MODULE 2 - DISTANCE CORRECTION 𝑀

𝑇=𝑀+ (𝑒)
❑ Types of Correction 𝐿
❑ Incorrect Tape Length a. Laying out a Line
❑ Temperature Variations 𝑀
𝑇=𝑀− (𝑒)
❑ Slope Corrections 𝐿
❑ Sag and Tension Corrections
❑ Combined Taping Corrections M – distance measured with erroneous tape
❑ Errors in Taping L – standard length of the tape
❑ Taping Precision e – error per tape length
T – correct length measured
recall: TYPES OF ERRORS
1. SYSTEMATIC / COMMULATIVE ERROR II. CORRECTION DUE TO SLOPE
➢ The error which remains the
same with the conditions
remaining unchanged.
2. ACCIDENTAL / COMPENSATING ERROR
➢ Error which is likely to be positive as
well as negative with the conditions
remaining the same.

TYPES OF CORRECTION
1. Incorrect tape length
2. Slope where:
3. Alignment ❑ s – measured slope distance between A & B
4. Temperature variations ❑ h – difference in elevation of A & B
5. Pull / Tension ❑ d – equivalent horizontal distance AC
6. Sag ❑ Ch – slope correction or the difference between
7. Wind the slope length and the horizontal distance
8. Combined correction 𝑪𝒉 = 𝒔 − 𝒅

I. ERRONEOUS LENGTH OF TAPE ℎ

𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = (100%)
𝑑
CASE I: Slope Correction Formulas (Ch)
1. Gentle Slope (s < 20%)
ℎ2
𝐶ℎ =
2𝑠
1. Steep Slope (20% ≤ s < 30%)
ℎ2 ℎ4
𝑒=𝑙 −𝐿 𝐶ℎ = +
2𝑠 8𝑠 3
1. Very Steep Slope (s ≥ 30%)
L – standard length of the tape (indicated at the tape)
𝐶ℎ = 𝑠(1 − cos 𝜃)
l – actual length of the tape
e – error
III. CORRECTION DUE TO ALIGNMENT
➢ It is usually difficult to keep the tape in perfect
CASE II: (too short) e(-)
alignment with the end marks when taping
through grass or when a strong wind is blowing.
➢ The linear error due to inaccuracy in alignment
of tape is similar to the effect of a slope and can
be computed in the same manner.

𝑒=𝑙 −𝐿
𝑒 = 49.95 − 50 IV. CORRECTION DUE TO TEMPERATURE
𝑒 = −0.05 𝑚 (too short)
➢ Due to changes in temperature a tape used in
a. Measuring a Line measuring or laying-out distances may become
𝑀 either too short or too long. The effect of
𝑇=𝑀− (𝑒) temperature is usually considered in most taping
𝐿
a. Laying out a Line operation such as taping in taping a baseline for
𝑀 triangulation system.
𝑇=𝑀+ (𝑒) ➢ In ordinary taping of short distances it is usually
𝐿
considered since the amount involved is usually
M – distance measured with erroneous tape small.
L – standard length of the tape ➢ Steel tape is standard when the temperature is
e – error per tape length 20°C or 68°F. Thermal coefficient (k) is 11.6 x
T – correct length measured 10-6/°C or 6.45 x 10-6/°F
𝑪𝒕 = 𝒌𝑳 (𝑻 − 𝑻𝒐 )
CASE III: (too long) e(+) where:
Ct – error due to temperature
▪ (-) Ct (too short)
▪ (+) Ct (too long)
k – thermal coefficient
𝑒=𝑙 −𝐿 L – length of tape
𝑒 = 50.008 − 50 To – temperature of tape @ standard length
𝑒 = +0.008 𝑚 (too long) T – temperature of tape during taping

a. Measuring a Line
STEEL TAPE – standard temp. 20°C / 68°F

V. CORRECTION DUE TO PULL / TENSION

➢ When steel tape is pulled with a tension greater
or less than the standard pull, it elongates or
shortens according in an elastic manner.
➢ The standard tension for a steel tape usually
varies from 4.5 kg – 5.5 kg (10-12 lbs) unit
weight (Uw) of steel tape 7.866 x 10-3 kg/cm3
(490 lbs/ft3)
(𝑷 − 𝑷𝒐 )
𝑪𝒑 = 𝑳
𝑨𝑬
where:
Cp – error due to pull / tension
▪ (-) Ct (too short)
▪ (+) Ct (too long)
L – length of tape
Po – tension for which tape is standardized
P – applied tension
A – area of the steel tape
𝑊
𝐴=
𝐿(𝑈𝑤 )
E – Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) (2.0 x 106 kg/cm2 –
average modulus of elasticity for steel tape)

VI. CORRECTION DUE TO SAG

➢ A tape attain it’s correct length when it is fully
supported.
➢ due to the weight of the steel tape, there’s a
tendency to sag even if the standard pull is
maintained.
➢ Sag shortens the horizontal distance between
end graduations since the tape length remains.
𝒘𝟐 𝑳𝟑 𝑾𝟐 𝑳
𝑪𝒔 = or 𝑪𝒔 =
𝟐𝟒𝑷𝟐 𝟐𝟒𝑷𝟐

where:
Cs – error due to sag
w – weight of tape per unit length (kg/m)
W – total weight of tape between supports (kg)
L – interval between support or the unsupported length
of tape (m)
P –tension or pull applied on the tape (kg)

VII. CORRECTION DUE TO WIND

➢ Similar with the effects of sag but is usually
much less.
➢ To eliminate the error, it is preferably not to
undertake any taping work during windy days.
𝟎. 𝟐𝟎𝟒𝑾√𝑨𝑬
𝑷𝑵 =
√𝑷𝑵 − 𝑷𝒔

where:
PN – normal tension or pull which will eliminate the effect
of sag (kg)
W – total weight of tape between supports (kg)
A – cross sectional area of tape (cm2)
E – modulus of elasticity of tape material (kg/cm 2)
Ps – standard pull for the tape (kg) 4.5-5.5 kg