DISTANCE AND

ANGLES
ENGR.CLAINIE GAY J. LABISTE
Horizontal Distance

■ A horizontal distance is measured in horizontal plane if a

distance is measured along a slope, it is reduced to its
horizontal equivalent
 Vertical Distance

■ A vertical distance is measured along the direction of gravity

at that point. The vertical distance is measured to
determine difference in elevations in various points
 Angular Measurements

■ Two sides meeting at an angle are measured. The angle

between them is measured and represented in degrees or
radians
 DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

Linear measurement is the basis of all surveying and even

through angles may be read precisely, the length of at least
one line in tract must be measured to supplement the angles
in locating points
 DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

As simple as ABC:
 DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
Measurement must be straight:
DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
 DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
Measurement around obstacle:
 DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
Measurement around obstacle:
DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
 DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

Generally, measurements are made horizontally, but on even,

often man-made slopes the distance can be measured directly
on the slope, but the vertical or zenith angle must be obtained.

■ V = Vertical Distance
■ S = Slope Distance
■ H = Horizontal Distance
INTRODUCTION ON ANGLE MEASUREMENT

Measuring distances alone in surveying does not establish the

location of an object. We need to locate the object in 3
dimensions. To accomplish that we need:
■ Horizontal length (distance)
■ Difference in height (elevation)
■ Angular direction
INTRODUCTION ON ANGLE MEASUREMENT

■ Determining the locations of points and orientations of lines

frequently depends on measurements of angles and
directions
■ In surveying, directions are given by azimuths and bearings
INTRODUCTION ON ANGLE MEASUREMENT
■ An angle is defined as the difference in direction between
two convergent lines
■ A horizontal angle is formed by the directions to two objects
in a horizontal plane
■ A vertical angle is formed by two intersecting lines in a
vertical plane, one of these lines horizontal
■ A zenith angle is the complementary angle to the vertical
angle and is formed by two intersecting lines in a vertical
plane, one of these lines directed toward the zenith
 TYPE OF ANGLE MEASUREMENT

■ Interior angles are measured clockwise or counter-clockwise

between two adjacent lines on the inside of a closed
polygon figure
■ Exterior angles are measured clockwise or counter-
clockwise between two adjacent lines on the outside of a
closed polygon figure
■ Deflection angles, right or left, are measured from an
extension of the preceding course and the ahead line. It
must be noted when the deflection is right (R) or left (L)
 TYPE OF ANGLE MEASUREMENT
■ Angles to the right are turned from the back line in a
clockwise or right hand direction to the ahead line
■ Angles to the left are turned from the back line in a counter-
clock wise or left hand direction to the ahead line
■ Angles are normally measured with a transit or a theodolite,
but a compass may be used for reconnaissance work
 ANGLE MEASUREMENT
■ Angle is a difference in direction of 2 lines
■ To turn an angle we need a reference line, direction of turning and
angular distance
■ Angular units:
 Degree, minutes, second
 Circle divided into 360 degrees
 Each degree divided by 60 minutes
 Each minute divided into 60 seconds
■ A check can be made because the sum of all angles in any polygon
must equal. (n-2) * 180, where n is the number of angles
 MEASURING HORIZONTAL ANGLE

■ A Theodolite is a measuring instrument used to measure

the horizontal and vertical angles.
 Uses of Theodolite
■ Mapping the applications and also in construction industry
■ Measurement of the Horizontal and vertical angle
■ Measurement of the-magnetic bearing of lines
■ Locating points on the line
■ Prolonging the survey lines
■ Aligning tunnels
■ Mining works etc
■ Determining difference in elevation
■ Setting out curves
BEARING & AZIMUTH
Bearing

■ Bearing describes the direction of a line; in highway design,

we call it “tangent”
■ It cannot be larger than 90o
■ It is measured in relation to the north or south ends and are
placed in one of the quadrants (NE, NW, SE, SW)
■ Each line has two bearings, depending on which end of the
line is being considered
AZIMUTH

The azimuth is the angle between a celestial body (sun, moon)

and the North, measured clockwise around the observer's
horizon. It determines the direction of the celestial body.
COMPARISON OF AZIMUTH AND
BEARING
COMPARISON OF AZIMUTH AND
BEARING
 True Meridian

Note: Old maps use

Magnetic Meridian

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Azimuth
 CONVERTING

Converting Bearing to Azimuth:

North East: azimuth angle equals bearing Angle

Ex: N 76o 30’ E = 76o 30’

South East: azimuth angle equals 180 minus bearing angle

Ex: S 42o 28’ E = 180o – 42o 28’ = 137o 32’

South West: azimuth angle equals 180 plus bearing angle

Ex: S 36o 47’ W = 180o + 36o 47’ = 216o 47’

North West: azimuth angle equals 360 minus bearing angle

Ex: N 62o 56’ W = 360o - 62o 56’ = 297o 04’
 CONVERTING
Converting Azimuth to Bearing:
North East: the prefix N and the suffix E must be added
Ex: 76o 30’ = N 76o 30’ E
South East: the azimuth angle is subtracted from 180 o and S
and E are added
Ex: 168o 40’ = 180o – 168o 40’ = S 11o 20’ E
South West: 180o is subtracted from the azimuth angle and S
and W are added
Ex: 195o 22’ = 195o 22’ – 180o = S 15o 22’ W
North West: the azimuth angle is subtracted from 360 o and N
and W are added
Ex: 314o 35’ = 360o – 314o 35’ = N 45o 25’ W
 BEARING
N

N 90o 0’ 0” E

CL

The center line is always located in the

middle of the highway, with the exception
of the PI for horizontal curves.
 BEARING
N
N 90o 0’ 0” E

CL

Convert bearing to azimuth:

S 75o 10’ 15” E = 104o 49’ 45’’
N 65o 11’ 36” E = 65o 11’ 36”

Compute angle:
Δ = 104o 49’ 45’’ - 65o 11’ 36” = 39o 38’ 09”
Δ = 40o 38’ 09” L (L for left)
Step-by-step Procedure for Calculating
Directions
Step 1
Plan and prepare. Determine a known azimuth.
STEP 2
Perform the calculation. Start by writing down the starting
azimuth. Add 180° to obtain the back azimuth. Subtract the
interior angle to obtain the azimuth of the next line. If the
result is greater than 360, subtract 360. Write down the
azimuth on the sketch.
Step 3
■ Repeat the calculation for each line of the traverse. That is,
add 180° and subtract the interior angle.
Step 4
■ Check the calculations by using the last interior angle to
recalculate the starting azimuth.
EXAMPLE
That’s all there is to calculating azimuths. Simply follow a
simple rule if going clockwise about the traverse: “Subtract the
interior angle from the back azimuth of the previous course,”
and the calculations can be performed quickly and easily. If
bearings are needed, simply convert from azimuths to
bearings as shown in the Table at the beginning.