FIELDWORK #1

DISTANCE BY TAPING

Objective: To learn the art of taping a distance on a level, on a sloping and on an uneven ground. This is a
group activity.

Introduction:
One direct method of measuring distances is by the use of a tape. In early days, this method is more
known as chaining. This is because, instead of using tape for measuring they use a device or instrument which was
made of chains.

Instruments:
1 Steel Tape Marking Pins / Marker
3 Range Poles Plumb Bob

Taping on level ground Site: Perimeter of the UST Benavides Park

Procedure:
1. Know the place assigned to your group. Designate the terminals of the line as point A and point B.
2. Two rodmen will hold the range poles vertically at the terminals A & B for alignment and will remain in
their position until the taping is finished.
3. Stretch out on the ground the 50-meter steel tape with the zero-meter end ahead. With the rear
tapeman holding a pin, he will designate a certain tape length, say 10 meter length.
4. With the 10-meter mark set at point A firmly, the front tapeman align the 0-end mark with point B.
5. The second tape length is made by repeating procedure 4. The process is repeated until point B has been
reached.
6. In the measurement of the partial tape length from B to the pin marking the end of the last full tape
length measured, the 0-end mark of the tape is held at B as the rear tapeman pulls the tape out towards
the last pin.
7. After the measurement of the whole line is completed, a second measurement should be made along the
opposite direction.

Taping of Irregular or Uneven Ground Site: UST Benavides Park

1. With the assigned line or course to be measured, the tape is held above the ground more or less level
with eyesight.
2. With the tape held and supported at its ends, assign a certain tape length. If the alignment is all right and
the tape is on a level position, the tapeman drops the plumb bob opposite the tape length mark. The
mark left by the plumb bob will be marked by marking pin, signifying the first tape length measured.
3. This is continued until B is reached.
4. The next trial is made measuring from B to A exactly the same as the previous procedure.

Taping on Sloping Ground Site: UST Grandstand

1. The ends of the line on a slope are marked with range poles. Designate the point at the bottom of the
slope as point A and the other as point B.
2. The front tapeman, holding the 0-mark, moves backward along the line while the rear tapeman raises the
end of the tape breast high.
3. When the alignment is all right, the front tapeman drives the pin vertically into the ground while the rear
tapeman plumbs from A to the terminal mark of the tape with a plumb bob. This is the first tape length
measured.
4. The rear tapeman leaves the end of the tape, and moves up the slope holding the end of the tape over
the previous point held by the front tapeman. The second tape length is measured following the previous
procedure. Repeat this procedure until point B is reached.

FW#1: DISTANCE BY TAPING Page 1

 5. If a partial tape lengths is to be measured, hold the zero mark of the tape at B.
6. Record the measured lengths.
7. After measuring line AB, measure line BA that is down the slope following the same procedure as in up
the slope.

FORMULA:
Compute the total distance, mean length of the measured line, the discrepancy and the relative precision of the
measurement.

Length 1 + Length 2
Mean Length =
2

Difference in Measurement = Length 1 – Length 2

Difference in Measurement
Relative Precision =
Mean Length

FW#1: DISTANCE BY TAPING Page 2

 FIELDWORK REPORT #1
Title: _______________________________

Group no.: ______________________ Yr & Sec: __________________ Time Started: ___________

Actual Site: _____________________ Weather Condition: __________ Time Finished: ___________
Date Submitted: _________________

GROUP MEMBERS DUTY/IES

DATA & RESULTS:

Taping on Level Ground
LINE
TRIAL 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
LENGTH (meters)
DIFFFERRENCE
(meters)
MEAN (meters)
RELATIVE
PRECISION

Taping on Irregular or Uneven Ground

LINE
TRIAL 1 2 1 2
LENGTH (meters)
DIFFFERRENCE (meters)
MEAN (meters)
RELATIVE PRECISION

Taping on Sloping Ground

LINE
TRIAL 1 2 1 2
LENGTH (meters)
DIFFFERRENCE (meters)
MEAN (meters)
RELATIVE PRECISION

FW#1: DISTANCE BY TAPING Page 3

DRAWING/S:

SOURCES OF ERRORS:

REMARK/S:

FW#1: DISTANCE BY TAPING Page 4