SURVEYING

& LEVELLING

Lecture # 4

Traversing with compass

COMPASS TRAVERSING

When area to be surveyed is large, undulating and

crowded with many details, triangulation is not possible.

In such areas, the method of traversing is adopted.

In traversing, the framework consists of a number of

connected lines.
COMPASS TRAVERSING

The lengths are measured by chain or tape and the

directions are identified by angle measuring instruments.

The method in which a compass is used as the angle

measuring instrument, it is called compass traversing.
TRUE MERIDIAN
The line or plane passing through the geographical north
pole, geographical south pole and any point on the
surface of the earth, is known as the ‘true meridian’ or
‘geographical meridian

The true meridian at a station is constant

The angle between the true meridian and a line is known

as ‘true bearing’ or ‘Azimuth’ of the line

True meridian passing through different points on the

earth’s surface are not parallel, but converge towards
the pole
MAGNETIC MERIDIAN

When a magnetic needle is suspended freely

and balanced properly, unaffected by magnetic
substances, it indicates a direction known as
the ‘magnetic meridian’

The angle between the magnetic meridian and a

line is known as ‘magnetic bearing’ or simply
‘bearing’ of the line
ARBITRARY MERIDIAN

Sometimes for small area, a convenient

direction is assumed as a meridian, called
‘arbitrary meridian’

Sometimes the starting line of a survey is taken

as the arbitrary meridian and the angle
between the arbitrary meridian and a line is
known as ‘arbitrary bearing’
 GN
MN

True meridian
passing through
different points
on the earth’s
surface are not
parallel, but Meridian
converge
True

towards the pole

S
WHOLE CIRCLE BEARING (WCB)

The magnetic bearing of a line measured

clockwise from the north pole towards the
line is known as ‘whole circle bearing’ of
that line.

WCB have any value between 0o and 360o

QUADRANTAL BEARING (QB)

It is bearing of a line measured clockwise or

counter- clockwise from the north pole or
south pole towards the East or West. QB have
any value between 0o and 90o

When WCB is converted to QB, it is called

‘Reduced Bearing’ (RB)
 N

WCB of AB =θ1
θ1 B
WCB of AB =θ2

W E
A RB of AB = N θ1 E
θ2

RB of AC = S(180- θ2)E

S
FORE AND BACK BEARING (WCB)
The bearing of a line measured in the direction of the
progress of survey is called the ‘Fore Bearing’ (FB)

The bearing of a line measured in the direction opposite to

the progress of survey is called the ‘Back Bearing’ (BB)

B θ1

FB of AB = θ
θ
BB of AB = θ1

A
 In Whole Circle Bearing system, the difference between
the FB and BB should be exactly 180o i.e.,

BB = FB ± 180o

Use +ve sign when FB is less than 180o and the negative
sign when it is more than 180o

In the Quadrantal Bearing system (Reduced Bearing

system), the FB and BB are numerically equal but the
quadrants are just opposite.

For example, if the FB of line is N 50oE, then its BB is S

50oW
MAGNETIC DECLINATION

The horizontal angle between the magnetic meridian and

true meridian is known as ‘magnetic declination’

When the north end of the magnetic needle is pointed

towards the west side of the true meridian, the position is
termed as ‘Declination West’ (θW)

When the north end of the magnetic needle is pointed

towards the east side of the true meridian, the position is
termed as ‘Declination East’ (θE)
 MN GN GN
MN

W E W E

S S
DECLINATION WEST DECLINATION EAST
 TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT OF PRISMATIC
COMPASS
➢ Fixing the compass with tripod stand

➢ Centering

➢ Leveling

➢ Adjustment of prism

➢ Observation of bearing
TYPES OF COMPASS

PRISMATIC COMPASS SURVEYOR’S COMPASS

 Prism
Adjustable Mirror
Object Vane
Red & Blue
Brake Pin Graduated Ring
Magnetic Needle
Compass Box Glass

Pivot
SURVEYOR’S COMPASS
➢ There is no prism on it. Readings are taken with eye
estimation.

➢ The graduated aluminum ring is attached to the compass

box. It is not fixed to the magnetic needle

➢ It consists of an eye-vane in place of prism

o o
➢ The ring is graduated from 0 to 90 in four quadrants.
o o
0 is marked at the north and south, and 90 at the east
and west

➢ No mirror is attached to the object vane

DIP OF MAGNETIC NEEDLE

➢ If a needle is perfectly balanced before

magnetization, it doesn’t remain in the balanced
position after it is magnetized. This is due to the
magnetic influence of the earth.

➢ The needle is found to be inclined towards the pole.

➢ This is inclination of the needle with respect to

horizontal is known as the ‘Dip of the magnetic needle’
 N

S N

Northern Hemisphere

S N

Southern Hemisphere
S N

S
LOCAL ATTRACTION
➢ A magnetic needle indicates the north direction when
freely suspended or pivoted

➢ If needle comes near some magnetic substances, such

as iron ore, steel structure, electric cables conveying
current etc. it is found to be deflected from its true
direction, and doesn’t show the actual north

➢ This disturbing influence of magnetic substances is

known as ‘local attraction’

➢ If the difference between FB and BB of the line is

o
not exactly 180 , then there is some local attraction
APPLICATION OF CORRECTION
➢ First method: In this method, the sum of the interior
o
angles should be equal to (2n – 4)x 90 (‘n’ being
number of sides of triangle). If not so, the total
error is equally distributed among all the angles of
the traverse

➢ Second Method: In this method, the interior angles

are not calculated. From the given table, the
unaffected line is first identified. Then, commencing
from the unaffected line, the bearings of the other
affected lines are corrected by finding the amount of
correction at each station