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Study Material for Syllabus
SURVEYOR (ITI STANDARD) NATIONAL TRADE
CERTIFICATE
&
DRAUGHTSMAN (CIVIL) (ITI STANDARD) NATIONAL TRADE
CERTIFICATE
COMPASS SURVEYING

Identification and parts of instruments in compass survey: State

about traversing, State types of compass, Name the prismatic
compass and construction, Construction of survey’s compass
Determining the bearing of a given triangular plot of ABC and
calculation of included angles: Calculate angles from bearing,
Calculate bearing from angles
Determining the bearing of a given pentagonal plot of ABCDE and
calculation of included angles: Calculate angles from bearings for a
closed traverse, Calculate bearing from angles for a closed traverse,
Calculate bearing of a pentagon
Magnetic declination and local attraction: Define the dip of the
Magnetic needles, State the magnetic declination and variations,
Calculate true Bearing, State local attraction and its elimination,
Explain about errors and limits, State the testing the prismatic
compass
4.1: IDENTIFICATION AND PARTS OF
INSTRUMENTS IN COMPASS SURVEY: State
about traversing, State types of compass, Name
the prismatic compass and construction,
Construction of survey’s compass

4.2: DETERMINING THE BEARING OF A GIVEN

TRIANGULAR PLOT OF ABC AND
CALCULATION OF INCLUDED ANGLES:
Calculate angles from bearing, Calculate bearing from
angles
4.3: DETERMINING THE BEARING OF A GIVEN
PENTAGONAL PLOT OF ABCDE AND
CALCULATION OF INCLUDED ANGLES:
Calculate angles from bearings for a closed traverse,
calculate bearing from angles for a closed traverse,
Calculate bearing of a pentagon
4.4: MAGNETIC DECLINATION AND LOCAL
Types of compass:
ATTRACTION: Define the dip of the Magnetic
The two forms of the compass commonly used are.
needles, State the magnetic declination and
1 The prismatic compass
variations, Calculate true Bearing, State local
2 The surveyors compass
attraction and its elimination, Explain about errors
3 Trough compass
and limits, State the testing the prismatic compass
4 Compass and level

4.1: IDENTIFICATION AND PARTS OF The prismatic compass:

INSTRUMENTS IN COMPASS SURVEY It is the most convenient portable magnetic
Compass: compass, which can either be used as a hand
A compass is a small instrument which instrument or can be fitted on a tripod. The main
consists essentially of a magnetic needle, a graduated parts of prismatic compass are shown in Fig 3.
circle and a line of sight. When the line of sight is
directed towards a line, the magnetic needle points
towards magnetic meridian and the angle which the
line makes with the magnetic meridian is read at the
graduated circle. The compass cannot measure the
angle directly. If it is desired to find out the angle
between the two lines, firstly their angles with the
magnetic meridian are determined separately and the
difference of the two values is found which is equal to
the angle between the lines.
Traversing:
Traversing is that type of survey in which a
number of connected survey lines form the frame
work and the directions and lengths of the survey line
are measured with the help of an angle measuring
instrument and a tape respectively. When the lines
form a circuit which ends at the starting point is called
closed traverse (Fig 1). If the circuit end else where it
is said to be an open transverse. Fig 2.

1
 • A pair of sun glasses (17) shall have to be inter
proposed between the slit and coloured vane when
the sun or luminous of objects is to be bisected.
• A metal cover fits over the glass cover as well as
the object vane when the compass is not in use.

Construction (Fig 3):

• The prismatic compass consists of, cylindrical
metal box (1) of 8 cm to 12 cm diameter in the
centre of which is a pivot (14) carrying a magnetic
needle (2) which is already attached to the
graduated aluminium ring (3) with the help of an
agate cap (15).

• The ring is graduated to half a degree and is read

by a reflecting prism (6) which is protected from
dust, moisture etc. by the prism cap (7).

