Traverse and

Compass
 Compass Survey

Compass surveying is a surveying

technique used to measure the survey lines
by determining the angles using a compass
and linear measurements by using a chain.
 2 Types of Compass Survey

Open Traverse

- originates at a point of known position

Closed Traverse
and terminates at a point of unknown
- When the lines form a circuit which ends at
position.
the starting point, it is known as closed
traverse.
 Traversing

Open Traverse Closed Traverse

 Traverse

Traverse
- consists of a series of straight lines connecting successive points whose lengths and directions
have been determined from field observations.

Traversing
- Traversing is that type of survey in which a number of connected survey lines form the
framework and the directions and lengths of the survey lines are measured with the help of an
angle measuring instrument and tape or chain respectively.

Traverse Station
-A point in a traverse over which an instrument is placed for measuring (set up).
 Types of Traverse

Interior Angle Deflection Angle Angle to the Right

Traverse Traverse Traverse Azimuth Traverse

- Interior angle traverse - This method can be - This method is used

- This method of
is the one that is used in open, closed, extensively on
running traverses is
employed for closed or closed loop topographic and other
widely employed than
loop traverse. traverses. Successive surveys where a large
the other especially on
Successive stations theodolite stations are number of details are
open traverses. It is
occupied and back occupied and back located by angular and
mostly common in
sight is taken to the sight is taken to the linear measurements
location of routes,
preceding station with preceding station with from the traverse
canals, roads,
horizontal circle set the horizontal circle stations.
highways, pipe lines,
zero. set zero.
etc.
 Latitude and Departure

- The latitude of a line is its projection on the north-south meridian and is equal to the length of
the line times the cosine of its bearing.

- The departure of a line is its projection on the east-west meridian and is equal to the length of
the line times the sine of its bearing.

- The latitude is the y component of the line (also known as northing), and the departure is the x
component of the line (also known as easting).
Formula
● Departure = Lsinα

● Latitude = Lcosα

● LEC =

● RP =

● P = engths
 Example

LEC = + RP =

LEC = + RP =

LEC = RP = 0.00019
 Traverse Adjustment

- Adjusting a traverse (also known as balancing a traverse) is used to distribute the closure error
back into the angle and distance measurements.

Methods of Balancing a Traverse:

1. Using Compass Rule
2. Using Transit Rule
 Methods of Balancing a Travers:

Compass Rule
Formula
- The Compass Rule (also known as the Bowditch Rule)
applies a proportion of the closure error to each line.

Based on the assumption that: lat

1. All lengths are measured with equal care
2. All angles are taken with approximately the same dep’ = + Dep
precision
3. Errors are accidental lat’ =
4. Total error in any side is directly proportional to the
length of the traverse
 Methods of Balancing a Travers:

Transit Rule
Formula
- In transit rule, the latitude and departure corrections
depend on the length of the latitude and departure of
the course respectively instead of both depending on
the length of the course.

Based on the assumption that: dep’ = + Dep

1. Angular measurements are more precise than linear
measurements lat’ =
2. Errors in traversing are accidental
 Example
Use Compass
Rule

Line Length Bearing Departure Latitude (ft) Dep’ Lat’

(ft) (ft)

AB 472.68 S 68°05’35’’ W -438.548 -176.357 -0.026 -0.029 -438.574 -176.386

BC 216.13 N 19°46’00’’ W -73.093 +203.395 -0.012 -0.013 -73.105 +203.382

CD 276.52 N 45°55’20’’ E +198.651 +192.357 -0.015 -0.017 +198.635 +192.340

DA 382.24 S 54°59’15’’ E +313.065 -219.312 -0.021 -0.024 +313.044 -219.336

Total 1347.57 = +0.075 = +0.083 0.000 0.000

 Example
Use Transit Rule

Line Length Bearing Departure (ft) Latitude (ft) Dep’ Lat’

(ft)

AB 472.68 S 68°05’35’’ W -438.548 -176.357 -0.032 -0.018 -438.580 -176.375

BC 216.13 N 19°46’00’’ W -73.093 +203.395 -0.005 -0.021 -73.098 203.374

CD 276.52 N 45°55’20’’ E +198.651 +192.357 -0.015 -0.020 198.636 192.337

DA 382.24 S 54°59’15’’ E +313.065 -219.312 -0.023 -0.023 313.042 -219.335

1347.57 = +0.075 = +0.083 0.000 0.001

=1023.357 =791.421
 Omitted
Measuremets
 Omitted Measurements

When for any reason it is impossible or impractical

to determine by field observations the length and
bearing of every side of a closed traverse, the
missing data may generally be calculated, provided
not more than two quantities (lengths and/or
bearings) are omitted. It must be assumed that the
observed values are without error, and hence all
errors of measurements are thrown into the computed
lengths or bearings.
 The common types of omitted measurements are:

A. Omitted measurements are in one side

1. Length and Bearing of one side unknown

B. Omitted measurements involving 2 adjoining side

1. Length of one side and Bearing of another side unknown
2.Length of two sides unknown
3. Bearing of two sides unknown

C. Omitted measurements involving 2 non-adjoining side

1. Length of one side and Bearing of another side unknown
2. Length of two sides unknown
3. Bearing of two sides unknown
 Example

Length and bearing of one side unknown (Type 1 Case 1)

 Example

Solution:
 Example

Solution:
 Example

Length of one side and bearing of another side unknown (Type 2 Case 1)

Line Length Bearing

AB 472.68 S 68°05’35’’ W

BC 216.13 N 19°46’00’’ W

CD ? N 45°55’20’’ E

DA 382.24 ?
 Example

Line Length Lat Dep

Solution: AB 472.68 -176.357 -438.548
BC 216.13 +203.395 -73.093
CA ? x y
=0 =0
Example
Thank you!
Prepared by:
Brylle Josper Q. Balaque
Ma. Lexi Mae G. Brinosa
BSCE 2A