SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

BACHELOR OF QUANTITY SURVEYING (HONS)

QSB 60103 SITE SURVEYING
FIELDWORK REPORT II
TRAVERSING

NAME

STUDENT ID

ADELE LU KHAI SYN

0323151

YEE JYH LIN

0322408

LEONG MIN HUI

0327596

TAM ZHAO WEI

0322587

TABLE OF CONTENT
CONTENT

PAGES

COVER PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENT

OBJECTIVE

INTRODUCTION OF

4 - 10

TRAVERSING AND APPARATUS

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE
6.1 ERROR CORRECTION
6.2 LATITUDE AND DEPARTURE

11 - 21

6.3 ADJUSTED LATITUDE AND

DEPARTURE - TRANSIT METHOD
6.4 STATION COORDINATES
FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE
7.1 ERROR CORRECTION
7.2 LATITUDE AND DEPARTURE

22 - 32

7.3 ADJUSTED LATITUDE AND

DEPARTURE - TRANSIT METHOD
7.4 STATION COORDINATES
CONCLUSION

33

OBJECTIVE
The objective of traversing is to allow us to determine the actual position of the
boundary. Plus, it helps use to authorize the position of the boundary line. Furthermore,
we can determine the area of a certain location which is encircle within a boundary by
conducting traversing field work. Lastly, traversing also allow us to establish ground
control for photographic mapping.

INTRODUCTION OF TRAVERSING
Before starting any construction project, the first thing to be done is to establish a
network of both vertical and horizontal control points on or near the ground in the vicinity
of the project. A control survey is often carried out in order to accurately determine the
relative positions of all the points. The control points serve as fixed reference positions
from which other surveying measurements are made later on to design and build the
project.
One way to establish a horizontal control network is by traversing. A traverse survey
involves a connected sequence of lines whose length and directions are measured. It is
perhaps the most common type of control survey performed by surveyors in private
practice or employed by local government agencies. With the use of electronic distance
measuring (EDM) devices, precise traverse surveys are much more practical nowadays.
There are two types of traverse which are open traverse and closed traverse.

Open Traverse
An open traverse is a series of measured straight lines and angles that do not
geometrically close. Basically, its of a route survey. The lack of geometric closure means
that there is no geometric verification possible with respect to the actual positioning of the
traverse stations.
In route surveys, open traverse station positioning can be verified by computation from
available tied-in field markers as shown on property plans, by scale from existing
topographic plans, or through the use of global positioning system (GPS) receivers.

Open Traverse

Closed Traverse
A closed traverse is as in closed geometric figure. There are two types of closed traverse
called the loop traverse and connecting traverse.
i.

Loop Traverse

A loop traverse starts and ends at the same point which forms a closed geometric figure
called a polygon. For example, the boundary lines of a tract land.

ii. Connecting Traverse

Connecting traverse looks like an open traverse, except that it begins and ends at points
(or lines) of known position (and direction) at each end of the traverse.

Traverse Stations
The positions of control traverse stations are chosen so that they are as close as
possible to the features or objects to be located, without unduly increasing the work of
measuring the traverse.
Establishing too many points will increase the time and cost of the survey but too few
points may not provide sufficient control for the project.

Accuracy
Accuracy = 1: (P/EC)
For average land surveying an accuracy of about 1:3000 is typical.
An accuracy of at least 1:5000 would be required for third-order control traverse surveys.

INTRODUCTION OF APPARATUS
Theodolite
The main function of theodolite is to measure angles in the horizontal and vertical planes.
It is deemed as the scientifically most precise and versatile surveying instrument used for
angle measurements.
The digital theodolite nowadays enables surveyors to measure angles to an accuracy of
up to 1 (1 = 1/3600).
Applications of Theodolite in surveying:
Laying of horizontal angles
Locating points on line
Prolonging survey lines
Establishing grades
Determining difference in elevation
Setting out curves
Aligning tunnels

Tripod
The tripod is a device used to support any one of a number of surveying instruments.
The head of the tripod supports the instrument while the feet are spiked to anchor the
tripod to the ground.

