MODULE I

TRAVERSE SURVEYING

College of Engg Trivandrum

Dr. Manju V S
PRINCIPLES OF SURVEYING

MVS/APA 2
 TRAVERSE SURVEYING
• Type of survey in which a number of
connected survey lines form the framework
and the directions and length of survey lines
are measured with the help of an angle
measuring instrument and a tape respectively
• Also known as traversing

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What is a traverse?
• A series of interconnected survey lines form a
traverse
• A traverse must either close or open

A closed
traverse An open traverse

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1. Open traverse
• Is a traverse which neither start and end at the
same point nor start and end at known point. It
does not form a polygon
• Open traverses are mainly used in underground
tunneling and mining works where physical
situation does not allow closing the traverse
• Open traverse has no means of checking

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2. Closed traverse
• Closed traverse may be polygonal traverse or link
traverse
• Polygonal traverse is the one, which close back to its
starting point
• A link traverse is the one, which starts at a known point
and ends to another known point (points with known
position)
• The advantage of closed traverse is that the amount of
angular and linear misclosures can be detected and
corrected

MVS/APA 6
Applications of traversing
• Establishing coordinates for new points

(E,N)known

(E,N)known

(E,N)new
(E,N)new
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Applications of traversing
• These new points can then be used as a
framework for mapping existing features

(E,N)known
(E,N)new
(E,N)new (E,N)new (E,N)known

(E,N)new
(E,N)new
MVS/APA 8
Applications of traversing
• They can also be used as a basis for setting
out new work

(E,N)known

(E,N)known

(E,N)new
(E,N)new MVS/APA 9
Equipment
• Traversing requires :
 An instrument to measure angles (theodolite) or
bearings (magnetic compass)
 An instrument to measure distances (EDM or tape)

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Measurement sequence
C

E MVS/APA 11
Methods of Traversing
• Based on the instruments used
 Chain traversing
 Chain and Compass traversing (Loose Needle
Method)
 Transit tape traversing
 By Fast needle method
 By Measurement of angles between the lines
 Plane table traversing

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1. Chain Traversing
• Chain traversing is done by taking linear
measurements only using chain or tape

• The angle between the adjacent traverse

lines is measured using the chain angles
concept

• Chain traversing is performed in areas such

as ponds etc. where it is difficult to adopt
triangulation
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1. Chain Traversing
• The chain traversing concept is fixing the
angle between two adjacent sides by
establishing the third side using tie stations.

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2. Chain and Compass Surveying
• Also known as Loose Needle Method of
traversing

• Both linear and angular measurements of

traverse lines are taken by using chain and
prismatic compass respectively

• Direction of magnetic meridian is established at

each traverse station independently

• Method is not so accurate

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2. Chain and Compass Surveying

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2. Chain and Compass Surveying
• Both fore bearing and back bearings are
measured
• Required corrections for local attraction are
applied
• If any closing error is obtained while plotting
of traverse, then Bowditch rule is applied for
the adjustment of error

MVS/APA 17
3.Traversing by Fast Needle Method
• Magnetic bearings of survey lines are measured
by a theodolite fitted with a compass
• Direction of magnetic meridian is established
only at the first station
• More accurate than loose needle method

• Three methods of observing bearings of lines

a) Direct method with transiting
b) Direct method without transiting
c) Back bearing method
MVS/APA 18
3a. Direct Method with
Transiting
• Set at P, adjust to zero, point N
• Sight Q, get bearing of PQ
• Clamps tight, move to Q
• Lower clamp, sight to P
• Transit

• Upper clamp, sight to R, reading bearing of QR

• Continue

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3a. Direct Method with Transiting

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3b.Direct Method without
Transiting
• Set at P, adjust to zero, sight North
• Sight Q, get bearing of PQ
• Clamped, move to Q
• BS on P, same reading
• Upper clamp, FS on R
• Correction of 180º
• Shift to R and BS on Q.
• Upper clamp, FS on S, no correction required
• Correction at even stations only (2nd, 4th,6th..)
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3b.Direct Method without Transiting

MVS/APA 22
3c. Back Bearing Method
• At P, measure bearing of PQ as before
• Shift to Q
• Reading set to BB of PQ
• Lower clamp, sight to P
• Upper clamp, FS to R
• Direct bearing of QR

