Chapter 5a -

Horizontal Control (Traverse) What is a traverse?

Introduction  a kind of horizontal control framework.
 Prior to any field measurements, control  a method
th d off determining
d t i i the
th positions
iti off a
framework must first be established. series of points by measuring the angles and
 Subsequent field measurements can then be di t
distances between
b t them.
th
taken in relation to this framework.
 Working from the whole to the part.

Traverse: 1 Traverse: 2

Types of Control Station

Traverse: 3 Traverse: 4
Traverse: 5 Traverse: 6

Traverse: 7 Traverse: 8
 Types of Traverses Types of Traverses
Closed Traverse - link traverse Closed Traverse - closed-loop traverse
 originates from one known survey station  A traverse closing back onto its starting
and terminates on another known station. station.

Traverse: 9 Traverse: 10

Types of Traverses Comparison

Open Traverse Closed traverse:
 do not close onto a known station  capable of being checked and adjusted to fit
accurately between known points.
Sta. A
Open traverse:
C E  cannot be easily checked nor can it be
properly adjusted.

Sta. B
 should only be used in exceptional
D
circumstances.

Traverse: 11 Traverse: 12
 Closed-loop or Link?? Closed-loop or Link??
 Closed-loop
Cl d l traverse
t Closed traverse:
 Systematic
y error of distance measurement  orientation error would not be revealed in
are not eliminated angular misclosure.
D’ C’
C
D

A B B’
Traverse: 13 Traverse: 14

Closed-loop or Link?? Purpose of Traversing

Link traverse: (a) Surveying Detail
 systematic error and orientation error are
 Traverse networkk can be
b accurately
l plotted
l d
clearly revealed by the error vector.
on a map or plan.
 Positions of natural and artificial features
are located relative to the network.
network
 These details can then be pplotted in their
proper position by reference to the plotted
traverse network.

Traverse: 15 Traverse: 16
 Purpose of Traversing Purpose of Traversing
(b) Setting Out (c) Monitoring
 Positions of new constructions , usually  Existing structures,
structures that are within the
defined by wooden pegs, can be established vicinity of ongoing construction projects,
by the surveyor based on traverse control may sometimes be affected.
affected
stations from information supplied by the
designer architect or engineer
designer, engineer.  To avoid the ppossibility
y of deformation,,
periodical monitoring, i.e. daily, weekly or
monthly,
y, must be pperformed

Traverse: 17 Traverse: 18

Monitoring Measurements required

 length and bearing of each line of the traverse
must be measured.

(a) Length Measurement

 a variety of methods can be used depending
on the accuracy required and the purpose of
the survey.

Traverse: 19 Traverse: 20
 Measurements required Measurements required
 Methods of Length Measurement (b) Bearing Measurement
• Direct linear measurement  C
Compass observations
b ti
• Catenary measurement
 Obtained from the angles measured using an
• Tacheometric measurement optical theodolite, a digital theodolite or a
• Electromagnetic
El t ti distance
di t measurementt total station instrument

Traverse: 21 Traverse: 22

Measurements required Measurements of Angles

Two field procedures are adopted to: These
h two procedures
d are the
h ffollowing:
ll i

 facilitate the calculation of required
bearings,
 reduce the possibility of observational
and calculation errors.
(1) 1st theodolite observation is always made
to the back station and the next
observation to the fore station.
 helps to prevent errors arising when
deciding which angle has actually been
measured.

Traverse: 23 Traverse: 24
 Booking and reducing angular
Measurements of Angles observations
b ti

(2) Angles are measured on both faces of the  two common methods of booking and
theodolite and the results are meaned. reducing of angular observations are
illustrated below.
 eliminates instrumental errors and provides
t measures off th
two the angle,
l thus
th checking
h ki  they tend
th t d to
t bring
b i outt instrumental
i t t l errors
against gross error in either measurement. and prevent observational errors.

f
face left
l ft
face right

Traverse: 25 Traverse: 26

Booking and reducing angular Booking and reducing angular

observations
b ti observations
b ti

Method 1 Method 2

At Station A Inst. To F.L. F.R. Mean Angle

Nail in wooden peg A R.O.
O 0 00’ 00” 180 00’ 20” 10”
F.L B 0 ° 00’ 00” B 76 28’ 20” 256 28’ 20” 20” 76 28’ 10”
F.L. C 76 ° 28 20” 76 ° 28
28’ 20 28’ 20
20” RO
R.O. 00 00’
00 00
00” 180 00
180 00’ 00
00” 00”
00
F.R. C 256 ° 28’ 20” 76 ° 28’ 00” 76 ° 28’ 10”
F.R. B 180 ° 00’ 20”

