Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

Table of contents
Introduction

--------------------------------------------------------------2

Objectives and instruments ---------------------------------------------- 3

Procedure and Computation --------------------------------------------4
Preliminary data sheet ----------------------------------------------------6
Final data sheet -------------------------------------------------------------8
Pictures ----------------------------------------------------------------------10
Research and discussions ------------------------------------------------11
Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------14

Introduction

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

Another method in to lay out a simple curve is the use of two theodolites
using double-deflection angle. Like field work 1, we used incremental chord
and deflection angle method to locate the points along the curve but this
time, we are going to use double-deflection angle method with almost the
same procedure to lay-out the curve but we are going to measure the
incremental chord and compare it to the computed value and get the percent
error. This method involves setting up theodolite on station PC and also at
station PT where the point at which the two instruments will meet with the
same deflection angle would be the location of the points along the curve.

The convenient deflection-angle method of locating points on a simple curve

is based on the fact that in geometry, both inscribed angle and an angle
formed by a tangent and a chord are measured by one-half the intercepted
arc. Therefore, the deflection angle to any point on the curve is equal to the
sum of the incremental deflection angles for each subdivision of the arc.

Objectives:
2

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

1. To be able to lay a simple curve in uneven ground.

2. To be able to lay a simple curve using double-deflection angle method.
3. To master the use of transit and theodolite in laying a simple curve.

Instruments:
A theodolite is a precision
instrument used for
measuring angles both
horizontally and vertically.
Theodolites can rotate along
their horizontal axis as well
as their vertical axis.

Tape
Used to measure horizontal
distances as well as slopes. Usually
in 30m, 50m or 100m in length.

Marking pins
2 range poles
Straight round stalks, 3 to 4 cm thick
and about 2 m long. They are made
of wood or metal. They are used to
mark areas and to set out straight lines
on the field. They are also used to
mark
points which must be seen from a
distance, in which case a flag may be
attached to improve the visibility.

Procedures:
1. The professor gives the following datas:
d1=
3

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

D=
d2=
Location of PC on the site (Note: Location and not station is given
since d1 and d2 are given)
Azimuth of the back tangent (PC to V)=
Adopt Full Chord Length= (preferably 2m to 5m)
GIVEN

I= d1 + 8D +d2 = (simple curve with 8 intermediate points)

NOTE: Be very careful in assigning the location of PC and the direction of

the backward tangent so that the curve may not be obstructed by any
structure.
VERY IMPORTANT: Before going to the field the student must compute:
a. Angle of Intersection I =
b. Total Deflection Angle I/2 =
c. Length of the Long chord C =
d. Half d1 d1/2 =
e. Half d2 d2/2 =
f. Half D D/2 =
2. The students:
2.1. Set up the transit at PC. Level and prient the transit at the
magnetic south.
2.2. Turn the telescope in the direction of the backward tangent and
mark its direction with a range pole.
2.3. Set the horizontal vernier reading to zero. With the lower clamp
still loosened, direct telescope again along the tangent.
2.4. Loosen the upper clamp and turn the telescope until the reading
on the vernier equals the magnitude of the total deflection angle
of the curve. Along this line and with a distance equal the length
of the long chord from PC locate the location of PT.
2.5. Set the position on the exact location of PT.
2.6. Level the theodolite and set the horizontal vernier to zero while
sighting PC.
3. To locate the first intermediate point A in the curve mark on the ground
the intersection of the line of sight in both instruments with a reading
equal to

d1
. (Note that the first isntruments reading is referred
2

( )

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

from the back tangent while the second instrument reading is referred
from the long chord.)
4. The next intermediate point B may be located on the ground using the
same procedure as in step 8, but this time use a reading equal to

d 1 +2 D
.
2

5. The third intermediate point C may also be found following the same
process, but now use a reading in the horizontal vernier equal to

( d +22 D ) .
1

6. Continue the process to locate other intermediate points on the curve

with a gradual increase in the deflection angle up to the last
intermediate point.
7. Compute the % of error using the formula:
lengthmeasured chord length
|computed chord
|x 100
computed chord length

