Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

CE 103: Surveying
Lecture 1
Introduction, Compass, Bearing and Angles
(Part-1)

Contact: Md Azijul Islam, Ph.D., P.E.

Room #647, CE Building Assistant Professor
+880 1521252914; +1 (817) 821 2598 Department of Civil Engineering
[email protected]; [email protected] BUET
 Course Teachers 2

❑ 3 Credit Hrs. (3 hrs./week)

▪ Dr. Md Azijul Islam (1 hr./week)

▪ Mr. Sk. Rakibul Islam (1 hr./week)

▪ Mr. Saidis Slenkin Aninda (1 hr./week)

Dr. Md Azijul Islam CE, BUET (Jan ‘24)

 Course Outline 3

▪ Reconnaissance survey
▪ Linear measurements
▪ Traverse survey
▪ Triangulation, leveling and contouring
▪ Calculation of areas and volumes
▪ Problems on heights and distances
▪ Curves and curve ranging, transition curve, vertical curves
▪ Total station and real time kinematic (RTK): introduction, principles and techniques;
▪ Aerial photography;
▪ Remote sensing;
▪ Mapping;
▪ Introduction to geographic information system (GIS), coordinate system and global positioning
system (GPS);
▪ Introduction to UAV (drone), LiDAR, GPR (Ground penetrating radar) based survey
techniques;
▪ Hydrographic Surveying.
 Course Activities 4

Marks Distribution

• Attendance – 10%
• Class Tests – 20%
• Term Final (Section A) – 35%
• Term Final (Section B) – 35%
Class Tests: Best 4 of 5

Dr. Md Azijul Islam CE, BUET (Jan ‘24)

 Lecture Schedule 5

Lecture Outline Duration

Introduction, Compass, Bearings, and Angles L1 – L2

Theodolite and Traverse Surveying L3 – L4

Triangulation, Leveling L5 – L7

Contouring L8 – L9

Problems on Heights and Distances L10 – L11

Introduction to UAV (drone), LiDAR, GPR (Ground penetrating radar) L12 – L13
based survey techniques;
Review Class L14
 Reference Books 6

▪ A Textbook of Surveying – by M. Shahjahan & M. A. Aziz

▪ Surveying (Volumes 1, 2, and 3) – by B. C. Punmia, A. K. Jain, & A. K. Jain

▪ Engineering Surveying – W. Schofield and M. Breach - 6th Ed.

▪ Surveying for Engineers – John Uren and Bill Price - 5th Ed.
 Lecture Outline 7

▪ Introduction

▪ Different types of Compasses

▪ Meridians, Bearings, and Angles

▪ Bearing Designations and Conversions

▪ Calculation of Bearings and Angles

 What is Surveying? 8

❑ The art of determining the relative positions of points on the surface of the earth
(or, on the universe?!)

❑ Relative position means location with respect to a reference point

❑ Obtained by measuring distances (directly or indirectly), direction (angle with

respect to a reference), and elevation (with respect to datum)

❑ Finally, representing them on properly scaled drawings

Surveying: Example 9

(Xp, Yp) = ??? ▪ Determine the position of unknown point, P

▪ We have two unknowns: Xp, Yp
 Instruments used in Surveying 10

Chain

Arrows
Plumb Bob

Ranging Rod
Tape
Instruments used in Surveying 11

Compass
Theodolite
 Instruments used in Surveying 12

Level

Level
Leveling Stand
Leveling Staff
Instruments used in Surveying 13

Total Station
Trough Compass 14
Prismatic Compass 15

Line of N
sight Line of
180˚
sight
N
Angle read
W E
(330˚)

90˚ 270˚

330˚ Angle read

S
(330˚)
0˚

Prism S

Figure 1.5: System of Graduation in Prismatic Compass

Surveyor’s Compass 16
 Prismatic vs Surveyor’s Compass 17

Surveyor's Compass: Prismatic Compass:

Advantages: Advantages:
❑ Simpler construction and easier to use. ❑ More precise in taking bearings due to direct
sighting.
❑ Does not require sighting directly over the object.
❑ Can measure both angles and bearings.
❑ Ideal for rough surveys.
❑ Useful in accurate topographical surveys.

Disadvantages:
Disadvantages:
❑ Less precise for taking bearings.
❑ More complex and expensive than a surveyor's
❑ Cannot measure angles directly.
compass.
❑ Limited in use for highly accurate surveys.
❑ Requires careful handling due to delicate
components.
 18
Traverse Survey

❑ A traverse survey is a surveying method that uses a series of connected lines

to establish control points and create a network of points

❑ Traversing: Determination of horizontal coordinates by measuring horizontal

angles & distances
 Some Definitions 19

❑ Bearing:
• The bearing of a line is the angle which the line makes with a reference direction or
meridian in the clockwise direction.