Tripod

Tubular and Bulls Eye Spirit Level

The spirit level is used to indicate the horizontal level. They have slightly curved glass,
which is incompletely filled with either spirit or alcohol.

Tubular Spirit Level

Bulls Eye Spirit Level

Plumb Bob
A plumb bob is a weight with a pointed tip on the bottom and suspended from a string,
used as a vertical reference line. It is used to transcribe positions onto the ground for
placing a marker.

Plumb Bob

Theodolite Pole
The theodolite pole is used as a stand to indicate the angle between two or more points
in an enclosed area. The theodolite pole is used as a stand to indicate the angle between
two or more points in an enclosed area.

Theodolite Pole

THEODOLITE SET UP

STEP 1: Drive a surveyor's nail into the ground at the point where you want to set up the
theodolite. Angles will be measured from this point, as will distances.
STEP 2: Set up the tripod legs with a length is approximately above the chest level. Be
certain to check that the hole in the center of the mounting plate is located over the nail.
Drive in the tripod leg into the ground by stepping on it.
STEP 3: Place the instrument on the mounting plate and screw in the mounting knob
beneath the instrument.
STEP 4: Adjust the theodolite to level by moving the tripod legs, using the bull's-eye
level. Fine-tune the adjustment with the leveling knobs on the instrument.
STEP 5: Adjust the small sight, called the vertical plummet, at the bottom of the
theodolite. This sight allows you to make certain the instrument is centered directly over
the nail. Fine-tune the vertical plummet by adjusting the knobs on the bottom of the
theodolite.
STEP 6: Look through the main scope and aim the crosshairs at the point to be
measured. Twist the locking knobs to hold the theodolite in position on the exact point.
View the horizontal and vertical angles in the viewing scope on the side of the
instrument.

10

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Initial Data
STATION

LENGTH, L (m)

A
13.050
B
34.998
C
22.750
D
44.999

115.797

11

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Initial Data
STATION

FIELD ANGLES

521450

1475900

802950

793440

3601820

SUM OF INTERIOR ANGLES

= ( n - 2 ) x 180 , where n = number of sides
= ( 4 2 ) x 180
= 360
TOTAL ANGULAR ERROR
= 360 - 3601820
= -01820
ERROR PER ANGLE
= -01820/ 4
= -00435

12

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Initial Interior Angles

D
22.750
793440

C
802950

44.999

34.998

1475900

B
521450
13.050

13

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Error Correction
STATION

FIELD ANGLES

CORRECTIONS

ADJUSTED ANGLES

521450

- 00435

521015

1475900

- 00435

1475425

802950

- 00435

802515

793440

- 00435

793005

3601820

- 01820

3600000

14

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Adjusted Interior Angles

D
22.750
793005

C
802515

44.999

34.998

1475425

B
521015
13.050

15

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Bearings
Station A

Station B

521015
1475425

200440

Bearing:

Bearing:

N 521015 E

N 200440 E

Station C

Station D

793005

802515
793005

Bearing:

Bearing:

N 793005 W

00000

16

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Latitude and Departure
(a) LATITUDE = LENGTH x COS

COS = LATITUDE
LENGTH

(b) DEPARTURE = LENGTH x SIN

SIN = DEPARTURE
LENGTH

STATION

BEARING,

LENGTH, L
(m)

COSINE

SINE

LATITUDE

DEPARTURE

N 521015 E

13.0496

0.6133

0.7898

+8.0033

+10.3066

N 20440 E

34.9981

0.9392

0.3433

+32.8702

+12.0148

N 793005W

22.7499

0.1822

0.9833

+4.1450

-22.3700

44.9992

-44.9992

(y)
0.0193

(x)
-0.0486

(PERIMETER)
115.7968

17

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Error of Closure
ERROR OF CLOSURE
=

y
x

= (0.0198) + (-0.0486)
= 0.0523

ACCURACY
= 1: (P/ Ec)
= 1: (115.7968/0.0523)
= 1: 2214 > 1: 3000
UNACCEPTABLE

18

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Adjusted Latitude and Departure
TRANSIT RULE
Correction =
- [y]/ lLatl x Cumulative Length (Latitude)