Error=

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

Final Data Sheet

Field Work 3
(Double-

Laying of Simple Curve on Uneven Ground

Using Transit and Theodolite
Deflection Angle Method)
Date: Oct 22, 2015

Group No.: 4

Time: 12pm-4:30pm
Weather: Sunny

Location: Rizal Park

Professor: Engr. Ira Balmoris

Data Supplied:
d1= 3.22
D= 6
d2= 0.78
Location of PC on the site (Note location and not station is now given since d 1
and d2 are given)
Adopt Full chord length of 2m (Preferably 2m to 5m)
Given:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
OCC. BY
1ST Inst.
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC
PC

I= d1 + 8D + d2 = 52 (simple curve with 8 intermediate points)

Angle of intersection I = 52
Total deflection angle I/2 = 26
Length of the long chord
C = 16.75m
Half d1
d1/2 = 1.61
Half d2
d2/2 = 0.39
Half D
D/2 = 3
STATION
OCC. BY OBSERVE
2nd Inst.
D
PT
A
PT
B
PT
C
PT
D
PT
E
PT
F
PT
G
PT
H
PT
I
PT
PT
PC

CHORD
COMPUTE
ACTUAL
D
1.07
1.73
2
1.1
2
2.1
2
2.2
2
1.85
2
1.85
2
2.15
2
1.84
2
2.21
0.26
0.34

DEFLECTIO
N ANGLE

%
ERROR

1.61
4.61
7.61
10.61
13.61
16.61
19.61
22.61
25.61
28.61

61%
45%
5%
10%
7.5%
7.5%
7.5%
8%
10.5%
30%

Laying of a simple curve ON UNEVEN GROUND USING TRANSIT AND THEODOLITE

(DOUBLE-DEFLECTION ANGLE method)

Computation:

I =3.22+ ( 86 ) +0.78=52
1
R=
=19.11 m
sin 3
52
C=2 (19.11 ) sin
=16.75 m
2

( )

( 3.222 )=1.07 m
0.78
c =2 ( 19.11 ) sin (
=0.26 m
2 )
c 1=2 ( 19.11 ) sin
2

Deflection Angles:

d 1 3.22
=
=1.61
2
2
d 1+ D
=4.61
2
d 1+2 D
=7.61
2
d 1+3 D
=10.61
2
d 1+ 4 D
=13.61
2

d 1+5 D
=16.61
2
d 1+6 D
=19.61
2
d 1+7 D
=22.61
2
d 1+8 D
=25.61
2
d 1+ 9 D
=28.61
2

10

Percentage Error

error PT A=

|1.071.73|

x 100 =61
1.07
|21.1|
error A B=
x 100 =45
2
|22.1|
error B C=
x 100 =5
2
|22.2|
error C D=
x 100 =10
2
|21.85|
error D E=
x 100 =7.5
2
|21.85|
error E F=
x 100 =7.5
2
|22.15|
error F G=
x 100 =7.5
2
|21.84|
error G H =
x 100 =8
2
|22.21|
error H I =
x 100 =10.5
2
|0.260.34|
error I PT =
x 100 =30
0.26

Pictures:

Setting the
instruments at
stations PC and PT.

Locating point A on the curve through the

intersection of the two instruments.

Measuring the
incremental
chords.

Measuring the long

chord.

Research and Discussions

TERRAIN RESTRICTIONS
To solve a simple curve, the surveyor must know three parts. Normally,
these will be PI, I angle, and degree of curve. Sometimes, however, the
terrain features limit the size of various elements of the curve. If this
happens, the surveyor must determine the degree of curve from the limiting
factor.
Inaccessible PI
Under certain conditions, it may be impossible or impractical to occupy the
PI. In this case, the surveyor locates the elements by using the following
steps:
1. Mark two intervisible points A and B, one on each tangents, so that line
AB will clear obstruction.
2. Measure angles a and b by setting up at both A and B.
3. Measure the distance AB.
4. Compute
inaccessible
distances AV and BV
as follows :

