ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
FACULITY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Surveying Engineering Program

Fundamentals of Surveying

Chapter 6

Instructor: Abraham1 T.
 Traversing
• Traversing is define as:
– Is the method of establishing horizontal controls or act of establishing
traverse stations and making necessary measurements. Or
– Is the method of using length and directions of lines between points
to determine positions of points/control points.
– Control points are precisely established reference points in a
surveying project.
– They serve as the basis for positioning, orientation, and ensuring
spatial accuracy in the measurement and mapping of land or
structures.
– These points form the framework for horizontal and vertical control
networks.
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 Con….
 1-D → control which governs
height measurment
 2-D → control which governs
horizontal measurment
 3-D → Horizontal and height
measurment
3
 Kinds of monument

31/12/2024 4
 Methods of control surveys
• Traversing

• Triangulation

• Trilateration

• Triangulateration

• Satellite position fixing

 Traverse
• Traverse:
– Is a series of lines of connected with known lengths related
to one another by known angles.
– The length of the lines are determined by direct
measurement of horizontal distance, indirect measurement.
• Lines runs between a series of points are called
traverse station.
• The angles at the traverse stations, between the
lines are measured by theodolite, compass or
plane table.
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 Traverse
• A traverse consists of a series of straight lines
connected successively at established points,
along the route of a survey.
• Traverse station,
• Traverse legs
• Angles: Theodolite
• Distance: tape, chain or EDM
• It can be closed and opened traverse
 Method of traversing:

On the basic of measuring the relative direction of the

traverse legs, the method of theodolite traverse, may be
divided in two to groups.
1. By measuring the angles between the two consecutive
traverse legs: included, external and deflection angle
2. By measuring the direct bearing traverse legs
 Traverse
 Traverse surveys are made for many purpose;
from these:
– To determine the positions of the existing boundary
markers
– To establish the positions of boundary lines
– To determine the area encompassed (included) within
the boundary
– To establish ground control for photographic mapping

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 Types of traverse
Open traverse
• Originates from a point whose position may be
known but terminates (ends) to a point whose
position is not known.
• In this type of traverse, computational check is
not possible to detect error or mistake in
distances or directions.
• To minimize error, repeated observations for
measurements need to be taken.
 Closed traverse
• Originates from a known position and also terminates
to known position then it is called a closed traverse.
• If the origin and terminating points are the same then
it is called closed-loop traverse (Figure a).
• This type of traverse permits an internal check on the
accuracy of angular measurements.
 Closed Link Traverse
• A closed link traverse that originates from a known
point and terminates to another known point (Figure b.
• close traverse provides computational checks allowing
detection of systematic errors in both distance and
direction and, therefore, preferred to all other types of
traverse.
 Angle measurment
Azimuths
Azimuths are expressed clockwise with reference to the reference
line.
1. Measured as the total angle between the reference line and the line itself
clockwise
2. Generally in geodesy it is measured from north
3. No referencing from the east or west
Bearing
Bearings are expressed by quadrant with respect to the reference
line.
4. Measured as the acute angle between the reference line and the line itself
5. Measured either north or south
6. Referenced to the direction of the survey
 Designation Of Bearing
• The common systems of notation of bearing
are.
– The whole Circle bearing system (W. C. B) or
Azimuth system
– The Quadrantal bearing (Q.B) system
CALCULATIONS OF ANGLES FROM BEARING
 Example
1. The azimuths of the sides of a triangle ABC are
given as follows. Compute the interior angle.
Azimuth of AB=60º 00’ 00”, Azimuth of BC=130 º
00’ 00”, Azimuth of CA=270 º 00’ 00”.
2. Bearing of the line AB N40E & AC N 30W calculate
the included angle of station/point A?
 Interior angle traversing
• It is measured in clockwise or anticlockwise direction.
• However the usual practice is to measure these angles in
clockwise direction.
 Fieldwork of traversing
In traversing, field work is carried out
in the following stage .
• Reconnaissance
• Selection and making of station
• Measurement of traverse legs
• Measurement of traverse angle
• Booking of field notes
 Sources of Error in Traverse Operations
• Errors in measurement of angles and
distances.
• Poor selection of traverse points.
• Failing to measure the angles an equal
number of times direct and reversed (doubling
and averaging)
• Selection of instrument type.
• Selection of methods for measurement.
 Traverse computation
The errors in closed traversing are :-
• Linear : summation of latitude and longitude = 0
• Angular: The sum of measured interior angles
should be equal to the theoretical angle.
• IF NOT  Adjustment
Linear: Bowditch’s Method and Transit Rule
Angle: the correction distributed equally to all
angles
 Step of Traverse Calculations
1. Determine Angular Misclosure
2. Balance Angular Misclosure
3. Determine Directions of Sides
4. Latitudes and Departures
5. Determine Linear Misclosure
6. Adjust Linear Misclosure
7. Compute the x and y coordinates
8. Determine Area Enclosed
 Traverse computation (closed loop)
• Step 1: Balancing of angle (interior angle)
– Adjustments applied to angles are independent of size of
the angle
– Methods of adjustment:
• Make larger corrections where mistakes were most likely
• Apply an average correction to each angle or a combination

