Coordinates Systems

CBU
DEPARTMENT
OF
CIVIL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
 Introduction
• Coordinate systems required to describe the relative positions
of features on the earth’s surface
• In plane surveying the plane rectangular Cartesian coordinate
system is commonly used
• The axes of such a system can be arbitrary chosen, as long as
the axes make a right angle and the units of length on the axes
are the same
• The vertical axis is usually called the Northing, the horizontal
axis is called the Easting, abbreviated as (E, N)
• The position of a point is fixed uniquely by giving its
perpendicular distance from two perpendicular axes in the form
of two numbers (E, N)
• The positions of points A and B can be described by coordinates
(EA, NA), and (EB, NB), respectively. These are the perpendicular
distances EA, NA and EB and NB from the two principal axes, at
whose intersection the origin O of the system is located
• The relative positions of points A and B can also be given by
Polar Coordinate System i.e. by the distance between them DAB
and Bearing (i.e. directional) angle φAB
• The angle is given in the clockwise direction from the North axis
Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
 Distances and angles
• In surveying, coordinates of points are mostly calculated
after measuring distances and angles
• For distances, units are metres
• According to the accuracy of the equipment used, the
amount of decimals can vary
• When using a tape, we record two decimals, like 8.15m
or 17.06m. When using an EDM, we record three
decimals, like 156.124 m or 25.020m. Note that the last
zeros are always significant and should therefore be
recorded.
• Angles, used for the calculation of coordinates, can be
given in different units: Degrees (Sexagesimal system),
Radians (Mathematical System), Grade or gons
(Centesimal System)
Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
 Significant figures
• When making calculations attention must be
given to the number of decimal points
• If distances are measured in cm, it is of no use
to calculate the coordinates in μm
• The same applies to angles: if the angle is
measured in few decimals, the coordinates
will have few decimals

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
 Basic calculations in surveying
• The bearing is essential in surveying calculations
• The bearing (φAB) of the a line AB is defined as the
clockwise angles from 0˚ to 360˚ at A between the
direction to North and the direction to B.
• Clearly the bearing of the line AB differs by 180˚
from the bearing of the line BA (φBA)

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
 Relationship between bearing and
coordinates
• Two basic problems can be distinguished:
– Knowing two pairs of coordinates, how to find the bearing
and distance between the two points,
– Knowing one pair of coordinates, bearing and distance,
how to find the coordinates of the second point
Problem 1
– Given: coordinates of A and B: (EA, NA) (EB, NB)
– Asked: Bearing of line AB: φAB
– Distance between A and B: DAB
• Solution:
– Sketch the relative positions and solve using trig

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
Relationship between bearing and
coordinates

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
 Relationship between bearing and
coordinates
• Two basic problems can be distinguished:
– Knowing two pairs of coordinates, how to find the bearing and distance
between the two points,
– Knowing one pair of coordinates, bearing and distance, how to find the
coordinates of the second point
Problem 2
– Given:
• Coordinates of A: (EA , NA)
• Bearing of line AB: φAB
• Distance from A to B: DAB
– Asked: Coordinates of B
• Answer:
– Sketch the relative positions and solve using trig

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
Relationship between bearing &
coordinates

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
Relationship between bearing &
coordinates

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
 Relationship between bearing &
coordinates
Solution

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)
 Questions
1. An angle of elevation of 45o was observed to
the top of a tower. Then after 42m nearer to
the tower a further angle of elevation of 60o
was observed.
i. What is the height of the tower?
ii. At what distance is the observer from the foot of
the tower?

Phiri L.
Civil Engineering, CBU (2015)