I=a+b
K = 180 - 1
AV =

AB sin b
sin K

BV =

AB sin b
sin K

PI = Sta A +AV

5. Determine the tangent distance from the PI to the PC on the basis of

the degree of curve or other given limiting factor.
6. Locate the PC at a distance T minus AV from the point A and the PT at
distance T minus BV from point B.
7. Proceed with the curve computation and layout.
Inaccessible PC
When the PC is inaccessible and both PI and PT are set and readily
accessible, the surveyor must establish the location of an offset station at
PC.
1. Place the instrument on the
PT and back the curve in as
far as possible.
2. Select one of the stations
on the curve, so that a line
PQ, parallel to the tangent
line AV, will clear the
obstacle at the PC.
3. Compute and record the
length of line PW so that
point W is on the tangent
line AV and line PW is
perpendicular
to
the
tangent. The length of line
PW = R (1 cos D), where
dp is that portion of the
central angle subtended by
AP and equal to two times the deflection angle P.
4. Establish point W on the tangent line by setting the instrument at the
PI and laying off angle V (V = 180 - I). This sights the instrument along
the tangent AV. Swing a tape using the computed length of line PW and
the line of sight to set point W.
5. Measure and record the length of ine VW along the tangent.
6. Place the instrument at point P. Back sight point W and lay off a 90degree angle to sight along the line PQ, parallel to AV.
7. Measure along this line of sight to a point Q beyond the obstacle. Set
point Q, and record the distance PQ.
8. Place the instrument at point Q, backsight P, and lay off a 90-degree
angle to sight along line QS. Measure, along this line of sight a distance
QS equals PW, and set point S. Note that the station number of point S
= PI.
9. Set an offset PC at point Y by measuring from point Q toward point P a
distance equal to the station of the PC minus station S. to set the PC

after the obstacle has been removed, place the instrument at point Y,
back sight point Q, lay off a 90-degree angle and a distance from Y to
PC equal to line PW and QS. Carefully set reference points for points Q,
S, Y, and W to insure points are available to set the PC after clearing
and construction have begun.
Inaccessible PT
When the PT is
inaccessible and both the
PI and PC are readily
accessible, the surveyor
must establish an offset
station at the PT using the
method for inaccessible
PC with the following
exceptions:
1. Letter the curve so that
the point A is at the PT
instead of the PC.
2. Lay the curve in as far
as possible from the PC
instead of the PT.
3. Angle d, is the angle at
the center of the curve between point P and PT, which is equal to
two times the difference between the deflection at P and one half of
I. follow the steps for inaccessible PC to set line PQ and QS. Note
that the station at point S equals the computed station value of PT
plus YQ.
4. Use station S to number the stations of the alignment ahead.

Conclusion:
This method consists in setting up a theodolite at each tangent point and
working out the deflection angles from the tangents. The theodolites are
then set to read corresponding deflection angles and points set out to lie on
both lines of sight. This method is most convenient when the ground is
undulating, rough and not suitable for linear measurements compared on the
first two methods we have used in laying out the curve. Hence, it more
accurate because you will rely on the intersection of the sights of the two
instruments which is based on the principle that the angle between the
tangent and the chord is equal to the angle subtended by the chord in the
opposite segment. Their sight of intersection would be the locations of the
points along the curve. Since this method is good to use for inaccessible or
uneven grounds, there would be less errors in terms of using tape because
all the angles are calculated. Setting up station PT should be accurate
because if not, there would be huge source of error like we have done in our
field work. The distance from PC to PT that was computed from the given
should at least be laid out precisely because the distances of the incremental
chord would be affected by the reading of the angles form both stations. The
longer the distances of error the PT was laid out from PC, the shorter the
incremental chord you would get from the computed distance and the
shorter the distance of PC to PT from the computed distance, the longer the
distance of incremental chord you would get. In our case, after we have laid
out the curve, we double checked the distance of PC to PT and we noticed
that we have laid out station PT 0.5 meters shorter than the computed and
that is the source of our error. Other than that, other measurements were
closed enough from the computed distances.