CHAPTER 4

TRAVERSING PRINCIPLES

Tewodros N.
www.tnigatu.wordpress.com
[email protected]
 Traversing Principles
Definition
• A traverse consists of a series of straight lines
connecting successive points /traverse station/.
D
B

A C
 Traversing Principles
Purpose of traverse

• Property surveys to locate or establish boundaries

• Supplementary horizontal control for topographic
mapping surveys
• Location and construction layout surveys for high
ways, railway, and other private and public works
• Ground control surveys for photogrammetric mapping
 Traversing Principles
Types of traverse
• Open traverse: It starts at a point of known position
and terminates at a point of unknown position.
• Closed traverse:- It originates at a point of known
position and close on another point of known horizontal
position.
Closed link traverse
Closed loop traverse
 X D
B

A C

Open traverse

X B
D C
D X

B
C A
A

Closed link Closed loop

traverse traverse
 Traversing Principles
Types of traverse categorized on the method of
observing angles
1. Compass Traverse
– Forward and back bearings are observed from each
traverse station
– Distances are taped
– Error is distributed equally among the number of
interior angles
 Traversing Principles
2. Interior angle traverse
• Employed for closed loop traverse.
• Back sight is taken to the preceding station with
horizontal circle set zero.
• Horizontal distances are determined by stadia
4
3
A

2
1
 Traversing Principles
2. Interior angle traverse Cont…
• Azimuth of a line =360-(back azimuth of preceding line
+ Clockwise interior angle).
• In closed figure
n

∑ αi = ( n − 2)180
i =1

n is the number of stations

 Example
• A clockwise interior angle in a closed traverse is as
follows
A= 84058’, B=157038’, C=24037’
D= 1530 14’ , E=1030 54’, F= 139’ 06’
G= 2360 49’
• Compute the error of closure and adjust the interior
angle.
• Calculate azimuth and bearing of all lines for Azimuth
of AB Az AB=315012’
 Traversing Principles
3. Deflection angle traverses
• Widely employed type of traverse.
• Common in location of routes, canals, roads, highways, pipe lines,
etc.
Azimuth of line =Azimuth of preceding line + αR
Azimuth of line =Azimuth of preceding line - αL
 Traversing Principles
3. Deflection angle traverses Cont…
• AXA + α2 + α4-α1-α3-3600=ADY
n n
A1 + ∑ R i ∑ Li
α − α − 360 0
= A2
i =1 i =1

α4
X
B D
α2
A Y
α1 α3
C
 Example
The following are deflection angles observed in a closed loop
traverse.
• A=850 20’ L; B=100 11’ R; C= 830 32’ L; D= 630 27’ L
• E= 340 18’ L; F= 720 56’ L; G= 300 45’ L
• Azimuth of line AB is given as Az AB= 85024’.Calculate
the azimuth and bearing of all other lines.
 Traversing Principles
4. Angle to the right traverse
• Can be used in open, closed, or closed loop traverses.
• Azimuth a line= angle to the right - Back azimuth of preceding
line.
α1 α3

3 α4
1
4
α2

X 2 Y
 Traversing Principles
4. Angle to the right traverse
• The condition of closure can be expressed by
• A1+α1+α2+ -----αn-(n-1)180-A2=0
• Where A1 & A2 are Azimuths of the starting and closing
stations.
• n=no of traverse stations (exclusive of fixed stations).
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Computations
• Field operation
• Angles or directions and distance
• Angles checked for error of closure
• Traverse computations
• Computation of latitude and longitude
• Computation of area
» Performed in a plane rectangular coordinate system
 Traversing Principles
Y
xj xij
xij
Aj
j

yij Ai yij
dij djk
yj
xi i k

yi yk

X
xk

Computation with plane coordinates

 Traversing Principles
Computation with plane coordinates
• Xij= dij sin Ai = departure
• Yij = dij cos Ai =latitude
• Xj=xi+xij ; yj= yi+yij
• Xk=xj+xjk ; yk=yj-yjk
• =xi+xij+xik ; =yi+yij-yjk
• xjk =djk sin Aj yjk=djk cos Aj
 Traversing Principles
Computation with plane coordinates Cont…
N