OR
- [x]/ lDepl x Cumulative Length (Departure)

STATION

UNADJUSTED

CORRECTIONS

ADJUSTED

LATITUDE DEPARTURE LATITUDE DEPARTURE LATITUDE

DEPARTURE

A
+8.0033

+10.3066

-0.0022

+0.0055

+8.0011

+10.3121

+32.8702

+12.0148

-0.0058

+0.0147

+32.8644

+12.0295

+4.1450

-22.3700

-0.0038

+0.0095

+4.1412

-22.3605

-44.9992

-0.0075

+0.0189

-45.0067

+0.0189

(y)
+0.0193

(x)
-0.0486

CHECK
-0.0193

+0.0486

CHECK
0.0000

0.0000

19

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE

Station Coordinates
N = N + Latitude
E = E + Departure
N and E = Y and X coordinates of station 2
N and E = Y and X coordinates of station 1
Latitude = Latitude of course 1-2
Departure = Departure of course 1-2

STATION

ADJUSTED
LATITUDE

ADJUSTED
DEPARTURE

A
+8.0011

100.0000

108.0011

110.3121

140.8655

122.3416

145.0067

99.9811

100.0000

100.0000

-22.3605

D
-45.0067

100.0000

+12.0295

C
+4.1412

E COORDINATE
(DEPARTURE)

+10.3121

B
+32.8644

N COORDINATE
(LATITUDE)

+0.0189

Assume coordinate A is (100.00, 100.00)

20

FIELD DATA I : LOOP TRAVERSE STATION COORDINATES

NORTH POINT
Y - AXIS

N 145.01
E 99.98

145.00

N 140.87
E 122.34

140.00

135.00

130.00

125.00

120.00

115.00

110.00

N 108.00
E 110.31

B
105.00

100.00

N 100.00
E 100.00

95.00

100.00

105.00

21

110.00

115.00

EAST
POINT
X120.00 AXIS

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Initial Data
STATION

LENGTH, L (m)

A
13.075
B
34.849
C
22.675
D
44.874

115.473

22

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Initial Data
STATION

FIELD ANGLES

521450

1475950

802940

793740

3602200

SUM OF INTERIOR ANGLES

= (n - 2) x 180, where n = number of sides
= (4 2) x 180
= 360
TOTAL ANGULAR ERROR
= 360 - 3602200
= -02200
ERROR PER ANGLE
= -02200/ 4
= -00530

23

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Initial Interior Angles

D
22.675
793440

C
802940

44.874

34.849

1475950

B
521450
13.075

24

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Error Correction
STATION

FIELD ANGLES

CORRECTIONS

ADJUSTED ANGLES

521450

- 00530

520920

1475950

- 00530

1475420

802940

- 00530

802410

793740

- 00530

793210

3602200

- 02200

3600000

25

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Adjusted Interior Angles

D
22.675
793210

C
802410

44.874

34.849

1475420

B
520920
13.075

26

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Bearings
Station A

Station B

520920
1475420

200340

Bearing:

Bearing:

N 520920 E

N 200340 E

Station C

Station D

793210

802410
793210

Bearing:

Bearing:

N 793210 W

00000

27

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Latitude and Departure
(a) LATITUDE = LENGTH x COS

COS = LATITUDE
LENGTH

(b) DEPARTURE = LENGTH x SIN

SIN = DEPARTURE
LENGTH

STATION

BEARING,

LENGTH, L
(m)

COSINE

SINE

LATITUDE

DEPARTURE

N 520920 E

13.075

0.6135

0.7897

+8.022

+10.325

N 200340 E

34.849

0.9393

0.3430

+32.735

+11.954

N 793210W

22.675

0.1816

0.9834

+4.118

-22.298

44.874

-44.874

(y)
0.001

(x)
-0.019

(PERIMETER)
115.473

28

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Error of Closure
ERROR OF CLOSURE
=

y
x

= (0.001) + (-0.019)
= 0.019

ACCURACY
= 1: (P/ Ec)
= 1: (115.473/0.019)
= 1: 6069 > 1: 3000
ACCEPTABLE

29

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Adjusted Latitude and Departure
TRANSIT RULE
Correction =
- [y]/ lLatl x Cumulative Length (Latitude)

