Lecture 02:

HORIZONTAL DISTANCE
MEASUREMENT
 Measurement of Distance
The accurate determination of distance between two points on any
surface is one of the basic operations of plane surveying. Such
linear measurements are understood to mean horizontal distance.
If the points are at different elevations, the distance is the
horizontal length between plumb lines at the points. In many
instances measurements are taken along an inclined line. These
distances, however, are subsequently reduced to their horizontal
projection for use.

There are several methods of determining distance. The choice

depends on purpose for which the measurement is intended, the
required precision, the cost, and other conditions.
 Measurement of Distance
In surveying, these are the commonly employed methods of linear
measurement include

1. Pacing
2. Taping
3. Tachymetric
4. Graphical
5. Mathematical
6. Mechanical
7. Photogrammetric
8. Electronic Distance Measurement.

In some instances, a surveyor may find occasion to employ a

combination of methods to advantage.
 Distance by Pacing
It consists of counting the number of steps or paces in a
required distance. It is defined as the length of a step in
walking. It may be measured from heel to heel or from toe to
toe. In surveying, pacing means moving with measured steps; and
if steps are counted, distances can be determined if the length
of a step is known.Counting strides instead of paces is sometimes
preferred by surveyors. A stride is equivalent to two paces or a
double step
Pace Factor (PF)

1 full stride

1 pace

Toe

Heel
1 pace
 Distance by Tachymetry

Tachymetry (or tacheometry) is another procedure of obtaining

horizontal distances. It is based on optical geometry of the
instruments employed and is an indirect method of measurement. A
transit or theodolite is used to determine the subtended
intervals and angles on a graduated rod or scale from which
distances are computed by trigonometry. Tachymetric measurements
are performed either by the stadia method or the subtense bar
method.
 Distance by Tachymetry: Stadia Method

This method provides a rapid means of determining horizontal

distances. The precision of this method depends upon the
following: (1)refinement with which the instrument was
manufactured, (2)the skill of the observer, (3)the length of
measurement, and (4)the effect of refraction and parallax.
Horizontal distances determined by this method will yield a
relative precision of only between 1/300 and 1/1000.
Distance by Tachymetry: Stadia Method
UPPER RDG

MIDDLE RDG

LOWER RDG
 Distance by Tachymetry: Subtense Bar Method

The subtense bar is a convenient and practical device used for

quick and accurate measurement of horizontal distances. The bar
which is precisely 2 meters long, consists of a rounded steel
tube through which runs a thin invar rod. At each of the frame
the target marks are housed. It is mounted horizontally on a
tripod and placed perpendicular to the line of sight by means of
a sighting device on top of the bar.
Distance by Tachymetry: Subtense Bar Method
 PROBLEM SOLVING
1. A 45-m course, AB, on the level ground was paced by a surveyor
for the purpose of determining his pace factor. The number of
paces for each trial taken are shown in the accompanying
tabulation.

Requirements:

a) Determine his pace factor. [ANS. 0.865 M.]

b) If the surveyor took 771, 770, 768, 770, 772, and 769 paces
in walking an unknown distance CD, what is the length of the
line? [ANS. 666.1 M]
c) Assuming that the tape length of the line CD is 667.0 m,
determine the relative precision of the measured performed.
[ANS. 1/700]
 PROBLEM SOLVING
Pacing data:

TRIAL LINE TAPED DISTANCE NO. OF PACES

1 AB 50

2 BA 53

3 AB 51
45.0 m
4 BA 53

5 AB 52

6 BA 53
 PROBLEM SOLVING

2. 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 1.300 m, and 0.900 m, respectively.
If the stadia interval factor is 100 and the instrument
constant is zero, determine the length of line AB.
[ANS. 40.0 M]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