❑ True Meridian:
• True meridian through a point is the line in which a plane passing that point and the
north and south poles intersects with a surface of the earth. Thus, it passes through
the true north and south poles.

❑ True Bearing:
• The true bearing of a line is the horizontal angle which it makes with the true
meridian through one of the extremities of the line.
 Some Definitions 20

❑ Magnetic Meridian:
• Magnetic meridian through a point is the direction shown by a freely floating and balanced
magnetic needle free from all other attractive forces.

❑ Magnetic Bearing:
• The magnetic bearing of a line is the horizontal angle which it makes with the magnetic meridian
passing through one of the extremities of the line.

❑ Arbitrary Meridian:
• The arbitrary meridian is any convenient direction towards a permanent and prominent mark. It
is used to determine the relative positions of lines in a small area.

❑ Arbitrary Bearing:
• The arbitrary bearing of a line is the horizontal angle which it makes with any arbitrary meridian
passing through one of the extremities.
 Designation of Bearings 21

The Whole Circle Bearing System (WCB):

(Azimuthal System)
❑ In this system, the bearing of a line is measured
with magnetic north (or south) in clockwise
direction. Known as Whole Circle Bearing
(WCB).

❑ The value of these bearing thus varies from 0° to

360°.

❑ Prismatic compass is graduated on this system.

❑ The WCB of AB is θ1, of AC is θ2, of AD is θ3

and of AF is θ4.
 Designation of Bearings 22

The Quadrantal Bearing System (QB):

[Reduced Bearing (RB)]
❑ The bearing of a line in this system is measured
eastward or westward from north or south,
whichever is nearer.
❑ The directions can be either clockwise or anti-
clockwise depending upon the position of the line.
❑ The QB or RB of a line varies from 0° to 90°.
❑ The RB of the line AB is α and is written as NαE,
bearing being measured as with reference to North
Meridian (nearer) towards East. Similarly, RB of AC,
AD, and AF are respectively SβE, SθW and NφW.
 Conversion of Bearings 23

❑ Conversion of WCB to RB
• Can be easily done with the help of the figure on the right

Line W.C.B. between Rule for R.B. Quadrant

AB 0˚ and 90˚ R.B.= W.C.B. NE

AC 90˚ and 180˚ R.B.=180˚- W.C.B. SE
AD 180˚ and 270˚ R.B.= W.C.B.-180˚ SW
AF 270˚ and 360˚ R.B.=360˚- W.C.B. NW
 Conversion of Bearings 24

❑ Conversion of RB to WCB
• Can be easily done with the help of the figure on the right

Line R.B. Rule for W.C.B. W.C.B. between

AB NαE W.C.B.= R.B. 0˚ and 90˚

AC SβE W.C.B.=180˚- R.B. 90˚ and 180˚
AD SθW W.C.B.=180˚+ R.B. 180˚ and 270˚
AF NφW W.C.B.=360˚- R.B. 270˚ and 360˚
 Fore and Back Bearing 25

❑ The bearing of a line differs according to the observation

made from one end of the line to the other, whether Back Bearing
expressed in WCB or RB system. of line AB: α
❑ The fore or forward bearing of a line is bearing in the
direction of progress of survey. The backward bearing is
the bearing in the reverse direction of the progress of
survey.
❑ In the Figure, if the bearing of the line AB is measured
from A towards B, it is forward bearing or fore bearing Fore Bearing
(F.B.) and if measured from B towards A then it is of line AB: θ
backward bearing or back bearing (B.B.).

B.B. = F.B. + 180°; if F.B. < 180°

B.B. = F.B. - 180°; if F.B. > 180°
 Calculation of Angles from Bearing 26

Problem 1: Calculate the interior angle of a traverse from the fore bearings of the
lines given below.

Line R.B. W.C.B.

AB N60°25'E 60°25'
BC S85°30'E 94°30'
CD S25°45'E 154°15'
DE S64°30'W 244°30'
EF N82°45'W 277°15'
FA N28°14’W 331°46'
 Calculation of Bearings from Angles 27

Problem 2: The interior angles of a traverse are given below. If the bearing of the

line AB is N36°45'W, find the bearings of the remaining lines.

Interior Hint: Add the measured clockwise angles to the bearing
Angle of the previous line. If the sum is more than 180°,
Angle deduct 180°. If the sum is less than 180°, add 180°.
∠𝐴 114°51'
∠𝐵 114°30'
∠𝐶 108°15'
∠𝐷 90°45'
∠𝐸 111°39'
 28

Thank You!