OR
- [x]/ lDepl x Cumulative Length (Departure)

STATION

UNADJUSTED

CORRECTIONS

ADJUSTED

LATITUDE DEPARTURE LATITUDE DEPARTURE LATITUDE

DEPARTURE

A
+8.0216

+10.3248

-0.00005

+0.0022

+8.02165

+10.3270

+32.7341

+11.9538

-0.00012

+0.0058

+32.73422

+11.9596

+4.1181

-22.2978

-0.00008

+0.0038

+4.11818

-27.2940

-44.8742

-0.00015

+0.0074

-44.87405

+0.0074

(y)
-0.0004

(x)
-0.0192

CHECK
+0.0004

-0.0192

CHECK
0.0000

0.0000

30

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE

Station Coordinates
N = N + Latitude
E = E + Departure
N and E = Y and X coordinates of station 2
N and E = Y and X coordinates of station 1
Latitude = Latitude of course 1-2
Departure = Departure of course 1-2

STATION

ADJUSTED
LATITUDE

ADJUSTED
DEPARTURE

A
+8.02165

100.0000

108.02165

110.3270

140.75587

122.2866

144.87405

99.9926

100.0000

100.0000

-22.2940

D
-44.87405

100.0000

+11.9596

C
+4.11818

E COORDINATE
(DEPARTURE)

+10.3270

B
+32.73422

N COORDINATE
(LATITUDE)

+0.0074

Assume coordinate A is (100.00, 100.00)

31

FIELD DATA II : LOOP TRAVERSE STATION COORDINATES

NORTH POINT
Y - AXIS

N 144.87
E 99.99

145.00

N 140.76
E 122.29

140.00

135.00

130.00

125.00

120.00

115.00

110.00

N 108.02
E 110.33

B
105.00

100.00

N 100.00
E 100.00

95.00

100.00

105.00

32

110.00

115.00

EAST
POINT
X120.00 AXIS

CONCLUSION
The points A, B, C and D are being marked on the site respectively by spraying red
paint with a k mark on it to indicate that we are using this four points as our points. The
theodolite is being placed at points A, B, C, D respectively. At point A, the theodolite is
used to overlook angle from point D to point B. At point B, the theodolite is used to
overlook angle from point A and point C. At point C, the theodolite is used to overlook the
angle from point B and point D. At point D, the theodolite is used to overlook the angle
from point C to point A. At each point, two sets of readings are taken, which are Face Left
and Face Right. For this project, our area is a four-sided polygon. Hence, we obtained a
total interior degree of 360 from the formula (n-2) x 180.
We have collected two sets of data. For the first data, we got a total interior angle of
3601820 as errors has occurred while taking the readings. Therefore, we managed to
make adjustments by using the method, distribution of errors. Later, we proceed by
getting the latitude and departure of each point. However, by calculating the accuracy
check by using the formula, 1: (P/ Ec) we found out that our reading is unacceptable.
Therefore, we conducted another fieldwork in order to collect a set of data that meets the
accuracy check of 1:>3000.
For the second set of data, we got a total interior angle of 3602200 as errors has
occurred while taking the readings. Therefore, we managed to make adjustments by
using the method, distribution of errors. Later, we proceed by getting the latitude and
departure of each point. After we found out that our reading accuracy is acceptable by
using the formula, 1: (P/ Ec). We then continue to adjust the latitude and departure of our
readings by using these two formulas: - [y]/ l Latitude l x Cumulative Length (Latitude)
- [x]/ l Departure l x Cumulative Length (Departure)
In a nutshell, not only we managed to learn how to work with our own team mates
for this assignment, we also learnt how to endeavor with other groups as well. We would
like to thank Mr. Chai Voon Chiet for his guidance along the way and for giving us this
opportunity to conduct a fieldwork by our own and also to learn the proper way of
conducting traversing.

33