3. The following subtended angles were read on a 2-m long

subtense bar using a theodolite: 0°54’ 13”, 0°22’20”, 0°
32’06”, and 0°19’46”. Compute the horizontal distance from the
theodolite to each position of the bar.
[ANS. 126.81 m, 307.86 m, 214.19 m, 347.83 m]
 Distance by Taping
The use of a graduated tape is probably the most common method of
measuring or laying out horizontal distances. Taping consists of
stretching a calibrated tape between two points and reading the
distance indicated on the tape.
 Distance by Taping: Breaking Tape
It is standard practice to hold the tape horizontally above the
ground and to plumb at on or both ends when taping on a sloping
or uneven terrain surface. This requires the measurement of
shorter distances which are accumulated to total a full tape
length.
 Distance by Taping: Slope Taping
Taped measurements may be made directly along the slopes when the
ground is of uniform inclination and fairly smooth, rather than
break tape every few meters. This very practical method is
generally preferred since the measurements could be made quickly
and more accurately than horizontal measurements.
 Correction for Taping
Taping operations could either be of the following: (1)taping to
determine an unknown length, or (2)taping for the purpose of
laying out a required or specified length. Regardless of which of
these two categories is involved, there are some corrections
which are applied to the original measurements to determine the
correct and more accurate length.

Manufacturers of assorted measuring tapes do not usually

guarantee their products to be exactly their correct length.
These tapes rarely corresponds exactly with its specified nominal
length (NL) since they may actually be slightly shorter or
longer. This is often due to imperfections in their manufacture,
stretching, or wear. Also due to constant use tapes become worn,
kinked, and may be improperly repaired when breaks occur.
 Correction for Taping
Corrections to taping are applied by the use of the following
rules:

1ST RULE: WHen a line is measured with a tape, that is “too

long”, the corrections are applied to the observed length by
adding.

2ND RULE: When a specified or required length is to be laid out

with a tape that is “too long”, the corrections are subtracted
from the known length tp determine the corrected length to be
laid out.

3RD RULE: When measuring or laying out lengths with a tape that
is “too short”, the corrections are applied opposite to those
stated in the first two rules.
 Correction for Taping

An incorrect length of tape introduces an error each time the

tape is used and is classified as the systematic error. It is
therefore advisable to periodically calibrate tape lengths if
accurate measurements are desired.
 PROBLEM SOLVING

4. A measurement is made along a line that is inclined by a

vertical angle of 15°25’ as measured using a hand level and
clinometer. The slope measurement is 756.52 m. What is the
corresponding horizontal distance?[ANS.729.30 m]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

5. The length of a line AB measured with a 50-m tape is 465.285

m. When the tape is compared with a standardized invar tape it
is found to be 0.016 m too long in almost the same conditions
of support, tension, and temperature that existed during
measurements of the line. Determine the correct length of AB.
[ANS.465.434 m]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

6. A rectangular lot was measured using a 50-m steel tape which

was found to be 0.025 m too short. If the recorded length and
width of the lot are 180.455 m and 127.062 m, respectively,
determine (a)actual dimension of the lot, and (b)error in area
introduced due to the erroneous length of tape.
[ANS.(a) 126.998 m and 180.365 m (b) 22.979 sqm]
 Correction due to Slope

B Where:

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 or the difference
between the slope length and the horizontal
C
distance
A

An incorrect length of tape introduces an error each time the

tape is used and is classified as the systematic error. It is
therefore advisable to periodically calibrate tape lengths if
accurate measurements are desired.
 Correction due to Slope
s2 = d2 + h2
B
h2 = s2 - d2 = (s-d)(s+d)
h2
h2 = Ch(s+d) or Ch = s+d

C FOR GENTLE SLOPES (less than 20%),

A h2
Ch =
2s
FOR STEEP SLOPES (20% - 30%),
h2 h2
Ch = +
Note: 2s 8s3
A plus or minus sign FOR VERY STEEP SLOPES (greater than 30%),
must be given to indicate
if the slope is rising or Ch = s(1 - cos 𝚹)
falling, respectively.
 Correction due to Temperature

The tape lengthens as the temperature rises and shortens as the

temperature falls. Any change in the length of a tape due to variations in
temperature is critical when undertaking precise measurements. It can also
be significant even for measurements of lower precision as in most
engineering-type surveys. In ordinary taping of short distances, it is
usually considered since the amount involved is usually small and
negligible.

