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Department of Civil Engineering

Surveying
Laboratory (1)
A report on: Calibration of the chain and
measuring a distance greater than its length
Prepared by:
30815021598

Supervised by:










2
ions:
It was partly; the temperature was between (16
0
20
0
) c so it can be described
as fair. The overall weather situation was suitable for field work.

Objectives:
1- To practice using the double right angle prism to construct a line thats
vertical to a pre-existing one
2- To use triangular techniques to construct and
3- To measure a sloping distance by tape and find the horizontal distance
with the aid of the sloping one
4- To use the abney level instrument for determining the slopes angle from
the horizon and the magnitude of the slope in terms of a percentage .

Tools:
1. A chain with a length of 20m
2. A tape of 30 m long
3. 3 Ranging poles
4. A set of arrows

Procedure:
A) Calibration of the chain:
1. First we set the ranging poles at points A,B and stretch the chain
over a level ground and subject it to a normal pull from both sides while
keeping it on the ground
2. We measure the length in a direction from A to B
3. Then we measure it backwards in the opposite direction from B to A
4. Finally we take the average of the 2 readings

B) Measuring a distance longer than chain:
1. We set 2 ranging poles with their holders (leaders) at the end of the
distance to be measured in a manner that the two leaders are par allel to
each other (Assume the 2 ends are A,B respectively and C is the point on
which the follower stands)
2. The follower moves a distance from pt. A thats equal to the length of
the chain then gets instructions from the leader at pt. A such that the
leader in this point cant see the ranging pole located at pt. B to insure
that the follower is totally parallel then the distance is measured again
to insure the precision of the distance.

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3. After nailing the arrow in the location of the followers ranging poles
exact place the follower repeats step 2 noticing that the leader at pt. B
starts giving the instructions to the follower as he gets closer to pt. B
4. In this field activity we were asked to measure the distance of 3 chains
added to 5 meters measured by the tape after the 3
rd
chain
measurement.
5. We work our way backwards measuring the distance from pt. B to pt. A
going through each of the arrows fixed in the ground.

Calculations:
A) 1- Distance AB= 19.99m
2- Distance BA= 19.98m

The average=

= 19.985m

B) 1- Foiwaiu x m

Backwaius by tape only m
Peicentage eiioi

x

Drawing:
I.
Ranging Pole


Pt. A Dis.
avg
=19.985m Pt. BThe ground line
The chain
II. Ranging Pole

20.03m 20.04m 20.02m 5m


Pt. A Pt. C Pt. B
19.985m 19.985m 19.985m 5m
Dis. Forward =19.99m
Dis. Backwards =19.98m
Moving Backwards (using tape only)
Moving Forward

4

An Arrow
The ground lineThe chain


Discussion:
Sources of error:
1- Human mistakes represented by poor ranging, practicing an excess in
the pull on the tape and/or the chain.
2- Instrumental errors caused by the variance of the field temperature
from the calibration (fabrication) temperature.
3- Taking the dimensions in a hasty manner that would cause inaccurate
measurements.
4- Sags (slight curvatures) that may stay in the chain even after subjecting
the chain to pull.
Conclusions:
1. The chain is one of the major applications of the land surveying, so
being aware of the methodology of using it has great importance.
2. Chain surveying can be applied to real life through measuring short
distances around the college, home and such places
3. With the new surveying technologies the chain method is considered
as an old fashioned and inaccurate when applied to great distances