Chain surveying: A type of surveying in which only linear measurements are made in the field.

Suitability:

Suitable for surveys of small extent

Secure data for exact description of the boundaries

To take simple details

Principle: To provide a skeleton or frame work consisting of a number of connected triangles; as

triangle is the only simple figure that can be plotted from the lengths of its sides measured in the
field. To get good results in plotting, framework should consist of triangles which are as nearly
equilateral as possible. Chain survey is sometimes called chain triangulation.
Survey station:
A prominent point on the chain line.
Can be either at the beginning or ending at the chain line.
May be marked by driving pegs (if the ground is soft).
Tie station:
A point may be selected anywhere on the chain line.
Tie line may be run through them.
Survey lines:
The lines joining the main survey stations.
The biggest of the main survey lines known as base line.
Various survey stations are plotted with reference to base line.
Check lines:
Used to check the accuracy of the work.
Length of the check line measured in the field must agree with its length on the plan.
Tie lines:
A line joining tie stations on the main line.

 Used to take the details of the nearby object.

Also serves the purpose of the check line.
Conditions to be fulfilled by the survey lines or survey stations:
Stations must be visible.
Survey lines must be as few as possible.
The framework must have at least one base line. If one base line is used, it must run along
the length and through the middle of the area. If 2 base lines are used, the must intersect
in the form of X.
The lines must run through level ground.
The lines should form well-conditioned triangles.
Each triangle should have sufficient check line.
The main survey lines should not pass through obstacles.
The lines should fall within the boundaries of the property to be surveyed.

Basic problems in Chaining:

1) To erect a perpendicular to a chain line from a point on it:
B
5

3
90o

X
C

Let XY be the chain line. Let it be required to erect a perpendicular to the chain line at a point A
on it.
Assume AC, AB and BC being 4, 3, and 5 units respectively.
Then angle BAC will be 900.
And AB will be perpendicular to the chain line XY.
Because AC2 + AB2 = BC2.

2) To drop a perpendicular to a chain line from an external point:

P

A1

A1
A2

Let XY be the chain line and P is the external point.

Keep the zero end of the tape at P and swing the tape along the chain line.
The point of minimum tape length is note.
Because perpendicular is the shortest distance. (See another method from handout, page
23)

3) To draw a line parallel to the chain line through a given point:

Let XY be the chain line and Q is the point through which parallel line to be drawn.
Through Q, perpendicular QP is drawn on XY. QP is measured.
Selecting point R on the chain line, perpendicular RS is drawn on XY.
RS is measured. RS must be equal to QP.
Joining points Q and S, QS is parallel to XY.
4) To run a parallel to a given inaccessible line through a given point:

Let AB be the given inaccessible line and C be the given point through which parallel is
to be drawn.
Select point E so that A, C, E remain in the same line.
Select point F and join E, F.
Through C, draw line CG so that CG is parallel to AF.
Through G, draw line GD so that GD is parallel to BF, cutting BE in D.
Then CD will be the required line.
Obstacles in Chaining: (Definition- handout pg-25)
a. Obstacle in ranging
This type of obstacle, in which the ends are not intervisible, is quite common except in
flat countries. Two cases:
Case 1: Both ends visible from intermediate points on the line.
Case 2: Both ends invisible from intermediate points on the line.
Case 1: Method of reciprocal ranging may be used.
Case 2:Both ends invisible from intermediate point
90 degree

B1

90 degree

D1
C1

 Let AB be the line in which A and B are invisible from intermediate points on it.
Through A, draw a random line AB1 at any angle (as nearly toward B as possible).
The point B1 should be such that (i) B1 is visible from B and (ii) BB1 is perpendicular to
AB1.
Select points C1 and D1 on the line AB1 and erect perpendicular C1C and D1D on it.
Make C1C = AC1/AB1*BB1 and DD1= AD1/AB1*BB1.
Join CD and prolong.
b. Obstacle to chaining
Two cases:
Possible to chain round the obstacle. Ex: A pond.
Impossible to chain round the obstacle. Ex: A river.
o Impossible to chain round the obstacle
E

D
F
B

Select point B on one side and A, C on the other side.

Draw perpendicular AD and CE on AB so that B, D, and E remain on the same line.
Measure AC, AD, CE.
Through D, draw DF such that DF is parallel to AC.
Using triangles ABD and DFE, we have

AB/AD=DF/EF
AB = (DF*AD)/EF
= (AC*AD)/ (CE-CF)

= (AC*AD)/ (CE-AD)
c. Obstacle to both chaining and ranging:

Choose two points A, B to one side and draw perpendiculars AC and BD of same
length.
Join C, D and prolong it.
Choose two points E, F on CD.
Draw perpendiculars EG and FH equal to AC (or BD).
Join G, H and prolong it.
Measure DE and hence DE=BG.
Problem: A survey line ABC cuts the banks of a river at B and C, and to determine the distance
BC, a line BE of 60 m long was set out roughly parallel to the river. A point D was then found in
CE produced and middle point F of DB determined. EF was then produced to G making FG
equal to EF, and DG produced to cut the survey line in H. GH and HB were found to be 40 and
80 meters long respectively. Find the distance from B to C.
Solution: (Assignment Problem)