Note:
1. When MEASURING, the correction is ADDED when the tape is TOO LONG and
SUBTRACTED when tape is TOO SHORT
2. When LAYING OUT, the correction is SUBTRACTED when the tape is TOO LONG
and ADDED when tape is TOO SHORT
 Correction due to Temperature

Where:
CT = Correction due to temperature (m)
C = coefficient of linear expansion = 0.0000116/℃
L = length of the tape or length of the line measured (m)
T = observed temperature of the tape at the time of measurement (℃)
Ts = temperature at which the tape was standardized (℃)
 Correction due to Tension

During calibration, a tape is subjected to a certain amount of standard

pull or tension on its end. When used in the field during taping, it is
elongated or shortened accordingly, depending on the amount of tension
applied on it. If the pull is greater than that for which it was
calibrated, the tape elongates and become too long. Correspondingly, it
will stretch less that its standard length when an insufficient pull is
applied thus, making it too short. An error in measurement results
whenever the pull applied is different from the standard tension used
in calibration.
 Correction due to Tension

Where:
CP = Correction due to pull (m)
Pm = pull applied to the tape during the tape measurement (kg)
Ps = standard pull for the tape (kg)
L = measured length of line (m)
A = cross-sectional area of the tape (sq. cm)
E = modulus elasticity of the tape material (kg/sq. cm); for steel = 7.866x10-3
kg/cm3

The cross-sectional area may also be calculated by dividing the total weight
(W) of the tape by the product of its length (L) and the unit weight of the
teel which is approximately 7.866x10-3 kg/cm3.
 Correction due to Sag
A tape attains its correct length when it is fully supported and
subjected to the pull for which it was standardized. If the
support is only at its ends or at the two points measured, it
will sag even if the standard pull is maintained because of its
own weight. The tape takes the form of a catenary when it sags,
between points of support just as an electric or telephone wire
which hangs and swings loosely between two posts.
 Correction due to Sag

Where:
Cs = correction due to sag
w = weight of tape per unit length (kg/m)
W = total weight of tape between supports (kg)
L = interval between supports or the unsupported length of the
tape (m)
P = tension of pull applied on the tape (kg)
 PROBLEM SOLVING

7. Slope distances AB and BC measures 330.49 m. and 660.97 m,

respectively. The difference in elevation are 12.22 m for
points A and B, and 10.85 m for points 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. [Ans. 991.14 m]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

8. A steel tape with a coefficient of linear expansion of

0.0000116/℃ is known to be 50 m long at 20℃. The tape was
used to measure a line which was found to be 532.28 m long
when the temperature was 35℃. Determine the following:

a) temperature correction per tape length [Ans. +0.0087 m]

b) temperature correction for the measured line [Ans. +0.0926 m]
c) correct length of the line [Ans. 532.37 m]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

9. A heavy 50-m tape having a cross-sectional area of 0.05 sq. cm

has been standardized at a tension of 5.5 kg. If E = 2.10 x
106 kg/sq cm, determine the elongation of the tape if a pull
of 12 kg is applied. [Ans. 3x10-3 m]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

10. A 30-m steel tape weighing 1.45kg is a standard length under a

pull of 5kg, supported for full length. The tape was used in
measuring a line 938.55 m long on smooth level ground under a
steady pull of 10kg. Assuming E =2.0x10-3kg/cm2 and the unit
weight of steel to be 7.9x10–3 kg/cm3, determine the following:

a) cross-sectional area of the tape [Ans. 0.06 cm2]

b) correction for increase in tension [Ans. +0.04 m]
c) correct length of the line measured [Ans. 938.59 m]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

11. A steel tape, known to be of the standard length at 20℃, is

used in laying out a runway 2500.00 m long. If its coefficient
of linear expansion is 0.0000116/℃, determine the temperature
correction and the correct length to be laid out when the
temperature is 42℃. [Ans. +0.638 m; 2499.36 m]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

12. A 50-m steel tape weighs 0.04 kg/m and is supported at its end
points and at the 8-m and 25-m marks. If a pull of 6kg is
applied, determine the following:

a) correction due to sag between 0-m and 8-m marks, and 8-m
and 25-m marks, and the 25-m and 50-m marks. [Ans. 0.0009 m,
0.0091 m, and 0.0289 m]
b) correction due to sag for tape length [Ans. 0.0389 m]
c) correct distance between the ends of the tape [Ans. 49.9611
m]
 PROBLEM SOLVING

13. A 50-m steel tape weighing 0.035 kg/m is constantly supported

at mid-length and at its end points, and is used to measure a
line AB with a steady pull at 6.5kg. If the measured of AB is
1268.256 m, determine the following:

a) correction due to sag between supports and for the whole

tape length. [Ans. 0.0189 m, 0.0189 m, 0.0378 m]
b) total sag correction for the whole length measured [Ans.
0.9588 m]
c) correct length of line AB [Ans. 1267.2972 m]