UNIT-II

Compass surveying

Compass Surveying
In Compass survey chain or tape is
used for linear measurements and
compass is used for fixing direction.
In
compass
freely
suspended
magnetic needle directs to northsouth and the bearing of line is
obtained by line of sight.

Principles of Compass
Surveying
When large area are involved, compass surveying
is used.
Traversing is that type of survey in which a
number of connecting survey lines form the frame
work and the directions and lengths of the survey
lines are measured with the help of an angle
measuring instrument and a tape respectively.
When the lines form a circuit which ends at the
starting point, it is known as a closed traverse.
If the circuit ends elsewhere, it is said to be an
open traverse.

Types of Compass
The following are the instruments used
for
direct measurement of directions:
Prismatic Compass
Surveyors compass

Instruments used for compass

surveying:
The various instruments used in the
compass survey are :
Prismatic compass
Tape
Ranging rods
Tripod
Arrows

Azimuth:
Azimuth is definedas a
horizontalangle measured clockwise
from a north base line or meridian.

Bearing
Bearing of a line is its direction
relative to a given meridian.
A meridian is any direction such as:
i) True Meridian
ii) Magnetic Meridian
iii) Arbitrary Meridian

 True Meridian:
True meridian is defined as the plane that
passes through true north poles and true
south poles at the place of observation.
True Bearing:
True bearing of a line is the horizontal
angle which it makes with the true meridian.
Magnetic Meridian:
Magnetic meridian through a point is the
direction shown by a freely floating and
balanced magnetic needle of a magnetic
compass.

 Magnetic Bearing:
The magnetic bearing of a line is the
horizontal angle which it makes with the
magnetic meridian. The direction of magnetic
meridian can be established with the help of
a prismatic compass.
Arbitrary Meridian:
Arbitrary meridian is any convenient
direction towards a permanent and
prominent mark or signal, such as a church
spire or top of the chimney.
Arbitrary Bearing:
Arbitrary bearing of a line is the horizontal
angle which it makes with any arbitrary

Designation of Bearing:
The common systems of bearings
are:
a) The whole circle bearing
system(W.C.B.) or Azimuthal system.
b) The Quadrantal bearing(Q.B.)
system.

a) The Whole circle Bearing:

In this system, the bearing of a line is
measured with magnetic north in
clockwise direction.
The value of bearing varies from 0
to 360.

The W.C.B. of
AB is 1,
AC is 2,
AD is 3 and
AF is 4.

b) The Quadrantal Bearing

system:

In this system, the bearing of a line is

measured from north or south, whichever
is nearer.
Here both North and South are used as
reference meridians and the directions
can be either clockwise or anti-clockwise
depending upon the position of the line.
The Q.B. of a line varies from 0 to 90.
The bearing of this system is also known
as Reduced Bearings(R.B.)

 The Q.B. of a
line AB is and is
written as N E,
The bearing of AC is
and is written as S
E,
AD and AF being S
W and N W.

Conversion of W.C.B. into

R.B.
LINE
W.C.B.
Rule for R.B.
Quadrant
between
AB

0 and 90

R.B. = W.C.B.

NE

AC

90 and 180

R.B. = 180 W.C.B.

SE

AD

180 and 270

R.B. = W.C.B. 180

SW

Conversion
of R.B.
into
W.C.B.
AF
270 and 360
R.B. = 360
NW
R.B.

W.C.B.
Rule for R.B.

AB

NE

W.C.B.= R.B.

0 and 90

AC

SE

W.C.B. = 180 R.B.

90 and 180

AD

SW

W.C.B. =180 +
R.B.

180 and 270

AF

NW

W.C.B.= 360 -

270 and 360

LINE

W.C.B.
between

Adjustments of Prismatic
Compass:
The following are the adjustments
usually necessary in the prismatic
compass:
Centering
Leveling
Focusing the prism.

CENTERING:
The center of the compass is placed vertically over the station
point by dropping a small piece of stone below the center of the
compass, it falls on the top of the peg marking that station.
LEVELLING:
By means of ball and socket arrangement the Compass is then
leveled the graduated ring swings quite freely. It may be tested
by rolling a round pencil on the compass box.
FOCUSSING THE PRISM :
The prism attachment is slided up or down focusing till the
readings are seen to be sharp and clear.

Errors in Compass
observations:
The errors may be classified as
Instrumental errors
Personal errors
Errors due to natural causes

Instrumental errors
They are those which rise due to the faulty
adjustments of the instruments. They may
be due to the following reasons:
The needle not being perfectly straight.
Pivot being bent
Sluggish needle
Blunt pivot point
Improper balancing weight
Plane of sight not being vertical
Line of sight not passing through the
center of graduated ring

Personal errors

They may be due to the following

reasons:
Inaccurate leveling of the compass box.
Inaccurate centering.
Inaccurate bisection of signals.
Carelessness in reading and recording.

Natural Errors:
They may be due to following reasons:
Variation in declination
Local attraction due to proximity of local
attraction forces.
Magnetic changes in the atmosphere due
to clouds and storms.
Irregular variations due to magnetic
storms
etc.