Compass Surveying

Introduction
Chain surveying can be used when the area to be surveyed
is small and fairly flat.

When areas are relatively large, chain surveying alone is

not sufficient. Some sort of instrument to measure
horizontal angles ore direction of survey lines is also
needed. Compasses help us in measuring directions of
survey lines with respect to a meridian.
Traversing
Traversing is that type of survey in which a number of
connected survey lines form the framework and the
directions and length of the survey lines are measured.

When the lines form a circuit which ends at the starting

point, it is called a closed traverse.

If the circuit ends at any other point, it is called an open

traverse.
Closed Traverse
Open Traverse
Compass
The direction of a survey line in traverse surveying is
measured with the help of an instrument called a compass.

Due to the effect of the earth’s magnetic field, the needle of

the compass, which is a magnetized strip of metal, gets
aligned along the magnetic meridian at the location.

Every compass also has a graduated ring marked with angle

measurements.

The direction of survey lines may be defined with respect

to some reference direction. This direction is generally the
magnetic meridian which is indicated by the compass.
Bearings and Angles
Bearings and Angles