MAPÚA UNIVERSITY

Muralla St. Intramuros, Manila

School of Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering

FIELD WORK NO. 1

DETERMINING THE AREA OF A POLYGONAL
FIELD USING ONLY THE TAPE

CE120-0F / B1

SUBMITTED BY:

NAME: JORES, STEFON KYLE G. STUDENT NUMBER: 2015103223

GROUP NO: 5 CHIEF OF PARTY: LABRADOR, JICELLE MAE

DATE OF FIELDWORK: AUGUST 02, 2017 DATE OF SUBMISSION: AUGUST 29, 2017

SUBMITTED TO:

GRADE
PROFESSOR: ENGR. BIENVENIDO CERVANTES
 FINAL DATA SHEET

FIELD WORK 1 DETERMINING THE AREA OF A POLYGON FIELD

DATE: GROUP NO. 5

TIME: 12:00-4:30 PM LOCATION: INTRAMUROS WALLS
WEATHER: SUNNY PROFESSOR: ENGR. CERVANTES

1ST METHOD: BY BASE AND ALTITUDE METHOD E. SKETCHES:

A.

TRIANGLE BASE ALTITUDE AREA

1 9.3 m 9.6 m 44.64 m2
2 8.4 m 11.21 m 37.38 m2
3 8.4 m 8.89 m 47.08 m2
TOTAL 129.06 m2

B. COMPUTATIONS:

1.) Base = 9.3 m Base = 8.4 m Base = 8.4 m TOTAL

Altitude = 9.6 m Altitude = 11.21 m Altitude = 8.89 m + 44.64 m2
Atriangle = ½ bh Atriangle = ½ bh Atriangle = ½ bh 37.38 m2
Atriangle = ½ (9.3) (9.6) Atriangle = ½ (8.4) (11.21 Atriangle = ½ (8.4) (8.89) 47.08 m2
Atriangle = 44.64 m2 Atriangle = 37.38 m2 Atriangle = 47.08 m2 129.06 m2

C. 2ND METHOD: BY TWO SIDES AND THE INCLUDED ANGLE

TRIANGLE ANGLE SIDES AREA

𝜽 in a b
degrees
1 82.9 9.75 m 9.3 m 44.99 m2
2 73.48 8.4 m 11.3 m 45.50 m2
3 52.79 9.79 m 9.9 m 38.52 m2
TOTAL 129.01 m2

D. COMPUTATIONS:
ATRIANGLE = ½ ab sin ϴ ATRIANGLE = ½ ab sin ϴ ATRIANGLE = ½ ab sin ϴ TOTAL
ϴ = 82.9 ϴ = 73.4 ϴ = 52.79 + 44.99 m2
A = 9.75 A = 8.4 A = 9.79 45.50 m2
B = 9.3 B = 11.3 B = 9.9 38.52 m2
Atriangle = ½ (9.75)(9.3)sin 82.9 Atriangle = ½ (8.4)(11.3)sin 73.48 Atriangle = ½ (9.79)(9.9)sin 52.79 129.01 m2
Atriangle = 44.99 m2 Atriangle = 45.50 m2 Atriangle = 38.52 m2
E. 3RD METHOD: BY THREE SIDES (HERON’S FORMULA)

TRIANGLE SIDES HALF AREA

PERIMETER
a b c s
1 9.3 12.25 9.75 15.65 44.65
2 12.25 11.73 8.4 16.9 47.08
3 8.4 9.77 9.9 14.04 37.35
TOTAL 129.08

G. COMPUTATIONS:

Atriangle =√𝑠(𝑠 − 𝑎)(𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐) Atriangle =√𝑠(𝑠 − 𝑎)(𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐) Atriangle =√𝑠(𝑠 − 𝑎)(𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐)
𝐴+𝐵+𝐶 𝐴+𝐵+𝐶 𝐴+𝐵+𝐶
S= S= S=
2 2 2
9.3+12.25+9.75 12.25+11.73+8.4 9.9+9.77+8.4
S= S= S=
2 2 2
S = 15.65 S = 16.9 S = 14.04
ATRIANGLE = 44.65 m2 ATRIANGLE = 47.08 m2 ATRIANGLE = 37.35 m2

TOTAL
+ 44.65 m2
47.08 m2
37.35 m2
129.08 m2
DISCUSSION

On this field work, we were asked to identify the horizontal distance of the inclined ramp

in one of the ramps located at the Walls of Intramuros. We used the method “break-the-tape”

whereas the measurement was done by dividing the ramp into several parts so that the accuracy of

the measurement will be at maximum. The measurement should be less than 5 meters since it

would introduce a greater error if it exceeded 5 meters.