– For closed loop traverse: (n-2)*180o = Interior angle

where n is the number of stations (angles)
– If not there an error.
– The angular error should be proportioned equally among the
angles of the traverse (average correction to each angle) or
make larger corrections where mistakes were most likely.23
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 Traverse computation (closed loop)
• Step 2: determining bearing or azimuth of each line.
• Requires the direction of at least one line with the traverse
to be known or assumed.
• Form many purposes, an assumed is sufficient.
• A magnetic bearing of one of the lines may be measured
and used as the reference determining the other directions.
• Step 3: determining and adjusting latitudes and
departures.
– Latitude of a line is its projection on the north-south meridian
and it is equal to the length of the line times the cosine of its
bearing.
– Latitude is the y component of the line (also known as northing)
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 Traverse computation (closed loop)
• Step 3: determining and adjusting latitudes and
departures.
– Departure of a line is its projection on the east-west
meridian and is equal to the length of the line times the
sine of its bearing.
– Departure is the x component of the line (also known
as easting).
Closure:
•The sum of all latitudes
must equal to zero.
•The sum of all departures
must equal to zero.
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 Traverse computation (closed loop)
• Step 3: determining and adjusting latitudes and departures.
– Adjustment of latitude and departure

• Correction in Lat. AB=

• Correction in Dep. AB=

• Step 4: Calculating X and Y coordinates

– Rectangular X and Y coordinates of any point gives its position with
respect to reference coordinate system.
– Useful for determining length and direction of line, calculating areas
and locating points.
– You need one starting points on traverse (which may be arbitrarily
defined) to calculate the coordinate all other points.
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 Traverse computation (closed loop)
• Step 4: Calculating X and Y coordinates
– A large initial coordinate is often chosen to avoid negative values, making
calculation easier.
– X and Y coordinates of starting point (A) is given the next is determined by:
• YB = YA + Lat. AB
• XB = XA + Dep. AB

• Step 5: Calculating the area by x and y coordinates

XA YA
XB YB
XC YC
XD YD

• Area =
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  Area by triangles
• The land is divided into a network of triangles.
Given two sides, a and b, and the included angle C^
Area of triangle = .l/2ab sin C
in which C is the included angle between the sides a and
b.
• It may be possible to sub-divide the plotted area into
a series of triangles, measures the sides a, b, c, and
compute the areas using:
Area = [s(s − a)(s − b)(s − c)]1/2
where s = (a + b + c)1/2
 Traverse field book
Given Length Lat. Dep. Adj.
Station Anlge corr'n Adj angle Azimuth Latitude Departure Adj. Lat Coord. X Coor. Y Area (sq.m)
angle (m) Corr'n Corr'n Dep.

A 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.00

00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000 0000

B 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.00

00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.000

0.00
C 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.00

00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.000

D 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.00

00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.000

A 0.00 0.00

Sum 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

12/31/2024 29
 Traverse field book format
Station Given angle Anlge corr'n Adj angle Azimuth Length (m) Latitude Departure Lat. Corr'nDep. Corr'n Adj. Lat Adj. Dep. Coord. X Coor. Y Area (sq.m)
A 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.00
00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.000
B 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.00
00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.000
C 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00
00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.000
D 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.00
00°00'00" 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.000
A 0.00 0.00
Sum 00°00'00" (+ -) 00°00'00" 00°00'00" 0.00 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
 Determine directions of traverse
side:
A  B? (left sided traverse)
 A  E? (right sided traverse)
•Left-hand traverse: Moves counterclockwise.
•Right-hand traverse: Moves clockwise.
•If the interior angles are on your left side, it’s a left-hand traverse.
•If the interior angles are on your right side, it’s a right-hand
traverse.
E
D
92°2
145°3
A 0’
7’
86°26’
108°2
107° 4’ C
8’

B
Fill in the traverse computation
table:
Measured Adjusted Azimuths Horizonta Unadjusted Correction Adjusted Coordinates
Station
H. angle H. angle distance dep. lat. dep. lat. dep. lat. x y

