5/11/2014

Objective
Understanding the concept of compass survey
Learning Outcomes
After completion of this lecture you should be
able to :
state the aim and principles of compass
survey
Explain the use of compass
State the terms used in compass survey
Explain the compass survey technique
Introduction to compass survey
Observation of bearings and measurement
of distances. (used for plotting)
A series of survey lines will form a
traverse.
The direction is based on the Magnetic
North as reference meridian.
Location of the compass is called survey
stations
Traverse
Closed traverse
Traverse
Open traverse
Compass survey: Equipments
Compass
Measuring Tape
Poles
Picket
Introduction compass survey
Terms used in Compass Survey
Bearing is the angle between the observed
direction/point and a reference meridian.
Terms used in Compass Survey
TRUE MERIDIAN
Terms used in Compass Survey
MAGNETIC Meridian
Terms used in Compass Survey
MAGNETIC DECLINATION
Terms used in Compass Survey
LOCAL ATTRACTION
Reference meridians: True north
True North - North shown by a meridian
line passing through the geographic poles
about which the Earth rotates.
All bearings that refer to the true north are
also called azimuth.
Reference meridians: Magnetic North
Magnetic North - North shown by a
magnetic meridian line. Used as a rough
direction in surveying. All bearings that
refer to the magnetic north are called
magnetic bearing.
Reference meridians: Grid North
Grid North - An arbitrary meridian (one
adopted for a particular project) - a
mathematically determined value. All
bearings that refer to the grid north are
called grid bearing.
Types of bearings
TRUE BEARING
- Meridian = TRUE NORTH
Magnetic Bearing
- Meridian = Magnetic North
Grid Bearing
- Meridian = map grid

BEARINGS: Whole Circle Bearing
Surveying and navigation uses the
concept of a whole circle bearing,
consisting of 360
Whole Circle Bearing
The whole circle bearing is measured from the
North clockwise direction.

BEARINGS : Quadrant System
Forward and Backward bearings
Forward and Backward bearings
AB = 60
o
00 00
Back Bearing (BA) = [ 60 + 180] = 240
o
00 00
AC = 172
o
00 00
Back Bearing (CA) = [172 + 180] = 352
o
00 00
AD = 282
o
00 00
Back Bearing (DA) = [282 180] = 102
o
00 00
The Magnetic Compass
an instrument which indicates the whole
circle bearing (azimuth) from the magnetic
meridian to a particular line of sight.
Neither the instruments nor the basis upon
which they work are sufficiently stable for
any sort of precision work.
Advantages of Compass Traverse
Portability of equipment
Less equipment needed
Fast observations
Useful in areas where the control points
cannot be observed directly
reconnaissance and exploration works
where fast observations are required.
high accuracies are not required

Disadvantages of
Compass Traverse
Inaccurate measurements
Effect of local attractions

Methods of Compass Traverse
Forward n Backward bearings

Methods of Compass Traverse
Resection

Methods of Compass Traverse
Crossection

Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
190
10
170
350
180
0
Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
190
10
170
350
180
0
Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
190
10
170
350
180
0
Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
190
10
170
350
180
0
Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
190
10
170
350
180
0
Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
318
138

298
118

308
128

Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
318
138

298
118

308
128

Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
318
138

298
118

308
128

Azimuth (Bearing) Readings
318
138

298
118

308
128