Mapua Institute of Technology

School of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Sanitary Engineering

Elementary Surveying
FIELD MANUAL

FIELDWORK NO. 4

DETERMINING THE AREA OF A POLYGONAL

FIELD USING ONLY THE TAPE
CE120-0 / A4

Submitted by
Cayanan, Jonas I.

2013102552

Group 1

Cabarce, Christian

July 27, 2015

August 29, 2015

Submitted to
Engr. Balmoris

GRADE

Table of Contents

Introduction

Objectives and Instruments

Procedures

Computations

Preliminary Data Sheet

Final Data Sheet

10

Research and Discussion

14

Conclusion

17

Introduction

Almost all surveying requires some calculations to reduce measurements into a more
useful form for determining distance, earthwork volumes, land areas, etc. Basic field
operations performed by a surveyor involve linear and angular measurements. Through
application of mathematics (geometry and trigonometry) and spatial information knowledge
the surveyor converts these measurements to the horizontal and vertical relationships
necessary to produce maps, plans of engineering projects. In this fieldwork we will use
surveying in determining the area of a certain field using points.
Points on the ground or on a map are related to each other through a horizontal
distance and a horizontal angle (or direction.) Horizontal angular measurements are
made between survey lines to determine the angle between the lines. A horizontal angle
is the difference between two measured directions. Horizontal angles are measured on a
plane perpendicular to the vertical axis (plumb line).
Vertical angular measurements are measured to determine slope of survey lines from
the horizontal plane (level line). When the vertical angle is applied to the slope
distance, the horizontal and vertical distances may be calculated. Vertical angles are
measured on a plane passing through the vertical axis perpendicular to the horizontal
plane. In order to facilitate the trigonometric calculations of horizontal and vertical
distance, the reference or zero angle is on the vertical axis directly above the
instrument, which is termed the zenith angle.

Objectives
1. To develop the skills in determining the horizontal distance of an even ground by
breaking the tape method up and down the slope.
2. To acquire the skills in determining the horizontal distance of a sloping ground by
using the tape and the automatic level.
3. To apply the value of excellence and patience in measuring the distance of the
ground.

Instruments
Range Poles
Surveying instrument
straight rod painted in bands of
white each one foot wide. Used
surveyors

consisting of a
alternate red and
for sighting by

Chalk
is a soft, white, porous sedimentary carbonate rock, a form of
limestone composed of the mineral calcite.

50 meter tape
used in surveying for measuring Horizontal,
or slope distances. Tapes are issued in various
and widths and graduated in variety of ways.

vertical
lengths

Plumb-bob / Plummet

or

A plumb-bob or a plummet is a weight, usually with a pointed tip on the

bottom that is suspended from a string and used as a vertical reference line,
plumb-line.

PROCEDUREs
A Determination of the area of triangle components using the basic formula.
A= B x H
2
1 The students designate the locations of 5 random points that is likely to be a pentagonal
shape.
2 The chief of party divides the field area into convenient triangular components and
calls them A1, A2 and A3.
3 For first trial use the basic formula to compute the field and designate this as the base
of the triangle.
4 Determine the length of the altitude to this base. The determination of the altitude is
done by locating a point on this base after dropping a line perpendicular to this from
opposite vertex by swaying.
5 Record the length of the base and altitude in the fieldwork computation sheet provided.
6 Repeat the same procedures 4-6 with the rest of the triangular components of the
polygonal field and the sum up the areas.
B Determination of the triangles by using the formula.

1
2
3
4
5
6

Area = ab sin C
2
The same triangular field will be used for this second trial but change the naming of the
vertices of polygonal filed.
The chief of party divides the field area into convenient triangular components and
calls them A1, A2 and A3.
For second use the basic formula in B to compute the field and designate this as the
base of the triangle.
Determine the measurement of the angles between the lines.
Record the lengths of two sides and included angle in the field work. Record in the
data.
Repeat procedures 4-6 with the rest of triangular components of the polygonal area to
compute the entire area.

C Determination of the area using the formula.

