ANGLE MEASUREMENT

New Terms
Transit an angle measuring device in which the scope can be rotated about a horizontal axis Theodolite same as a transit but scales are optically read Repeating Instrument can be set to zero before sighting backsight Direction Instrument cant be set to zero before sighting backsight (more accurate) Vernier a device that divides the smallest graduation on a scale into proportional parts Plunging rotating the scope about the horizontal axis until it is upside down. Double centering observing the backsight with the scope normal and turning an angle to a foresight then plunging the scope and repeating the process.

New terms
Angle to the right a horizontal angle measured clockwise as observed from above. Deflection angle a horizontal angle measured to the foresight left or right relative to a line formed by the backsight and instrument points. Astronomical Meridian a plane in space including the spin axis of the earth and a point on the earths surface. True Meridian a line on the surface of the earth through a point created by intersection of the astronomical meridian and the earths surface. (A line of longitude through the point of interest.) Magnetic Meridian A line on the earths surface from a point of interest to the magnetic pole. Grid Meridian North-south parallel lines, one of which passes through the origin of coordinates for the map area. Convergence of Meridians all true meridians converge to the north and south poles.

ANGLE TO THE RIGHT

N E

F C

N N

D Angle to right N B

Deflection Angle

True N Grid N Magnetic North

Grid N

Grid N

True N

Magnetic Declination

Mapping Angle

Point of Origin

New terms
Azimuth of a Line The direction of a vector in a horizontal plane measured clockwise from north. Bearing of a Line The angle formed by the intersection of a horizontal vector and the meridian through a point. The angle must be less than 90 degrees and direction must be given to the east or west relative to the meridian. For example N25W or S30E. Back Azimuth The azimuth of a line from the instrument station to the backsight. Open Traverse A series of connected line segments identified by length and direction which does not close on the point of origin. Closed Traverse A series of connected line segments identified by length and direction which closes on the point of origin. Compounding Accumulating angles in normal plunged pairs to increase accuracy beyond the minimum scale reading.

N
N30E N20W

W
N30E S50E

OPEN TRAVERSE

N E

F C

N N

D N

Measuring an angle using chord method

0 0.0 10

ft

70.7 3 ft

412515 100.00 ft If the desired angle is , the corresponding chord is: Chord = 2[(100.00)(sin /2)]

Determining the correct angle right from compounded angles

Accuracy can be improved, errors eliminated, and mistakes avoided by compounding. Assume the instrument can read to the nearest 01 (one minute). This is not always the case. Some instruments have a reading accuracy of less than one minute. 1. Multiple the first angle read by 2 and see if it equals the second (compounded) angle. If it is, or within plus or minus 01, the angle doubled within acceptable limits. This plus and minus range would be reduced if the reading accuracy of the instrument is less than 01. 2. If the angle doubled, then take the second (compounded) angle and divide by 2. This is the value to be used in calculations and is a better measure of the actual angle. 3. If the angle did not double, the measurement needs to be repeated or the instrument needs to be serviced. NOTE: Do not take the second angle and divide by 2 and compare to the first to check to see if the angle doubles.

Examples of Horizontal Angles

Assume the instrument is capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01

First angle 5923 18152 28739 35333

Range of compounded angles Corresponding correct angles 11845 343 21517 34705 11846 344 21518 34706 11847 592230 345 592300 592330 1815230 2873930 3533330

1815130 1815200

21519 2873830 2873900 34707 3533230 3533300

Examples of Angles in the Vertical plane

Assume the instrument is capable of measuring to the nearest 0.01
Normal Angle 622530 622530 622530 1153200 1153200 1153200 1153200 Plunged Angle 2973430 2973450 2973410 2442800 2442700 2442600 2443000 Correct Angle 6225.30 622520 622540 1153200 1153230 1153300 1153100

Determining the correct horizontal angle when angles are double centered but not compounded
When angles are measured with instruments capable of measuring to less than 10 seconds, simply average the normal and plunged readings. Example: Normal reading Plunged reading Correct value = 2123224 = 2123238 = 2123231

Determine the correct zenith angle from normal/plunged readings

Errors can be eliminated and mistakes avoided by observing angles measured in the vertical plane both normal and plunged. 1. In the case of vertical angles, simply average the normal and plunged readings. 2. In the case of zenith angles, add the normal and plunged readings. The sum should equal 360. If it doesnt, take the difference and divide by 2. This value should be either added or subtracted from each field value to obtain the correct zenith angle.