• Diametrically opposite to the prism is the object  In the prismatic compass (Fig 4a) graduations are
vane (4) hinged to the box side and carrying a marked on the ring in a clockwise direction with
horse hair with which an object is bisected 0° or 360° at south end of the needle. So that 90°
• The eye is applied at the eye hole below the is marked at the west 180° at the north and 270°
sighting slit. The graduations on the ring can be at the east.
observed directly by the eye after they are reflected  The figures are written upside down as in Fig
from the diagonal of the prism (5). (4b).
• The graduations can be made clearly visible by  The greatest advantages of prismatic
adjusting the prism to the eye sight by the focussing compass is that both sighting the object as well as
screw (16) are made convex to give magnified reading circle can be done simultaneously
readings. without changing the position of the eye.
• To prevent undue wear of the pivot, point the
object
vane is brought down on the face of the glass cover
(8) which presses against a lifting pin (9).
• The needle is then automatically lifted off the
pivot by the lifting lever (10).
• To damp the oscillations of the needle, before
taking a reading and bring it to rest quickly the
light spring break (12) attached to the inside of the
box is brought in contact with the edge of the ring
by gently pressing inward the brake pin (11).
• If the bearings of very high (or) very low objects
are
taken the reflecting mirror (13) which slides on the
object vane is tilted and image is bisected by the  The bearing shows 330° at the observers end
horse hair. under the prism (i.e.at the south end). (Fig 5)

2
Surveyor compass:
It is similar to prismatic compass, except with
a following few modification (Fig 6).
 The graduated ring is directly attached to
the circular box and not with the magnetic
needle.
 The magnetic needle floats freely over the
pivot.
 No prism is attached to the eye vane and
it is having a narrow vertical slit.
 Readings are taken directly with naked
eye against the north end of the needle.
 The ring is graduated in quadrated system of
having 0° at north and south ends, 90° at East
and west ends.
 Fig 6a, shows the line of sight passes through
the meridian.
 Fig 6b shows when the line of sight towards
‘B’ and the bearing is N 30°E.

3
4
4.2. DETERMINATION OF BEARINGS Designation of Bearings: The bearings are
Bearing of a line: expressed the following two ways,
It is the horizontal angle which a line make  Whole circle bearings.
with some reference direction also known as  Quadrantal bearings.
meridian.
The reference direction may be any of the 1.Whole circle bearing (W.C.B):
following. (Fig.7) In this system, the bearings of a line, is
 True meridian. measured from the magnetic north in clockwise
 Magnetic meridian. direction. The value of the bearing thus varies from
 An assumed meridian. 0° to 360°. The prismatic compass measures the
bearings of lines in the whole circle system.

True meridian: True meridian of a place is a

direction indicated by an imaginary circle passing
round the earth through that place and the two
north and south poles.

True bearing: The horizontal angle between a line

and the true meridian is called true bearings of the
line. It is also called as azimuth. Referring Fig 8, the W.C.B of
1. AB is 1
Magnetic meridian: The direction indicated by a 2. AC is 2
freely suspended and properly balanced magnetic
3. AD is 3
needle unaffected by local attractive forces is called
4. AF is 4.
the magnetic meridian.
2. The Quadrantal bearings:
Magnetic bearings: The horizontal angle which a In this system, the bearings of a line are
line makes with this meridian is called magnetic measured east ward or westward from north or
bearings or simply bearings of the line. south whichever is nearer. Thus, both North and
South are used as reference meridians and the
An assumed or Arbitary meridian: Arbitrary directions can be either clockwise or anticlockwise
meridian is any convenient direction towards a depending upon the position of the line. These
permanent and prominent mark or signal such as a bearings are observed by surveyor’s compass.
church spire or top of a chimney. Such meridians are
used to determine the relative positions of lines in a
Referring Fig 9, the QB of the
small area.
1. line AB is  and it is written as N  E
Arbitary Bearings: Arbitary bearings of a line is
2. Line AC is  and it is written as S  E.
the horizontal angle which it makes with any
3. Line AD and AF are written as S  W and N  W
arbitrary meridian passing through the one of the
extremities or the horizontal angle between a line
and this arbitary meridian is called arbitary
bearing of the line.