Traverse: 27 Traverse: 28
 Observing and Measuring
Classes of Traverse S ifi ti
Specifications for
f Traverse
T

 graded into different classes or orders, Type of Number

Traverse of Arcs
Spread Type
Theodolite
of Max. angular Linear Misclosure (in mm)
Misclosure (“)
depending on their accuracy EDM Steel Tape
M i
Main 4 6” 1” di
directt 5 n s s
20 + 10 +
1 30 20
• Precise traverse (accuracy > 10,000
) Minor 2 10” 1” direct 10 n 10 +
s
12
Title 1 or 2 20” 20” direct 20 n 2s
10 +
1
Ordinary traverse (accuracy 
15
• 10,000 ) Detail 1 - 1” direct 40 n 10 +
s
4

n=N Numberb off station

t ti occupiedi d
s = Total distance of traverse (m)

Traverse: 29 Traverse: 30

Precise Traverses Precise Traverses

 angular and linear measurements are made (b) Angle
with greater refinement.  1 or 0.1
1” 0 1” theodolite and the mean of several
(a) Distance arcs or rounds of observations is taken.
 EDM with
EDM, i h direct
di correction
i to horizontal,
h i l  Accuracies ranges from 1/10 000 to over
are normally used. 1/100 000
 tapes and bands are standardised;
temperature and corrections,
corrections such as tension,
tension
sag, are applied.

Traverse: 31 Traverse: 32
 Usage of Precise Traverses
 To supply precise control points for
mapping in flat country where triangulation
is unsuitable.
 To provide accurately positioned reference
points for cadastral and engineering surveys.
 To provide data for engineering works
where high precision is a must, e.g. in
tunnelling.
Ordinary Traverses
 accuracy is less than 1/10 000
 taping corrections are not normally required.
required
 Distance : linen tapes, or stadia methods are
used depending on the purpose of the survey
and the accuracy required.
 Angle : 20” to 1’ theodolite are used.

Traverse: 33 Traverse: 34

Usage of Ordinary Traverses Equipment

 Site surveys for architectural and engineering For accuracy from
f 1/5
/ 000 to 1/10
/ 000:
development. Accuracy is between 1/5000
 Optical or digital theodolite, or total station
and 1/10 000
instrument.
 Topographical surveys for mapping or  T
Target/reflector
t/ fl t andd tripod.
ti d
cadastral purposes. Accuracy is between
1/100 and 1/5 000  Steel band 30m,, 50m or 100m long
g for taping.
p g
 Hammer, wooden pegs, nails, drill and paint
for marking stations
stations.

Traverse: 35 Traverse: 36
 Equipment Reconnaissance
 Data logger or RAM  vitally important part of any survey project.
card for digital
th d lit or total
theodolite t t l  Purpose: decide
P d id theth best
b t location
l ti forf the
th
station instrument. traverse stations.
 Field book and pencil
 Stations should be intervisible for ease of
for optical theodolite.
traverse observations
observations.

Traverse: 37 Traverse: 38

Reconnaissance (con’t)
(con t) Reconnaissance (con’t)
(con t)
 For topographic detail location, stations  For setting out engineering structures, station
should be positioned: should be sited:

• to afford best view of the terrain and – to afford best positions for setting out and

• to ensure maximum amount of detail – to provide accurate location.

can be surveyed from each station.
 Distance bbetween stations
Di i should
h ld be
b kept
k as
long as possible to minimize the effect of
centring
i errors.

Traverse: 39 Traverse: 40
 Reconnaissance (con’t)
(con t) Reconnaissance (con’t)
(con t)
 As cost is always important, ideally the  For quick, one-off survey of a small area,
scheme should be completed in the then wooden pegs about 0.25 m long and
minimum of time, with the minimum of driven down to ground level may suffice. A
personnel. fine point on the top of the peg defines the
control point.
 Type of survey station is governed by the
purpose off th
the traverse.
t  For others
others, long-life
long life stations are required to
be constructed.
 On paved or black-topped surfaces, masonry
nails mayy be used.