MVS/APA 23
3c. Back Bearing Method

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Traversing by Direct Observation of Angles
1. By included angles
 Measuring each included/exterior
angles between survey lines directly

2. By deflection angles
 Deflection angle is the angle which a survey line
makes with the prolongation of preceding line
 Designated as right(R) or left(L) according as it is
measured clockwise or anticlockwise from the
prolongation of previous line

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Closed Traverse Showing Interior Angles

MVS/APA 26
Open Traverse Showing Deflection Angles

MVS/APA 27
Checks in Closed Traverse
• Traverse by included angles
 Sum of interior angles = (2N-4) right angles
 Sum of exterior angles = (2N+4) right angles
 (N- no. of sides of the traverse)

• Traverse by deflection angles

 Algebraic sum = 360º (right hand deflection +ve,
left hand deflection –ve)
• Traverse by bearings
 FB of last line = BB of last line measured at first
station+/- 180

MVS/APA 28
Checks in Open Traverse
• No direct check
• Take additional bearing at A and D (as in fig.)
– difference should be 180
• Check if AP, BP,CP etc., pass through common
point when plotted

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Plotting a Traverse

• Angle and Distance Method

• Coordinate method

MVS/APA 30
Whole Circle Bearings
Reduced Bearings
TRAVERSE COMPUTATIONS
Latitude
• Latitude (L) of a survey line may be defined
as its coordinate length measured parallel to
an assumed meridian direction (true north or
magnetic north)
• L is positive when measured northward and is
termed as Northing
• L is negative when measured southward and
is termed as southing
Departure
• Departure (D) of a survey line may be
defined as its coordinate length measured at
right angles to an assumed meridian direction
(true north or magnetic north)
• D is positive when measured eastward and is
termed as easting
• D is negative when measured westward and
is termed as westing
Sign Convention
• La
Traverse Coordinates
Coordinates used in most of engineering surveying
are:
1. Cartesian coordinates, in which a point is
defined by the length and bearing from a
reference point
2. Rectangular coordinates, defined by
perpendicular distances from the reference axes
to a point. The axes are Eastings (x-axis) and
Nothings (y-axis). The usual Mathematical sign
conventions are used.

37
Consecutive Coordinates
• Latitude and departure co-ordinates of any
point with reference to the preceding point
are equal to the latitude and departure of the
line joining the preceding point to the point
under consideration. Such co-ordinates are
also known as consecutive co-ordinates or
dependent co-ordinates
Independent Co-ordinates
• Total Latitude and departure of any point with
respect to a common origin are known as
independent co-ordinates or total co-
ordinates of the point
• It may be obtained by adding algebraically
the latitudes and the departure of the lines
between that point and the origin
Calculation of Latitude and Departure
(Consecutive coordinates)
Line Length WCB RB Latitude Departure

AB 232 32º12′

BC 148 138º36

CD 417 202º24

DE 372 202º0

MVS/APA 40
Calculation of Latitude and Departure
(Consecutive coordinates)
Calculation of Total co-ordinates
Line Latitude Departure Stati Total Co-ordinates
N S E W on N E
A 400 400
AB
B
BC
C
CD
D
DE
E

MVS/APA 42
Calculation of Total coordinates
Closing Error
If a closed traverse is plotted according to the
field measurements, the end point of the
traverse will not coincide exactly with the
starting point, owing to the errors in the filed
measurements of angles and distances. Such
error is known as closing error
Closing Error
Adjustment of Angular Errors
• In a closed traverse, the sum of interior
angles should be equal to (2N-4) right angles
• Algebraic sum of deflection angles should be
3600
• The error in sum of angles may be distributed
equally to each angle of the traverse
 Adjustment of Bearings
• In a closed traverse the closing error in bearing
may be determined by comparing the two bearings
of the last line as observed at the first and last
stations of traverse
• If e is the closing error in the bearing of last line of
a closed traverse having N sides,
• Correction for first line = e/N
• Correction for second line = 2e/N
• Correction for third line = 3e/N
• Correction for last line = Ne/N = e
 Balancing the Traverse
 Operation of applying corrections to latitudes
and departures so that ∑L=0 and ∑D=0
 Bowditch’s method
 Transit method
 Graphical method
 Axis method
 Bowditch’s method
Also known as compass rule
Correction to latitude/departure of any side
=Total error in latitude/departure * length of that
side/perimeter of the traverse

