were fixed at two arbitrary points A and B, approximated to
be 30 meters apart on the sloping ground.
ii) The distance AB was then measured with a tape flash and the value recorded.
The tape measure was laid well on the sloping without unnecessary bends.
iii) The remaining three ranging poles were aligned between the points A and B.
iv) The horizontal distances between the poles were measured. Here, to avoid
errors due to sagging of the tape measure, the tape measure was firmly pulled by
the two persons holding it; though not too firm as to damage it.

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS:

1) ANALYSIS OF PACING:

a) The paces taken by Elizabeth gave the readings:

11.833m
13.240m
12.335m
(11.833+ 13.240+ 12.335)m
Length of a pace =
3 × 20
= 0.623m
However, the paces were highly erroneous as a difference of 1.000m to
1.500m is too large.
b) The paces taken by Gloria gave the readings:
11.427m
10.755m
10.815m
( 11.427+10.755+10.815 ) m
Length of a pace =
3 ×20
 = 0.550m
The last two readings have only slight error/difference but the first is a
deviation.

c) The paces taken by Devotha gave the readings:

14.185m
14.870m
14.530m
( 14.185+ 14.870+ 14.530 ) m
Length of a pace =
3 ×20
= 0.726m
At least these reading have a reasonable degree of consistency, though the
large deviation of almost 0.700m is a large one of its own.

d) The paces taken by Emmanuel gave the readings:

16.662m
16.325m
15.770m
( 16.662+16.325+15.770 ) m
Length of a pace =
3 ×20
= 0.813m
There is a slight deviation between first and second readings.
The last reading has a large deviation from both the two above.

2) ANALYSIS OF GROUNG TAPING:

a) Readings of the distances AB and BA:
Distance AB = 56.390m
Distance BA = 56.378m

Poor approximation led to our distance AB being far shorter than the desired
value (approximately 80 meters).
 b) Readings of the distances AB and BA (in terms of four fragments established
arbitrarily):
The points at which the extra ranging poles were fixed between A and B were
designated as P, Q and R, respectively.

1st reading 2nd reading Average/m

(positive sense)/m (negative sense)/ m
Distance AP: 14.655 14.675 14.665
Distance PQ: 13.200 13.210 13.205
Distance QR: 13.710 13.710 13.710
Distance RB: 14.810 14.800 14.805
TOTAL(S): 56.375 56.395 56.385

The values have a sound degree of consistency though, as stated above, the
accuracy of the result is poor since the desired distance AB was to be
approximately 80 meters.

3) ANALYSIS OF SLOPING GROUND HORIZONTAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT:

a) The reading of the tape flash measurement of AB gave:

30.821m
The value obtained is approximately 30 meters (as required).

b) The horizontal distances measured by stepping between the poles A and B gave the
readings below (which were repeated for accuracy):
As above, the newly established points were designated as P, Q and R.
 1st reading 2nd reading Average/m
(positive sense)/m (negative sense)/ m
Distance AP: 8.682 8.675 8.679
Distance PQ: 9.372 9.355 9.364
Distance QR: 7.320 7.320 7.320
Distance RB: 6.426 6.425 6.426
TOTAL(S): 31.800 31.775 31.788

The above result 31.788m is the horizontal distance obtained by stepping between the
poles A and B.

The obtained readings have a good degree of consistence.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

As the intended practical objective, acquaintance to simple surveying equipments and

techniques of performing horizontal linear measurements has been achieved.

It may be noted from our report that the degree of inaccuracy and inconsistence of
obtained readings kept on decreasing as the utilization and operation with the instruments
kept on.

It is our high expectation that the proceeding practical activities will be performed at a
better degree of accuracy.

ATTACHMENTS:

i. Original field data sheet

ii. Tabulated summary of measurements

20 paces readings
 Mean:
1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round
Elizabeth 11.833 13.240 12.335 12.460
Gloria 11.427 10.755 10.815 10.999
Devotha 14.185 14.870 14.530 14.520
Emmanuel 16.662 16.325 15.770 16.260

1st reading 2nd reading Mean:

Distance AB 56.390 56.378 56.384

1st reading 2nd reading Mean:

14.655 14.675 14.665
First segment
13.200 13.210 13.205
Second segment
13.710 13.710 13.710
Third segment
14.810 14.800 14.805
Fourth segment
56.375 56.395 56.385
TOTAL

Distance AB
(Sloping ground) by tape flash 30.821

1st reading 2nd reading Mean:

8.682 8.675 8.679
First segment
9.372 9.355 9.364
Second segment
7.320 7.320 7.320
Third segment
6.426 6.425 6.426
Fourth segment
31.800 31.775 31.788
TOTAL