Measurements

Chapter 6
 A- Linear Measurement
The web page shows the key dimensions of the
Airbus A380 in metres, and the explanations below
it describe how they are measured. In the
explanations, the word plane means an imaginary
surface (not an aeroplane). On drawings, planes are
shown as lines that indicate where dimensions are
measured from and to, and are positioned to strike
(touch) the faces (edges or surfaces) of
components. Often, they are either horizontal
planes or vertical planes.
 B-Level and Plumb
If a surface is described as being level, this means it
is both horizontal and flat (smooth). However, a
surface which is flat is not necessarily horizontal. A
flat surface may be vertical, or inclined (sloping at
an angle to the horizontal or vertical plane).
Faces that are vertical, such as those of the walls of
buildings, are described by engineers as being
plumb. Structures that are slightly inclined from
vertical are said to be out of plumb.
1. Complete the key dimensions of the Millau Viaduct in France, using the
words in the box.

(1) ................................ length: 2,460 m

(2) Maximum ................................ between supports: 342m
(3) ................................ of tallest support (ground to deck): 245m
(4) ................................ of deck: 32m
(5) ................................ of deck: 4.2 m
1. Complete the key dimensions of the Millau Viaduct in France, using the
words in the box.

(1) .........Overall..................... length: 2,460 m

(2) Maximum ..........span.................. between supports: 342m
(3) ............Height........ of tallest support (ground to deck): 245m
(4) .....................Width......... of deck: 32m
(5) .............Thickness................... of deck: 4.2 m
2. Decide whether the sentences about the viaduct are true or
false, and correct the false sentences.

1. The height of the towers is measured horizontally.

2. The overall span is measured along the width of the bridge.
3. The tops of the towers are at different levels, so a horizontal
plane striking the top of one tower will not strike the tops of
all the others.
4. The highest point of the structure is the top extremity of the
highest tower.
5. The thickness of each tower decreases towards the top, so
the faces of the towers are plumb.
6. The greatest thickness of each tower is its internal thickness
at its base.
2. Decide whether the sentences about the viaduct are true or false,
and correct the false sentences.

1. The height of the towers is measured horizontally. False

The height of the towers is measured vertically.

2. The overall span is measured along the width of the bridge. False
The overall span is measured along the length of the bridge.

3. The tops of the towers are at different levels, so a horizontal plane striking the top of one tower
will not strike the tops of all the others. True

4. The highest point of the structure is the top extremity of the highest tower. True

5. The thickness of each tower decreases towards the top, so the faces of the towers are plumb.
False
The thickness of each tower decreases towards the top, so the faces of the towers are
out of plumb.
6. The greatest thickness of each tower is its internal thickness at its base . False
The greatest thickness of each tower is its external thickness at its base.
3. Circle the correct words to complete the text about extra-high
voltage (EHV) power lines. The first one has been done for you.
3. Circle the correct words to complete the text about extra-high
voltage (EHV) power lines. The first one has been done for you.

1-Span
2-Plumb
3-Inclined
4-out of plumb
5-Length
6-Height
 4. Read the text below. Can you answer the questions?

On long suspension bridges, when the distance between the

vertical centres of the towers at either side of the bridge is
measured horizontally, the distance between the tops of the two
towers will be several millimetres longer than the distance
between their bases.

Questions:
• Does this mean the towers are out of plumb?
• Why is there a difference?
The towers are plumb, but because they are a
long distance a part, the curvature of the earth
(the curve of the earth's surface) has a
noticeable effect, which is increased by the
height of the towers.
Locating and setting out
 A-Centrelines and offsets
The drawing below shows the position of some holes for bolts. The distances between the holes can be shown
as running dimensions or as chain dimensions. In both cases, the centreline (CL)- a line through the center of
the hole- is marked (drawn), and the distances between the centerlines are given. Distances between
centerlines are called center-to-centre (c/c) dimensions. The holes below are at 100 mm centres.

Centerlines are often used as reference points. These can be measured from, in order to locate -that is, give the
position of- points on components. The measurements are offset from the centreline - each is at a certain
distance from it, and the offsets are measured at a right-angle to the centreline (at 90 degrees to it).
 B-Grids
In large designs, notably those of structures, grids are used for
horizontal positioning. The gridlines have numbers and letters. All
numbered gridlines are parallel with one another that is, they are
straight, and are regular distances apart. Lettered lines also run parallel
with one another, and are perpendicular to (at a right-angle to) the
numbered lines.
The plan below shows part of the floor of an office building. The
perpendicular gridlines intersect at (cross at) the centres of columns.
An opening (hole) in the floor is shown using coordinate dimensions.
These allow the site engineer to set out (mark the position of) the
opening by squaring off the gridlines- marking lines that run at a right-
angle to them- and then measuring along these lines using a tape
measure.
A theodolite- an optical device used for measuring angles- can be used
to square off gridlines accurately. To double-check dimensions- that is,
carry out an extra check diagonal measurements can be used, as in the
engineer's sketch below. The length of diagonals can be calculated
using Pythagoras's Theorem.
1. Look at the sentences about the design of a ship. Replace the
underlined words and expressions with alternative words and
expressions.
1. The handrail is fixed by 115 brackets, which are 175 mm
apart, between their centres.
2. The dimensions are measured from the line down the
middle of the ship.
3. How far is the widest point of the ship located away from
the centreline?
4. Are the adjacent lengths of handrail at 90 degrees to each
other?
5. These dimensions allow you to establish the position of the
hole.
1- at 175 mm centres
2- centreline
3- offset
4- at a right-angle
5- locate
2. Look at the extracts from technical discussions on a construction site.
Complete the sentences using the words in the box
• 1-gridline
• 2- set out
• 3- parallel
• 4- intersect
• 5- perpendicular
• 6- square off
1 b, 2a, 3d, 4c