CHAPTER- SIX

Control survey
Traverse calculation

Daniel A. (MSc)
WIT
 6. Control Survey
• Engineering surveys are usually based on horizontal and vertical control networks
which consist of fixed points called control stations.
• A series of control stations forming a network can be used for the production of
site plans, for establishing the positions of design points during setting out work
and for monitoring.
• All measurements taken for engineering surveys are based on a net work of
horizontal and vertical reference points called control points. These networks are
used on site in the preparation of maps and plans, they are required for
dimensional control(setting out) and are essential in deformation monitoring.
Because all survey work needs control points, at the start of any engineering or
construction work a control survey must be carried out in which the positions of
all the control points to be used are established.

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 Control survey
• The usual method for determining the vertical positions or heights
of control points in engineering surveys is by levelling, which is
discussed in chapter -3, and trigonometrical heighting, which is
discussed in chapter -5.
• Methods of determining the horizontal positions or rectangular
coordinates of control points include traversing, triangulation and
trilateration. In addition to these, horizontal control can be
extended using intersection and resection.
• All of these methods are dealt with in this chapter. In recent years,
satellite position fixing systems have been used in engineering
surveying to obtain three-dimensional
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coordinates.
 6.1 Rectangular and Polar Coordinates
 Plane Rectangular Coordinates:- The positions of control and design
points on site or the horizontal positions of control points for
most applications in engineering surveying are defined using in
the form of plane rectangular coordinates. Because these are
used extensively for dimensional control on site, it is essential
for everyone using instruments that can process and display
coordinate information to understand how these are defined
and to be able to perform calculations with coordinates.

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 Rectangular and Polar Coordinate
• The coordinate system adopted for most survey purposes is a rectangular system
using two axes at right angles to one another called the north axis and the east
axis. The scale along both axes is always the same and, with reference to Figure
6.1, any point P has coordinates which are known as the easting EP and northing
NP quoted in the order EP, NP unless otherwise stated. Any number of points can
be defined on a rectangular system and the relative positions of each control point
in a network are expressed in the differences between coordinates.

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 Rectangular and Polar coordinate
• For all types of survey and engineering work, the origin of
a local coordinate system is chosen so that only positive
eastings and northings are used. If, at the planning stage
of survey, it appears that negative eastings and northings
might occur, the origin should be moved such that all
coordinates will be positive. Changing the origin of a
survey after construction work has commenced is not
recommended as this could cause mistakes to occur
when changing from one coordinate system to another.
Extreme caution must be exercised when working with
negative coordinates if they should occur.
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 Rectangular and Polar Coordinate
Calculation of rectangular coordinates:-On a coordinate grid, the direction of a
line between two points is known as its bearing. The whole-circle bearing of a line is
measured in a clockwise direction in the range 0 to 360° from a specified reference
or north direction. Examples of whole circle bearings are given in Figure 6.2. Figure
6.3 shows the plan position of two points A and B on a plane rectangular grid. If the
coordinates of A (EA, NA) are known, the coordinates of B (EB, NB) are obtained
from A as follows.
=+Δ=+
=+Δ=+
Δ = the eastings difference from A to B.
Δ= the northings difference from A to B
= the horizontal distance from A to B
= the whole-circle bearing from A to B Figure 6.2 Calculation of rectangular coordinates.
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 Rectangular and Polar Coordinate

Figure 6.3 Whole-circle bearings.

• The calculation of easting and northing differences from a bearing and
distance is known as a polar to rectangular coordinate conversion. The
coordinates of B are obtained by computing the eastings and northings
differences first and then applying these to the coordinates of A. If a calculator
is used, values of ΔE and ΔN can be obtained directly from the equations.
Alternatively, the polar to rectangular function found on most calculators can
be used to calculate ΔE and ΔN. Daniel A.
 Rectangular and Polar Coordinate
• Worked example 6.1: Polar to rectangular conversions Question
• The coordinates of point A are 311.617mE,447.245mN.Calculate the
coordinates of point B where = 57.916 m and = 37°11'20" and point
C where = 85.071 m and = 205°33'55".
Solution
• With reference to Figure 6.2.

