1

Traverse
1.0 Introduction
A traverse is a form of control survey where a series of points are set up. Each point
is known as a station. Traverse survey is a method to measure the length between
the stations and the angle between the lines.
Generally in traverse survey, angles are measured by theodolites or total stations.
The distances between the stations can be measured by electronic distance
measurement (EDM) instruments or a steel measuring tape. (Kavanagh, 2010)
1.1 Types of Surveying
There are two types of traverses which are open traverse and closed traverse.
Open Traverse: Starts on a known point and ends at an unknown point, without
closure.
Closed Traverse: Begins and ends at the same point, also known as loop traverse.






Open traverses are suitable to use on route surveys in construction whereas closed
traverses are useful for marking the boundaries of wood and lakes and for survey of
large areas.



CLOSED TRVERSE OPEN TRVERSE OPEN TRVERSE
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1.2 Closed Traverse Procedures

1. Select 4 station positions around the car park area.
2. Mark the stations with stones or coin putting on the ground with a precise chisel
cross point marked on the top.
3. Place the tripod over Station A. Set the legs at a convenient height and
make it level. Then, mount the theodolite on the tripod.
4. Look through the optical plummet; focus the centering index mark by moving all
three tripod feet by the same amount at the same direction until the reference
mark is centered in the optical plummet. If necessary, adjust the height of the
tripod legs.
5. Fully tighten the centering screw.
6. Now, focus on the circular vial. Adjust the theodolite levelling screws to centralise
the bubble in the vial.
7. Rotate the theodolite on the tripod head to make sure the bubble is remains in
the centre at every direction.
8. Now, focus on the rectangular vial. Adjust the levelling screws until its plate
bubble is parallel to any two screws. Adjust those two screws to center the
bubble.
9. Rotate the theodolite body 90 degrees to the left. Center the bubble with the third
levelling screw. Repeat until the bubble is centered for all four positions.
A
D
A
C
B
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10. Look through the optical plummet again to make sure the coin is still in position.
11. If the point is off, loosen the tripod leveling screw and rotate the theodolite body
until it centered over the survey point, then tighten the screw.
12. Once the theodolite is ready, look through the objective lens to locate the first
point , click on the left/right button (depends on the location of your 2
nd
point).
Then, rotate the theodolite to the second point (either to the left or right) to
indicate the angle between them.
13. After that, use a measuring steel tape to measure the distances of the two lines.
14. Now, place the tripod over the Station B, C then D, repeat step 3 to step 13.

















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2.0 Objectives
To determine the positions of existing boundary.
To establish the positions of boundary lines.
To determine the area encompassed within a boundary.
To establish ground control for photographic mapping.
To familiarize with the use of a theodolite.
To perform a 3-station, closed traverse and calculate the easting and
northings of the stations.
To apply triangulation equations for determining the reduced level of a target.
To establish ground control for photographic mapping.
To establish control for gathering data regarding earthwork quantities in
railroad highway, utility and other construction work.
To establish control for locating railroads, highways, and other construction
work.


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3.0 Loop Traverse

Figure An example of a loop traverse showing the original (unadjusted) field data.

3.1 Compute The Angular Error And Adjust The Angles
a. The sum of the interior angles in any loop traverse must equal (n-2) (180
o
)
for geometric consistency;
b. (4-2) (180
o
) = 2 (180
o
) = 360
o

Station Field angles
A 93
O
1600
B 81
O
5420
C 79
O
1520
D 105
O
2500






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Total angles error = 360
o
359
o
5040 = 920
Therefore, error per angle = 920/4 = 220 per angle
Station Field angles Correction Adjusted Angles
A 93
O
1600 220 93
o
1820
B 81
O
5420 220 81
o
5640
C 79
O
1520 220 79
o
1740
D 105
O
2500 220 105
o
2720


