V.

K Singh

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LAKSHMI NARAIN COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
BHOPAL- 462021 (INDIA)
 Compass surveying is the branch of surveying in which
the directions of survey lines are determined by a
compass and their lengths by chaining directly on the
ground.
Thus in this, linear as well as angular measurements
are taken. Chan surveying is useful, when area to be
surveyed is small, But when area to be surveyed is large,
compass surveying becomes suitable.

Traversing: In this scheme of establishing control points

consists of a series of connected points established
through linear and angular measurements.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 A traverse may be of two types:
(a) Close Traverse.
(b) Open Traverse.

(a) Close Traverse. If the last line meets the starting

point it is called as closed traverse.
C

D
A

E (a) Closed traverse

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 It is suitable for the survey of boundaries of ponds,
forests, estates etc.
 Check on closed traverse:

 The sum of interior angles of a n-sided closed traverse =

(2n-4)×90°
 The sum of exterior angles of a n-sided closed traverse =
(2n+4)×90°
 The algebraic sum of deflection angles should be equal
to 360°
 Note– if traverse is rotated in clock wise direction then
interior angle (-) with negative sign.
 if traverse is rotated in anti clock wise direction then
interior angle (+) with positive sign.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 open traverse:
If the last line does not meet the starting point. it is
known as open traverse.
It is suitable for the survey of roads, rivers, railways
etc.
 Check on open traverse:
In this, measurements can not be checked directly. But
some field measurements are helpful to check the
accuracy of the survey work.

 Basic Definitions:
 The points of intersection of earth’s axis with surface of
the earth are known as geographic north and south pole.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Compass is an instrument which can be used to
measure the direction of a survey line with respect to
magnetic north-south pole. The magnetic north-south
direction which is the reference direction is called
meridian (reference direction) and the angle b/w the
survey line and the meridian is called bearing.
 There are three types of meridians.
 True meridian.
 Magnetic meridian.
 Arbitrary meridian. &
 There are three types of bearings.
 True bearing.
 Magnetic bearing.
 Arbitrary bearing.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 True meridian :
The imaginary line passing through geographic north and
south pole and any point on the surface of the earth is
called true meridian.
 True Bearing:
 It is the angle between the true meridian and the
survey line.
 The angle is always measured in the anticlockwise
direction.
 magnetic meridian:
When the magnetic needle is freely suspended and
balanced properly in the atmosphere, unaffected by
magnetic substances, it indicates a direction. This
direction is known as magnetic meridian.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Magnetic Bearing:
 It is the angle between the magnetic meridian and the
survey line.
 The angle is always measured in the clockwise direction.
& It is the direction shown by a freely suspended magnetic needle.
 Arbitrary meridian.
 Arbitrary meridian is any convenient direction towards a
permanent & prominent mark or signal, such as a church
spire or top of a chimney. Such meridian are used to
determine the relative position of line in a small area.
 Arbitrary bearing.
 Arbitrary bearing of a line is the horizontal angle which
the line makes with any arbitrary meridian.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Systems of Bearing:
 Whole Circle Bearing.(W.C.B)
 Reduced Bearing or Quadrant Bearing:(R.B or Q.B)

 Whole Circle Bearing.(W.C.B):

 In whole circle bearing (WCB) the bearing of a line at
any point is measured with respect to a meridian. Its
value varies from zero to 360°, increasing in clockwise
direction. Zero is north direction, 90° is east, 180° is
south and 270° is west (shown in Fig). This type of
bearing is used in prismatic compass.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Reduced Bearing :
In reduced bearing (RB) system, bearings are measured
from north or south direction towards east or west.
Hence, angles are from 0 to 90° as shown in Fig. This
system of measuring bearings is used in Surveyor’s
compass and it is also known as Quadrant Bearing (QB).
The bearing measured is designated with letter N or S in
the beginning to indicate whether it is from north or
south. The letter E or W written after the angle indicates
whether the bearing read is towards east or west,
respectively.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 The conversion of the bearing from one system to the
other system can be easily carried out.
 Conversion of W.C.B into R.B or Q.B:
 Conversion of R.B or Q.B into W.C.B:

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 To find QB from WCB:
Solution :
Line PA lies in 1st quadrant.
Quadrant Bearing bearing of PA = N 35°15’

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 130°

Solution :
Line PB lies in 2nd quadrant.
Quadrant Bearing bearing of PB = S 50° E

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Solution :
Line PC lies in 3rd quadrant.
Quadrant Bearing bearing of PC = S 30o 15’ W

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Solution :
Line PD lies in 4th quadrant.Quadrant Bearing bearing of PD = N
69o 15’ W

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Example: Convert the following reduced bearings into
whole circle bearings:
(i) N 65° E (ii) S 43° 15′ E
(iii) S 52° 30′ (iv) N 32° 42′ W
 Solution: Let ‘θ’ be whole circle bearing.

