FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (HONS) CIVIL

REPORT ON INTRODUCTION TO LINEAR MEASUREMENT AND

PRISMATIC COMPASS SURVEYING

ECG422



LECTURER NAME: EN ISMACAHYADI BAGUS MOHD JAIS

GROUP: EC2202A22

GROUP MEMBERS:

NO. NAME STUDENT ID

1. ASFARIEZA BINTI MUHAMAD ZAZID 2017800342

2. FARISYA ALIYA BINTI HILMI 2017800426

3. IYANG NURATHILAH BINTI ABDUL RAHMAN 2017800356

4. MUHAMMAD ADHAM BIN MOHD ALIAS 2017819566

5. MUHAMMAD AKMAL BIN MOHD NOOR 2017800312

INTRODUCTION

In science, precise measurements are essential to the accuracy of scientific studies. Measurements
in science can involve complex machinery beyond the simple ruler or scale. Devices, such as a
spectrophotmeter, can measure such things as the amount of light absorbed by a compound. In
science, the Metric system is the preferred measurement tool due to its uniform incremental nature,
and The ability to collect accurate data is only a step in the process of scientific discovery. Once
the data is collected, the presentation of these measurements can take on many forms: written,
verbal, or visual. Graphing is one of the easiest visual techniques to illustrate the overall scope of
the experiment or procedure utilized. Surveying is a necessary activity to determine the elevations,
distances, and angles for a specific plot of land. This information can be obtained to varying
degrees of accuracy through different surveying methods. The first surveying exercise included is
a traverse pacing exercise. In this laboratory, individual group member’s paces and a compass
were used to determine rough values for the lengths and relative angles of the traverse legs. The
accuracy of a topographic map is of critical importance. If the map created is not accurate it could
cause conflicts in zoning and construction projects. Therefore, each survey is held to a certain
degree of accuracy. Measures are taken to ensure that the error does not exceed a certain level, and
corrections are made for random errors.

OBJECTIVES

 To introduce of this laboratory is to introduce the equipments used in linear measurement

hence execute the fieldwork.
 To be able to obtain horizontal distance in sloping terrain and correct linear measurements
for site and environmental factors.
 To be able to use the practical knowledge learnt in linear measurement on a given site.
 To introduce the equipments used in prismatic compass surveying hence execute the
fieldwork
 To prepare a topographical map of the site.
EQUIPMENTS

 Tape or chain
 Pegs and hammer
 Colour spray
 Theodolite
 Prism
 Prismatic compass
 Plumbob
 Tripod stand

PROCEDURE

1. At least six control point (CP) with minimum length of 30m have to be established at the
proposed site. Then pegs are driven into the ground at the CP for permanent markings of
the area. (Note: the height of the pegs must be 20mm form the ground level to avoid hap
hazards and accidents)
2. The tape is pulled from the first point to the second.
3. The tape is held firmly at the first station and sights the control lines by sighting the first
and the second pole. (note: using the signalling system e.g. left hand indicates that the pole
must be positioned to the left, right hand indicates that the pole must be positioned to the
right and both hands upwards indicates that the pole is in position.)
4. At least six control points (CP) with minimum length of 30m have to be established at the
proposed site. Then pegs are driven into the ground at the CP for permanent markings of
the area. (Note: the height of the pegs must be 20mm from the ground level to avoid hap
hazards and accidents)
5. The instrument is to be perpendicular to the vertical axis.
6. The instrument is then adjusted for observation of bearings by observing the magnetic
north to determine the magnetics bearings for the lines to be observed. (note: local
attraction due to natural causes can be neglected for the initial observation.)
7. Three tripods are set and temporarily adjusted at station A, B and E, respectively.
8. The theodolite is set up on the tripod at point A and the two prisms are set up on the tripods
at point B and E respectively.
9. The bubbles in each theodolite and prism are adjusted until it located at the centre to make
sure the instruments are well balanced.
10. The prism at point E is sighted and targeted using the theodolite at point A.
11. The back bearing of line AE is observed. The readings are then recorded in the data.
12. The prism at point B is sighted and targeted using the theodolite at point A.
13. The fore bearing of line AB is observed and the data is recorded.
14. The instruments are then shifted to point B, C and A and are set up as in (7), (8) and (9).
15. Procedures (10) to (13) are then repeated until all CPs are located and observed.
16. The prismatic compass is set up at CP A with the arrow, centered the compass by using the
plum bob.
17. the compass is adjusted for observation of bearings and the magnetic north is observed to
determine the lines and also the magnetic bearings that had to observed at CP B. The
reading is taken and recorded.
RESULTS & ANALYSIS

DISCUSSION

All linear measurements must be checked for errors that occur during the fieldwork. All errors
must be recorded to obtain the correct length.

Corrections for tape standardisations are shown in Table 1.

Source of error Correction for tape

Tension correction (𝑃 − 𝑃𝑆 )Σ𝐿

𝐴𝐸

Sag correction 𝑤 2 Σ(𝐿)3

24𝑃2

Temperature correction 𝛼𝐿(𝑡 − 𝑡𝑠 )

Slope correction ℎ2
Σ
2𝐿

Reduction to Mean Sea Level 𝐿𝐻

𝑅

A line may be expressed by two bearings observed from the either end of the line. The bearing of
the line expressed along the line of traverse is called fore bearing and bearing observed opposite to
the line of traverse is called back bearing. Both the bearing expressed in whole circle bearing deter
each other by 180º. By observation of fore bearing and back bearing of a line to observation are
made to align minimizing error and improving the accuracy. This also helps in identifying local
attraction, if the difference between the fore bearing and back bearing expressed in whole circle
bearing is not exactly 180º, then 1 or both of the observation points suffers local attraction.

Precaution to be taken during surveying are:

 Set up and level the compass carefully.

 Take duplicate readings at each stations.
 Always make sure the bubble in each component is located at the centre.

CONCLUSION

When carrying out linear measurements the length of the chain was measured using the drag tape
the length was found to be more than 30m.

The prismatic compass is one of the magnetic compass in which there is a prism for taking
observation. The prismatic compass is generally smaller in size and used to determine the whole
circle bearing of the line

QUESTIONS

REFERENCE

 Surveying for engineers; 4th Edition; J.Uren and W.F. Price