IV I
Sin - Sin +
Cos + Cos +
E
W
III II
Sin - sin+
Cos - Cos -
S
The signs of azimuth functions
 Traversing Principles

Computation with plane coordinates

• The amounts by which the below equation will fail to be satisfied is
Closures.
• In a closed traverse:- the algebraic sum of the departures should
equal the difference between the x- coordinates at the beginning and
ending stations of the traverse.
n −1 n −1
Yn − Y1 = Σ yi, i + 1 =Σ latitudes
i =1 i =1
 Traversing Principles

Computation with plane coordinates

• The algebraic sum of the latitudes should equal the difference
between the y coordinates at the beginning and ending stations.
n −1 n −1
X n − X 1 = Σ xi, i + 1 = Σ departures
i =1 i =1

• In a closed loop traverse, the algebraic sum of the latitudes and the
algebraic sum of the departures each must equal zero.
 Traversing Principles
Sources of errors and precision of traversing
• Errors arise in measurements
• Angular measurements
• Linear measure
• Main Causes of this errors is
• Observational errors
• Instrumental errors
 Traversing Principles
Traverse adjustment
• The compass rule

 Li   Li 
δxi =  dX t .and δyi =  dYt
L L
• δxi =correction to Xi
• δyi = correction to Yi
• δXt =total closure correction of the traverse in the X coordinate.
• δYt =total closure correction of the traverse in the Y coordinate.
• Li =distance from station i to the next station.
• L =total length of traverse
 Example
• In a closed traverse the distance between traverse stations and the
deflection angle are as hereunder. Compute the error of closure and
adjust the traverse using compass rule.

Line Distance (m) Deflection angle Azimuth

AB 225.94 A 102°34’L 67050’

BC 143.39 B 85055’R 153045’

AXA=170024’
CD 188.47 C 150 47’L 2058’
ADY=80038’
Σ=557.80 D 78020’R
 Traversing Principles
Computation of Area
• Methods of determining area
• Planimeter
• Area by triangles
• Area by coordinates
• Area by Double Meridian Distance
• Area by Trapezoidal Rule
• Area by Simpson’s one-third rule
 Traversing Principles
Area by Triangles
• Divide the track in to triangles
• Determine length of two sides and included angle
B
1
area = ab sin c
c 2
a
area = s (s − a )( s − b)( s − c)
A
b C S =
1
(a + b + c )
2
 Traversing Principles
Area by coordinates
• Coordinate corners of a tract of land
• Calculate involves finding the areas of trapezoids
• Area 12345= area 23cb+area 34dc-area 45fd-area 15fa-area 12bc
b 2
X2

X1 1
a
X3
c 3
X5
5
e

Y1 Y2
d 4 Y3
X4 Y5
Y4

a’ b’ e’ d’ c’

2 ∗ area = y1 x2 + y2 x3 + y3 xn + yn x1 − x1 y2 − x2 y3 − x3 yn − xn y1
 Traversing Principles
Area by double meridian distance
• The meridian distance of a straight line is the meridian distance of its mid
point.
• Reference meridian is assumed to pass through the most westerly
point of the survey
• The meridian distance of a point:- The total departure or perpendicular
distance from the reference meridian
• The double meridian distance of a straight line is the sum of the meridian
distances of the two extremities.
 Traversing Principles
Meridian distance of B ⇒ M.D.B =bB
N
Meridian distance of C ⇒ M.D.C =cC

b B
Double meridian distance of AB=0+ bB
Double meridian distance of BC= MD@B+MD@C
=bB+cC
A DMD of line =DMD of preceding line + departure of
C Preceding line + departure of the line.

d Double area=DMD* latitude

D
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations

• Determine Angular Misclosure

• Balance Angular Misclosure
• Determine Directions of Sides
• Latitudes and Departures
• Determine Linear Misclosure
• Adjust Linear Misclosure
• Determine Area Enclosed
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Angular Misclosure
• Total = (n-2)(180)
• n = 5, Total = 540°
86°26’ E
D
+ 107°09’
+ 108°25’
92°20’
+ 92°20’ 145°37’
+ 145°37’ A
= 539°57’ 86°26’
108°25’
Misclosure = -3’
107°9’ C
Acceptable?