A= s(sa)( sb)(sc)

S=

A+ B+C
2

1 The same triangular field will be used for this second trial but change the naming of the
vertices of polygonal filed.
2 The chief of party divides the field area into convenient triangular components and
calls them A1, A2 and A3.

3 For third use the basic formula in C the herons formula to compute the field and
designate this as the base of the triangle.
4 Record the lengths of the three sides of each triangle.
5 Repeat procedures 3-5 with the rest of the triangular components until the data is
complete.

COMPUTATIONS
A triangle= b x h
2
Where

A = area of the triangle in square meters

b = base of the triangle in meters
h = altitude of the triangle in meters

A triangle= ab sin C
2
Where

A = area of the triangle in square meters

a and b = any 2 sides of the triangles in meters
Sin C = sine of any included angle of the measured sides a and b

A triangle= s (sa)( sb)(sc)

Where

S=

A+ B+C
2

A = area of the triangle in square meters

s = half the perimeter of the triangular components in meters
a, b and c = sides if the triangular components in meters

Preliminary data sheet

Date: July 27, 2015
Time: 1:00
Weather: Sunny

Group No. : 1
Location: Intramuros Walls
Professor: Engr. Balmoris

A. Method: BY BASE AND ALTITUDE METHOD

TRIANGLE
1
2
3

BASE
4m
3.36m
2.76m

ALTITUDE
7.43m
7.49m
8.04m
TOTAL

AREA
14.86m2
12.58m2
11.10m2
38.54m2

B.COMPUTATIONS
= 14.86 mm2
= 12.58 mm2
= 11.10 mm2
= 38.54 mm2

A1 = ( b * h ) / 2 = ( 4m * 7.43m ) / 2
A2 = ( b * h ) / 2 = ( 3.36m * 7.49m ) / 2
A3 = ( b * h ) / 2 = ( 2.76m * 8.04m ) / 2
Atotal

C. Method: BY TWO SIDES AND THE INCLUDED ANGLE

TRIANGLE

1
2
3

ANGLE
Theta in
degrees
30.93o
49.25o
51.36o

SIDES

AREA

7.49m
9.45m
4m

7.31m
4.9m
7.31m
TOTAL

14.07m2
12.77m2
11.42m2
38.26m2

D.COMPUTATIONS
A1 = a * b * sin (theta) = (7.49m)(7.31m)( sin (30.93o))
A2 = a * b * sin (theta) = (9.45m)(4.90m)( sin (49.25o))
A3 = a * b * sin (theta) = (9.45m)(4.90m)( sin (49.25o))
Atotal

= 14.07 mm2
= 12.77 mm2
= 11.42 mm2
= 14.07 mm2

E. Method: BY THREE SIDES (HERONS FORMULA)

TRIANGL
E

1
2
3

SIDES

a
8.04m
4.50m
4.00m

b
5.50m
4.00m
8.04m

c
7.30m
7.30m
8.04m

HALF
PERIMETE
R

AREA

10.42m
7.90m
8.95m

19.51m2
7.93m2
11.14m2

TOTAL

38.58m2

F. COMPUTATION
S1 = (a + b + c) / 2 = (8.04 + 5.50 + 7.30) / 2
S2 = (a + b + c) / 2 = (4.50 + 4.00 + 7.30) / 2
S3 = (a + b + c) / 2 = (4.00 + 8.04 + 8.04) / 2

= 10.42 mm
= 7.90 mm
= 8.95 mm

A1 = s*sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))
= 10.42m*sqrt(10.42m(10.42m-8.04m)(10.42m-5.50m)(10.42m-8.04m))
= 19.51m2
A2 = s*sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))
= 7.93m*sqrt(7.93m(7.93m-4.50m)(7.93m-4.00m)(7.93m-7.30m))
= 7.93m2
A3 = s*sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))
= 8.95m*sqrt(8.95m(8.95m-4.00m)(8.95m-5.50m)(8.95m-8.04m))
= 11.14m2
ATotal = 38.58m2

G.

