GENG 1

GENERAL SURVEYING 1
ENGR. MELANIE S. SUYU
OUTLINE: HORIZONTAL
POSITION COMPUTATION BY
TRAVERSE AND SIDESHOTS
• Traverse, Purposes of Traverse, General
Classes of Traverse and Types of Traverse
• Traverse Computation and Adjustment
• Compass Rule and Transit Rule
• Sideshots Computation and Adjustment
• Coordinates Computation
 GENG 1

TRAVERSE
A Traverse is a succession of straight
lines along or through the area to be
surveyed. The directions and lengths
of these lines are determined by
measurements taken in the field.
 GENG 1

PURPOSE OF A TRAVERSE
A traverse is currently the most common of several possible
methods for establishing a series or network of monuments
with known positions on the ground. Such monuments are
referred to as horizontal control points.
GPS and other methods capitalizing on new technology may
eventually replace traversing as a primary means of
establishing horizontal control. Meanwhile, most surveys
covering relatively small areas will continue to rely on
traverses.
Whatever method is employed to establish horizontal
control, the result is to assign rectangular coordinates to each
control point within the survey. This allows each point to be
related to every other point with respect to distance and
direction, as well as to permit areas to be calculated when
needed.
 GENG 1

GENERAL CLASSES OF TRAVERSE

INTERIOR ANGLE TRAVERSE
 Used principally in land surveying
 Interior angles may be measured either in a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction, however the
usual practice is to measure these angles clockwise.
 The interior angles of any closed traverse may be
checked by the geometrical relation that in any
polygon having “n” sides the sum of the interior
angles must equal to (n-2)180⁰. This relation
furnishes a check on the accuracy of the angular
measurements and also serves as a basis for
distributing the errors in measurement.
 GENG 1

INTERIOR ANGLE TRAVERSE

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
1. The interior angles of a five-sided closed
traverse were measured as follows:
A=118⁰30’ C=Not measured E=140⁰50’
B=95⁰33’ D=134⁰10’

If all observed angles are assumed to be correct,

determine the interior angle at C. Also determine
the bearing of each line if the bearing of line AB is
N15⁰30’E. Tabulate values accordingly.
 B

A 118⁰30’

140⁰50’
134⁰10’

E
D
 GENG 1

2. The observed interior angles of a closed

traverse are as follows: A, 153⁰30’00”; B,
58⁰20’20”; C, 139⁰19’00”; D, 78⁰21’20”; and E,
110⁰28’00”. Determine the angular closure and
adjust the measured angles by assuming that the
angular error is of the same amount at each
station. Tabulate values accordingly.
 GENG 1

DEFLECTION ANGLE TRAVERSE

 Used frequently for the location survey of roads,
railroads, pipelines, transmission lines, canals, and
other similar types of survey.
 It is employed to a lesser extent in land surveys and
in establishing controls for hydrographic and
topographic surveys.
 Measured clockwise or counterclockwise from the
prolongation of the preceding line to the succeeding
line.
 Angles vary from 0⁰ to 180⁰ and must be designated
as right (R) or left (L).
 GENG 1

DEFLECTION ANGLES
DEFLECTION ANGLE TRAVERSE
 GENG 1

SAMPLE PROBLEM
Following are the observed deflection angles of a
closed traverse:
A=28⁰25’00” (L) E=108⁰13’30” (L)
B=68⁰03’30” (L) F=16⁰50’00” (R)
C=120⁰34’00” (L) G=110⁰00’30” (L)
D=58⁰30’00” (R)
Compute the error of closure and adjust the
angular values by assuming that the error is the
same for each angle. Tabulate values accordingly.
ANGLE TO THE RIGHT TRAVERSE
 Employed when numerous details are to be located
from the traverse station.
 Commonly used on city, tunnel, and mine surveys,
and in locating details for a topographic map.
 An open closed traverse can be executed by this
method of traversing.
 The angles for this type of traverse are measured
clockwise from the backsight on the back line to a
forward line.
 These angles may lie anywhere between 0⁰ and 360⁰
 GENG 1