MVS/APA 49
Bowditch’s method
 Transit method
When angular measurements more precise than
linear
Correction to latitude (or departure) of any side
=Total error in latitude (or departure) * latitude(or
departure of that line/Arithmetic sum of latitudes
(or departures)

MVS/APA 51
Transit method
 Graphical method
Based on Bowditch rule

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Graphical method
Graphical method
 Axis method
When angles measured accurately, correction to
lengths

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Axis Method
 When axis of adjustment divides the traverse
into two equal parts
Axis Method
Axis Method
When axis of adjustment divides the traverse into two
unequal parts
Axis Method
Omitted Measurements
Problem
Problem
Problem
Problem 1
Calculate the consecutive coordinates of the
following traverse

Point Foresight Backsight Line Distance

A 23o 120o (m)
B 56o 205o AB 77.19
BC 99.92
C 168o 232o
CD 60.63
D 232o 352o
DE 129.76
E 303o 48o
EA 32.20
Step 1: Calculate internal angles
Internal Adjusted
Point Foresight Backsight
Angle Angle
A 23o 120o 97o

B 56o 205o 149o

o
C 168o 232 o
64
At each point :
D 232o • oMeasure foresight
352 120o
• Meaure backsight
E 303o • o Calculate 105
48 internal
o
angle (backsight-
foresight)
Σ =(n-2)*180
For example, at B :
Misclose • Azimuth to C = 56o
• Azimuth to A = 205o
Adjustment
• Angle at B = 205o - 56o = 149o
Step 2: Calculate angular error
Foresight Backsight Internal Adjusted
Point
Azimuth Azimuth Angle Angle
A 23o 120o 97o

B 56o 205o 149o

C 168o 232o 64o

D 232o 352o 120o

E 303o 48o 105o

Σ =(2n-4)*90 535o

Total error -5o

Correction for
+1o
each angle
Step 3: Calculate adjusted angles
Foresight Backsight Internal Adjusted
Point
Azimuth Azimuth Angle Angle
A 23o 120o 97o 98o

B 56o 205o 149o 150o

C 168o 232o 64o 65o

D 232o 352o 120o 121o

E 303o 48o 105o 106o

Σ =(2n-4)*90 535o 540o

Total error -5o

Correction for
+1o
each angle
Step4: Compute adjusted azimuths
or bearings
• Adopt a starting azimuth
• Then, working clockwise around the traverse :
 Calculate reverse azimuth to backsight (forward azimuth ±180o)
 Subtract (clockwise) internal adjusted angle
 Gives azimuth of foresight

• For example (azimuth of line BC)

 Adopt azimuth of AB 23o
 Reverse azimuth BA (=23o+180o) 203o
 Internal adjusted angle at B 150o
 Forward azimuth BC (=203o-150o) 53o
 Step 4: Compute adjusted
azimuths
C
Forward Reverse Internal
Line
Azimuth Azimuth Angle
AB 23o 203o 150o
B
o BC 53o
150 D
CD

DE

A EA

AB
E
 Step 4: Compute adjusted
azimuths
C
Forward Reverse Internal
Line
Azimuth Azimuth Angle
65o
AB 23o 203o 150o
B
BC 53o 233o 65o
D
CD 168o

DE

A EA

AB
E
 Step 4: Compute adjusted
azimuths
C
Forward Reverse Internal
Line
Azimuth Azimuth Angle
AB 23o 203o 150o
B
121o BC 53o 233o 65o
D
CD 168o 348o 121o

DE 227o

A EA

AB
E
 Step 4: Compute adjusted
azimuths
C
Forward Reverse Internal
Line
Azimuth Azimuth Angle
AB 23o 203o 150o
B
BC 53o 233o 65o
D
CD 168o 348o 121o

DE 227o 47o 106o

-59o
A 106o EA
301o
AB
E
 Step 4: Compute adjusted
azimuths
C
Forward Reverse Internal
Line
Azimuth Azimuth Angle
AB 23o 203o 150o
B
BC 53o 233o 65o
D
CD 168o 348o 121o