5
 Fig 10 shows, the bearing of line AB expressed in
the direction A to B is the F.B of AB.

The bearing of line AB when recorded in

Conversion of Bearings from one system to other the opposite direction from B to A is B.B of AB (or)
system: F.B of BA (Fig 11). In the whole circle system, the
Reduced bearing: fore and back bearings of a line differ exactly by
When the whole circle bearings exceed 900, 1800.
then it is to be converted or reduced to quadrantal
bearing system which has the same numerical
values of the trigonometrical function is known as
reduced bearing (R.B).
(i) Referring Fig 8, W.C.B system, the
conversion of W.C.B into R.B can be expressed in
the following table1.

∴ B.B of a line = F.B  1800 [Equation 1]

Use plus sign if the given F.B is less than 1800

and minus sign if it exceeds 1800.

(ii) Referring Fig 9, the conversion of R.B into Quadrantal bearing system
W.C.B can be expressed in the following table. In the quadrantal system F.B and B.B are
numerically equal but with opposite cardinal
points. B.B of a line may, therefore be obtained by
simply substituting N for S or S for N; and E for W
or W for E in its fore bearings (Fig 12).

Fore Bearings and Back Bearings:

Every line has two bearings, observed one
at each end of the line. The bearing of a line taken
in the progress of the survey or in the forward
direction is the fore or forward bearing (F.B) of the
line. While its bearing taken in the reverse or
opposite direction is known as reverse or back
bearing (B.B).

Whole circle bearing system

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7
 iv) W.C.B = 285° 30’
Example The W.C.B is with in 270° to 360°
Problems on conversion of bearing ∴ R.B = 360° - W.C.B
a) Convert the following W.C.B to quadrantal = 360° - 285°30’
bearings. = N 74° 30’ W (Fig 16)
i) 12° 30’ ii) 160° 30’ iii) 210° 30’ iv) 285° 30’

Solution:
Applying the rules given in the table 1
i) W.C.B = 12°30’
W.C.B = 12° 30’ which is less than 90°
R.B = N 12° 30’ E (Fig 13)

b) Convert the following quadranted bearings to

whole circle bearings.
i) N 30° 30’ E ii) S 70° 30’ E
iii) S 36° 30’W iv) N 85° 30’W

Solution:
ii) W.C.B = 1600 30’ Applying the rules given in Table 2.
The W.C.B is within 90° to 180° i) Q.B = N 30° 30’E
∴ RB = 180° - W.C.B W.C.B = R.B = 30° 30’ (Fig 17)
= 180° - 160° 30’
= S 19° 30’ E (Fig 14)

ii) Q.B = S 70° 30’E

W.C.B = 180° - R.B
= 180° - 70° 30’
= 109° 30’ (Fig 18)
iii) W.C.B = 210° 30’
The W.C.B is within 180° to 270°
∴ RB = W.C.B - 180°
= 210° 30’ - 180°
= S 30° 30’ W (Fig 15)

ii) Q.B = S 36° 30’W

W.C.B = 180° + Q.B
= 180° + 36° 30’
= 216° 30’ (Fig 19)

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 = 243° 30’
B.B of AB = 243° 30’

iv) Q.B = N 85° 30’W

W.C.B = 360° - 85° 30’ ii) F.B of BC = 112° 30’ (Fig 22)
= 274° 30’ (Fig 20) B.B of BC = F.B of BC + 180°
= 112° 30’ + 180°
= 292° 30’

Exercise:-
1. Convert the following W.C.B to R.B
a) 870 30’
b) 1200 30’ iii) F.B of BC = 112° 30’ (Fig 23)
c) 2100 00’ B.B of BC = F.B of BC + 180°
d) 2660 30’ = 112° 30’ + 180°
e) 3100 30’ = 292° 30’
f) 3590 30’

2. Convert the following R.B to W.C.B

a) N 46° 30’ E
b) S 20° 30’ E
c) S 10° 30’ W
d) N 50° 30’ W

Example:-
Find back bearings of the following
observed fore bearings of lines AB 63° 30’; BC
112° 30’; CD 203°30’; DE 320°30’