ANGLE TO THE RIGHT TRAVERSE

SAMPLE PROBLEM
A five-sided closed traverse proceeds in a clockwise
direction and the angle to the right at each station
were observed as follows:
αa=240⁰30’ αd=220⁰04’
αb=238⁰15’ αe=271⁰13’
αc=289⁰53’ n=5

Determine the error of closure and adjust the

observed values on the assumption that the error is
the same for each angle. Tabulate values accordingly.
 B

E C

D
AZIMUTH TRAVERSE
 One of the quickest and most satisfactory method
where at one setup of the transit or theodolite several
angles or directions can be determined.
 Azimuths are measured clockwise either from the
north or south end of a selected reference meridian
to the line.
 These angles may lie anywhere between 0⁰ and 360⁰
 Used extensively on topographic and other surveys
where a large number of details are to be located by
angular and linear measurements from traverse
stations.
AZIMUTH ANGLES MEASURED FROM NORTH
AZIMUTH ANGLES MEASURED FROM SOUTH
SAMPLE PROBLEM
Given in the accompanying tabulation are the observed data for a
closed traverse. Determine the bearing and azimuth from north of all
traverse lines, and the angle to the right at each station.

Sta. Occ. Sta. Obs. Distance (m) Azimuth (S)

A E 90⁰28’
B 210.10 170⁰30’
B A 350⁰30’
C 155.34 123⁰05’
C B 303⁰05’
D 206.85 56⁰13’
D C 236⁰13’
E 174.50 357⁰58’
E D 177⁰58’
A 330.00 270⁰28’
- - -
- - -
 C

B
D

330.00
E
A
TRAVERSE COMPUTATION
For any close traverse the first step taken by the
survey or should always be to check if the
observed angles fulfil the geometric conditions of
the figure.
Angular error of closure must be corrected to
give a series of preliminary adjusted directions.
All linear distances should then be corrected
since errors in measured lengths will alter the
shape of the traverse.
COMPUTATIONS AND ADJUSTMENTS REQUIRED
FOR A CLOSED TRAVERSE
Determining the latitudes and departures and
their respective algebraic sums
Calculating the total error of closure
Balancing the survey
Determining the adjusted position of each
traverse station
Computing the area
Dividing a surveyed tract into smaller parts
LATITUDES AND DEPARTURES
The LATITUDE of a line is its projection onto the
reference meridian or a north-south line.
LATITUDES are sometimes referred to as northings or
southings.
LATITUDES of lines with northerly bearings are
designated as being north (N) or positive (+); those in a
southerly direction are designated as south (S) or
negative (-).
On the other hand, the DEPARTURE of a line is its
projection onto the reference parallel or an east-west line.
DEPARTURES are east (E) or positive (+) for lines having
easterly bearings and west (W) or negative (-) for lines
having westerly bearings.
EQUATIONS OBTAINED FOR LINES AB, CD, GH
and EF

Latab = dab Cosαab Depab = dab Sinαab

Latcd = dcd Cosαcd Depcd = dcd Sinαcd

Latgh = dgh Cosαgh Depgh = dgh Sinαgh

Latef = def Cosαef Depef = def Sinαef

ERROR OF CLOSURE
There is no such thing as a mathematically
perfect survey. Small errors in both distances and
angles will always be present even in closed
traverses observed using instruments and
methods of high precision
In all probability a surveyed closed traverse
would not satisfy the geometric requirements of
a closed polygon. Until adjustments are made to
these observed quantities it will always be
expected that the traverse will not
mathematically close.
LINEAR ERROR OF CLOSURE
Usually a short line of unknown length and direction
connecting the initial and final stations of the traverse.
It is approximately determined by plotting the traverse
to scale, or more exactly by computing the hypotenuse of
a right triangle whose sides are the closure in latitudes
and the closure in departures, respectively.
This quantity reflects the algebraic sum of all the
accumulated errors of measurements both in angles and
distances when running the traverse.
The linear error of closure does not indicate the
precision of the measurements until it is compared with
the total length of the traverse.
FORMULA:

LEC = √C2L + C2D and Tan θ = -CD

-CL

WHERE:
LEC = linear error of closure
CL = closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of north and
south latitudes
CD = closure in the departure or the algebraic sum of the
east and west departures
θ = bearing angle of the side of error
FORMULA:

RP = LEC/D

WHERE:
RP = relative precision
LEC = linear error of closure
D = total length or perimeter of the traverse
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
1. Given in the tabulation below are notes for an open
traverse. Determine the latitude and departure of each
course and tabulate observed and computed values
accordingly.

