Mapua Institute of Technology

Intramuros, Manila

School of Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering

Surveying Department
CE121F/B2

FIELDWORK 2
LAYING OF A SIMPLE CURVE BY TRANSIT AND
TAPE (THE INCREMENTAL CHORDS AND
DEFLECTION ANGLE METHOD)
Submitted by:
Pascual, Ma. Nadine Stephanie D.
GROUP NO. 9
Geramie A.

Chief of Party: Quitain,

Date of Fieldwork: August 14, 2014

Date of Submission: August 29, 2014
Submitted to:
Engr. Bienvenido Cervantes
Data:
STATION

CENTRAL

DEFLECTION

OBSERVED

INCREMENTA
L CHORD

INCREMENTA
L ANGLE

ANGLE
FROM BACK
TANGENT

PC:20+782.
06

20+800

17.94m

1.79

0053

PC:20+782.
06

20+820

20m

0153

PC:20+782.
06

20+840

20m

0253

PC:20+782.
06

20+860

20m

0353

PC:20+782.
06

20+880

20m

0453

PC:20+782.
06

20+900

20m

0553

PC:20+782.
06

20+920

20m

0653

PC:20+782.
06

20+940

20m

0753

PC:20+782.
06

20+960

20m

0853

PC:20+782.
06

20+980

20m

0953

PC:20+782.
06

21+000

20m

1053

PC:20+782.
06

21+020

20m

1153

OCCUPIED

PC:20+782.
06

21+040

20m

1253

PC:20+782.
06

21+060

20m

1353

PC:20+782.
06

21+080

20m

1453

PC:20+782.
06

21+100

20m

1553

PC:20+782.
06

21+120

20m

1653

PC:20+782.
06

21+140

20m

1753

PC:20+782.
06

21+160

20m

1853

PC:20+782.
06

21+180

20m

1953

PC:20+782.
06

21+200

20m

2053

PC:20+782.
06

PT:21+202.0
6

2.06m

0.206

2059

R = 572.958m
Backward Tangent direction: N50E
Forward Tangent direction: S78E
T = 219.938m
PC = 20+782.06
LC = 420m
PT = 21+202.06
d1 = 1.79
C1 = 17.938m

d2 = 0.206 C2 = 2.06m
Station of the Vertex: 21+002

Discussion:
Same as the first fieldwork, we have gathered our data given
that the field where we work in is also in the Intramuros Walls,
which was still, good enough as the place to do this fieldwork.
In this field work, it is about laying out a simple curve by
theodolite and tape with the use of incremental chord and
deflection angle method. We did it properly because we follow
the proper steps in doing this fieldwork. First we assemble the
instrument and then level it so the data that can be gathered will
be accurate and correct and because we really had team work.
Theodolite was used to help us to determine the direction so we
can get an accurate angle.

We make sure that the compass will be directed to north.

Then we adjust the angle to 0 then move it to east with an angle
of 50. Then the one who was holding the range pole and the one
who was holding the tape measure went to the place where the
telescope was heading so that we can mark the right place where
the vertex was. For the forward tangent, we did the same thing
except for the angle which is S78E. After determining the place
where PC and PT were, we mark and measure the longest chord
by measuring the distance of PC and PT. Then we lay the curve by
simply following the incremental chord and deflection angle
method.
Honestly, at first I got confused in doing this fieldwork
because it is my first time to encounter this kind of work and it is
really confusing. But then, by the help of my professor, we
finished this fieldwork properly. I got confused in getting the
deflection angle. But then I discovered that is not that difficult
because you just have to add 2 to the first deflection angle. And
the last deflection angle should be less than or equal to 2 that if
you add all deflection angle, it should be equal to the intersection
angle which in this fieldwork is 42. And the first incremental
chord can be computed and the rest will be constant which is 20
except for the last incremental chord. I knew that incremental
angle should be twice its central incremental angle.
In laying a simple curve, you can also just stay at your first
station, and just add the previous deflection angle to the next one
and so are the incremental chord so that it would not be that
hassle to the worker. Because it would just be the same if you do
the station by station. But I think, it would still depend to the user
because for the one I have said, there is a possibility that you will
forgot to add the previous measurement to the next one. But, it
you will be vigilant enough in what you are doing, you will not
commit any error. For me, it would took you a long time in leveling

