Measurement of

Horizontal Distances
the distance between two points means
the horizontal distance

Pacing
Mechanical Devices
Taping*
Tachymetric
Photogrammetric*
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)*

Methods of Linear Measurements

Pacing
Consists of counting the number of steps, or
paces, in a required distance
Length of a pace varies with different persons

Pace Factor =

Distance
Average No. of Steps

1 Stride
(2 Paces or Double Step)

1 Pace
(Heel to Heel)

1 Pace
(Toe to Toe)
1 Stride
(2 Paces or Double Step)

Distance by Pacing

This method can often be used to advantage on

preliminary surveys where precise distances are
not necessary

For low precision surveys or for quick measurements

Odometer

Wheel

& Measuring

converts the number of revolutions

of a wheel of known circumference
to a distance.

Distance by Mechanical Devices

Photogrammetry
Measurement of images on a photograph
Photographs taken from an aircraft with the
axis of the camera pointed vertically towards
the terrain photographed

Distance by Photogrammetric

These devices send out a beam of light or high-frequency

microwaves from one end of a line to be measured, and
directs it toward the far end of the line.

A reflector or transmitter-receiver at the far end reflects

the light of microwave back to the instrument where they
are analyzed electronically to give the distance between
the two points.

Distance by EDM

Distance by EDM

Based on the optical geometry of the

instruments employed; indirect method of
measurement
Stadia Method

1.

Factors:

Refinement with which the instrument was manufactured

Skill of observer
Length of measurement
Effects of refraction

Distance by Tachymetric

1.

Stadia Method

D Ks C
D = horizontal distance
K = stadia interval factor of
the instrument
s = difference between the
upper and lower stadia hair
reading
C = stadia constant

Distance by Tachymetric

2.

Subtense Bar Method

2-m Long Subtense Bar

Left Target Mark

Theodolite or
Transit

S/2
/2

S
S/2
Right Target Mark

D
(Horizontal Distance)

Tan( / 2)

S /2
D

S /2
Tan( / 2)

Since S=2.00m

1
Cot ( / 2)
Tan( / 2)

D = horizontal distance
= angle subtended by the targets

Distance by Tachymetric

1.

A stadia rod held at a distant point B is sighted

by an instrument set-up at A. The upper and
lower stadia hair readings were observed as
1.50m and 0.80m, respectively. If the stadia
interval factor is 100, and the instrument
constant is 0, determine the length on line AB.

2.

The following subtended angles were read on a

2m long subtense bar using a transit: 05545,
and 01050. Compute the horizontal distance
from the transit to each position of the bar.

Illustrative Problem

Most common method of measuring or laying out

horizontal distances
Consists of stretching a calibrated tape between
two points and reading the distance indicated on
the tape

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Distance by Taping

Steel Tape
Meter
Marking Pins
Clamp Handles
Range Pole
Plumb bobs

Incorrect Tape Length

Slope
Temperature
Pull (Tension)
Sag
Alignment
Wind

Taping Corrections

A systematic error occurs when incorrect

length of a tape is used.
The true length of a tape can be obtained
by comparing it with a standard tape or
distance.
An error caused by incorrect length of a
tape occurs each time the tape is used.

Incorrect Tape Length

Incorrect Tape Length

When measuring,
If the tape is long, add the correction.
If the tape is short, subtract the correction.

Incorrect Tape Length

Measured Distance
A

100m

AB is measured using 2 tape lengths

But, the tape length is actually 50.02m (Tape is too long)
So AB is actually: 2(50.02) = 100.04m
Must add a correction of 2(0.02) = 0.04m

Incorrect Tape Length

Measured Distance
A

100m

AB is measured using 2 tape lengths

But, the tape length is actually 49.98m (Tape is too short)
So AB is actually: 2(49.98) = 99.96m
Must subtract a correction of 2(0.02) = 0.04m

Incorrect Tape Length

When laying out,
If the tape is long, subtract the correction.
If the tape is short, add the correction.

Incorrect Tape Length

Layout Distance
A

100m

(construction surveys)
B

The distance between A and B must be 100m.