A 86°26’
E
D
B 107°8’
92°20
145°37
108°2 A ’
C ’
4’ 86°26’
108°24
107°8 ’ C
D 92°20’
’
E 145°3
7’ B

A
Compute the angular error & adjust
the angles: Error = -5’
Total = (n-2)(180) e = x - x t
Corr. = -(-5’) /5
n = 5, Total = 540°error = measured value – true
value = +1’
Measured Adjusted Azimuths Horizonta Unadjusted Correction Adjusted Coordinates
Station
H. angle H. angle distance dep. lat. dep. lat. dep. lat. x y

A 86°26’ 86°27’
E
D
B 107°8’ 107°9’
92°21
145°38
C 108°2 108°2 A ’
’
4’ 5’ 86°27’
108°24
D 92°20’ 92°21’ 107°8 ’ C
’
E 145°3 145°3
7’ 8’ B

A
Compute azimuth:
AzBC = AzAB + B - 180° (left sided traverse) NB: Use Adjusted
AnglesE.g. Az = 141° 45’ + 107°9’ - 180° =
BC
68°54’
Measured Adjusted Azimuths Horizonta Unadjusted Correction Adjusted Coordinates
Station
H. angle H. angle distance dep. lat. dep. lat. dep. lat. x y

A 86°26’ 86°27’
141°4
5’
B 107°8’ 107°9’
68°54’ E D
C 108°2 108°2
4’ 5’ 92°21
145°38
357°1 ’
A ’
141° 45’
9’
D 92°20’ 92°21’ 86°27’ 108°25
269°4 107°9 ’
C
0’ ’
E 145°3 145°3 B
Compute dep & lat:Lat = 315.65 Cos(141°45’) = -
AB

Latitude = Length*Cos(Az) 247.86

Departure = Length*Sin(Az) DepAB = 315.65 Sin(141°45’) =
Measured Adjusted Azimuths Horizonta 195.40
Unadjusted Correction Adjusted Coordinates
Station
H. angle H. angle distance dep. lat. dep. lat. dep. lat. x y

A 86°26’ 86°27’
195.40 -247.86
141°45 315.6
’ 2 E 269°4 D
B 107°8’ 107°9’
5 °1 0’

357°19
23 ’

.9
468.74 180.87
68°54’ 502.4 8 502.0

’
3 A 7 .0
18 5 6
C 108°24 108°25

14 ’
’ ’

1°
-8.28 176.76 ° 5 4 C
68

45
31 2
357°19 176.9
’
5.
’ 5
D 92°20’ 92°21’ 6 B 0 2.4
5
269°40 502.0
-502.05 -2.92
3
’ 6
E 145°37 145°38
’ ’
Compute the error of closure:
 You should end up where you
started
o Sum of Lat’s = 0
o Sum of Dep’s = 0
 Linear Misclosure (error)
o A line connects starting and ending
point
eDep =error = length of line
o Linear 2 2
eLin  eLat  eDep
0.03
eLat = 0.37
 0.36 2  0.032 0.37
 Relative Error
o Relates error to total distance surveyed
o Expressed as 1/xxxx
eLin 0.37 1
RE   
Length 1684.11 4550
Compute correction for dep & lat:
 Compass Rule – more common
o Assumes angles are as accurate as distances
o Proportion Lat, Dep error to length of side and total
distance
Correction is the term more popularly being used to de-
fine the magnitude of error but opposite in sign

  eLat    eDep 
Lat Length   Dep Length  
 Lengths   Lengths 
  0.36 
Lat AB 315.62    0.07
 1684.11 
  0.03 
DepAB 315.62    0.006  0.01
 1684.11 
 . . . correction for dep & lat:
Measured Adjusted Azimuths Horizonta Unadjusted Correction Adjusted Coordinates
Station
H. angle H. angle distance dep. lat. dep. lat. dep. lat. x y

A 86°26’ 86°27’
195.40 -247.86
141°45 315.6 -.01 -.07
’ 2
B 107°8’ 107°9’
468.74 180.87
68°54’ 502.4 -.01 -.11
3
C 108°24 108°25
’ ’
-8.28 176.76
357°19 176.9 0 -.04
’ 5
D 92°20’ 92°21’
-502.05 -2.92 -.01 -.11
269°40 502.0
’ 6
E 145°37 145°38
’ ’
-153.78 -106.48 0 -.04
Adjust departure and latitude:
Measured Adjusted Azimuths Horizonta Unadjusted Correction Adjusted Coordinates
Station
H. angle H. angle distance dep. lat. dep. lat. dep. lat. x y