B
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Balance Angular Error
• Contribution to Error
– Angles not consistent – more work
• Assign contribution - C
• Correction = C*(-error/ΣC)
• Say angle A, B turned twice; C,D, E 4 times
– A & B are twice as likely to contribute to error
CA = CB = 2, CC = CD = CE = 1, ΣC = 7
– Correction = C*(3’/7) = 26”*C
– CorrA = CorrB = 51”, CorrC = CorrD = CorrE = 26”
– Much easier if all angles contribute equally
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Balancing Angular Error
86°27’
• Assuming all work is consistent + 107°09’
– E = error, n = number of angles + 108°25’
+ 92°21’
– Correction = -E/n + 145°38’
– Reflect precision E
= 540°00’ OK! D
• C = -(-3’)/5 = 36”
• Work recorded to 1’ 92°20’
145°37’ 21’
• Adjust 3 by 1’ 38’
• Shortest shots A 86°26’
27’ 108°25’ C
• Add 1’ to A, E, D
 Check that total works! 107°9’

B
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations

Determine Directions of Sides

• Use Adjusted Angles
• AzBC = BackAzAB + ABC

AZAB = 141°45’
E D
AZBC = 321°45’ + 107°9’ = 68°54’
AZCD = 248°54’ + 108°25’ = 357°19’ 92°21’
145°38’
AZDE = 177°19’ + 92°21’ = 269°40’ A 141° 45’
AZEA = 89°40’ + 145°38’ = 235°18’ 86°27’ 108°25’
Check that last angle! 107°9’
C
AZAB = 55°18’ + 86°27’ = 141°45’
B
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations

Latitudes and Departures

• Latitude = Length*Cos(Az or Bearing Angle)
• Departure = Length*Sin(Az or B.A.)

LatAB = 315.65 Cos(141°45’) E

D
= -247.86
DepAB = 315.65 Sin(141°45’)
= 195.40 A

Check your calculator:

polar -> rectangular key! C

B
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Latitudes and Departures
Side Length Azimuth Latitude Departure
AB 315.62 141°45’ -247.86 195.40

BC 502.43 68°54’ 180.87 468.74

CD 176.95 357°19’ 176.76 -8.28

DE 502.06 269°40’ -2.92 -502.05

EA 187.05 235°18’ -106.48 -153.78

1684.11 0.37 0.03

 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Determine Linear Misclosure
• You should end up where you started
– Sum of Lat’s = 0
– Sum of Dep’s = 0
• Linear Misclosure (error)
– A line connects starting and ending point
– Linear error = length of line

eDep = 0.03
eLin = eLat
2
+ eDep
2

eLat = 0.37
= 0.36 2 + 0.032 = 0.37
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Relative Error
• Is the linear error acceptable?
• Relative Error
– Relates error to total distance surveyed
– Expressed as 1/xxxx

eLin 0.37 1
RE = = =
ΣLength 1684.11 4550
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Adjust Linear Error
• Transit rule
– When angles are more accurate than distances
– Proportion L error based on total N-S distance
– Proportion Dep error based on total E-W distance
• Compass Rule – more common
– Assumes angles are as accurate as distances
– Proportion both errors based on total distance
• Least-Squares
– Uses square roots of sums of Lats and Deps
– Typically requires computer program
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Adjust Linear Error
• Compass Rule
– Proportion Lat, Dep error to length of side
 − eLat   − eDep 
∆Lat = Length ⋅   ∆Dep = Length ⋅  
 ΣLengths   ΣLengths 
 − 0.36 
∆Lat AB = 315.62 ⋅   = −0.07
 1684.11 
 − 0.03 
∆Dep AB = 315.62 ⋅   = −0.006 ≈ −0.01
 1684.11 
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Adjusting Lat’s and Dep’s
Adj’d Adj’d
Side Length Lat ∆Lat Dep ∆Dep
Lat Dep
AB 315.62 -247.86 -.07 -247.93 195.40 -.01 195.39