DE 227o 47o 106o

98o EA 301o 121o 98o

A
AB 23o (check)
E
Step 5: Compute Lat(L) and
Dep(D) for each line
• The rectangular components for each line are
computed from the polar coordinates (β,d)

D = d sin β
L = d cos β

• Note that these formulae apply regardless of

the quadrant so long as whole circle bearings
are used
Step 5: Compute Lat(L) and
Dep(D) for each line
Line Azimuth Distance Dep Lat
AB 23o 77.19 30.16 71.05
BC 53o 99.92 79.80 60.13
CD 168o 60.63 12.61 -59.31
DE 227o 129.76 -94.90 -88.50
EA 301o 32.20 -27.60 16.58
Σ (399.70) (0.07) (-0.05)
Step 6: Bowditch’s adjustment
• The adjustment to the Departure of any
traverse side is given by :
CD = ∑D * side length/total perimeter

• The adjustment to the Latitude of any

traverse side is given by :
CL = ∑L * side length/total perimeter
The example…
• ∑D 0.07 m
• ∑L –0.05 m
• Side AB 77.19 m
• Side BC 99.92 m
• Side CD 60.63 m
• Side DE 129.76 m
• Side EA 32.20 m
• Total perimeter 399.70 m
Step 6: Correction in Dep and Lat
Corrected Corrected
Side Dep Lat CD CL
Dep Lat

AB 30.16 71.05

BC 79.80 60.13

CD 12.61 -59.31

DE -94.90 -88.50

EA -27.60 16.58

Misc (0.07) (-0.05)

Step 6: Correction in Dep and Lat
Corrected Correct
Side Dep Lat CD CL
Dep ed Lat

AB 30.16 71.05 0.014 -0.010

BC 79.80 60.13 0.016 -0.012

CD 12.61 -59.31 0.011 -0.008

DE -94.90 -88.50 0.023 -0.016

EA -27.60 16.58 0.006 -0.004

(-
Misc (0.07) (-0.05) (0.070)
0.050)
Step 7: Consecutive coordinates
Corrected Correct
Side Dep Lat CD CL
Dep ed Lat

AB 30.16 71.05 0.014 -0.010 30.146 71.060

BC 79.80 60.13 0.016 -0.012 79.784 60.142

CD 12.61 -59.31 0.011 -0.008 12.599 -59.302

DE -94.90 -88.50 0.023 -0.016 -94.923 -88.484

EA -27.60 16.58 0.006 -0.004 -27.606 16.584

Misc (0.07) (-0.05) 0.070 -0.050 (0.000) (0.000)

Gales Traverse Table
Problem 2:Calculate the Independent coordinates of the following
traverse
MVS/APA 84
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Line and Point Angle correction Corrected WCB RB
Length angle
(m)
A 95º24′
AB 250 86º42′

B 88º42′

BC 123
C 88º12′

CD 256
D 88º06′

DA 108
Sum
MVS/APA 85
 2 8 9
Consecutive coordinates Corrections

N S E W N S E W
A

Sum

MVS/APA 86
 2 10 11
Corrected Consecutive Independent Coordinates
coordinates
N S E W N E
A 200 100

Sum

MVS/APA 87
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Line and Point Angle correction Corrected WCB RB
Length angle
(m)
A 95º24′ -6′ 95º18′
AB 250 86º42′

B 88º42′ -6′ 88º36′

BC 123 178º06′

C 88º12′ -6′ 88º06′

CD 256 270º00′

D 88º06′ -6′ 88º00′

DA 108 2º00′

Sum MVS/APA 88
 2 8 9
Consecutive coordinates Corrections

N S E W N S E W
A 107.93 3.77 +0.27 -0.01

B 14.39 249.57 +0.04 -0.69

C 122.94 4.07 -0.31 -0.01

D 0 256.00 0 +0.71

Sum 122.32 122.94 257.41 256 +0.31 -0.31 -0.71 +0.71

-0.62 +1.46

MVS/APA 89
 2 10 11
Corrected Consecutive coordinates Independent Coordinates

N S E W N E
A 108.2 3.76 200 100

B 14.43 248.88 214.43 348.88

C 122.63 4.06 91.8 352.94

D 0 256.73 91.8 96.23

Sum 122.63 122.63 256.73 256.73

MVS/APA 90
Problem 2:Calculate the Independent coordinates of the following
traverse
MVS/APA 92