ADVANCED SURVERING

FIELD MANUAL
FIELD
NO. 1 CURVE BY
LAYING OF
AWORK
SIMPLE
TRANSIT AND TAPE

(THE INCREMENTAL CHORD AND DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD)

COURSE AND SECTION: CE121F / B2

SUBMITTED BY:
NAME: RAMIREZ, CHARLES JON N.

STUDENT NO.: 2013150342

GROUP NO.: _3_

CHIEF OF PARTY: Ander

DATE OF FIELD WORK: 10/8/15

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 10/16/15

SUBMITTED TO:

INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. BALMORIS

GRADE

Table of Contents

Introduction

Objectives and Instruments

Procedures

Computations

Preliminary Data Sheet

Final Data Sheet

12

Research and Discussion

15

Conclusion

18

INTRODUCTION
Circular curves are used to join intersecting straight lines (or
tangents). Circular curves are assumed to be concave. Horizontal
circular curves are used to transition the change in alignment at
angle points in the tangent (straight) portions of alignments. The four
types of circular curves are simple, compound, broken back and
reverse curves.
A simple curve is a circular arc,
extending from one tangent to the next. A
curve is said to be simple when it has the
same radius throughout and consists of
single arc of circle with

two

tangents

meeting at actual point of intersection of

roads.
The point where the curve leaves
the first tangent is called the point of
curvature (P.C.) and the point where
the curve joins the second tangent is
called the point of tangency (P.T.). The
P.C. and P.T. are often called the
tangent points. If the tangent is to be
produced, they will meet in a point of intersection called the
vertex. The distance from the vertex to P.C. or P.T. is called the
tangent distance. The distance from the vertex to the curve is
called the external distance. While the line joining the middle of
the curve and the middle of the chord joining the P.C. and P.T. is
called the middle ordinate.

OBJECTIVES
1. To be able to lay a simple curve by deflection angle.
2. To master the skill in leveling, orienting and using the
transit effectively.

INSTRUMENTS
1. Range Poles
- Is a surveying instrument consisting of a
straight rod painted in bands of
alternate red and white each one foot
wide. It is used for sighting by
surveyors.

2. Chalk
- is a soft, white, porous
sedimentary carbonate
rock, a form of limestone
composed of the mineral
calcite.

3. 50 meter tape
-

used in surveying for measuring

Horizontal,
vertical
or
slope
distances. Tapes are issued in
various lengths and widths and
graduated in variety of ways.

4. Marking Pins
- These are made either of iron, steel or brass
wire, as preferred. They are about fourteen
inches long pointed at one end to enter the
ground, and formed into a ring at the other
end for convenience in handling.

5. Theodolite
- An instrument similar to an
ordinary surveyor's level but
capable of finer readings and
including a prism arrangement
that permits simultaneous
observation of the rod and
the leveling bubble.

PROCEDURES
Procedure:
1. The professor gives the following data:
a. R =
___________m
b. Backward Tangent Direction =
___________
c. Forward Tangent Direction =
___________
d. Station of the Vertex =
___________
e. Adopt Full Chord Length=
___________m
2. The student compute the elements of the simple curve using
the following formulas:
If the azimuths of the backward and forward tangents are
given, the intersection angle I can be solved using:
I = azimuth of the forward tangent - azimuth of the backward
tangent
The tangent distance must be solved using:
T = R*tan( I/2)
The middle ordinate distance can be computed using:
M = R*( 1 - cos(I/2) )
The length of the curve (Lc) can be computed using
(provided that I is in radians)
Lc = I * R
The long chord (C) can be solved using:
C = 2*R*sin (I/2)

The station of PC can be computed using:

Station of PC = Station V - T
The station of PT can be found by:
Station of PT = Station PC + Lc
The length of the first sub chord from PC, if PC is not exactly on
a full station (otherwise C1 = a full chord length):
C1 = first full station on the curve - Station PC
The length of the last sub chord from PC, if PC is not exactly on
a full station (otherwise C2 = a full chord length):
C2 = Station PT - last full station on the curve
The value of the first deflection angle d1:
d1 = 2*sin-1 ( C1 / 2R )
The value of the last deflection angle d2:
D2 = 2*sin-1 ( C2 / 2R )
3. Set up the transit/theodolite over the vertex V, level the
instrument and sight/locate PC and PT using the computed
length of the tangent segments. Mark the position of PC and PT
by marking pins if on soft ground or chalk if on pavement.
4. Transfer the instrument over PC, level and start locating points
of the curve using the following procedures:
a. Initialize the horizontal vernier by setting to zero reading.
Tighten the upper clamp and adjust it with the upper
tangent screw.

