AREA

COMPUTATIONS
An important objective of most land surveys is the determination of the area of tracts of land.
The method of determining areas of land by plane surveying differs from that by geodetic surveying.
In plane surveying, the area is not the actual area of the land surface but is taken as its projection upon
a horizontal plane. Areas of large tracts of land such as country or a continent are obtained by
geodetic surveying. Such areas are taken as the projection of the tract upon the earth’s spheroidal
surface at mean sea level.

Areas of land also come in different shapes. Some area may be in the shape of a regular
geometric figure such as a square, triangle, or parallelogram. Others may be quite irregular and may
be bounded entirely by curved boundaries. The hectare (Ha.) is the most commonly used SI unit of
area. One hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters (sq.m.). When large tracts of land are measured
the hectare is used. Areas of smaller tracts such as subdivision lots, playgrounds, small farms,
cemeteries, and building sites are more conveniently expressed in square meters.

There are different methods used in determining area. Some of these methods include the use
of triangles, the trapezoidal rule, Simpson’s one-third rule, the coordinate method, the DMD or DPD
method, coordinate squares, and by a planimeter.

AREA BY TRIANGLES

The triangle method is a useful and fairly accurate method of computing the area of traverses
that have only a few sides. This method is well suited for determining areas of small tracts of land and
was popularly used before the engineer’s transit was invented.

Where:
1
A =(B)(H)
2 A = Area of the tract of land in m2
B = Base or any side of the triangle in m
1 H = Altitude or the perpendicular distance from The corner
A =(a)(b) sin α opposite the base in m
2
a, b, c = Sides of the triangle in m
a = Angle between sides a and b
A = js(s − a)(s − b)(s − c)
s = One half of the perimeter (1/2)(a+b+c)

The area of any field in the shape of a geometric figure can be found by dividing it into a
series of triangles. When the sides or diagonals are measured, the areas of the triangles are computed
separately by the usual mathematical formulas given above. The area of the field is then taken as the
sum of the areas of the triangles into which the field is divided. However, this method is limited to
figures that are bounded by straight lines.

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AREA BY COORDINATES

The method of coordinates is another useful method for computing the area of any closed
figure bounded by straight lines. It is applicable for calculating areas of either small or large sizes of
land. Since it is easily understood and applied, the method has many applications in surveying
practice.

Where:

A = Area of the tracts of land in m2

1 X 1 X 2 X 3 X n X1 X1, X2, X3 … = X-coordinates or total departures
A =l … Yl
2Y 123n1
YYY Y1, Y2, Y3 … = Y-coordinates or total latitudes
n = The last numbered corner of the closed traverse

Essentially, the calculation involves determining the

areas of the individual triangles or trapezoids formed
by projecting lines upon a coordinate axes. The
coordinates used are the total latitudes and total
departures for the corners of the closed traverse. If the
coordinates have been determined accurately it will
follow that the area determined will also be accurate. It
is advantageous to have the traverse portrayed in one
quadrant so that the coordinates of all points are
positive in sign.
Figure 25: Area by coordinates

When this is not done, the north ordinates are taken as positive and the south ordinates as negative.
Also, the east abscissas are taken as positive and the west abscissas as negative. The algebraic signs
must be considered carefully during computations. It will be noticed that some areas may be positive
values while others negative. The sign of the resulting quantity is immaterial and is disregarded.

AREA BY DOUBLE MERIDIAN DISTANCE (DMD) METHOD

The meridian distance of a line is defined as the shortest distance from the midpoint of the
line to the reference meridian. Meridian distances east of the reference meridian are considered to be
positive, and those wests of the meridian, negative. The double meridian distance of a line is the
meridian distance of the line multiplied by two. Double meridian distances, which are abbreviated as
DMD’s, are used in computing the area of a field enclosed by a traverse.

DMD of AB = 2(GG′) = GG′ + KL

Note: This quantity is also the departure of line AB

DMD of BC = 2(FF′) = 2(GG′) + 2(KL) + 2(LF′)

Note: These quantities are the double meridian distance of AB, the departure of AB, and the departure of BC, respectively.

DMD of CD = 2(HH′) = 2(HM′) + 2(MN) − 2(NH′)

Note: These quantities are the double meridian distance of BC, the departure of BC, and the departure of CD. The last
quantity, being west, has the negative sign.