(i) Since it is in NE quadrant,θ = α = 65°

(ii) Since it is in south east quadrant 
43° 15′ = 180° – θ
or θ = 180° – 43° 15′ = 136° 45′
(iii) Since it is in SW quadrant
52° 30′ = θ – 180°
Or θ = 180° + 52° 30′ = 232° 30′ 

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

(iv) Since it is in NW quadrant,
  32° 42′ = 360° – θ
Or θ = 360° – 32° 42′ = 327° 18
 fore bearing & back bearing :
 Every line has two bearing namely fore bearing and back back
bearing
 Fore bearing is the bearing taken in the direction of surveying
and Back bearing is the bearing taken in the reverse direction.
(shown in fig.)
 The difference between the fore bearing and the back bearing
should be 180°.
 While traversing along lines A, B, C, D ..., the bearing of line AB
is called fore bearing of AB and the bearing of BA is called
back bearing.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

fore bearing & back bearing

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 (a) W.C.B System.
B.B = F.B ± 180°
 Using + sign when F.B is < 180°.
 Using - sign when F.B is > 180°.

(b) Q.B System.

To convert the F.B of a line into its B.B change the
cardinal points by substituting N for S & E for W & vice
versa, the numerical value of the bearing same.
1. TO determine B.B from F.B or F.B from B.B:
Example : The following fore bearings were observed for
lines, AB, BC, CD, DE, EF and FG respectively. Determine
their back bearings

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

(i) 148° (ii) 65° (iii) 285°
(iv) 215° (v) N 36° W (vi) S 40° E
 Hence 
(i) BB of AB = 145° + 180° = 325°
(ii) BB of BC = 65° + 180° = 245°
(iii) BB of CD = 285° – 180° = 105° 
(iv) BB of DE = 215° – 180° = 35°
In case of RB, back bearing of a line can be obtained by
interchanging N and S at the same time E and W. Thus 
(v) BB of EF = S 36° E
(vi) BB of FG = N 40° W.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

2. TO determine interior angles in a traverse.
At any point, if bearings of any two lines are known, the angle
between these two lines can be easily found with the help of a
diagram.
(a) W.C.B System:
Referring to the figure the included angles can be calculated as
included angle b/w AB & AC.
θ = α2 ‒ α1
= F.B of AC - F.B of AB
(b) Q.B System:
Referring to the figure the included angles can be calculated as.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Rule 1: For lines lying on same side of same meridian
( N or S), then
Included angle(θ) = β‒α (Difference b/w two bearings)
Rule 2: For lines lying on opposite sides of same
meridian, then
Included angle(θ) = α+β (sum of given bearings.)

Rule 3: For lines lying on same side of different

meridian points, then
Included angle(θ) = 180°‒(α+β) or
(180° ‒ sum of given bearings.)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Rule 4: For lines lying on opposite sides of opposite
meridians, then
Included angle(θ) = 180°‒(α‒β), or
(180° ‒ difference b/w given bearings)
Example : In a closed traverse the following bearings were
observed with a compass. Calculate the interior angles.
Line Fore bearing

AB 65° 00′
BC 125° 30′
CD 200° 00′
DE 265° 15′
EA 330° 00′

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Solution: Back bearings of all the lines may be worked out
and noted on the figure. Then calculation of interior
angles can be easily carried out.

Line Fore bearing Back bearing

AB 65° 00′ 245° 00′

BC 125° 30′ 305° 30′
CD 200° 00′ 20° 00′
DE 265° 15′ 85° 15′
EA 330° 00′ 150° 00′

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)
 Referring to figure:
∠A = 150° 00′ – 65° 00′ = 85° 00′
∠B = 245° 00′ – 125° 30′ = 119° 30′
∠C = 305° 30′ – 200° 00′ = 105° 30′ 
∠D = (360° – 265° 15′) + 20° 00′ = 114° 45′
∠E = (360° – 330° 00′) + 85° 15′ = 115° 15′

Example The angles observed with a surveyor compass in

traversing the lines AB, BC, CD, DE and EF are as given
below. Compute the included angles and show them in
a neat sketch.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Line Fore bearing

AB N 55° 30′ E
BC S 63° 30′ E
CD N 70° 00′ E
DE S 45° 30′ E
EF N 72° 15′ E

 Solution: Figure shows in this traverse. First back

bearings of all lines are calculated and noted in the
table shown in below:

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Line FB BB

AB N 55° 30′ E S 55°30′W

BC S 63° 30′ E N 63°30′W

CD N 70° 00′ E S 70° 00′ W

DE S 45° 30′ E N 45°30′W

EF N 72° 15′ E S 72°15′W.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Referring to the figure, we find
 ∠B = 55° 30′ + 63° 30′ = 119° 00′
 ∠C = 63° 30′ + 70° 00′ = 133° 30′ 
 ∠D = 70° 00′ + 45° 30′ = 115°
 ∠E = 45° 30′ + 72° 15′ = 117° 45′

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Method of calculate Bearings from included angles:
In traverse surveying, if the included angles b/w successive
lines have been determined by theodolite or other
instrument & the bearing of one line is measured, then the
bearing of other lines can be calculated shown in fig.
θ1- θ2+ α= 180°
θ2 = (θ1+ α)- 180° ……………F.B of BC.