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 Rectangular and Poplar
Coordinate
• Similarly

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 Rectangular and Poplar Coordinate
Polar coordinates:-Another coordinate system used in
surveying is the polar coordinate system shown in
Figure 6.4.When using this, the position of point B is located
with reference to point A by polar coordinates D and θ where D
is the horizontal distance between A and B and θ the whole-circle
bearing of the line A to B. Although polar coordinates could be
used to define absolute position using an origin as eastings and
northings do on a rectangular coordinate system, they are only
used in surveying for defining the relative position of one point
with respect to another.
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 Rectangular and Poplar
Coordinate

Figure 6.4 Polar coordinates

• In Worked example 6.1, it was shown that the coordinates of one end
of a line joining two points can be computed from the other using the
whole-circle bearing and horizontal distance. For the reverse case
where the coordinates of both points at each end of a line are known,
it is possible to compute the horizontal distance and whole-circle
bearing of the line between the points.
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 Rectangular and Poplar Coordinate
• This is known as an inverse calculation or rectangular to polar
coordinate conversion and is frequently used in engineering
surveying when setting out with coordinates. Horizontal
distances and whole-circle bearings can be calculated by a
number of methods.
• Worked example 6.2: Rectangular to polar conversion Question
The coordinates of two points A and B are known as
=469.721m, =338.466m and = 501.035 m, = 310.617 m.
Calculate the horizontal distance and whole-circle bearing of
line AB.
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 Rectangular and Poplar Coordinate
Solution
The procedure for calculating the distance and bearing using quadrants is as
follows. The distance between A and B is given by =+
Since =(-) and =(-) it follows that

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 Rectangular and Poplar Coordinate
N=-)2 + (-)2

A sketch showing the relative positions of the two points is drawn to show which
quadrantthelineisin.Doingthiscorrectlyisimportantasthemostcommon source
oferrorinthistypeofcalculationisthewrongidentificationofquadrant.Forwholecircle
bearings, the four quadrants are shown in Figure 6.5 together with the set of rules
for calculating whole-circle bearings in each quadrant. For this problem, Figure 6.6
shows the sketch for points A and B and the whole-circle bearing AB to be in
quadrant II. Applying the rule for quadrant II gives.
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 Rectangular and Poplar Coordinate

When using the rectangular to polar function on a calculator, values

of D and θ are obtained directly. However, the coordinate values must
be entered into the calculator in the correct sequence, otherwise the
wrong bearing will be obtained. The same care with data entry must
be taken when using computer software or a total station.
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 Introduction

Definition
 A traverse is a series of consecutive lines whose lengths
and directions have been measured. End points are known
as traverse stations & straight lines between two
consecutive stations, are called traverse legs.

 These also are a series of established station that are tied

together by angel and distance.

 It is usually a control survey which employed in all form of

engineering work.

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 Introduction

Why do we use traverses?

 To determine existing boundary lines.

 To calculate area within a boundary
 To establish control points for mapping and also for

photogrammetric work,
 To establish control points for calculating earth work quantities,

and
 For locating control points for railroads, highways and other

construction work.
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 Types of travers

Generally traverses are classified into two

Open travers

Closed travers

 Open travers:- It is a kind of traverse that starts from

known point and ends on unknown point of different
station. it is geometrically and mathematically opened

 The open travers is used only open projects like roads,

cannels, railway lines, etc.

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 Types of travers

 Closed travers:-the travers which start and ends at the

same known station and also may on different known
station. Due to this it can be divide into two.

 Closed Loop (Ring) travers:- Geometrically and

Mathematically closed.

 Closed Rout (Link) travers:- It is Geometrically

opened and mathematically closed

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 Types of travers

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 Traverse computations

 Step 1:-Checking of angular misclosure

 First step in checking a closed traverse is the
addition of all angles.
 Interior angles are added and compared to (n-
2)*180.
 The allowable misclosure depends on the
instrument accuracy and the intension of the
project.

