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Exer6 Taping Over Uneven and Sloping Ground
Exer6 Taping Over Uneven and Sloping Ground
College of Engineering
Department of Geodetic Engineering
Visca, Baybay City, 6521-A, Leyte, Philippines
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Vision: The premier university of science and technology in the Visayas.
Mission: Provide excellent instruction, conduct relevant research and foster community engagement that
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GEng 111c
General Surveying I
I. Introduction
II. Objectives:
A. Measuring Uphill.
2. Set or hold range poles behind points A and B and along intermediate points to aid
the students to travel in a straight path along the course AB.
3. The head tapeman unreels and spreads out the tape and pulls the zero mark uphill
along the line from point A. The rear tapeman raises the 30-m or 50-m end of the
tape breast high while the head tapeman moves back to a place on the line near a
full meter (or foot) mark where the ground surface is as high as the other raised
end of the tape. The head tapeman stays by the side of the line measured and
holds a chaining pin on the ground.
4. The rear tapeman temporarily releases end of tape and signals head tapeman to
either move to the right or to the left in order to align him. When the pin of the head
tapeman is in line with the range pole held over point B, the head tapeman is then
signalled to stick the pin vertically into the ground.
5. The rear tapeman plumbs from point A to the terminal mark of the tape with a
plumb bob and maintains this plumb bob steadily over A while head tapeman pulls
the tape taut, and making sure that the tape is on line by bringing one of its edges
in contact with the previously aligned pin. The head tapeman then moves the pin
opposite the nearest full meter or foot mark of the tape and he sticks it firmly into
the ground.
6. The rear tapeman leaves his end of the tape, moves up the slope and gets hold of
the tape at the point previously held by the head tapeman. The next measurement
is made horizontally from the pin stuck in the ground by the head tapeman as done
at point A.
7. The process is repeated until the whole tape length is used up thus finishing the
measurement of one tape length of horizontal distance.
8. From the pin marking the end of one tape length measurement, the horizontal
measurement is continued until point B is reached. The last partial tape length is
measured with the rear tapeman holding the tape until he has a full meter (or foot)
mark at his end while the head tapeman pulls the tape taut and takes note of the
fractional measurement. Then the number of tape lengths and the last partial
measurement are totalled to determine the horizontal length of the line measured.
Figure 1. An illustration of the breaking tape method in downhill measurement
B. Measuring Downhill.
1. In measuring down the slope, the tape is reversed to bring its zero end forward in
the direction of point A along the line. Horizontal measurement starts from B with
the rear tapeman holding his terminal meter (or foot) mark of tape in level with B.
2. After the plumb bob of the head tapeman has been aligned with the range pole
held at A, the head tapeman drops the plumb bob causing it to leave a mark on the
ground. He then sticks a pin at the ground mark left by the plumb bob.
3. The next horizontal measurement starts from the pin until one whole tape length is
measured. As in measuring up the slope, the number of tape lengths plus the
partial tape length at the end of the line determines the total horizontal length of the
line.
C. Computations:
1. The first discrepancy for the measurement is the difference between the first
measurement and the second measurement.
2. The mean length of the measured line is determined by adding the two
measurements and dividing the sum by two. This is also known as the most
probable value of the length of the line.
Measured Length AB + Measured Length BA
Mean Length=MVP=
2
Discrepancy
RP=
Mean Length
Guide Questions:
1. What are the common sources of errors in taping using the breaking tape method
and how would you lessen if not eliminate these errors?
The common sources of errors in taping using the breaking tape method are
incorrect tape length and sag. These errors can be lessen by detecting the
corrections and applying it to the observed length.
2. How would you eliminate the effect of sag in taping a sloping ground?
Sag shortens the horizontal distance between end graduations since the tape
length remains the same. Thus, when a stretched tape sags, the actual
distance between the points is something less than the reading on the tape.
The correction due to sag is difference in length between the arc formed by
the tape and the subtending chord.
Table 1 shows that the gathered data for line AB is précised because of its
high precision value which is 1/4387. The most probable value or the most
probable distance of line AB is 131.595 m, computed as what the computations
stated. As the group who conducted this exercise follows the procedure, they
realized into good and acceptable data.
La Putt, J.P. (1985). Elementary Surveying Lab Manual. Baguio Research and
Publishing Center. Baguio City, Philippines.
1. The procedure of breaking tape involves the measurement of short horizontal distances
and accumulating these distances to total full tape length. This is done when a 30-m (or
100-ft) tape cannot be held horizontal without plumbing from above shoulder length.
2. Except for the use of a plumb bob, the process of taping over uneven and sloping
ground is similar to taping over smooth and level ground.
3. It is important to determine if the tape is held nearly horizontal since it is the usual
tendency to hold the downhill end of the tape too low.
4. A hand level should be used to check if the tape ends are held correctly so as to have a
good horizontal measurement.
5. A firm stance is important during taping. The tapeman should position the plane of his
body parallel to the tape, with his legs well apart. His forearm should be in line with the tape,
and he should snub it against his body comfortably.
6. If a hand level is not available, the tape maybe estimated to be horizontal by eye. It is
usually sufficient to compare the tape with some level line or have the two ends in line with
the horizon.
7. The tape sags between supports when taking horizontal measurements over uneven and
sloping ground thus making the tape shorter. To eliminate the effect of sag, the tape should
be standardized, corrected for sag, or normal tension is used.
8. As a variation to breaking tape, the line may also be measured by short and segmented
individual distances and these distances are added up to determine the total length. This
practice, however, requires continuous recording of each partial length measured and may
also lead to mistakes in addition.
9. The designated line should be measured in two trials, once uphill and once downhill. The
ratio of discrepancy to length should be determined. The acceptable precision should be at
least 1/1,000. If this is not attain the measurement should be repeated.