UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR, IOT

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CoTM 3181

Surveying
Chapter 4: Measurement of Angles
(Azimuth and Bearing)

Instructor: Temesgen Wendawul

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 Angle in Vertical Plane

Angles in the vertical plane are measured from

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 Methods of Measuring Angles

Angles normally are measured with a theodolite or total station system, but also can
be determined by means of a tape or a compass.
Theodolite: are used for measuring both vertical and horizontal angles with an
accuracy of 10’’for horizontal and 1’ for vertical angles.
Total station: incorporate both angle and distance measurement .the accuracy of
measuring angles is 20’’to 1’’H to V.
Tapes: Here the angle is not directly measured rather calculated from the
measurement of distance. The accuracy depends on the accuracy of measurement of
the distance. For acute angles on level ground the error needs not exceed 05’to 10’.
Compass: basically used in measuring direction of lines (bearing and azimuth) and
used in checking measurement by theodolite.
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 Methods of Describing Directions
The direction of line is described by the horizontal angle that it makes with a
reference line or direction. This is usually done by referring to a fixed line of
reference called a meridian.
• True meridian: The true meridian also called astronomic meridian determined by
astronomical observations. It is the direction of line passing through the
geographic north and south poles and the observer’s position. The directions
referred to the true meridian remain unchanged regardless of time.
• Magnetic meridian: - it is the direction indicated by freely suspended magnetic
needle when it is unaffected by local attraction. the magnetic meridian is not
parallel to the true meridian. The location of the magnetic poles is constantly
changing; therefore; the direction of magnetic meridian is not constant.
• Assumed meridian: It is direction, which is chosen arbitrarily.
• Grid meridian: is a rectangular XY coordinate system in which one central
meridian coincides with a true meridian. 5
 Angles and Directions
In order to fix the direction of one line with respect to another one of the following
angles (directions) can be used.
1. Direct angles: is the angle that is measured directly from one line to another at
the point of intersection of the lines.

2. Deflection angles: the angle measured from the prolongation of one line
(preceding) to another. Here the direction (to the right or left) must also be
specified.

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 Angles and Directions
3. Azimuth angles: is its direction as given by the clockwise angle between the
north end of the meridian and the line. The magnitude of an azimuth is between
zero - 00 and 3600 and azimuth may be true, grid, assumed or magnetic azimuth
depending on the meridian used. Every line has two azimuths as forward and
back azimuth.

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 Angles and Directions
3. Azimuth angles:

Line Azimuth Back Azimuth

OA 450 180+45=2250

OB 170 180+170=3500

OC 200 200-180=200

OD 340 340-180=1600

* For Azimuths on the 1st and 4th quadrant, Back azimuth=forward azimuth +180 0
* For azimuths on the 2nd and 3rd quadrant, Back azimuth =forward azimuth-180 0
The magnitudes of forward and back ward azimuths differ by 1800.
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 Angles and Directions
4. Bearing: is the direction of a line as given by the acute angle between the line and a meridian.
The bearing angle, which can be measured CW or CCW from the north or south end of the
meridian is always accompanied by letters that locate the quadrant in which the line falls (NE ፣
NW SE SW).

• Relationship between bearing and azimuth

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 Angles and Directions
4. Bearing: It is the angle measured between the line and given meridian. Bearings
may be true, magnetic, assumed or grid bearings depending on the type of meridian.
The magnitude of the bearing of line is between 0 and 900 indicated by the quadrant
in which the line falls. Every line has two bearings as forwards bearing and
backward bearing.

Line Azimuth Bearing Back bearing

OA 45 N450E=AOA S 450 W

OB 170 S 100E=1800-AOB N 100 W

OC 200 S 200W=AOC-1800 N 200 E

OD 340 N 200W=3600-ACD S 200 E

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 Angles and Directions
5. Angle to the right: is measured in CW direction from the preceding to the
following line as shown below.

6. Interior angles: in a closed polygon angles inside the figure between adjacent
lines are called interior angles.

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Practice !