3.2 Compute Course Bearings And Azimuths.
A-B S 15
O
W





B-C S 83
O
320 E








A
93
O
1820
15
O

B
15
O


81
o
5640
83
O
320
7


C-D N 3
O
4540 W






D-A N 78
O
1820 W





3.3 Compute Course Latitudes And Departures.
3.4 Determine The Error Of Closure And Accuracy.
cos sin Lcos Lsin
Station Bearings Length
(m)
Cosine Sine Latitude Departure
A S 15
O
W 38.10 0.9659 0.2588 -36.80 -9.86
B S 83
O
320 E 56.98 0.1209 0.9927 -6.89 56.56
C N 3
O
4540 W 34.60 0.9978 0.0656 34.52 -2.27
D N 78
O
1820 W 51.14 0.2027 0.9792 10.37 -50.08
Perimeter (P) =
180.82
1.20 -5.65
Table Computations for latitude and departure
C
83
O
320

79
o
1740

3
O
4540
D
78
O
1820
105
o
2720
3
O
4540

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3.5 Adjust Course Latitudes And Departures.
a. The Compass Rule
Correction = - [y]/P x L or - [x]/P x L
Where
y and x = the error in latitude or in departure
P= the total length or perimeter of the traverse
L = the length of a particular course

Unadjusted Corrections Adjusted
Station Latitude Departure Latitude Departure Latitude Departure
A -36.80 -9.86 -0.25 1.19 -37.05 -8.67
B -6.89 56.56 -0.38 1.78 -7.27 58.34
C 34.52 -2.27 -0.23 1.09 34.29 -1.18
D 10.37 -50.08 -0.34 1.59 10.03 -48.49
1.20 -5.65 -1.20 5.65 0 0
Table Compass Rule Corrections to Latitude and Departure


Error in departure = -5.65
Error in latitude = 1.20
Total error = 5.78
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b. The Transit Rule
Correction = - [y]/ Latx CL or - [x]/ Dep x CD
Where
Lat and Dep = the sum of latitudes and the sum of departures,
without regard to sign (absolute values)
CL and CD = the length of a particular course latitude or departure

Unadjusted Corrections Adjusted
Station Latitude Departure Latitude Departure Latitude Departure
A -36.80 -9.86 -0.50 0.47 -37.30 -9.39
B -6.89 56.56 -0.09 2.69 -6.98 59.25
C 34.52 -2.27 -0.47 0.11 34.05 -2.16
D 10.37 -50.08 -0.14 2.38 10.23 -47.70
1.20 -5.65 -1.20 5.65 0 0
Table Transit Rule Corrections to Latitude and Departure

3.6 Compute Station Coordinates
N
2
= N
1
+ Lat
1-2
E
2
= E
1
+ Dep
1-2
Where
N
2
and E
2
= the Y and X coordinates of station 2
N
1
and

E
1
= the Y and X coordinates of station 1
Lat
1-2
= the latitude of course 1-2

Dep
1-2
= the departure of course 1-2

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Station N Coordinate*Latitude N Coordinate*Departure
A 100.00 100.00
-37.05 -8.67
B 62.95 91.33
-7.27 58.34
C 55.68 149.67
34.29 -1.18
D 89.97 148.49
10.03 -48.49
A 100.00 100.00
Table Computation of Station Coordinates


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4.0 Summary
In this field work we have four points laid out on the site. They are A, B, C and D
respectively. For the first point, which is A, the theodolite is placed. At point A, the
theodolite will face to point B and slowly turn to point D. the reading can be achieved
once this is done. The reading will be on the theodolite.
The zero degree is pointed to point B, then it is turned to D. The angle is recorded.
The telescope is transited. Next the hold button will be pressed, so that the
accuracy of the reading can be more accurate. This process is repeated at point B, C
and D.
At the end of the reading, we must get . Our reading is

and our error

is 920. Therefore, adjustment must be made. The error is due to various factors.
The factors are:-
a) False reading on the instrument
b) Instrument is out of alignment or not properly placed
c) Slight movement when taking the reading
We can avoid this problem by checking the instrument whether it is straight with a
plumb bob. We can also check the instrument every time when we use it.
Since the error is 920 and there are four points, we divided the error equally. After
getting the error for each point, we add the error to the original reading. This will give
us the final adjusted reading for every point.
Error for each point.
4 = 220
Station Field angle Correction Adjusted angle
A 220
B 220
C 220
D 220

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5.0 Reference
Kavanagh, BF., 2010, Surveying with Construction Applications 7
th
edn, Pearson,
Upper Saddle River, NJ.