FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

CESURV30

MODULE 2
MEASURING HORZONTAL DISTANCES

BREAKING TAPE
It is standard practice to hold the tape horizontally above the ground and to plumb at one or both ends when taping on
sloping or uneven terrain surfaces. This requires the measurement of shorter distances which are accumulated to total a
full tape length. The procedure is referred to as “breaking tape”

SLOPE TAPING
Taped measurements may be made directly along the slopes when the ground is of uniform inclination and fairly
smooth. This very practical method is generally preferred since measurements could be made quickly and more
accurately than horizontal measurements
𝑑 = 𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠(α)
𝑑 = √𝑠 2 − ℎ 2

PROBLEM
1. A measurement is made along a line that is inclined by a vertical angle 15°25’ as measured using hand level and
clinometer. The slope measurement is 756.52 m. What is the corresponding horizontal distance? (ans. 729.299 m)

2. A line XYZ is measured on the slope in two segments. The first segment XY measures 824.45m and the second
segment YZ measures 1244.38m. If the difference in elevation between points X and Y is 4.25m and that between Y and Z
is 6.47m, determine the horizontal length of the measured line. (ans. 2068.8022 m)

CORRECTIONS IN TAPING
1st RULE: When a line is measured with a tape that is “too long”, the corrections are applied to the observed length by
adding.
2nd RULE: When a specified or required length is to be laid out with a tape that is “too long”, the corrections are
subtracted from the known length to determine the corrected length to be laid out.
3rd RULE: When measuring or laying out lengths with a tape that is “too short”, the corrections are applied opposite to
those stated in the first two rules.

PROBLEM
1. A rectangular lot was measured using a 50m steel tape which was found to be 0.025m too short. If the recorded length
and width of the lot are 180.455 and 127.062m respectively, determine the following:
a. Actual dimension of the lot. (ans. 180.3648m x 126.9985m)
b. Error in the area introduced due to the erroneous length of tape. (ans. 22.9232m2)

2. A building 38m x 45m is to be laid out with 50m long metallic tape. If during standardization the tape is found to be
only 49.950m, determine the following:
a. Dimensions to be laid out using this tape in order that the building shall have the desired dimensions. (ans. 38.038m x
45.045m)
b. Using the same tape, what should the diagonals read? (ans. 58.9571m)

CORRECTION DUE TO TEMPERATURE

“The tape lengthens as the temperature rises and shortens as the temperature falls”
𝐶𝑡 = 𝑘(𝑇 − 𝑇𝑠 )𝐿
Where:
Ct = correction due to temperature
k = coefficient of linear expansion
T = observed temperature of the tape at the time of measurement
Ts = temperature at which the tape was standardized
L = Length of the tape

PROBLEM
1. A steel tape with a coefficient of linear expansion of 0.0000116/(1°C) is known to be 50 m long at 20°C. The tape was
used to measure a line which was found to be 532.28 meters long when the temperature was 35°C. Determine the
following:
a. temperature correction per tape length (ans. +0.0087m)
b. temperature correction for the measured line (ans. +0.0926m)
c. correct length of line (ans. 532.3726m)

CORRECTION DUE TO TENSION/PULL

(𝑃𝑚 − 𝑃𝑠 )𝐿
𝐶𝑝 =
𝐴𝐸
Where:
Cp = total elongation in tape length due to pull
Pm = pull applied to the tape during the measurement
Ps = standard pull for the tape
A = Cross sectional area of the tape
E = modulus of elasticity of the tape material

PROBLEM
1. A heavy 50m tape having a cross sectional area of 0.05cm2 has been standardized at a tension of 5.5 kg. If E=2.10x106
kg/cm2, determine the elongation if a pull of 12 kg is applied. (ans. +0.0031m)

CORRECTION DUE TO SAG

The correction due to sag is the difference between the arc formed by the tape and the subtending, and is always
negative. In determining this correction, the arc is assumed to be a parabola, and is computed with sufficient precision
by the formula

𝑤 2𝑙3
𝐶𝑠 =
24𝑃2
𝑊2𝐿
𝐶𝑠 =
24𝑃2

Where:
w= weight of tape per unit length (kg/m)
W = weight of the tape
l = unsupported length
P = tension/pull applied on the tape (kg)

PROBLEM
1. A 50m steel tape weighing 0.035kg/m is constantly supported at mid length and at its end points, and is used to
measure a line AB with a steady pull of 6.5 kg. If the measured length AB is 1268.256m, determine the following:
a. correction due to sag between supports and for the whole tape length
b. total sag correction for the whole length measured
c. correct length of line AB

COMBINED CORRECTIONS

PROBLEM
1. A line was determined to be 2395.25m when measured with a 30m steel tape supported throughout its length under a
constant pull of 4kg and at a mean temperature of 35°C. Determine the correct length of the line if the tape used if of
standard length at 20°C under a pull of 5kg. The cross-sectional area of the tape is 0.03cm2, its coefficient of linear
expansion is 0.0000116/°C, and the modulus of elasticity of the steel is 2.0x106kg/cm2. (ans. 2395.6269m)

Reference:
La Putt, Juny Pilapil. Elementary Surveying 3rd Edition