A 86°26’ 86°27’
195.40 -247.86
141°45 315.6 -.01 -.07 195.39 -247.93
’ 2
B 107°8’ 107°9’
468.74 180.87
68°54’ 502.4 -.01 -.11 468.73 180.76
3
C 108°24 108°25
’ ’
-8.28 176.76
357°19 176.9 0 -.04 -8.28 176.72
’ 5
D 92°20’ 92°21’
-502.05 -2.92 -.01 -.11
269°40 502.0 -502.06 -3.03
’ 6
E 145°37 145°38
’ ’
-153.78 -106.48 0 -.04
Compute coordinates of X and Y:
XB = XA + Dep AB YB = YB + Lat AB

Measured Adjusted Azimuths Horizonta Unadjusted Correction Adjusted Coordinates

Station
H. angle H. angle distance dep. lat. dep. lat. dep. lat. x y

A 86°26’ 86°27’ 100 300

195.40 -247.86
141°45’ 315.6 -.01 -.07 -247.93
195.39
2
B 107°8’ 107°9’ 295.39 52.07

468.74 180.87
68°54’ 502.4 -.01 -.11 468.73 180.76
3
C 108°24’ 108°25 764.12 232.83
’
-8.28 176.76
357°19’ 176.9 0 -.04 -8.28 176.72
5
D 92°20’ 92°21’ 755.84 409.55

-502.05 -2.92 -.01 -.11

269°40’ 502.0 - -3.03
502.06
6
E 145°37’ 145°38 253.78 406.52
’
-153.78 -106.48 0 -.04
235°18’ 187.0 - -106.52
153.78
HT: Determine area enclosed:
Measured Adjusted Azimuths Horizonta Unadjusted Correction Adjusted Coordinates
Station
H. angle H. angle distance dep. lat. dep. lat. dep. lat. x y

A 86°26’ 86°27’ E 100 300

195.40 -247.86
D
141°4 315.6 -.01 -.07 195.39 -247.93
92°20
5’ 2145°37
A
107°8’ 107°9’ ’ 295.3
B ’ 52.07
86°26’ 9
468.74 180.87
68°54’ 502.4 108°24
-.01 -.11 468.73 180.76
107°8
3 ’ C
C 108°2 108°2 ’ 232.8 764.1
4’ 5’ 3 2
-8.28 176.76
357°1 B176.9
0 -.04 -8.28 176.72
9’ 5
D 92°20’ 92°21’ 409.5 755.8
5 4
-502.05 -2.92 -.01 -.11
269°4 502.0 -502.06 -3.03
Example 1: Exercise 1
The following data is observed to closed loop traverses ABCDE by
using the given data below, calculate the coordinates of stations A,
B C & D and traverse area. (show all necessary steps)
Bearing of EA = S 39°22'31"E
Coordinate XE =50000.00 and YE = 40000.00
Hint: First find the azimuth of line EA from the given bearing of line EA. Then
compute azimuth of line ED (along the direction of progress). Then calculate
Azimuths of the next lines using right sided travers rule.
NB: Use Adjusted
E.g. AzDC = AzED – Angle D +180° and so Angles

on …
Angle Length in m
< A = 109°43'54" AE = 107
<B = 127°29'42" BA = 75
<C = 104°33'53" CB = 95
<D = 105°12'04" DC = 91
<E = 93°02'57" ED = 121
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 Exercise 2
• Example 2:
• The mean observed internal angles and measured sides of a closed
loop traverse AEDCBA (in clockwise direction order) are given
below.
Given angle Length in meter
A = 121°38'34" AB = 86.5
B = 103°24'19" BC = 116.6
C = 83°23'37" CD = 134.4
D = 102°25'47" DE = 65.2
E = 129°03'13" EA = 79.6

• Besides, the Coordinate of station A is given, XA = 1000.00 and YA

= 1000.00, and azimuth of line AE is 11°57'21". Then compute the
coordinates of traverse stations and area. (Show all necessary steps)
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 Exercise 3
• Example 3:
• The following data is observed to closed loop traverses ABCD by
using the given data calculate the coordinates of stations A, B & C
and traverse area. (show all necessary steps).
• AzDA= 198O 08′40″
• Coordinate XD = 50000.00 and YD = 40000.00
Angle Distance
< D = 112O34′14″ DA=70
< A = 84O25′10″ AB=99
< B =98O42′30″ BC=106
< C =64O 20′30″ CD=115

END!
THANKS !
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 6.8. Computation and adjustment of closed route traverse.

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 6.8. Computation and adjustment of closed route traverse.

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 6.8. Computation and adjustment of closed route traverse.

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Q&A

? Thanks!