But, the tape length is actually 50.02m (Tape is too long)
2 tape applications: 2(50.02) = 100.04m
Must subtract a correction of 2(0.02) = 0.04m

Incorrect Tape Length

Layout Distance
A

100m

(construction surveys)
B

The distance between A and B must be 100m.

But, the tape length is actually 49.98m (Tape is too short)
2 tape applications: 2(49.98) = 99.96m
Must add a correction of 2(0.02) = 0.04m

Corr TL NL
ML
Cl Corr
NL

TL = actual length of tape

CL ML Cl

CL = corrected length of the line to be

measured or laid out

Cl = total correction to be applied to

the measured length or length to
be laid out

ML = measured length or length to be

laid out

NL = nominal length of tape

Incorrect Tape Length

1.

A rectangular lot was measured using a 50-m

steel tape which was found to be 0.025m too
short. If the recorded length and width of the
lot are 180.455m and 127.062m, respectively,
determine the following:
a. Actual dimension of the lot.
b. Error in area introduced due to the
erroneous length of tape.

Illustrative Problem

Gentle Slope
(s < 20%)

Ch

d s Ch

h2

2s

Steep Slope
(20% < s < 30%)

Ch

h2
h4

2s
8s 3

Very Steep Slope

(s > 30%)

Ch s(1 cos )

Due to Slope

s = measured slope distance

between points A and B
h = difference in elevation between A
and B

d = equivalent horizontal distance

AC
Ch = slope correction

2.

Slope distance AB and BC measures 300.50m

and 650.01m, respectively. The differences in
elevation are 15.00m for point A and B, and
20.05m for point B and C. using the
approximate slope correction formula for gentle
slopes, determine the horizontal length of line
ABC. Assume that line AB has a rising slope
and BC a falling slope.

Illustrative Problem

Ct kL(T2 T1 )
For steel:
k = 0.0000116/C
Standard Temperature = 20 C

k= coefficient of linear expansion or

the amount of change on length per
unit length per degree change in
temperature
L = length of the tape or length of
line measured
T2 = observed temperature of the
tape at the time of measurement
T1 = temperature at which the tape
was standardized

A temperature higher or lower than the standard

temperature causes a change in length

If T2 > T1, +Ct (too long);

otherwise, - Ct

Due to Temperature

3.

A steel tape with a coefficient of linear

expansion of 0.0000116/C is known to be 50m
long at 20C. The tape was used to measure a
line which was found to be 656.29m long when
the temperature was 40C. Determine the
following:
a. Temperature correction per tape length
b. Temperature correction for the measured line
c. Correct length of the line

Illustrative Problem

Cp

( P2 P1 ) L

AE

L' L C p
If Pm > Ps, too long;
otherwise, too short

Cp= total elongation in tape due to

pull or the correction due to
incorrect pull applied on the
tape (m)
P2 = pull applied to tape the during
measurement (kg)
P1 = standard pull (kg)
L = measured length of line
A = cross-sectional area of the tape
(sq. cm)
E = modulus of elasticity (kg/cm2)
L= corrected length of the measured
line (m)

Due to Pull / Tension

4.

A heavy 50-m tape having a cross-sectional

area of 0.05cm2 has been standardized at a
tension of 6.0kg. If E=2.10x106 kg/cm2,
determine the elongation of the tape if a pull of
15kg is applied.

Illustrative Problem

 A steel tape not supported along its entire length

sags in the form of a catenary curve
Because of sag the horizontal distance is less
than the graduated distance between tape ends
Sag can be reduced by applying great tension,
but not eliminated unless the tape is supported
throughout

Due to Sag

w 2 L3
Cs
24 P 2
W 2L
Cs
24 P 2

Cs= correction due to sag or the

difference between the tape
reading and the horizontal
distance between supports (m)
w = weight tape per unit length
(kg/m)
W = total weight of tape between
supports (kg)
L = interval between supports or the
unsupported length of tape (m)
P = tension or pull applied on the
tape (kg)

Due to Sag

5.

A 50-m steel tape weighing 0.035kg/m is

constantly supported at mid-length and its end
points, and is used to measure a line AB with a
steady pull of 6.5kg. If the measured length of
AB is 1200.00m, determine the following:
a. Correction due to sag between supports and
for the whole tape length
b. Total sag correction for the whole length
measured
c. Correct length of line AB

Illustrative Problem