Solution:
From the equation (1) iv) F.B of DE = 320° 30’ (Fig 24)
B.B = F.B + 180° B.B of DE = F.B of DE - 180°
= 320° 30’ - 180°
B.B of DE = 140° 30’

i) F.B of AB = 63° 30’ (Fig 21)

∴ B.B of AB = F.B of AB + 180°
= F.B of AB + 180°
= 63° 30’ + 180°

9
 iv) F.B of DE = N 65° 30’W (Fig 28)
Example : ∴ B.B of DE = S 65° 30’ E
The fore bearing of the lines are as follows.
AB : N 32° 30’ E
BC : S 43° 30’ E
CD : S 26° 30’ W
DE : N 65° 35’ W
Find their back bearings
Solution:
When bearings are expressed on the quadrantal
systems, the back bearings of a line is numerically
equal to its fore bearings but with opposite letters.
Therefore,
i) F.B of AB = N 32° 30’ E (Fig 25)
Exercise
∴ B.B of AB = S 32° 30’ W
1. The following are the observed Fore bearing of
the lines :
AB = 88° 30’ ; BC = 142° 30’ ; CD = 209° 00’ ;
DE = 324° 30’ Find their back bearing.

2. The fore bearings of the lines are as follows:

AB = N 26° 30’ E; BC = S 78° 30’ E; CD = S 69° 0’W;
DE = N32° 30’W, Find their back bearings.
ii) F.B of BC = S 43° 30’E (Fig 26)
B.B of BC = N 43° 30’W

iii) F.B of CD = S 26° 30’W (Fig 27)

B.B of CD = N 26° 30’ E

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11
 The magnetic meridian differs from time to time on
4.3. MAGNETIC DECLINATION the earth’s surface.
Dip of the Magnetic Needle:
Before Magnetization, the needle remains Calculation of True bearings:
in the horizontal position if it is properly balanced, Rule 1:
but after being magnetised, it cannot remain in the True bearing of a line =
same position due to the magnetic influence of the Magnetic bearing of the line ± declination.
earth. One end of the needle deflects downward
towards the magnetic pole. In northern
hemisphere the north end of the needle is deflected
downward, and in the southern hemisphere the
south end points downward. This inclination of
Rule 2:
the needle with the horizontal is known as the dip
Magnetic bearing of a line =
of the needle. (Fig 1)
True bearing of the line ± Declination

Variations in Declination: The declination is not

constant for any places, but it changes from time to
time and
place to place.
The variations may be regular or irregular.
The amount of the dip is not uniform, but it varies
1. Regular variations:
in different parts of the earth. It varies from 0° to
These variations may itself be analysed
90° (zero at equator and 90° at the poles)
into several components of different periods and
amplitudes. They are, (i) Secular (ii) annual and
(iii) diurnal or daily
– Secular variation:
The magnetic meridian swings like a pendulum. It
swings in one direction for a long period and
Magnetic declination: gradually comes to rest and then swings in the
In certain places, the magnetic meridian at a opposite direction.
place does not coincide with the true meridian at that – Annual variation:
place. The horizontal angle which the magnetic It has a period of one year and therefore it is
meridian makes with the true meridian is known as known as annual variations. The amount of
magnetic declination or declination. When the needle variation is in difficult places 0 to + 12 minutes, but
is deflected towards east of the true meridian it is it is not remained constant at any place.
called east declination and west declination when it is – Diurnal or daily variation:
deflected towards west of the true meridian (Fig.2). It is an oscillation of the needle from its mean
position during the day. The amount of this
variation varies from 1 minute to about 12 minutes
at different places.
2. Irregular variations:
These are occurred by magnetic
storms such as earth quakes or volcanic
eruptions and their amount may be even 10
or 20 at a time. It may occurred at any time. It
cannot be predicted.