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 Based on these illustrated computations, the following three rules should provide a means of
computing the DMD for each course of a traverse:

1. The DMD of the first course is equal to the departure of the course.
2. The DMD of any other course is equal to the DMD of the preceding course, plus the
departure of the preceding course, plus the departure of the course itself.
3. The DMD of the last course is numerically equal to the departure of that course, but
with the opposite sign.

A check on all computations is obtained if the DMD of the last course, after computing
around the traverse, is also equal to the departure of the course but opposite in sign. If there is a
difference, the departures were not correctly adjusted before starting or an error has been made in the
computations. Since these rules are so commonly employed in the computation of areas, it is therefore
important to memorize them.
Where:

DA = DMD (Adjusted Latitude) DA = Double area

A = Area of the tracts of land DMD =
Double Meridian Distance NDA =
1
A =(I NDA + I SDA) North double areas
2 SDA = South double areas

Strict attention to signs is absolutely necessary in the computation of areas by this method. If
the total minus double areas is larger than the plus double areas, it only signifies that the double
meridian distances were computed by going around the traverse in a clockwise direction. The negative
sign in the result of computing an area may be avoided if a counterclockwise direction is taken
instead.

AREA BY DOUBLE PARALLEL DISTANCE (DPD) METHOD

By using the latitudes of the successive courses instead of the departures, parallel distance can
also be computed in a manner similar to meridian distances. The parallel distance of a line is defined
as the distance from the midpoint of the line to the reference parallel or the east-west line. Similarly,
the double parallel distance of a line is equal to twice its parallel distance.

Correspondingly, the following rules also provide a means of computing the DPD for each
course of a traverse.

1. The DPD of the first course is equal to the latitude of the course.
2. The DPD of any other course is equal to the DPD of the preceding course, plus the
latitude of the preceding course, plus the latitude of the course itself.
3. The DPD of the last course is numerically equal to the latitude of that course but with
the opposite sign.

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 Determining DPD’s is essentially the same as determining DMD’s. The only difference is that
in the DPD method the lines are projected upon the reference parallel instead of upon the reference
meridian.

Where:

DA = DPD (Adjusted Departure) DA = Double area

A = Area of the tracts of land DMD =
Double Parallel Distance EDA = East
1
A =(I EDA + I WDA) double areas
2 WDA = West double areas

Double areas are recorded in plus (+) or minus (-) columns which correspond to east double
areas (EDA) and west double area (WDA), respectively. As in the DMD method, algebraic signs
should be given due regard. For any particular traverse, the area determined by the DPD method
should equal that computed by the DMD method. It is for this reason that the DPD method is often
used as a check on area computations when the adjusted latitudes and departures are known or can be
determined.

AREA BY TRAPEZOIDAL RULE

The assumption made in using the trapezoidal rule is that the ends of the offsets in the
boundary line are assumed to be connected by straight lines, thereby forming a series of trapezoids.
When the offsets are taken fairly close together and when the curves are flat, no considerable error is
introduced by this assumption.

Where:

A = Summation of the areas of the trape- zoids

comprising the total area
d = Common spacing between offsets
h1 + hn n = Number of offsets
A=d 2 + h2 + h3 + h4 + ⋯ + hn-1 ) h1 = End (first) offset
hn = End (last) offset
h2, h3,h4 … = Intermediate offsets
hn-1 = Last intermediate offset

For most areas bounded by irregular curves, the trapezoidal rule is the simplest to apply and
could provide sufficiently accurate results provided the measurements are taken properly. It must be
understood, however, that areas computed by this rule are only approximate values. The accuracy
of the trapezoidal rule increases with a corresponding increase in the number of offsets. However, it is
not practical to measure too many offsets as this becomes time-consuming. Also, the accuracy varies
with the shape of the curved boundary.

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 Figure 27: Area by trapezoidal rule

AREA BY SIMPSON’S ONE-THIRD

RULE

Simpson’s one-third rule is based on the assumption that the curved boundary consists of a
series of parabolic arcs, where each arc is continuous over three adjacent offsets that are equally
spaced. Because of this assumption, the rule is only applicable when there is an odd number of
offsets and if they are equally spaced. When there is an even number of offsets, the portion of all
but the part between the last two offsets may be determined by using the rule. The remaining portion
is then determined separately by assuming it to be a single trapezoid.
Where:

d
A =[(h1 + hn ) + 2(h3 + hS + ⋯ + hn-2 ) + 4(h2 + h4 + ⋯ + hn-1 )]
3
A = Area of the tract bounded by the Curved hn = End (last) offset
boundary, the base line, and the end h3, h5, h7 … = Odd-numbered intermediate offsets h2,
offsets h4, h6 … = Even-numbered intermediate offsets hn-1 =
d = Common spacing between offsets Last even-numbered offset
n = Number of offsets hn-2 = Last odd-numbered offset
h1 = End (first) offset

