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Handout 6

The document describes two methods for approximating the area under a curve: 1) The trapezoidal rule approximates the curve as a series of trapezoids by connecting offset points with straight lines. It provides an equation to calculate the total area. 2) Simpson's one-third rule approximates the curve as a series of parabolic arcs between sets of three offset points. It provides a different equation that weights the middle point of each set of three offsets more heavily. The document concludes with two example problems applying these rules to sets of offset measurements.

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38 views2 pages

Handout 6

The document describes two methods for approximating the area under a curve: 1) The trapezoidal rule approximates the curve as a series of trapezoids by connecting offset points with straight lines. It provides an equation to calculate the total area. 2) Simpson's one-third rule approximates the curve as a series of parabolic arcs between sets of three offset points. It provides a different equation that weights the middle point of each set of three offsets more heavily. The document concludes with two example problems applying these rules to sets of offset measurements.

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phiaaragon
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AREA COMPUTATIONS

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.
𝒉𝟏 + 𝒉𝟐 𝒉𝟐 + 𝒉𝟑 𝒉𝒏−𝟏 + 𝒉𝒏
A=( )d+( )d+......+( )d Eq. (1)
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
In Eq. (1), it will be noted that the first and the last offsets occur only once and the other
intermediate offsets occur twice; also, the interval between offsets (d) occurs as a factor in every
term. By factoring out d, and simplifying the above equation. The area is obtained:
𝒉𝟏 + 𝒉𝒏
A=d( + 𝒉𝟐 + 𝒉𝟑 + 𝒉𝟒 + . . . . . . + 𝒉𝒏−𝟏 ) Eq. (2)
𝟐

Where:
A = summation of the areas of the trapezoids comprising the total area
d = common spacing between offsets
n = number of offsets
h1 = end (first) offset
hn = end (last) offset
h2 , h3 , etc. = intermediate offsets
hn-1 = last intermediate offset
If the interval between offsets is not equal, compute the area using individual area of a trapezoid
or use the equation:
2A = d1 ( h1 + h2 ) + d2 ( h2 + h3 ) + d3 ( h3 + h4 ) + . . . . . . . . . + dn-1 ( hn-1 + hn ) Eq. (3)

SIMPSON’S ONE-THIRD RULE – it 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. 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 this rule. The remaining portion is then
determined separately by assuming it to be a single trapezoid.
This rule is derived by passing a parabola through the extremities of any three consecutive
offsets. The area of the parabolic segment formed by the chord and the curve is taken as two-
thirds the area of the circumscribed parallelogram bounded by the parallel tangent, the chord,
and the extension of the two outermost offsets.
𝒅
A = 𝟑 [(h1 + hn) + 2 (h3 + h5 + . . . . + hn-2) + 4 (h2 + h4 + . . . . + hn-1)]

Where:
A = area of the tract bounded by the curve boundary, the base line, and the end offsets
d = common spacing between offsets
n = number of offsets
h1 = end (first) offset
hn = end (last) offset
hn-1 = last even-numbered offset
hn-2 = last odd-numbered offset

ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS:
1. 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 the 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 fine the area
included between the transit line, the curve boundary, and the offsets.

2. 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.

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