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Calculate true bearing problems on magnetic
declination:
Example 1
The magnetic bearing of line is 197°. Find its true
bearing, if the magnetic declination is 3° W
Solution (Fig 3):-
Using Rule 1
True bearing of the line =
Magnetic bearing of the line ± declination.
Use (-) sign because the declination is west. Example 4
The magnetic and true bearing of a line are 327°
True bearing of the line = 14’ and 324° 37’ respectively. Find the value of the
Magnetic bearing of the line - declination. magnetic declination at the place of observations.
= 197° - 3° If the annual change is 3’ West what would be the
= 194° magnetic and True bearing of the line four years
since the date of the above measurement.

Solution (Fig 6):

Magnetic bearing of the line = 327° 14’
True bearing of the line = 324° 37’
∴ Declination = 327° 14’ - 324° 37’ = 2° 37’

From Fig 6,
declination is west, (i. e.)2° 37’
Annual variation = 3’ west
Example 2
If the magnetic bearing of the line is N 37° W and Variation in 4 years = 4 x 3’ = 12’ W
the magnetic declination is 2° E Find the true Total declination after 4 years = 2° 37’ + 12’
bearing. = 2° 49’ W
True bearing of a line after 4 years = 324° 37’
Solution (Fig 4):- (Same as above)
From Rule I magnetic bearing after 4 years = 324° 37’ + 2° 49’
True bearing of a line = = 327° 26’
Magnetic bearing of line + declination
= N(37° - 2°) W
= N 35° W

Example 5
Example 3 A line was drawn as its magnetic bearing 212° on
True bearing of a line is 217° and magnetic an old map when the magnetic declination was 4°
declination is 2° w. Find the magnetic bearing. W. To what bearing should it be set now if the
Solution (Fig 5): present declination is 10°E
In Fig 5 Magnetic bearing of the line =
True bearing of line + declination. Solution (Fig 7)
= 217° + 2° When the declination was 4° W.
= 219° True bearing of the line =
Use (+)sign declination in west. Magnetic bearing of the line - declination
13
 = 212° - 4° 5 The true bearing of a line is N 300 30’E compute
= 208° the magnetic bearing of the line if the magnetic
When declination is 10° East, declination is
Magnetic bearing of the line = a) 4° 15’E b) 5° 30’W.
True bearing of the line - declination.
= 208° - 10° Local attraction:
= 198° A magnetic meridian of a place is
∴To set the line now to the bearing of 198° established by the magnetic needle which is not
attracted by other attractive forces. Always the
magnetic needle pointing to the magnetic north. If
the compass is placed under the external attractive
forces, like magnetic rock, iron ore, and also by
steel structures, rails, electric cables, conveying
electric current iron pipes. Iron lamp post etc. may
affect the magnetic needle of the compass. Due to
these external attractive forces, we can’t able to
find the normal position of the magnetic meridian.
Such a disturbing force is known as local
attraction.
Detection of Local attraction:
Example 6 The local attraction at a particular place can
Find the magnetic declination if the magnetic be detected by observing the fore and back
bearing of the sun at noon is bearings of each line and finding its difference. If it
1. 185° differs exactly by 180° there is no local attraction at
2. 354° both stations, provided instrumental and
Solution (Fig 8) observational errors are eliminated. But if the
(i). Magnetic Bearing of the line - 185° (Fig 8(i)) difference is not equal to 180° then local attraction
At noon the sun is exactly on the True meridian. exists there either one or both stations.
Since the magnetic bearing of the sun is 185° it is at
south pole.
Magnetic declination = 185° - 180° = 5° W. Elimination of Local attraction
(ii). Magnetic bearing of the line is 354° (Fig. 8(ii)) If there is local attraction at a station all the
The magnetic bearing of the True north is 354° bearings measured at that place will be incorrect.
Magnetic declination = 360° - 354° The amount of error will be equal in all the
= 6° to the east of the true meridian. bearings. There are two methods for eliminating
Magnetic declination = 6° E the effects of local attraction.