SKETCH

FINAL data sheet

Date: July 27, 2015
Time: 1:00
Weather: Sunny

Group No. : 1
Location: Intramuros Walls
Professor: Engr. Balmoris

A. Method: BY BASE AND ALTITUDE METHOD

TRIANGLE
1
2
3

BASE
4m
3.36m
2.76m

ALTITUDE
7.43m
7.49m
8.04m
TOTAL

AREA
14.86m2
12.58m2
11.10m2
38.54m2

B.COMPUTATIONS
= 14.86 mm2
= 12.58 mm2
= 11.10 mm2
= 38.54 mm2

A1 = ( b * h ) / 2 = ( 4m * 7.43m ) / 2
A2 = ( b * h ) / 2 = ( 3.36m * 7.49m ) / 2
A3 = ( b * h ) / 2 = ( 2.76m * 8.04m ) / 2
Atotal

C. Method: BY TWO SIDES AND THE INCLUDED ANGLE

TRIANGLE

1
2
3

ANGLE
Theta in
degrees
30.93o
49.25o
51.36o

SIDES

AREA

7.49m
9.45m
4m

7.31m
4.9m
7.31m
TOTAL

14.07m2
12.77m2
11.42m2
38.26m2

D.COMPUTATIONS
A1 = a * b * sin (theta) = (7.49m)(7.31m)( sin (30.93o))
A2 = a * b * sin (theta) = (9.45m)(4.90m)( sin (49.25o))
A3 = a * b * sin (theta) = (9.45m)(4.90m)( sin (49.25o))
Atotal

= 14.07 mm2
= 12.77 mm2
= 11.42 mm2
= 14.07 mm2

E. Method: BY THREE SIDES (HERONS FORMULA)

TRIANGL
E

1
2
3

SIDES

a
8.04m
4.50m
4.00m

b
5.50m
4.00m
8.04m

c
7.30m
7.30m
8.04m

HALF
PERIMETE
R

AREA

10.42m
7.90m
8.95m

19.51m2
7.93m2
11.14m2

TOTAL

38.58m2

F. COMPUTATION
S1 = (a + b + c) / 2 = (8.04 + 5.50 + 7.30) / 2
S2 = (a + b + c) / 2 = (4.50 + 4.00 + 7.30) / 2
S3 = (a + b + c) / 2 = (4.00 + 8.04 + 8.04) / 2

= 10.42 mm
= 7.90 mm
= 8.95 mm

A1 = s*sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))
= 10.42m*sqrt(10.42m(10.42m-8.04m)(10.42m-5.50m)(10.42m-8.04m))
= 19.51m2
A2 = s*sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))
= 7.93m*sqrt(7.93m(7.93m-4.50m)(7.93m-4.00m)(7.93m-7.30m))
= 7.93m2
A3 = s*sqrt(s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c))
= 8.95m*sqrt(8.95m(8.95m-4.00m)(8.95m-5.50m)(8.95m-8.04m))
= 11.14m2
ATotal = 38.58m2

G.

SKETCH

In these pictures, we determined the distance of one point to another. These points served as the
vertex for our pentagon.
We used
the chalk to
connect the
two points
after
determining
their distance
from one
another.

We started creating triangles using the vertices of the polygon; these triangles will be used to
determine the area of the polygon we created.
For the first part of the fieldwork we formed the first 3 triangles and measured its altitude, knowing
the lengths of the altitudes and the bases of the triangles we can compute their individual area and
we can obtain the area of the polygon.
For the second
part of the
fieldwork we
again formed
the second 3
triangles and
measured a
semi- triangle
on one of the vertex per triangle and computed its included angle.