It will be noted that all offsets with odd-numbered subscripts, except the first and the last, are
multiplied by 2, and all offsets with even-numbered subscripts are multiplied by 4. The equation may
also be expressed conveniently as: The area is equal to one-third of the common interval between
offsets, multiplied by the sum of the first and last offsets, plus two times the sum of the other
odd offsets, plus four times the sum of the even offsets. When the curved boundary is
predominantly convex or concave, Simpson’s one-third rule is expected to give a more accurate value
of the area. Also, depending on the type of curve, the results obtained by this rule are either larger or
smaller than those obtained by using the trapezoidal rule.
Figure 28: Area by Simpson’s one-third rule

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Sample Problems:

1. The sides of triangle ABC were measured as follows: AB=129.26m, BC=258.73m and
AC=211.25m. Calculate the area in square meters and in hectares.

2. A surveyor sets up a transit at P which is located in the middle portion of a four-sided tract of
land and reads directions and measures distances, as given below, to the five corners. Find the
area of the tract, in square meters.

LIN BEARING DISTANC

E E
(m)
PA N 41°30’ W 410.52
PB N 38°10’ E 532.18
PC S 70°20’ E 450.75
PD S 60°15’ W 590.08

3. Given the following adjusted latitudes and adjusted departures of a closed traverse, determine
the area of the traverse by the coordinate method. Assume that the origin of the coordinate
system passes thru station I.

ADJUSTED LATITUDE ADJUSTED DEPARTURE

LINE
(+) N (-) S (+) E (-) W
1-2 490.71 47.27
2-3 587.12 608.89
3-4 327.41 786.78
4-5 1002.76 218.32
5-6 122.67 1116.62
6-1 375.01 544.64
SUMS +1452.84 -1452.84 +1661.28 -1661.26

4. Given the following notes for closed traverse. Determine the following: (a) coordinates of
each traverse station if the known coordinates of station A are 250.00m (total latitudes) and
300.00m (total departures) and (b) area of the traverse by the coordinate method.

ADJUSTED LATITUDE ADJUSTED DEPARTURE

LINE
(+) N (-) S (+) E (-) W
AB 352.00 395.60
BC 23.40 591.60
CD 558.20 78.30
DE 102.50 746.30
EA 285.30 319.20
SUMS +660.70 -660.70 +1065.50 -1065.50

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 5. In the figure and the accompanying tabulation are given the adjusted latitudes and adjusted
departures of a closed traverse. Calculate the area by the DMD method.

ADJUSTED LATITUDE ADJUSTED DEPARTURE

LINE
(+) N (-) S (+) E (-) W
AB 490.71 47.27
BC 587.12 608.89
CD 327.41 786.78
DE 1002.76 218.32
EF 122.67 1116.62
FA 375.01 544.64
SUMS +1452.84 -1452.84 +1661.26 -1661.26

Figure: Adjusted latitudes and departures of the traverse

6. Using the given data in problem number 5, determine the area of the closed traverse by DPD
method.

7. A series of perpendicular offsets were taken from a transit line to an irregular boundary.
These offsets were taken 2.5 meters apart and were measured in following order: 0.0, 2.6, 4.2,
4.4, 3.8, 2.5, 4.5, 5.2, 1.6, and 5.0 meters. By the trapezoidal rule find the area included
between the transit line, the curve boundary, and the end offsets.

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 Figure: Determining area of an irregular boundary

8. From a transit line to the edge of a river a series of perpendicular offsets are taken. These
offsets are spaced 4.0 meters apart and were measured in the following order: 0.5, 1.4, 2.5,
5.6, 8.5, 7.4, 3.8, 5.1, and 2.3 meters. By Simpson’s One-Third Rule, compute the area
included between the transit line, the river’s edge and the line offsets.

Figure: Determining area of a curved boundary

9. A surveyor needed to know the area between the straight line AB and a meandering stream as
shown in the figure below. At irregular intervals along line AB, he measured offset distances
from the line to one edge of the stream with the results shown on the figure. Determine the
required area.

Figure: Irregularly spaced offsets

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