BC 502.43 180.87 -.11 180.76 468.74 -.01 468.73

CD 176.95 176.76 -.04 176.72 -8.28 0 -8.28

DE 502.06 -2.92 -.11 -3.03 -502.05 -.01 -502.06

EA 187.05 -106.48 -.04 -106.52 -153.78 0 -153.78

1684.11 0.37 0.00 0.03 0.00

 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations

Area by DMD
Double Meridian Distance
– Use adjusted Lat’s and Dep’s
– Meridian through west point
E
 Use Lat, Dep to define D
triangles, trapezoids
 Note formulas
A
 A = ½bh

 A = ½b(h1+h2)
C
 DMD – double area

B
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations

Area by DMD
• Process follows around the boundary
– DMDBC = DMDAB + DepAB + DepBC
– Multiply DMD * Lat for each side
– Add up = Double area
– Divide total by 2
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Areas by DMD
Adj’d Adj’d DMD x
Side DMD
Lat Dep LAt
AB -247.93 195.39 195.39 -48,443

BC 180.76 468.73 859.51 155,365

CD 176.72 -8.28 1319.96 233,263

DE -3.03 -502.06 809.62 -2,453

EA -106.52 -153.78 153.78 -16,381

0.00 0.00 321,352

Area = 321,352/2 = 160,676 s.f./43,560 = 3.69 acres

 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations
Coordinates
• Assign an origin W and S of point A
• N CoordB = N CoordA + LatAB
• E CoordB = E CoordA + DepAB
• Area by Coordinates
– Multiply E CoordA * N CoordB, repeat, add
– Multiply E CoordB * N CoordA, repeat, add
– 2A = Difference of sums
 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations

Coordinates
Adj’d Adj’d
Side Point N E Up Down
Lat Dep
A 300.00 100.00 5,207

AB -247.93 195.39 B 52.07 295.39 68,776 88,617

BC 180.76 468.73 C 232.83 764.12 312,945 39,788

CD 176.72 -8.28 D 409.55 755.84 307,264 175,982

DE -3.03 -502.06 E 406.52 253.78 76,134 103,936

EA -106.52 -153.78 A 300.00 100.00 40,652

770,326 448,975

Area = (770,326 – 448,975)/2 = 160,676 s.f. /43,560 = 3.69 acres

 Traversing Principles
Traverse Calculations

Why Use Coordinates?

• What line connects B and D?
 Lat = ND – NB = 409.55 – 52.07 = 357.48
 Dep = ED – EB = 755.84 – 295.39 = 460.45
 L = (357.482 + 460.452)½
= 582.93 E D
 Az = Tan-1(460.45/357.48)
= 52°10’30”
A

B
 Example
•A closed loop traverse has the following latitudes and departures on horizontal plane.
1. Sketch the traverse.
2. Calculate the area using both coordinate and DMD method. The coordinate of A (0, 0)
3. Calculate volume of excavation if elevations of stations C, D, E and F is 1200, station A
and B is 1500 and elevation of formation level is 1200.

sides Latitude Departure

AB 0 2300
BC 2000 0
CD 400 -300
DE 0 -2000
EF -400 0
FA -2000 0
 Example
For a traverse 123456 the adjusted distance and azimuths are given as
below. Coordinate of 1(0.0, 0.0)

4 Adjusted Adjusted

6 4 Line Distance Azimuth Departure Latitudes

5 3
12 405.18 106019’45” +388.84 -113.92

23 336.59 57054’01” +285.13 +178.86

3
1 34 325.18 335028’43” -134.96 +295.85

2 45 212.92 219028’33” -135.41 -164.31

1
56 252.21 266055’30” -251.85 -13.53
2
61 237.69 219040’28” -151.75 -182.95
Thank You!