b. Using the telescope, sight the vertex or PI with the vernier

still at zero reading.
c. Tighten the lower clamp and focus it using the lower
tangent screw.
d. With the lower tangent screw already tight, loosen the
upper clamp and start to measure half the first deflection
angle. Mark the direction with a range pole. Along this
line, using a marking pin/chalk, mark point A measured
with a tape the length of the first subchord.
e. Locate the next point B, a full chord length from point A
but this time intersecting the line sighted at an angle of
half the sum of d1 and the full D of the curve. Note that
the transit/theodolite is still positioned over station PC.
f. Proceed in locating other points on the curve following
step E until you cover all full chord stations on the entire
length of the curve.
g. Measure the distance and from the last full station on the
curve and intersecting the line of sight with a deflection
angle equal to half the intersection angle, mark the last
point as PT.
5. Check the position of PT by determining the length of PC from
PT and compare it to the computed total length of the chord
of the simple curve.

COMPUTATIONS
If the azimuths of the backward and forward tangents are
given, the intersection angle I can be solved using:
I = azimuth of the forward tangent - azimuth of the backward
tangent
The tangent distance must be solved using:
T = R*tan( I/2)
The middle ordinate distance can be computed using:
M = R*( 1 - cos(I/2) )
The length of the curve (Lc) can be computed using
(provided that I is in radians)
Lc = I * R
The long chord (C) can be solved using:
C = 2*R*sin (I/2)

The station of PC can be computed using:

Station of PC = Station V - T
The station of PT can be found by:
Station of PT = Station PC + Lc

FINAL DATA SHEET

Date: October 08, 2015
Time: 12:00
Weather: Sunny

Group No. : 1
Location: Luneta Park
Professor: Engr. Ira Balmoris

Data Supplied:
R1 =
Backward Tangent Direction:
Forward Tangent Direction:
Station of the Vertex:
Adopt Full Chord Length:

Station

80m
48030
113o30
30 + 001
20m

Occupied

Observed

Incremental
Chord

PC
PC
PC
PC
PC

A
B
C
D
PT

10
20
20
20
20

Central
Incremental
Chord
7o943.1
14o1926.2
14o1926.2
14o1926.2
14o1926.2

Deflection
Angle From
Back Tangent
3O3459.96
10o4443.06
17o5426.16
25o49.26
32o30

Computed Length of the Chord: 85.97 m

Actual Length of the Chord:
81.10 m

Computations
I = Front Azimuth - Back Azimuth
= 113o30 48o30
= 65o

T = R tan (I/2)
= 80 tan (65o/2)
= 50.9656m

Lc = IR
= 80(65pi/180)
= 90.7571m

C = 2R sin (I/2)
= 2*80*sin (65/2)
= 85.9679m

Station PC = Station V - PT
=30+001 - 50.9656
= 29+950

Station PT = Station PC + Lc
= 29+950 + 90
= 30+040

Central Incremental Angle

CIAPC-A =(10/80)(180/pi) = 7o943.1
CIAPC-A =(20/80)(180/pi) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-B =(20/80)(180/pi) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-C =(20/80)(180/pi) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-PT =(20/80)(180/pi) = 14o1926.2
d1 =2 sin (1o/2*80) = 7o959.92
Deflection Pc-A = d0/2 = 3O3459.96
Deflection Pc-B = (d1o + Do)/2 = 10o4443.06
Deflection Pc-c = (d1o + 2Do)/2 = 17o5426.16
Deflection Pc-D = (d1o + 3Do)/2 = 25o49.26
Deflection Pc-Pt = I/2 = 32o30

SKETCH

Some computations were

done before the fieldwork
started.

Setting up the theodolite over

the vertex V and sighting PC and PT
using the computed length of the
tangent segments. Then locating
and marking PC and PT using a
chalk.

Comparing the actual length

of the chord to the computed total
length of the chord of the simple
curve.

RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION

In this first field work of CE121F entitled Laying of a Simple
Curve by Transit and Tape, the main objective is to be able to lay a
simple curve by deflection angle. In this fieldwork we lay a simple
curve using theodolite and tape by incremental chord and
deflection angle method. We were given a radius and an azimuth
where the point of curvature is to locate. And then data needed in
the fieldwork is calculated first before proceeding. The fieldwork was
conducted at Luneta Park, Manila.
Laying a simple curve can be done in several methods by
deflection angle method, tangent offset method and doubledeflection angle method. Deflection angle method uses a transit
and tape, tangent offset method uses a measuring tape only while
double-deflection method uses a theodolite or transit only.
In the deflection angle method, curves are staked out by use
of deflection angles turned at the point of curvature from the
tangent to points along the curve. The curve is set out by driving
pegs at regular interval equal to the length of the normal chord.
Usually, the sub-chords are provided at the beginning and end of
the curve to adjust the actual length of the curve. The method is

based on the assumption that there is no difference between length

of the arcs and their corresponding chords of normal length or less.
The underlying principle of this method is that the deflection angle to
any point on the circular curve is measured by the one-half the
angle subtended at the center of the circle by the arc from the P.C.
to that point.
The tangent-offset method is a surveying method for laying out
a land profile in hilly terrain. A vertical curve is used to connect two
grade lines marking the beginning and end of an upward or
downward curve. The vertical curve is tangent to the grade lines.
The layout is made by offsets from the tangent. The offset distance
from the tangent varies as the square of the distance along the
tangent.
In double-deflection angle method, angular measurements are
done by two theodolites. The instruments are set-up at the point of
tangency and point of curvature obtaining two lines of sight. The
intersections of the line of sight are plotted to determine the points
on the curve.
A simple curve is a circular arc, extending from one tangent to
the next. A curve is said to be simple when it has the same radius

throughout and consists of single arc of circle with two tangents

meeting at actual point of intersection of roads. As the degree of
curve increases, the radius decreases. It should be noted that for a
given intersecting angle or central angle, when using the arc
definition, all the elements of the curve are inversely proportioned to
the degree of curve. This definition is primarily used by civilian
engineers in highway construction.
The radius and the degree of curve are not inversely
proportional even though, as in the arc definition, the larger the
degree of curve the sharper the curve and the shorter the radius.
The chord definition is used primarily on railroads in civilian practice
and for both roads and railroads by the military.
On

curves

with

long

radii,

it

is

impractical to stake the curve by locating

the center of the circle and swinging the
arc with a tape. The surveyor lays these
curves out by staking the ends of a series of
chords (figure 3-4). Since the ends of the
chords lie on the circumference of the curve, the surveyor defines
the arc in the field. The length of the chords varies with the degree of
curve.

CONCLUSION
With this fieldwork we were able to lay a simple curve by
deflection angle and master the skill in leveling, orienting and using
the transit effectively. In performing this fieldwork, I have learned to
determine the points on a simple curve by setting the deflection
angles using the theodolite. From that, I was able to get the
intersection of the lines of sight from the two instruments, locating the
points along the curve in order to lay out the simple curve. I have
also found out that this process of laying out curves can be
accurately done on an uneven ground. Since this fieldwork requires
the use of the theodolite, I was able to master the skills in setting up,
leveling and orienting the instrument.
It can be observed from the data gathered that the measured
values are quite close to the actual length of the chord, thus, the
data acquired is accurate and reasonable. There are several
reasons that caused a discrepancy between the actual and
experimental values for the long chord. First is, the theodolite might
not be leveled properly and the line of sight might not be normal to

the horizontal axis of the instrument. Another is, the theodolite can
only accurately measure up to minutes but the computed deflection
angle contains second measurements. Approximating these values
can cause errors in this work, therefore affecting the measured
values in the data. Also, in measuring the experimental length of the
chord there are some taping factors that could affect the true
measurements, like the correction due to sag, correction due to
temperature, and correction due to pull. Lastly, getting the
intersection of the two lines of sight might not be accurately done
particularly when the tapes are not straightly aligned to the line of
sight.
In order to minimize the error, it is recommended that in
measuring the chord make sure that the tape should not be long so
that the correction in taping will be minimize. Also, make sure that
you are always in line of sight with the theodolite. Lastly, it is
recommended that you should follow all of the instructions written in
the manual to commit less human errors and to save some time that
will hinder the group to finish the experiment early.

In highways or railroad construction, the curves most generally

used presently are circular curves although parabolic and other
curves are sometimes used. By knowing the knowledge of simple
curves, the surveyor learns to locate points using angles and
distances. In construction surveying, the surveyor must often establish
the line of a curve for road layout or some other construction. The
surveyor can establish curves of short radius, usually less than one
tape length, by holding one end of the tape at the center of the
circle and swinging the tape in an arc, marking as many points as
desired.
Furthermore, in the design of roads or railways, straight sections
of road or track are connected by curves of constant or varying
radius as shown below. The purpose of these curves is to deflect a
vehicle travelling along one of the straights safely and comfortably
through a deflection angle to enable it to continue its journey
along the other straight.
In the end our group worked as a unit and finished the first of
fieldwork of CE121 successfully.