Exercise First method

1. The magnetic bearing of a line AB is 125°. Find The amount and direction of error due to
its true bearing if the magnetic declination at A is local attraction at each of the affected station is to
(a) 9° 0’W (b) 5° 30’E be calculated.
2. The true bearing of a line CD is 138° 30’ Find its
magnetic bearing if the magnetic declination at c is
(a) 5° 30’W (b) 3° 15’E
3. A line has a true bearing of 255°. The declination
is 3° 30’ E. Calculate the magnetic bearing on whole
circle and reduced bearing systems.
4. Find the magnetic declination if magnetic
bearings of the sun at noon, are,
a) 182° 00’ b) 178° 30’ c) 359° 0’

14
 From the above calculation we came to know that
the stations C and D are free from local attraction
and all other stations are having local attractions.
Hence the observed bearings at the stations C and
D are correct. Commencing from the fore bearing
of ‘DE’ all other incorrect bearings can be
calculated as follows.

Observed F.B of DE = 225° 00’

Deduct = 180° 00’
-------------
Corrected B.B of DE = 45° 00’
Observed B.B of DE = 44° 00’
-------------
If the observed bearings are in the whole circle Error at station E (-) 1° 00’
system, then the correction applied by using the
following rule after finding the nature of error. Observed FB of EA = 304° 30’
Rule: If at a station, observed bearing of a line is Correction at station E = (+) 1° 00’
more than that of its correct one, the error at this -------------
station is +ve and the correction is -ve and if the Corrected FB of EA = 305° 30’
error is -ve at this station, the correction is +ve. Deduct = 180° 00’
-------------
If the observed bearings are in the quadrantal Correct B.B of EA = 125° 30’
system the corrections must be applied in proper Observed B.B of EA = 125° 00’
direction. -------------
In I and III quadrants the numerical value of Error at station A (-) 00 30’
bearings increased in clockwise direction and II -------------
and IV quadrants they increase in anti-clocked Observed F.B of AB = 75° 00’
wise direction. Hence +ve corrections are applied Correction at station A (+) 00 30’
for clockwise and -ve corrections applied for -------------
anticlockwise directions. Corrected FB of AB = 75° 30’
Example 1 Add=180° 00’
The following bearing was observed in running -------------
a closed transverse Corrected BB of AB = 255° 30’
Line FB BB Observed BB of AB =254° 30’
AB 75° 00’ 254° 30’ -------------
BC 115° 30’ 296° 30’ Error at station ‘B’ (-) = 1° 00’
CD 165° 30’ 345° 30’ -------------
DE 225° 00’ 44° 00’ Observed F.B of BC = 115° 30’
EA 304° 30’ 125° 00’ Correction at station ‘B’ = (+) 1° 00’
Find the error due to local attraction. Determine -------------
the correct bearings. Corrected FB of BC = 116° 30’
Solution Add =180° 00’
Line FB BB Error -------------
AB 75° 00’ 254° 30’ 00 30’ Corrected B.B of BC = 296° 30’
BC 115° 30’ 296° 30’ 1° 00’ -------------
CD 165° 30’ 3450° 30’ NIL Observed B.B of BC’ = 296° 30’
DE 225° 00’ 44° 00’ 1° 00’ Hence OK
EA 304° 30’ 125° 00’ 00 30’

15
16
Example 2 Observed B.B of BC = N 61° 30’ W
The following bearings were taken in traversing Difference = (+) 1° 00’ error at ‘c’
with a compass in a place where local attraction
was suspected. Observed F.B of CD = S 10° 30’E
Correction at C’ = (-) 1° 00’
Line F.B B.B ------------------
AB N 460 00’E S 460 00’W Corrected FB of CD = S 9° 30’E
BC S 600 30’E N 610 30’W Corrected B.B of CD = N 9° 30’W
CD S 100 30’E N 90 00’W Observed B.B of CD = N 9° 00’ W
DA N 790 00’W S 790 30’E ------------------
At what station do you suspect local attraction? Difference (-) 00 30’ error at D
Determine the correct bearings of each line. ------------------
Solution Observed F.B of DA = N 790 00’W
If the numerical value of Fore and back bearings of
Correction at D = (+) 00 30’
a line is same there is no local attraction.
------------------
Examining the above problem, the station A and B
Corrected F.B of DA = N 790 30’W
are free from local attraction. The stations C and D
Corrected B.B of DA = S 790 30’E
are having local attraction and to be corrected.
------------------
Fore and Back bearings of AB are correct.
Observed BB of DA = S790 30’ E
Fore bearing of BC = S 60° 30’E
------------------
Corrected B.B of BC = N 60° 30’ W
Hence error at A is N