Where:- c= allowable misclosure

k=fraction of constants
n= Number of angles
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 Traverse computations

 Step 1:-Checking of angular misclosure

 Exceeding this value , gives the parameter, may
indicate some other errors are present, of
angular type, in addition to the random error.
So the work should be repeat.

 Nominal(theoretical) sum = (n-2)*180

 Actual (practical) sum =
 Error = Nominal sum – Actual sum

n =number Daniel
of statoin
A. of loop travers
 Traverse computations

Step 1:-Checking of angular misclosure

Station Angle
A 31⁰27′07"
B 210⁰15′36"
C 97⁰10′48"
D 73⁰36′07"
E 127⁰30′18"
Total 539⁰59′56"

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 Traverse computations

 Step 1:-Checking of angular misclosure

 First need to check the allowable misclosure if (k=1’
or30“)
 the nominal angle for a given polygon, for n=5 is
(5-2)*180 =540
Error=540-539⁰59′56“ = 04“
=30” =0⁰1′7.08“ > 30“……..ok!!
 Second distribute the error
Correction=04“/5 =0.08” therefore now add the correction to each interior
angles.
 Since we don’t want fraction seconds, we will add one second to four crucial angle
leaving one.
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 Traverse computations

Step 1:-Checking of angular misclosure

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 Traverse computations

• 2nd Azimuth computation

• By using the given (known) azimuth of the 1 st line, then determine the azimuth of
other line for the required rotation.

• Method1

Method II
For Right hand (CW) rotation

For Left hand (CCW) rotation

• Where:-
= Adjusted interior angle
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 Traverse computations

• 2nd Azimuth computation

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 Traverse computations

• 2nd Azimuth computation

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 Traverse computations

• 2nd Azimuth computation

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 Traverse computations

• 2nd Azimuth computation

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 Traverse computations

• 2nd Azimuth computation

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 Traverse computations

• 3rd Departure and Latitude Computation

Departure:- The difference in x- coordinate between two

points

Latitude:- The difference in y- coordinate between two

points
• By using coordinates

• By using distance and azimuth

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 Traverse computations

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 Traverse computations

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 Traverse computations

Length Departure Latitude

Stan Azimuth
(m) (∆E)=d*sinAZ (∆N)=d*cosAZ

A
262°00'0
129.54 0" -128.28 -18.01
B
292°15'3
160.4 6" -148.45 60.76
C
209°26'2 = -128.28m
153.98 5" -75.68 -134.1
129.54m*cos262° = -18.01m
D
103°02'3
193.40 3" 188.41 -43.65
E
 Traverse computations

• 4th Compute Closure Error of Travers

&
• Where:-

• CLDep = Closure error for departure

• CLLat = Closure error for latitude

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 Traverse computations

Length Departure Latitude

Stan (∆E)=d*sinAZ (∆N)=d*cosAZ
(m)

A
129.54 -128.28 -18.01
B
160.4 -148.45 60.76
C
153.98 -75.68 -134.1 = = 0.276
D
193.40 188.41 -43.65
E
212.44 164.19 134.8 =0.276 =0.00032
A 849.76
Sum 849.76 +0.19 -0.20
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 Traverse computations

• 5th Compute Correction for Balancing of Travers

• Balancing the traverse means making adjustment to remove any
apparent error or to adjust the traverse that the sum of latitude
and departure should each equal to zero in closed loop traverse.
Therefore to balance travers, The closure error should be
distributed throughout departure and latitude.