COURSE DISTANCE BEARING COURSE DISTANCE BEARING

AB 550.30 m N28⁰10’E DE 631.22 m N50⁰00’E
BC 395.48 S69⁰35’E EF 340.05 S25⁰05’E
CD 462.70 S27⁰50’E FG 275.86 DUE EAST
2. Given in the accompanying tabulation are the observed
data for a closed traverse obtained from a transit-tape
survey. Determine the following quantities: latitude and
departure of each course, linear error of closure, bearing
of the side of error, and the precision of the
measurements. Tabulate observed and computed values
according to the usual format.

LINE LENGTH (d) AZIM FROM COURSE DISTANCE AZIM FROM

NORTH (α) NORTH (α)
AB 233.10 m 122⁰30’ DE 234.46 m 333⁰35’
BC 242.05 85⁰15’ EF 270.65 254⁰08’
CD 191.50 20⁰00’ FA 252.38 213⁰00’
3. In a given closed traverse the sum of the north
latitudes exceeds the sum of the south latitudes
by 2.74m and the sum of the west departures
exceeds the sum of the east departures by 3.66m.
Determine the linear error of closure and the
bearing of the side of error.
TRAVERSE ADJUSTMENT

The procedure of computing the linear error of closure

and applying corrections to the individual latitudes and
departures for the purpose of providing a mathematically
closed figure is referred to as TRAVERSE ADJUSTMENT.
It is necessary that the traverse is geometrically
consistent before coordinates or areas are determined, or
prior to determining the location of lines from the
traverse stations
Adjustment should only involve small or allowable
errors which must be within the range of the precision
specified for the survey.
Rules and Methods used in
Adjusting Traverse
Arbitrary Method
Compass Rule
Transit Rule
Crandall Method
Least Square Method
Graphical Method
Rectangular Coordinates
Coordinate Methods
ARBITRARY METHOD
When the arbitrary method of adjustment is
employed, the latitudes and departures are
adjusted in a discretionary manner according to
the surveyor’s assessment of the conditions
surrounding the survey.
It is the simplest to perform.
This method does not conform to establish rules
or mathematical equations since the surveyor
simply relies on his own estimation and personal
judgement.
COMPASS RULE
Also known as BOWDITCH RULE which was named after
the distinguished American navigator Nathaniel
Bowditch.
It is very popular rule for adjusting a closed traverse. Of
the several methods used for balancing latitudes and
departures, perhaps the most commonly used is this rule.
It is based on the assumption that all lengths were
measured with equal care and all angles taken with
approximately the same precision. It is also assumed that
the errors in the measurement are accidental and that the
total error in any side of the traverse is directly
proportional to the total length of the traverse.
The compass rule may be stated as follows: the correction to be
applied to the latitude (or departure) of any course is equal to the
total closure in latitude (or departure) multiplied by the ratio of the
length of the course to the total length or perimeter of the traverse.

Cl = CL(d/D) and Cd = CD(d/D)