Example 3 local attraction. Consequently, bearings taken at

The following bearings were recorded for a these stations are correct.
closed compass transverse Fore and back bearings of CD are correct
Line F.B B.B F.B of DA = 308° 00’
AB 740 30’ 2560 00’ Subtract = 180° 00’
BC 1070 00’ 2860 30’ -------------
CD 2240 30’ 440 30’ Corrected B.B of DA = 128° 00’
DA 3080 00’ 1270 00’ Observed B.B of DA = 127° 00’
-------------
Which stations are affected by local attraction. Difference (-) 1° 00’ error at A
Determine the correct bearings. Find the true --------------
bearings if the declination was 2° 00’ west Observed F.B of AB = 74° 30’
Solution Correction = (+) 1° 00’
Fore and Back bearings of the line CD differ exactly
-------------
by 180°, therefore stations C and D are free from
Corrected F.B of AB = 75° 30’
Add = 180° 00’
17
 ------------- Corrected B.B of BC = 286° 30’
Corrected B.B of AB 255° 30’ Observed B.B of BC = 286° 30’
Observed B.B of AB 256° 00’ Hence O.K
--------------- Which agrees to the given B.B of BC observed at
Difference (+) 00 30’ error at ‘B’ the station C which is free from local attraction.
--------------- Having corrected the bearings of the lines, their
Observe F.B of BC = 107° 00’ true bearings may be determined by subtracting 20
Correction at B = (-)00 30’ 00’ from the corrected bearings of the lines, since
------------- the magnetic declination is west. The results may
Corrected F.B of BC = 106° 30’ be tabulated as follows.
Add = 180° 00’
-------------

Second method On examining the values of the observed bearings

In this method the included angles for all of the lines, it will be seen that fore and back
stations are computed from the observed bearings bearings of the line AB only differ by 1800. Stations
and check it with the sum of theoretical angles and A and B are therefore both free from local
correct the angles. Then commencing from the attraction and the observed fore and back bearings
unaffected line and using these included angles the of AB are correct. Now the true included angles
correct bearings of the successive lines are between the lines are computed from the observed
computed. bearings of the lines.
Example 4 From the Fig 9
The observed bearings of the lines AB, BC, CD ∠A = 99° 30’ - 46° 00 = 53° 30’
and DA are as follows, find which station is free ∠B = 226° 00’ - 119° 30’ = 106° 30’
from local attraction and workout the correct ∠C = 299° 00’ - 170° 00’ = 129° 00’
bearings. ∠D = 351° 00 - 280° 00 = 71° 00’
Line F.B B.B
AB 46° 00’ 226° 00’ ∠ A = 53° 30’ Theoretical Check
BC 119° 30’ 299°00’ ∠B = 106° 30’ (2n - 4) 90°
CD 170° 00’ 351° 00’
DA 280° 00’ 99° 30’
Solution