θ3- θ2+ β= 180°

θ3 = 180°+θ2 - β ……………F.B of C D.

θ3- θ4 +γ= 180°

θ4 = 180°-(θ3+ γ ) ……………F.B of DE.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 θ5 = θ4 +δ+180°…………F.B of DE.

Example The following interior angles were measured in a

closed traverse. The bearing of the line PQ was measured
as 60°00´with prismatic compass. Calculate the bearings of
other lines. If
∠P = 140°10´
∠Q = 90°8´
∠R = 60°22´
∠S = 69°20´

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Local attraction:
It is the attraction to the magnetic needle due to surrounding
earth magnetic field due to the, iron ores, magnetic rocks, iron
electric poles, cables carrying current etc.
 Detection of local attraction:
 The presence of local attraction is detected by observing the F.B &
B.B of each line.

 If the difference b/w the F.B & B.B of any line is exactly 180°, that
means, that line is free from local attraction.

 If the difference b/w the F.B & B.B of any line is not exactly 180°,
that means line is affected by local attraction.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Method of elimination of local attraction by included
angles:
The following steps are carried out to eliminate the local
attraction:
Steps 1. Find out the included angles for each station.
Steps 2. Apply the check for the sum of included
angles. The sum of included angles should
be =(2n-4)90°. The sum of included angles
is not equal to (2n-4)90°, then apply the
corrections to each angle equally.
Steps 3. Find out the line which is free from local
attraction, or the difference b/w F.B & B.B
is equal to 180°

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Steps 4. starting from the unaffected line, with the
help of corrected included angle find out
the bearings of another lines.
Example : In a closed traverse, the following bearings were
observed, with a compass. Calculate their interior angles
and then compute the corrected magnetic bearings:

Line FB BB

AB 46° 30′ 226° 30′

BC 118° 30′ 300° 15′
CD 210° 00′ 28° 00′
DE 271° 15′ 93° 15°
EA 313° 45′ 132° 00′

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Shown in fig.

B 118° 30_

226 30_

46° 30

A C
132° 00_ 300° 15_

210° 00
93° 15_ 28° 00_

313° 45 E
D
271° 15

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Hence, stations A and B are not affected by local
attractions. Hence, all the bearings taken from stations
A and B are correct magnetic bearings.
Correct bearing of AB = 46° 30′
Correct bearing of BA = 226° 30′
From the figure,
∠A = 132° 00′ – 46° 30′ = 85° 30′
∠B = 226° 30′ – 118° 30′ = 108° 00′
∠C = 300° 15′ – 210° 00′ = 90° 15′
∠D = (360° – 271° 15′) + 28° 00′ = 116° 45′
∠E = (360° 00′ – 313° 45′) + 93° 15′ = 139° 30′

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

Total Interior Angle = ∠A + ∠B + ∠C + ∠D + ∠E
=540°00′.
Hence there is no observations error.
[Note: In a pentagon sum of interior angles
= (2n – 4) × 90 = (2 × 5 – 4) × 90 = 540°. If there is observation
error it is to be distributed equally to all interior angles].
since, stations A and B are not affected by local attraction,
correct bearings are: 
Bearing of AB= 46°30′
  Bearing of BA= 46°30′+ 180° 00′ = 226° 30′
Bearing of BC = 226° 30′ – ∠B = 226° 30′ – 108°00′ = 118° 30′
Bearing of CB = 118° 30′ + 180° 00′ = 298° 30′

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Bearing of CD = 298° 30′ – ∠C = 298° 30′ – 90°15′
= 208° 15′
Bearing of DC = 208° 15′ – 180° 00′ = 28° 15′
Bearing of DE = 28° 15′ – ∠D = 28° 15′ – 116° 45′
= – 89° 30′ = – 88° 30′ + 360° 00′
= 271° 30′
Bearing of ED = 271° 30′ – 180° 00′ = 91° 30′
Bearing of EA = 91° 30′ – ∠E = 90° 30′ – 139° 30′
= – 48° 00′ = – 48° 00′ + 360°
= 312° 00′
Bearing of AE = 312° 00′ – 180° 00′ = 132° 00′
[Checked. It should be equal to the observed bearing,
since station E is not affected].

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

 Magnetic declination: The horizontal angle between
the magnetic meridian and true meridian is known as
magnetic declination.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING , LNCT – BHOPAL (M.P)