Where:
Cl = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course
Cd = correction to be applied to the departure of any course
CL =total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north and
south latitudes (ƩNL + ƩSL)
CD =total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the east
and west departures (ƩED + ƩWD)
d = length of any course
D = total length or perimeter of the traverse
All computed corrections should be added to
check whether their respective sums equal the
closures in latitude and departure.
It will be observed that during the process of
adjustment an excess or deficiency of 0.01m may
result when rounding off computed values. This
imbalance is usually eliminated by applying an
arbitrary correction such as revising one of the
computed correction.
To determine the adjusted latitude of any
course the latitude correction is either added to
or subtracted from the computed latitude of the
course.
Also known as BOWDITCH RULE which was named after
the distinguished American navigator Nathaniel
Bowditch.
It is very popular rule for adjusting a closed traverse. Of
the several methods used for balancing latitudes and
departures, perhaps the most commonly used is this rule.
It is based on the assumption that all lengths were
measured with equal care and all angles taken with
approximately the same precision. It is also assumed that
the errors in the measurement are accidental and that the
total error in any side of the traverse is directly
proportional to the total length of the traverse.
SIMPLE RULE:
If the sum of the north latitudes exceeds the sum of
the south latitudes, latitude corrections are
subtracted from north latitudes and added to
corresponding south latitudes. However, if the sum
of the south latitudes exceeds the sum of the north
latitudes, the corrections are applied in the
opposite manner. A similar procedure is used when
adjusting the departures. After all the corrections
have been applied properly to the latitudes and
departures of the traverse, it will be expected that
a perfect closure will be obtained.
ADJUSTED LENGTHS AND DIRECTIONS:
After the latitudes and departures of the courses of a
closed traverse have been so adjusted, the bearings (or
azimuths) of the courses and their lengths should also be
adjusted to correspond to the adjusted latitudes and
departures .
L’ = √ (Lat’)2 + (Dep’)2 and Tan α = Dep’/ Lat’)

Where:
L’ = adjusted length of a course
Lat’ = adjusted latitude of a course
Dep’ = adjusted departure of a course
α = adjusted horizontal angle between the reference
meridian and a course
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
1. Given in the accompanying tabulation are the observed
data for a traverse obtained from a transit-tape survey.
Determine the latitudes and departures of each course
and balance these quantities by employing the compass
rule. Also determine the linear error of closure, bearing of
the side of error, and the relative error of closure.
Tabulate values accordingly.

COURSE DISTANCE BEARING COURSE DISTANCE BEARING

AB 495.85 m N05⁰30’E DE 1,020.87m S12⁰25’E
BC 850.62 N46⁰02’E EF 1,117.26 S83⁰44’W
CD 855.45 S67⁰38’E FA 660.08 N55⁰09W
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
2. Given the observed and calculated data
in problem no.1, determine the adjusted
length and adjusted bearing of each course
and tabulate values accordingly.
TRANSIT RULE
The method of adjusting a traverse by the transit rule is
similar to the method using the compass rule. The main
difference is that with the transit rule the latitude and
departure corrections depend on the length of the
latitude and departure of the course respectively instead
of both depending on the length of the course.
It is not commonly used as the compass rule, however, it
is best suited for surveys where the sides of the traverse
are measured by the stadia or subtense bar method.
The rule is based on the assumption that the angular
measurements are more precise than the linear
measurements and that the errors in traversing are
accidental.
The transit rule may be stated as follows:
the correction to be applied to the latitude
(or departure) of any course is equal to
the latitude (or departure) of the course
multiplied by the ratio of the total closure
in latitude (or departure) to the
arithmetical sum of all the latitudes (or
departures) of the traverse.
 Cl = Lat (CL)/ƩNL - ƩSL
Cd = Dep (CD)/ƩED - ƩWD

Where:
Cl = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course
Cd = correction to be applied to the departure of any course
CL =total closure in latitude or the algebraic sum of the north and
south latitudes (ƩNL + ƩSL)
CD =total closure in departure or the algebraic sum of the east
and west departures (ƩED + ƩWD)
ƩNL = summation of north latitudes
ƩSL = summation of south latitudes
ƩED = summation of east departures
ƩWD = summation of west departures
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
1. Given in the accompanying tabulation are the observed
data for a traverse obtained from a transit-tape survey.
Determine the latitudes and departures of each course
and balance these quantities by employing the transit
rule. Tabulate values accordingly.