For the last part of the fieldwork we again

third 3 triangles and knowing the distances
the triangles formed. We can compute there
area as well as the area of the

formed the
of the sides of
individual

Research and discussion

PRINCIPLE
There are several ways that we can measure the distance of the ground. It can be
accomplished by breaking the tape method, by making a irregular polygon. A horizontal line of sight
is established if the bubble is centered while sighting through the tube. This device is simply a level
adopted for measuring vertical angles. Vertical aide is acted on where angles are read. It gives the
value and the slope in terms of arc measure.
Surveying can be used to calculate areas of different fields; this is under topographical surveying.
We have different ways in determining the area of a certain field Topographic surveying is
determining the relative location of points on the earths surface by measuring horizontal distances,
differences in elevation and directions. Using this we can determine the area of a tract land where
we can build a certain building or infrastructure that we want. Knowing also how to use
topographical map we can determine the area of our reservoir and watersheds. Knowing the areas of
cross-section profiles to calculate the amount of earthwork you need to do. To determine the areas
can be either directly from field measurements, or indirectly from a plan or a map. "Land is
ordinarily bought and sold on a basis of cost per unit area. For this reason as well as many others, an
accurate determination of tract area is often necessary." The surveyor measures angles and
distances. Once a "closed traverse" has been accomplished, i.e. a series of line segments that comes
back to its initial point, the enclosed area (the "traverse area") may be computed. In the first case,
you will find all the measurements of distances and angles you need by surveying and you will
calculate the areas from them. In the second case, you will draw a plan or map first. Then you will
get the dimensions you need from the scale, and determine the area on that basis. There are several
simple methods available for measuring areas. Some of these are graphic methods, where you
compare the plan or map of the area you need to measure to a drawn pattern of known unit sizes.
Others are geometric methods, where you use simple mathematical formulas to calculate areas of
regular geometrical figures, such as triangles, trapeziums*, or areas bounded by an irregular curve
Method

Remarks

Strips

Graphic method giving rough estimate

Square-grid

Graphic method giving good to very good estimates

Subdivision into regular geometric figures such as, triangles,

trapeziums

Geometric method giving good to very good estimates

Trapezoidal rule

Geometric method giving good to very good estimates Suitable for

curved boundary

When you need to measure areas directly in the field, divide the tract of land into regular
geometrical figures, such as triangles, rectangles or trapeziums. Then take all the necessary
measurements, and calculate the areas according to mathematical formulas. If a plan or map of the
area is available, you can draw these geometrical figures on it, and find their dimensions by using
the reduction scale.

You can
the

easily

calculate
area of any
triangle wh
n you
know the

e
dimensions

is

the land is polygonal*, you should usually subdivide the total area
series of regular geometrical figures (1-7 in the example) from a
AD. You will lay out offsets from the other summits of
the polygon* which are perpendicular to this base line to form right
3, 4 and 7, and trapeziums 2, 5 and 6. Calculate each area of the right
the trapezoid. Getting the sum of the following will get the area of
polygon.

Another method
using a base line
to subdivide
land areas.
When the shape of
you need to measure into a
common base line
triangles 1,
triangle and
the

But because
of technology
now a days
there are
applications
that can easily
give you the
area of certain
field. One of these is GPS Field Area Measure for android phones and Kuravesfor computers.

Conclusion
The area of a certain land can be determined in many ways. Since some fields do
not have the same length or rectangle in shape it is hard for us to measure its area. In
this fieldwork we learned on how to use triangles in getting the area. Dividing the field
in triangles and by getting the individual area of the triangles using the base and
altitude, length of the two sides and the intruded angle and finally the length of each
side of the triangle. Getting their individual we can get their summation to get the area
of the field we want. Applying also the lessons we have learned especially in pacing,
we can determine the area without any tools because we only need to know our pace
factor.
It is important to use the plumb bobs in getting the plumb bob because the surface
itself is not really in horizontal state. You will be measuring a longer or shorter
horizontal distance if you will only plot the tape measure on the ground. As much as
possible reduce the sagging of the tape measure to make sure you can get more accurate
results. In the first part of the fieldwork, in order to get an accurate measure of the
altitude of the triangle you can use protractor to help you or an L-square to make sure it
is perpendicular to the line. It is difficult to assume the angle on the ground. For the
second part, it is easier to measure shorter distance for the semi triangle needed for the
data.
It is important to remember that what we data we got is not their true actual value
because if we remember there are also factors that change the length of the tape
measure and of one that is the tape measure, especially if you measure on a very hot
day. If possible the manual should also add additional polygon not only a pentagon so
that we can also try this method to other polygons.