• Bowditch (Compass) rule

•

• Transit rule
 • Bowditch (Compass) rule
= = 0.029
Departu Latitud (∆E) (∆N)
Lengt re e Correcti Correcti When the Closure Error is positive, the
correction taken as negative. Therefor
Stan h (m) (∆E) (∆N) on on
Departure correction for AB =-0.029
A
129.5
= 0.030
4 -128.28 -18.01 -0.029 +0.030
B
160.4 -148.45 60.76 -0.036 +0.038 When the Closure Error is
C negative, the correction taken as
positive. Therefor Latitude
153.9 correction for
8 -75.68 -134.1 -0.034 +0.036 AB =+0.030
D
193.4 188.41 -43.65 -0.043 +0.046
E
212.4
 Transit rule
Depart Latitud (∆E) (∆N)
Lengt ure e Correcti Correcti
Stan h (m) (∆E) (∆N) on on = = -0.035
A
129.5

= +0.009
4 -128.28 -18.01 -0.035 +0.009
B
160.4 -148.45 60.76 -0.040 +0.031
C
153.9
8 -75.68 -134.1 -0.020 +0.069
D
193.4 188.41 -43.65 -0.051 +0.022
E
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 Traverse computations

6th Compute the Adjusted Departure & Latitude

• Closure error should be distributed throughout departure and

latitude.

• Bowditch (Compass) rule

• Transit rule

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 Corrected Lat and Dep by Corrected Lat and Dep
Bowditch (Compass) rule by Transit rule
(∆E) (∆N) Correct Correct (∆E) (∆N) Correct Correct
Correcti Correcti ed ed Correcti Correcti ed ed
Stan on on (∆E) (∆N) Stan on on (∆E) (∆N)
A A
- -
128.30 - 128.31
-0.029 +0.030 9 17.980 -0.035 +0.009 5 -18.001
B B
- -
148.48 148.49
-0.036 +0.038 6 60.798 -0.040 +0.031 0 60.791
C C
- - -
- 134.06 -0.020 +0.069 75.700 134.031
-0.034 +0.036 75.714 4 D
D 188.35
-0.051 +0.022 9 -43.628
 Traverse computations

7th Computation of relative coordinates for travers station

Generally

Where: -
 i = The known travers station ( the coordinate at this station is given)

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7th Computation of relative coordinates for travers station
Correct Correct
Coordinate of Station A = (1200, 1000)
ed ed
Coordinate of D
Stan (∆E) (∆N) Coordinate of B
A XB = 1200-128.309 =1071.691 XD = 923.205-75.714 =847.491
- YB =1000-17.980 =982.02 YD =1042.818-134.064 =908.754
128.30 - Coordinate of B = (1071.691 , 982.02) Coordinate of D = (847.491 , 908.754)
9 17.980
B
Coordinate of C Coordinate of E
-
XC = 1071.691-148.486 =923.205 XE = 847.491+188.367 =1035.828
148.48
6 60.798 YC =982.02+60.798 =1042.818 YE =908.754-43.604 =865.15
Coordinate of C = (923.205 , 1042.818) Coordinate of E = (1035.828 , 865.15)
C
-
- 134.06
75.714 4
D
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188.36 -
 Traverse computations

• 8th Area calculation by Coordinate method

In this method independent coordinates of the points are used in the
computation of areas.

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 Traverse computations

• 8th Area calculation by Coordinate method

X Y
1200 1000 Area = ((1200*982.02 + 923.205*908.754 +1035.828*1000)
-(1000*1071.691 +1042.818*847.491 + 865.15*1200))/2
1071.691 982.02
= 3,052,390.237 – 2,111,761.309
923.205 1042.818 = 470,314.464
847.491 908.754
1035.828 865.15
1200 1000

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Exercise1.
•Thefollowing data is observed for a closed loop traverse ABCDEF. Using given
data calculate the coordinates of stations B, C, D, E, F and area of the travers.
Assume AZAB = 191o11’00”

Stn. Length(m) Clockwise angle

A 115°11'20"
429.37
B 95°00'20"
656.54
C 129°49'20"
301.83
D 130°36'20"
287.4
E 110°30'00"
526.72
F 138°54'40"
372.47
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Exercise2.
•The data and figure below are observed for a closed loop traverse ABC.
Determine the coordinate at B & C for clockwise orientation and solve the area
of travers.

Length of the Sides

AB 45.455m
BC 45.165m
CA 47.169m

Measured interior Angle

β1 44o26’32”
β2 84o36’40”
β3 48o42’17”

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 Intersection and Resection
Intersection:-