COURSE DISTANCE AZIM (N) COURSE DISTANCE AZIM (N)

AB 495.85 m 05⁰30’ DE 1,020.87m 167⁰35’
BC 850.62 46⁰02’ EF 1,117.26 263⁰44’
CD 855.45 112⁰22’ FA 660.08 304⁰51’
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
2. Given the observed and calculated data
in problem no.1, determine the adjusted
length and adjusted azimuth (reckoned
from north) of each course and tabulate
values accordingly.
CRANDALL METHOD
The Crandall method of adjusting a traverse is an
application of the theory of least squares. It was
introduced by Prof. C. L. Crandall and is suitable for use
when the linear measurements made are less precise
than the angular measurements.
In this method of adjustment, the angular misclosure is
first distributed equally to the measured angles. The
adjusted angles are then held fixed and all remaining
corrections applied on the linear measurements by a
weighted least squares procedure.
Although the Crandall method of adjustment is more
reliable than the compass rule and transit rule, it is time-
consuming when done without the use of an electronic
calculator or a digital computer.
LEAST SQUARES METHOD
The method of least squares is a mathematically exact
method. It is the best way of adjusting survey data
particularly very precise measurements. This method of
adjustment is well suited for traverses and traverse nets
regardless of the relative precision of linear and angular
measurements.
The adjustment is one of the best and most rigorous for
traverses. It is, however, somewhat complex, laborious to
perform, requires lengthy computations, and seldom used
except in large scale geodetic surveys.
The least squares method is based on the theory of
probability.
GRAPHICAL METHOD
The graphical method is essentially an
application of the compass rule. It provides a
simple graphical means of making traverse
adjustments.
In this method each traverse point is moved in a
direction parallel to the error of closure by an
amount proportional to the distance along the
traverse from the initial point to the given point.
 b
c
eB
eC
B d2
C

d1
d3

A d
eD
e D
E d4
A’ d5 eE The plotted traverse with
an error of closure
Linear error of closure (e)
Trace of the graphically adjusted
traverse
THE CORRECTION TRIANGLE AA’a:
a
e
d
c
b eD eE eA
eB eC

A d1 B d2 C d3 D d4 E d5 A’

The plotted traverse ABCDEA’ shown in the previous slide does not close on the
initial point due to a certain error of closure, AA’. To adjust the traverse graphically, the
following steps are performed:

a)Construct a straight line AA’ equal to the total length of the traverse with the points
B, C, D, and E plotted on this line in proportion to the distances of these points from the
starting point A.

b) At the farther end of the line (A’) construct line A’a equal to the linear error of
closure and perpendicular to line AA’.
 a
e
d
c
b eD eE eA
eB eC

A d1 B d2 C d3 D d4 E d5 A’

c) Draw a line connecting A and a. Thus, the figure above is now formed the
correction triangle which is defined by points A, A’, and a.

d) At B, C, D, and E draw Bb, Cc. Dd, and Ee parallel to A’a, and where these lines
intersect line Aa, label the points of intersection as b, c, d, and e, respectively.

e) Going back to figure in the previous slide, draw lines through B, C, D, and E
parallel to A’A and along these set off distances equal to Bb, Cc, Dd, and Ee. Each of
these lines represents the correction to be applied at each of the four intermediate
stations on the original traverse. Then AbcdeA represents the adjusted traverse.
COORDINATES
In Surveying, one of the primary functions is to describe or establish
the positions of points on the surface of the earth. One of the many
ways to accomplish this is by using coordinates to provide an address
for the point. Modern surveying techniques rely heavily on 3
dimensional coordinates.
RECTANGULAR COORDINATES
the two horizontal distances measured to a point from a
pair of mutually perpendicular axes.
all coordinate values are computed from an origin fixed
by the intersection of an x-axis and y-axis. The x-axis is a
reference line which runs along an east-west direction
and the y-axis runs along a north-south direction.
Coordinate locations are given by two quantities, the X
and Y coordinates. The X coordinate of a point is the
perpendicular distance from the y-axis and its Y
coordinate is the perpendicular distance from the x-axis.
Thus, when the rectangular coordinates of a number of
points are known, their relative positions are defined.
Y-axis

