University of South Alabama

Department of Civil Engineering

Lab # 1
Measurements
Lab Performed on _____
By
________________
Group # ___

____________

____________

____________

____________

CE-205
Submitted on ________
Table of Contents

Introduction............................................................................................................... 3
Background............................................................................................................... 3
-History................................................................................................................. 3
-Theory................................................................................................................. 3
Methodology............................................................................................................. 3
-Equipment............................................................................................................ 3
-Procedure............................................................................................................. 3
Data & Calculations:.................................................................................................... 4
Discussion................................................................................................................. 4
Conclusion................................................................................................................ 4
References................................................................................................................ 5

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Introduction
In this lab Interior and exterior angles of a transverse have been determined with the help of
total station.

Background
-History
Length is the most necessary measurement in everyday life, and units of length in many
countries still reflect humanity's first elementary methods. The mile is in origin the Roman
mille passus - a 'thousand paces', approximating to a mile because the Romans define a pace
as two steps, bringing the walker back to the same foot. With measurements such as these, it
is easy to explain how far away the next village is and to work out whether an object will get
through a doorway. For the complex measuring problems of civilization - surveying land to
register property rights, or selling a commodity by length - a more precise unit is required.
The solution is a rod or bar, of an exact length, kept in a central public place. From this
'standard' other identical rods can be copied and distributed through the community. In Egypt
and Mesopotamia these standards are kept in temples. The basic unit of length in both
civilizations is the cubit, based on a forearm measured from elbow to tip of middle finger.
When a length such as this is standardized, it is usually the king's dimension which is first
taken as the norm.

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac07

-Theory
Different types of techniques / methods can be used for measuring the distances. For example
pacing taping and stadia etc. the EDM is the most expansive which consists of total station
and prism rod with prison. However the results obtained from this technique is the most
accurate and closet to the actual results.

Methodology
-Equipment
Stadia
Total station
Tripod
Prism Rod
Chaining / taping

-Procedure
Basically we measured the distance between the two points with three different methods
which are pacing, chaining and using a total station. First of all we find the length of our pace
by measuring it against a known distance of 5 meters or greater. Each member of a group
measured the distance from the starting point to the ending point. Then the same distance is
measured with the help of a chain and ranging rod which is found to be more accurate than

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pacing. After that the same distance is measured with the help of total station which is found
to be more accurate and closest to the actual results.

The lab was performed on ______at ______the whether was about _____ degree and ______

Group members: _________________________________

All the group members performed this lab in a way that every one of us will get a fair chance
to perform all the activities for the better understanding. Each group member corporated well
in doing the lab to the end.

Data & Calculations:

Table # 01 : Distance Using Tap and Electronic
Distance (ft) using
Station
Tap Electronic
1 166.61 166.56
2 235.20 235.29
3 332.68 329.44

Table # 02: Distance Using Step

Distance
Steps Count
(ft)
Station
Backward
Forward Direction Avg
Direction
1 71 74 72.5 190.67
2 101 98 99.5 262.5
3 131 129 130 341.9

Length of One Step = 100.25/38 = 2.64 ft

Discussion
From the data table in calculation and results, the electronic distance calculation by total station is
accurate as compared to tap and step method. The difference in standard step method and other
methods are significantly more as this is not accurate method. There is more chance of human error as
compared to other method. Standard step was measured as 2.64 ft and this was multiplied with the
steps to get the distance in linear feet. Basically pace/step method is rough estimate of distance
calculation.
The tape measurements are relatively closed to the electronic. Many surveyors believe that third order
accuracy is a natural result of taping a distance. Tape measurements is corrected by procedures that
include standardization of tape, application of temperature correction, application of correct tension
(particularly if tape is suspended), correct horizontal and vertical alignment of tape, and careful
plumbing procedures.

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Electronic measurements are corrected from all of these but it requires complete general detailed for
operating instructions, instrument specifications and field adjustment information and atmospheric
Corrections.

Conclusion
From the fieldwork executed, we have come up with the results obtained from the field using the 03
method for measurement of distance. The method utilizes standard step method, tape measurement
and electric method. The most accurate method is electric method. The tape measurements were
relative close to electronic measurement. The standard step method was rough estimate.

References

Hasbullah M.A., Openg I., Simplified Land Surveying, 2009,Arah Publications

Dr. Punmia B.C., Jain A.K., Jain A.K, Surveying Vol. 1, 2005, Laxmi Publications (P) Ltd
Gopi, Sathikumar, Advanced Surveying: Total Station, GIS and Remote Sensinn, 2007,
Pearson Education
Barry F. Kavanagh, Surveying: With Construction Applications, 2004, Pearson Prentice Hall