GEOINFORMATICS LABORATORY

EXERCISE-2: DISTANCE MEASUREMENT USING CHAIN AND TAPE

Objective:
• To learn how to measure distance between two points using chain and tape and compare these
distances obtained.
• Enter details in field book for chain lines in the form of a suitable triangle (ABC). Plot details in
the form of a map (features such as tree, light pole, etc.) from the data recorded in the field
book.

Equipment: Ranging rods, pegs, ranging pins, tape, chain, cross staff, optical square, etc.

Procedure:
1. Select relatively flat ground. Mark two points on the ground at a distance of about 2-3 chain
lengths using ranging operation.
2. Suppose A and B are the two points whose distance is to be calculated using a chain and tape.

3. If the distance to be measured is more than one chain or tape length, then it would be difficult to
know whether the distance calculated is in a straight line or not.

4. To ensure that the distance measured is in a straight line, ranging is to be done.

5. First select a point in between the two selected points which is approximately 1/3rd of the distance
of the total chain length. Let this point be C.
6. Ranging rods are placed at all three points A, B and C
7. Then the person at station A aligns the ranging rod at C by waving his hands, such that the
ranging rods at A, B and C are in a straight line.

8. Further select a point D in between the stations C and B and repeat the same procedure to align all
the points such that they coincide.
9. Spread the chain or tape to measure the distance.
10. Use principle of chaining to record data (as explained in the class) in the field book.
11. From the field book prepare the map.

Salient features of equipments used in chain surveying:

• Links provided in chain to know about intermediate distance in between chain length.
• Length of chain is 30m.
• At every one meter chain length, a brass ring is provided.

Link provided at 3m and 27m Link provided at 6m and 24m.

Link provided at 9m and 21m. Link provided at 12m and 18m. Link provided at 15m

Pegs Ranging Rods

Cross Staff Optical Square