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∠DC = 129° 00 (2x 4 - 4) 90° which agrees to the given FB of AB observed at
∠D = 71° 00’ 4 x 90° = 360° station A, which is free from local attraction.
------------------
Total 360° 00’ Permissible Error in compass surveying:
------------------ The Permissible Error should not exceed
Fore bearing of AB = 46° 00’ 7½ minute. But due to magnetic changes and
Add = 180° 00’ variations of declination the error should not
--------------- exceed 10minutes.
B.B of AB = 226° 00’
Subtract ∠B = 106° 30’ 4.4. PLOTTING OF A COMPASS TRAVERSE:
--------------- Before plotting a traverse survey on the
Fore bearing of BC = 119° 30’ drawing sheet, first to draw a rough sketch on the
Add = 180° 00’ paper. From this we can able to know the size and
--------------- shape of the plan and also the best way to arrange
Corrected B.B of BC = 299° 30’ it on the drawing sheet. From the observed
Subtract ∠C = 129° 00’ bearings, corrected bearings are calculated before
--------------- plotting. The following methods are used for
Corrected fore bearing of CD = 170° 30’ plotting a traverse survey.
Add = 180° 00’
--------------- By parallel meridian through each station (Fig.
Corrected B.B of CD = 350° 30’ 10):
Subtract ∠D = 71° 00’
---------------
Corrected fore Bearing of DA = 279° 30’
Subtract =180° 00’
---------------
Corrected B.B of DA =99° 30’
Subtract ∠A = 530 30’
Check ---------------

Fore bearing of AB = 46° 00’

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  First fix the position of the starting point P By paper protractor (Fig. 12)
on the paper.
 From this point P draw the magnetic
meridian.
 Plot the bearing of the line PQ with the
protractor.
 Cut the length of the line PQ with suitable
scale. Now the station point Q is fixed.
 From Q, draw a line which is parallel P to
magnetic meridian.
 Plot the bearing of the line QR and cut off
the length of the line QR.
First mark any point 'O' on the paper and
 Repeat the same process until all the lines
draw the bearing of each line with reference to the
are drawn.
magnetic meridian by using large circular paper
If the traverse is a closed one the last line must
protector is shown in Fig. (a).
coincide with the starting station P. If not the error
Transfer the direction of all the lines to
is called as closing error.
their proper positions and taking length of each
line is shown in Fig. (b).
By included angle method (Fig. 11):
By rectangular co-ordinate method (Fig. 13)
Before plotting the included angle method
Firstly, the points of the traverse are plotted by
of the corrected bearings are calculated first, from
their coordinates with respect to x-axis and y-axis.
the observed bearings. From the corrected
The x axis and y axis are intersecting at 'O'.
bearings, the included angles are calculated. From
• The line OX is representing the magnetic
the starting station A, draw a line representing the
meridian.
magnetic meridian. From A, draw the bearing of
• Every point is plotted independently
the line AB, and cut off the length AB according to
with reference to the axes.
scale, thus fixing of the station 'B'. From B draw the
Firstly, the co-ordinates of each point are
included angle ABC. The same process may be
calculated. This method is mainly used in plotting
repeated at each successive station.
of traverse by using Theodolite instrument.
• It is more accurate method of plotting.
• In this method the errors are not accumulate.

Closing Error And its graphical Adjustments:

While plotting a closed traverse the
starting and the ending points will coincide
otherwise if the ending points fails to meet with the
starting one is called the closing error or error of
closure.

20
 TNPSC AE Exam From
Pyramid IAS Academy
2018 TNPSC AE Exam TOPPERS

When the angular and linear

measurements are of equal precision graphical
adjustment of the traverse may be used. This
method is based on the Bowditch’s rule.
Rank 1 Rank 2 Rank 3
Ranjithkumar.M Gavinkumar.V Velayutham.M
16KF130 16KB163 16KH105

The adjustment of a compass traverse graphically,

may be made as under.
Procedure (Fig 14):
Let ABCDEA’ be a closed traverse as
plotted from the observed magnetic bearings and
linear measurements of the traverse lengths. A is
the starting station and A’ is the location of the Rank 4 Rank 5 Karthick.V
S. Om Prakash Naveen Prabhu.M 17KE171
station A as plotted. Hence, A’A is the
17KB75 16KD83
closing error.

Venod Kumar. A.R Sabarish. S Paramasivan.M

17KC192 16kd45 17KA146

Raja swedha.G Kirubakaran.A Gokulnath.K

17KB171 17KA19 17KA70

ARAVIND J.SARANYA Rajamanikam.S

17KB144 17KA91 16KH137

21