X3
3

Lat of 2-3
X2 2

Lat of 1-2
Y3

Y2
X1 1
Y1 X-axis
ORIGIN Dep of 1-2 Dep of 2-3

RECTANGULAR COORDINATES OF POINTS

It is therefore obvious that, if latitudes and departures
have been computed and adjusted , and if the coordinates
of one point are known, the coordinates of all other points
can be determined by adding successive departures to the
previous X coordinates and successive latitudes to the
previous Y coordinates.
Coordinates are commonly used indifferent kinds of
traverse-related computations such as
Determining lengths and directions of lines
Locating points on a horizontal plane
Suitable for plottinghorizontal control surveys
Calculation related to route curves.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
Given in the accompanying tabulation are the adjusted latitudes and
adjusted departures of a closed traverse. Calculate the coordinates of
each station along the traverse if the coordinates of station A are X =
3,000.00m and Y = 4,000.00m. Tabulate values accordingly.
ADJ. LATITUDES ADJ. DEPARTURES
LINE +N -S +E -W
AB 405.50 202.25
BC 218.13 175.64
CD 71.08 415.36
DE 325.67 355.62
EF 389.70 58.51
FA 488.52 739.08
SUMS 949.30 949.30 973.23 973.23
COORDINATE METHOD
When a survey is run and made to close on a distant
terminal station or point of known coordinates, it will be
expected that the computed coordinates of the terminal
station will differ from its known coordinates. There will
be an error of closure along the x-axis and also along the
y-axis. This is due to inherent errors in both angular and
linear measurements during traversing.
This method of adjustment is simply an application of
the compass rule since the corrections applied are
proportionate to the lengths being adjusted
FORMULAS USED:
d= 𝑋2 − 𝑋1 2 + 𝑌2 − 𝑌1 2 ………………………………Eq.(1)

CX = XK – XC ……………………………………………………… Eq.(2)

CY = YK – YC ……………………………………………………… Eq.(3)

𝐶𝑋 2 + 𝐶𝑌 2
RP = 𝐷
……………………………………………… Eq.(4)

x = d (CX/D) ………………………………………………………. Eq.(5)

y = d (CY/D) ………………………………………………………. Eq.(6)

FORMULAS USED:
X’ = X ± x……………………………………………………………. Eq.(7)

Y’ = Y ± y……………………………………………………………. Eq.(8)

Where:
d = distance between any two stations whose x and y
coordinates are known
X2 = coordinate along the x-axis of a succeeding station
Y2 = coordinate along the y-axis of a succeeding station
X1 = coordinate along the x-axis of a preceding station
Y1 = coordinate along the y-axis of a preceding station
Where:
CX = error of closure along the x-axis
XK = known coordinate along the x-axis of the distant
terminal station
XC = computed coordinate along the x-axis of the distant
terminal station
CY = error of closure along the y-axis
YK = known coordinate along the y-axis of the distant
terminal station
YC = computed coordinate along the y-axis of the distant
terminal station
RP = relative precision of closure
D = total length or perimeter of the traverse from the
initial station to the distant terminal station
Where:
x = coordinate correction along the x-axis
y = coordinate correction along the y-axis
X’ = adjusted X coordinate of a station
Y’ = adjusted Y coordinate of a station

Equations 5 and 6 are used to determine corrections to X and Y

coordinates of each station. It will be seen that the corrections to
be applied to each X coordinate is found by multiplying the
distance of the station from the initial station by the ratio of the
error of closure along the x-axis to the total length or perimeter of
the traverse. Similarly, the correction to a Y coordinate is
determined by the product of the distance of the station from the
initial station and the ratio of the error of closure along the y-axis
to the total length of the traverse. Corrections to coordinates are
added algebraically to the preliminary coordinates. The signs of
the corrections follow the resulting signs of the error of closure
along the x-axis and the error of closure along the y-axis.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
Given in the accompanying tabulation are the known and computed coordinates of
stations along a traverse. The traverse originates on station Baguio whose known
coordinates are X=6,208.67 and Y = 8,601.44, and closes on station Acupan whose
known coordinates are X = 5,226.10 and Y = 5,782.62. Adjust the coordinates of the
traverse stations and tabulate values accordingly.
COMPUTED COORDINATES
STA X Y
Baguio 6,208.67 8,601.44
A 7,030.45 8,299.54
B 6,984.53 7,698.69
C 7,001.14 7,260.00
D 7,112.99 6,774.08
E 6,586.70 5,941.82
F 6,147.28 6,058.24
G 5,467.06 6,066.64
Acupan 5,226.18 5,782.98