Angles Azimuths Bearings

Surveying & Measurement
Angles, Azimuths and Bearings

Introduction
Finding the locations of points and
orientations of lines depends on
measurements of angles and directions.
In surveying, directions are given by
azimuths and bearings.
Angels measured in surveying are
classified as
Horizontal angels
Vertical angles
Introduction
Total station instruments are used to
measure angels in the field.
Three basic requirements determining an
angle:
Reference or starting line,
Direction of turning, and
Angular distance
(value of the angel)
Units of Angel Measurement
In the United States and many other countries:
The sexagesimal system: degrees, minutes, and
seconds with the last unit further divided decimally.
(The circumference of circles is divided into 360 parts
of degrees; each degree is further divided into
minutes and seconds)
In Europe
Centesimal system: The circumference of circles is
divided into 400 parts called gon (previously called
grads)
Units of Angel Measurement
Digital computers
Radians in computations: There are 2
radians in a circle (1 radian = 57.30)
Mil - The circumference of a circle is
divided into 6400 parts (used in military
science)
Kinds of Horizontal Angles
The most commonly measured horizontal
angles in surveying:
Interior angles,
Angles to the right, and
Deflection angles
Because they differ considerably, the kind
used must be clearly identified in field
notes.
Interior Angles
It is measured on the inside of a closed
polygon (traverse) or open as for a
highway.
Polygon: closed traverse used for
boundary survey.
A check can be made because the sum of
all angles in any polygon must equal
(n-2)180 where n is the number of
angles.
Interior Angles
Clockwise interior Counterclockwise

angles (angles to interior angles
the right). (angles to the left).
Exterior Angles
Located outside a closed polygon.
The advantage to be gained by measuring
this angle is their use as another check.
Interior Angel + Exterior Angle = 360
Angels to the Right
The measured clockwise angle between the
preceding line and the next line of the a traverse
(clockwise from the rear to the forward station).
As a survey progresses, stations are identified
by consecutive alphabetic letters.
Most automatic data collectors require that
angles to the right be measured in the field.
Angels to the Left
Turned counterclockwise from the rear
station.
A serious mistake occurs if
counterclockwise angles are measured
and recorded or assumed to be clockwise.
To avoid this confusion, always measure
angel to the right and note the direction of
turning in the filed book with a sketch.
Deflection Angles
Measured from an extension of the back
line, to the forward station.
Used principally on the long linear
alignments of route surveys.
Deflection angles may be measured to the
right (clockwise) or to the left
(counterclockwise) depending upon the
direction of the route.
Deflection Angles
Clockwise (+) and
Counterclockwise (-)
Deflection angles are
always < 180
The direction of turning
is identified by
appending an R or L to
the numerical value.
Azimuths
Azimuths are horizontal angles measured
clockwise from any reference meridian.
In plane surveying, azimuths are generally
measured from north.
Azimuths are used advantageously in
boundary, topographic, control, and other
kinds of surveys, as well as in
computations.
Azimuths
Azimuths
Every line has two azimuths (forward and
back) and their values differ by 180
Azimuth are referred to astronomic,
magnetic, or assumed meridian
For example: the forward azimuth of line
AB is 50 - the back azimuth or azimuth
of BA is 230 North North
Meridians
There are three types of meridians
Astronomic - direction determined from the
shape of the earth and gravity; also called
geodetic north
Magnetic - direction taken by a magnetic
needle at observers position
Assumed - subjective direction taken for
convenience
Bearing
Bearings are another systems for designating
directions of lines.
The bearing of a line is defined as the acute
horizontal angle between a reference meridian
and the line.
Measured from either the north or south toward
the east or west, to give a reading smaller than
90.
For example; N70E, N30W, S35E, and
S55W
Bearing
Bearing
Assume that total station is set up at
points A, B, C, and D; bearings read on
lines AB, BA, BC, CB, CD, and DC.
AB, BC, and CD are Forward bearings
BA, CB, and DC are Back bearings
Back bearings should have the same
numerical values as forward bearings but
opposite letters.
Bearing
Bearing AB = N44E, bearing BA =S44W
N
N N N
C
A B D
Azimuths and Bearings
Example 1
The azimuth of the boundary line is 12813'46".
Convert this to a bearing.
180-12813'46" = 5146'14" = S 5146'14" E
Example 2
The first course of a boundary survey is written
as N 3713' W. What is its equivalent azimuth?
Since the bearing is in the northwest quadrant,
the azimuth is 360-3713' = 32247'
+
When a computed azimuth exceeds

360o, the correct azimuth is obtained
by subtracting 360o
If the bearing or azimuth of one side of
traverse has been determined and the
angles between the sides have been
measured, the bearings or azimuths of
the other sides can be computed
One technique to solve most of these

problems is to use the deflection angles
Example 5
From the traverse shown below compute
the azimuth and bearing of side BC
Example 5
Example 6
Compute the interior angle at B
Example 6

Angles Azimuths Bearings

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Angles Azimuths Bearings

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Surveying & Measurement

Angles, Azimuths and Bearings

Clockwise interior Counterclockwise

When a computed azimuth exceeds

One technique to solve most of these

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