the instrument because in every station, you have to level the

bubble of the instrument to make sure that all the data will be
correct and accurate.
Also, what I have discovered, you can do this work easily if
you are good in leveling an instrument and in moving the
instrument to the proper angle and also, if your group has
teamwork because you cannot do this easily in a short span of
time if you are alone.
Having some skills in theodolite, gathering our data was
somewhat easy for me since I listened to some of the tips that
Engr. Cervantes have told us on how to read the instrument, how
to plot the station points onto the field, and other related items
that were needed to be done in order to succeed in the fieldwork.
As said in the discussion, a simple curve is an arc of a circle,
wherein the point of intersection (PI), is the point in which the two
tangents, the forward and the back tangent intersects; it is also
marked as V. Then, the Intersection Angle (I) is obtained through
subtracting the bearing of the two tangents to 180. The radius is
then given, in which it connects the center of the arc into the PC
and PT which was to be explained later. The length of the curve
(LC) is the distance between the PC and PT; and is measured
along the curve. PC is the point of curvature where the cure
begins. Then the Point of Tangency (PT) is where the simple curve
ends.

Photos:

Plotting of the curve on the pavement ground using chalk.

Sighting of the deflection angles

using the theodolite.

Computation of the data.

Research Works:
LAYING OF A HORIZONTAL CURVE
In this method, curves are staked out by use of deflection
angles turned at the point of curvature from the tangent to points
along the curve. The curve is set out by driving pegs at regular
interval equal to the length of the normal chord. Usually, the subchords are provided at the beginning and end of the curve to
adjust the actual length of the curve. The method is based on the
assumption that there is no difference between length of the arcs
and their corresponding chords of normal length or less. The
underlying principle of this method is that the deflection angle to
any point on the circular curve is measured by the one-half the
angle subtended at the center of the circle by the arc from the
P.C. to that point.

Let points a, b, c, d, e are to be identified in the field to

layout a curve between T1 and T2 to change direction from the
straight alignment AV to VB as in Figure 38.1(a). To decide about
the points, chords ab, bc, cd, de are being considered having
nominal length of 30m. To adjust the actual length of the curve

two sub-chords have been provided one at the beginning, T1 and

other, eT2 at the end of the curve. The amount of deflection
angles that are to be set from the tangent line at the P.C. are
computed before setting out the points. The steps for
computations are as follows:

Referring to Figure 38.1(b), let the tangential angles for points a,

b, c, be 1, ,, , n and their deflection angles (from the
tangent at P.C.) be a, b, .. , n.
Now, for the first tangential angle 1, from the property of a circle
Arc T1 a = R x 21 radians
Assuming the length of the arc is same as that of its chord, if C 1 is
the length of the first chord i.e., chord T 1 a, then

(Note: the units of measurement of chord and that of the radius of

the curve should be same).
Similarly, tangential angles for chords of nominal length, say C,

And for last chord of length, say Cn

The deflection angles for the different points a, b, c, etc. can be

obtained from the tangential angles. For the first point a, the
deflection angle a is equal to the tangential angle of the chord to
this point i.e.,1. Thus,
a = 1.

The deflection angle to the next point i.e., b is b for which the
chord length is T1 b. Thus, the deflection angle

Thus, the deflection angle for any point on the curve is the
deflection angle up to previous point plus the tangential angle at
the previous point.

Conclusion:
We can say that our data gathered is accurate by our error in
measuring the length of the chord, followed the procedure
properly, and correct computation.

I can conclude that the data that we gathered on this

fieldwork is accurate to say. One of the reason is we have just
only less than one meter of error in the measurement of the chord
compared to the actual and the computed length of the chord.
Another reason is that we follow the steps and we successfully did
the fieldwork and lay down a simple curve in the Intramuros wall
which has the evident of the photos that I have presented to the
proceeding part of this fieldwork paper. Another reason to prove
that the data is accurate is the computation. In the computation,
we have followed and double check the data and the given so
that we can get the missing data. We have also used the formulas
and the equation given by the book and by our Prof. Cervantes in
doing the computation.
For what we have done, I can say that it is accurate and
precise. As we all know, errors are inevitable to us students
because we are just a first timers and we need more experiences
to do an almost perfect job. As what our professor said, it is still
acceptable if we commit less than 1.5% error because at least we
achieve a good work. But still, we cannot just say that were just
first timers so we cannot do something better than anyone else
because through passion and hard work, you can do a better job
even you did not experience that work before.
In the process of the fieldwork, I would say that because the
group knows the tactics in using the theodolite, we got the data
accurately and efficiently. We have also succeeded because we
have followed the things needed to be done in which have made
the work easier for us.
The objectives of this fieldwork were also achieved because
we are able to lay the simple curve by deflection angle and we
are aware of the parts of the curve we are working on.

Regarding the mastery of the skill in leveling, it is somewhat

easy for us because we got our teamwork and an ample amount
of knowledge in leveling. Then, with the usage of the theodolite,
we have succeeded effectively as explained a while ago.