The first that we did was marking the initial point and the points after, and we chose the

bottom of the ramp. Then we started measuring the horizontal distances of each point using the

break-the-tape method. The inclined part of the ramp did not affect our measurement since we

measure not along the path of the ramp but with the horizontal ground below it. After obtaining

all the necessary measurements, we summed up all of them to obtain the horizontal distance of the

ramp. After which, the inclination of the ramp can also be obtained by measuring the length of the

path of the ramp and using trigonometric identities to come up with the numerical value since the

horizontal distance is also available.

CONCLUSION

Our group have measured the sides of the pentagonal lot manually using the measuring

tape, plum bobs, and ranging poles, but by doing this engineering method errors might occur

frequently. The sagging of the measuring tape during the field work is a big problem in this

engineering surveying method. The measuring tape still gave us a not-so-accurate measurement

because of the sags during the process. Acquiring the lengths/horizontal distance of the sides of

the pentagonal lot using this engineering method may be difficult but it is crucial for us to know

the basic techniques in surveying a field.

 It can be concluded that measuring distances does not have to require too much measuring

tools. A tape measure is enough if it is just short point-to-point distances even though there are

other tools that is more advance compared to it. One should just apply the proper technique in

using the tape measure and everything would be easy. If this basic measuring practice is mastered,

then there wouldn’t be any problem in using the other equipment. And if there happens that there

is a lack in modern equipment, an engineer and/or surveyor can do something about it since they

had mastered the usage of basic measuring tools.

RECOMMENDATION

Two of our group is holding the tape while the other is checking if the tape’s orientation is

parallel to the horizon. I suggest to the next batches to apply this technique too. It would make

their work a lot easier and faster. I would also like to add that the distances between points should

be kept short to prevent the sagging of the tape measure. In addition to that, never allow the rod

man to single-handedly align the rod and the tape since it might not be perpendicular to the

horizontal. It would introduce error to the measurement.

I recommend that the next field works must be done early in the morning and not in the

noon time until afternoon. It is because the students tend to be lazy because of the heat that they

are experiencing and may not cooperate well in the field work.
RESEARCH

In surveying, there are a lot of tapes that is used aside from the tape measure that we used

on the field work. It is categorized by the material which they are made.

• STEEL TAPE: A steel tape consists of a light

strip of width 6 to 10 mm and is more accurately

graduated as compared to cloth and metal tape.

Steel tapes are available in lengths of 1, 2, 10,

20, 30 and 50 metres. The tapes of lengths 10,

20, 30 & 50 metres are provided with a brass

ring at outer end, fastened to it by a metal strip of the same width of the tape. The length

of the tape is included in metal ring. Steel tapes vary in quality and in accuracy of

graduation, but even a poor steel tape is generally more useful and accurate as compared

to cloth or metallic tape. Steel tapes are wound on a corrosion resisting metal case with

winding device. Steel tape is a delicate and light weight instrument hence it cannot

withstand rough usage. Tape should be cleaned, dried and oiled after use so that it does not

get rusted.

• INVAR TAPE: Invar tapes are available in

lengths of 20, 30 and 100 metres. Invar

tapes are used whey high degree of

accuracy and precision in linear

measurements is required such as

measurement of base lines. Invar tapes are

made of alloys of nickel and steel and have very low coefficient of thermal expansion.

Invar tapes are more expensive as compared to other tapes. Main disadvantage of this tape

is that it’s length and coefficient of thermal expansion is not constant. It keeps changing

with time. Therefore, it is suggested to determine the length and coefficient of thermal

expansion time to time.

Reference: http://www.cegyan.com/blog/tapes-in-surveying-civil