Traverse: 41 Traverse: 42

Chapter 5b - Traverse Computation Traverse Computation (con’t)

1) Calculation of starting and closing bearings; 5) Calculation of the changes in coordinates (N,
E) of each traverse line.
2) Calculation of angular misclosure by comparing
the sum of the observed bearings with the 6) Assessing the coordinate misclosure.
closing bearings
bearings.
7) Balancing the traverse by distributing the
3) If angular misclosure is acceptable, distribute it coordinate misclosure throughout the traverse
throughout the traverse in equal amounts to lines.
each angle.
8) Computation of the final coordinates of each
4) Reduction of slope distance to horizontal point relative to the starting station, using the
distance; balanced values of N,
N E per line.
line
Traverse: 43 Traverse: 44
 Adjustment of Traverse Adjustment by Bowditch Rule
 discrepancies
di i between
b t eastings
ti andd northings
thi  d i d by
devised b Nathaniel
N th i l Bowditch
B dit h in
i 1807.
1807
must be adjusted before calculating the final
coordinates.
di t E N
 Ei  n
 Li  Ni  n
 Li
Adjustment methods: L
i 1
i L
i 1
i

– Compass Rule
– Least Squares Adjustment Ei, Ni = coordinate
Ei di corrections
i
– Chak’s Rule
E, N = coordinate misclosure (constant)
– Bowditch Rule
Li = sum of the lengths of the traverse (constant)
 Bowditch Rule is most commonly used. o o
Li = horizontal length
e g ofo thee ith traverse
ve se leg.
eg.
Traverse: 45 Traverse: 46

Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con

(con’t)
t)
Example: Traverse Computation
Measurements of traverse ABCDE are given a) Determine the angular, easting, northing and
in Table 1. Given that the co-ordinates of A linear misclosure of the traverse.
are 782.820mE, 460.901mN; and co- b) Calculate and tabulate the adjusted co-
ordinates
di t off E are 740.270mE,
740 270 E 84.679mN.
84 679 N ordinates for B,
B C and D using Bowditch
Rule.
The WCB of XA is 123-17-08 and WCB of
Station Clockwise angle Length (m)
EY is 282-03-00. A 260-31-18
B 123 50 42
123-50-42 129 352
129.352
C 233-00-06 81.700
D 158-22-48 101.112
E 283 00 18
283-00-18 94 273
94.273

Traverse: 47 Traverse: 48
 Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con
(con’t)
t)
1) There is no need to calculate the starting and
ending bearings as they are given.
2) Calculate the angular misclosure and angular
correction using:
F’ = I + sum of angles - (n x 180)
Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con
(con’t)
t)
F’ = I + sum of angles - (n x 180)
sum of angles
= ((260-31-18)) + ((123-50-42)) + ((233-00-06)) +
(158-22-48) + (283-00-18) = (1058-45-12)
I = 123-17-08;
123 17 08; (n x 180) = 900
F’ = (123-17-08) + (1058-45-12) - 900 = 282-02-20
angular misc. = (282-02-20) - (282-03-00) = -40”
 As there are five angles
angles, each will be added by the
following factor of (40”/5) = 8”.

Traverse: 49 Traverse: 50

Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con’t)

Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con
(con’t)
t)
C to D 200-39-38
Angular correction: 180-00-00
AX 303-17-08 B 123-50-42(+8”) D to C 20-39-38
A 260 31 18 (+8”)
260-31-18 B to C 147-39-24
147 39 24 D 158 22 48 (+8”)
158-22-48 (+8 )
563-48-34 180-00-00 D to E 179-02-34
360-00-00 C to B 327-39-24 180-00-00
A to B 203-48-34
203 48 34 C 233-00-06(+8”)
( ) E to D 359-02-34
180-00-00 560-39-38 E 283-00-18 (+8”)
B to
t A 2323-48-34
48 34 360-00-00 642 03 00
642-03-00
C to D 200-39-38 E to Y 282-03-00 (checks)
360-00-00
Traverse: 51 Traverse: 52
 Example:
p Closed Traverse Computation
p (con’t) Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con
(con’t)
t)
Set up table and fill in bearings, distances, starting and
ending
di bearings.
b i C l l the
Calculate h totall traversedd distance.
di For each
F l l t N [Dist
h lleg, calculate (B )] & E
[Di t * cos(Brg)]
[Dist * sin(Brg)]. Sum N and E. Compare results
Sta.
Sta Brg Dist N E N E with
ith diff.
diff between
b t start
t t andd endd coords.
d
A 460.901 782.820
B 203 48 34
203-48-34 129.352
129 352 Sta.
St B
Brg Di t
Dist N E N E
C 147-39-24 81.700 A 460.901 782.820
D 200-39-38 101.112 B 203-48-34
203 48 34 129.352 -118.343
118.343 -52.219
52.219
E 179-02-34 94.273 84.679 740.270 C 147-39-24 81.700 -69.025 43.709
406.437 84.679 740.270 D 200-39-38 101.112 -94.609 -35.675
-460.901 -782.820 E 1 9 02 34
179-02-34 94 2 3
94.273 -94.260
94 260 1
1.575
406.437 -376.237 -42.610 84.679 740.270
-376.222 -42.550
-460 901
-460.901 -782 820
-782.820
-376.222 -42.550
Traverse: 53 Traverse: 54

Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con

(con’t)
t) Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con
(con’t)
t)
Using Bowditch Rule, calculate correction for each
 Compute
C t the
th error in
i eastings
ti , northings
thi andd N & E.
E ((partial
(( i l dist./total
di / l dist.)
di ) * (error
( i N or E)
in
linear misclosure Sta. Brg Dist N E N E
A 460.901 782.820
error in Eastings = - 42.610 - (-42.550) = -0.060m B 203-48-34 129.352 -118.343 -52.219
0.005
+0.005 0.020
+0.020
error in Northings = -376.237 - (-376.222) C 147-39-24 81.700 -69.025 43.709
+0.003 +0.012
= - 0.015m D 200 39 38
200-39-38 101 112
101.112 -94.609
94 609 -35.675
35 675
+0.004 +0.014
Linear misclosure E 179-02-34 94.273 -94.260 1.575
((( 0 060)2 + (-0.015)
= (((-0.060) ( 0 015)2)0.5
0 5) / 406.437
406 437 +0.003
0 003 +0.014
0 014
406.437 -376.237 -42.610 84.679 740.270
= 0.062 / 406.437 = 1 / 6555 -460.901 -782.820
-376.222 -42.550
Traverse: 55 Traverse: 56
Example: Closed Traverse Computation (con
(con’t)
t)
Detection of Gross Errors
Final coordinates of station = coords.
coords of previous  Gross errors might still occur despite taking all
station + partial coords () + corr. the required precautions during observations.
Sta. Brg Dist N E N E
A 460.901 782.820  Erroneous observation must be re-measured in
B 203-48-34
203 48 34 129 352
129.352 -118
118.343
343 -52
52.219
219 342 563
342.563 730 621
730.621 the field to provide satisfactory check on the
+0.005 +0.020
C 147-39-24 81.700 -69.025 43.709 273.541 774.342 work.
+0.003 +0.012
D 200-39-38 101.112 -94.609 -35.675 178.936 738.681  Such error can sometimes be found by
+0.004 +0.014
E 179-02-34
179 02 34 94 273
94.273 -94
94.260
260 1 575
1.575 84 679
84.679 740 270
740.270 examination of the calculations.
+0.003 +0.014
406.437 -376.237 -42.610 84.679 740.270
-460.901
460 901 -782.820
782 820
-376.222 -42.550
Traverse: 57 Traverse: 58

Location of a Gross Angular Error (Method 1) Location of a Gross Angular Error (Method 2)

 By plotting or calculating the traverse from each  By plotting

B l tti the
th incorrect
i t traverse
t andd the
th correctt
position of the closing station.
end.
 Join B and B’, and bisect this line at right-angle.
 Station which has the same coordinates in each
case will be the one at which angular error  This line will intersect the point at which the angular
occurred. error occurred. (isosceles triangle)
Sta. B
X X

Z Y Sta. B

Sta A
Sta. Sta. A Z
Z'
Sta. B'
Sta. B'
Traverse: 59 Traverse: 60
Location of a Gross Taping Error References
 B comparing
By i th bearing
the b i off theth closing
l i error with
ith the
th 1. Bannister, A., Raymond, S and R. Baker. (1998),
bearings of the individual traverse legs. Surveying, 7th edn, Longman - ELBS.
 Gross error = roughly the same bearing. 2. Schofield W. (1994), Engineering Surveying, 4th edn,
 will not be possible to find the exact position,
position if there is Butterworth - Heinemann.
more than one gross error exists. 3. Wilson, R.J.P. (1983), Land Surveying, 3rd edn,
X
MacDonald & Evans.
Evans
Y
4. Uren, J. and Price, W.F. (1983), Surveying for
Sta. B E i
Engineers, ELBS
ELBS.
Gross
Sta. A error Z 5. Tang, P. K. and Yeung, A. K. W. (1987), Site
Sta. B' Surveying III, HKPolyU.
Traverse: 61 Traverse: 62