The tape is not necessarily limited only to the measurement of distances.

There are
various problems arising in surveying fieldwork which can be solved just by the use of a
tape. Some of these surveying operations include: erecting perpendicular to a line,
measuring angles, laying off angles, determining obstructed distances, locating irregular
boundaries, and determining areas of different shapes.
1. Erecting Perpendicular To a Line
There are some instances when it would be necessary to erect on the ground a
perpendicular to an established line. For example, when the floor dimensions of a
building or a road intersection are to be laid out, it becomes necessary to erect
perpendicular lines. Commonly employed for such particular requirements are the
chord-bisection method and the 3:4:5 method.
a. Chord-Bisection Method
In the figure shown, it is required to erect a perpendicular to the line AB at point
m. Two equal lengths, mb and mc, are measured on each side of point m. With b
as center and taking any convenient length of tape as radius, an arc of a circle is
described. The same procedure is repeated at point c. The intersection of the
two arcs locates point d, and line dm is the desired perpendicular to AB.
b. 3:4:5 Method
This method of erecting a perpendicular line is illustrated in the figure. The
method involves the setting up on the ground of a triangle whose three sides are
made in the proportions of 3, 4, and 5. Point A is selected on line MN where a
perpendicular is to be erected. From A and along line MN, measure 3.0 m to the
first tapeman at B and the 10-m mark held by the second tapeman at A, a loop is
formed by the third tapeman to bring the 5-m and 6-m marks together. The third
tapeman then pulls each part of the tape taut to locate point C on the ground.
The line joining points A and C is the desired perpendicular to line MN.
Any other lengths in the proportions of 3, 4, and 5 can also be used such as
6:8:10, 9:12:15, and 12:16:20.

Chord Bisection Method

3:4:5 Method

2. Measuring Angles with Tape

A tape is not frequently used in engineering constructions for measuring or laying
out angles. There may be some occasions, however, when a theodolite or a transit

is not readily available that the tape is used instead. The measurement of very
small angles with tape usually gives satisfactory results. All angular measurements
by tape are accomplished by the application of very basic geometric and
trigonometric principles.
a. In the figure shown, let it be required to measure the angle BOC (or ). One
way to do it is to lay out any convenient length (L) along lines OB and OC to
establish points a and b. If the chord distance ab (or d) is measured and
bisected, the angle BOC can be computed as follows.
Sin(/2) = d/2
L

b. If unequal lengths are laid out, as AB and AC in the figure shown, then upon
measuring the distance BC, the angle BAC (or < A) can be computed using law
of cosine.

Cos
A =
(AC)
2
+
(AB)
2
(BC)
2

2(AC)(AB)

3. Determining Obstructed Distances

In some instances is may not be possible to directly measure distances due to an
obstruction. The required length may also be inaccessible or difficult to measure.
The following are some of the indirect methods which could be employed to
determine obstructed or inaccessible distances.
a. By Right Angle
In figure shown, point C is
established at a convenient
location
away
from
the
obstruction and it is seen to it
that lines AC and BC intersect
at right angles. Both lines are
measured
accurately
as
possible. If A and B define the
end points of the required line,
the length of line AB can be
computed by the Pythagorean
Theorem:

AB = (AC2 + BC2)

b. By Swing Offsets

The line AB in the figure shown could not be determined because of an

obstruction somewhere at the middle of the line. To determine its length, the
head tapeman anchors one end of the tape at B and swings it using any
convenient radius. The rear tapeman positions himself at point A and lines in the
other end of the tape with a distant point as D and directs the marking of points
a and b on the ground where the end of the tape crosses line AD. The midpoint
of line ab is located to establish point C.

With line BC established perpendicular to line AC, the length of AB can be

indirectly determined also by the Pythagorean Theorem since AC and BC are
known.

c. By Parallel Lines
If the necessary distance from
line AB is short, perpendicular
line AA = BB are erected by
either using the chord-bisection
method or the 3:4:5 method to
clear the obstacle. The line AB
is then taped, and its length is
taken as that of AB.

d. By Similar Triangles
The method illustrated in the figure is one where two line, BD and CE, are
established perpendicular to the line ABC. The distance between the two
perpendiculars (or BC) is measured and with points D and E both line up with A,
the length of AB can then be determined by similarity of triangles or:

AB = (AB + BC)
(AB + BC)
BD
CE

AB (CE) = BD

AB (CE) = BD (AB) + BD(BC)

AB (CE) - BD (AB) = BD(BC)
AB (CE - BD) = BD (BC)
AB = BD (BC)
(CE - BD)

or

4. Determining Areas
To determine the area of a rectilinear field, the rectilinear field is subdivided into
series of connected triangles. The sides of these triangles is then measured using a
tape. Having the dimensions of these triangles measured, the area of each triangle
is then computed.
The total area of the field is the sum of the calculated areas of the series of
connected triangles into which the field is subdivided.
A2

A3
b
= A1 +AA12 + A3 + A4 + A5

A4

A1 =

s (s - a)

(s - b)(s - c) A5
S =

a+b+c
2

or, if an interior angle is present

A1 = absinC

SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
1. The angle between two intersecting fences is to be determined with a tape. A point
on each fence line is established 30.0 m from the point of the intersection. If the
distance between the established points is 12.20 m, what is the intersection angle?

2. In the quadrilateral ABCD shown, the following lengths were measured by tape: AB
= 760.50 m, BC = 390.80 m, CD = 371.60 m, DA = 598.80 m and AC =
765.40 m. Compute the interior angle at each corner.

3. In the figure shown, lines NQ and PR are established perpendicular to line MNP, and
points Q and R are lined up with the distant point M. If NQ = 318.55 m, PR =
475.62 m, and NP = 210.38 m, determine the length of MN which represents the
width of the river.