9/5/2011

Class Objectives
CE 211 – SURVEYING ENGINEERING
FALL 2011 – CLASS 06: DISTANCE
MEASUREMENTS
Ahmed Abdel-Rahim, Ph.D, P.E.
Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
• Identify different distance measurement tools and
their level of accuracy
• Identify sources of mistakes and errors in taping
• Correct incorrect tape length and temperature errors
in taping
• Identify procedures for electronic distance
measurement and sources of errors associated with it

Linear Measurement Methods ROUGH DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

• Most Commonly Used:
– Pacing, measuring wheels, and Odometer (rough
measurements)
– Taping (Traditional)
– Electronic Distance Measurements (EDM)
– Global Positioning System (satellite-based systems)
– Accuracy of measurement depends on the type of
application (pacing and odometer readings could
be accurate enough for some applications
• In certain surveying applications, only a
rough approximation of distance is necessary;
a method called pacing, or the use of a
simple measuring wheel, may be sufficient in
these instances.
• Distances can be measured with an accuracy
of about 1:100 by pacing.
– Distance = unit pace * number of paces

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ROUGH DISTANCE MEASUREMENT ROUGH DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

• Determining a Unit
Pace
• Using a Measuring
Wheel

FIGURE 4-2. A typical

FIGURE 4-1. Pacing provides a simple yet useful way to make rough distance
measuring wheel used for
measurements. All surveyors and construction technicians should know their
making rough distance
own personal unit pace value.
measurements. (Courtesy of
Sokkia Corporation)

TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

• Measuring horizontal distances with a tape is simple
in theory, but in actual practice it is not as easy as it
appears at first glance.
– It requires skill and experience for a surveyor to be able
to tape a distance with a relative accuracy between
1:3000 and 1:5000, which is a generally accepted range
for most preliminary surveys, ordinary property surveys,
and many types of construction layouts.

FIGURE 4-3. A steel tape in a convenient reel and typical

tape markings. (See also Figure 1-1d.)

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TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

FIGURE 4-4. Some surveyors’ tapes have the zero mark at the endpoint of the
tape, while others have zero offset from the end. (Courtesy of The Lietz
Company) FIGURE 4-5. A cut tape.

TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

• Taping a Horizontal Distance
– Setting Out and Aligning the Tape
– Marking an Intermediate Station on Line
– Completing the Measurement
– Breaking Tape

FIGURE 4-9. A nonmetallic 15-m

FIGURE 4-10. How a loop breaks a tape.
fiberglass tape. (Courtesy of The Lietz
Company)

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TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

FIGURE 4-11. Methods of

supporting a tape.

FIGURE 4-13. Steps in marking a point

FIGURE 4-12. Holding the plumb-bob on a pavement.
cord on the tape.

TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

FIGURE 4-14. Breaking tape over steeply sloping ground.

FIGURE 4-16. Holding the
FIGURE 4-17. Plumb-bob cord
plump-bob cord taut against
bent over tape.
the tack.

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TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS TAPING: EQUIPMENT AND METHODS

FIGURE 4-21. Measuring for a

tack with a short hold.

FIGURE 4-20. Handling a plumb bob to set a tack.

Distance Measurements by Taping Sources of Error in taping

• Six Steps
– Lining in • Major Sources
– Applying tension – Incorrect length of tape
– Plumbing – Temperature other than standard
– Marking tape length – Inconsistent Pull
– Reading the tape – Sag
– Recording the distance – Tape not horizontal or tape off line
– Improper plumbing
– Use standard calibrated 100-ft long tape

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Sources of Error in taping Sources of Error in taping

• Major Sources
– Incorrect length of tape CL  Ls  L


– Temperature other than standard CT  DT  Ts 



TAPING MISTAKES, ERRORS, AND TAPING MISTAKES, ERRORS, AND

CORRECTIONS CORRECTIONS

FIGURE 4-23. A steel tape always tends to sag between supports, no matter
how hard it is pulled.

FIGURE 4-22. Accidental errors occur when the tape is (a)

misaligned or (b) off-level. For good accuracy, the tape should be
on line and horizontal within 1 ft/100 ft (0.3m/100m).

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ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

• Electronic distance measurement (EDM) is • Types of EDMIs

the measurement method of choice not only – Reflecting Prisms
for large-scale geodetic surveys but also for
– Accuracy of EDM
ordinary plane surveys.
– Compared with taping, EDM offers the • EDMI Operating Procedure
advantages of increased speed, accuracy, and – Setting a Mark with EDM
dollar economy when routinely determining or
setting relatively long horizontal distances.

ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

FIGURE 4-26. A total

station. Distances (and
angles) are displayed
digitally. (Courtesy of Leica
Geosystems, Inc.)

FIGURE 4-25. EDM depends on the constant speed of electromagnetic

waves (e.g., infrared light). The measured slope distances must be
converted to corresponding horizontal distances.

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ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

FIGURE 4-27. (a–c) Electronic

total stations. (Courtesy of Leica FIGURE 4-28. (a) A triple-prism assembly with sighting pole. (Courtesy of Sokkia Corporation) (b) The
Geosystems, Inc.) internal reflecting surfaces of a corner prism, with the path of a single beam of light coming from any
direction and being reflected in a direction parallel to its original direction. (Philip Kissam, Surveying for
Civil Engineers, 2nd edn,New York:McGraw-Hill Company, 1981. Reprinted by permission.)

ELECTRONIC DISTANCE MEASUREMENT Electronic Distance Measurements

• Use EDM instrument at

one point and a reflector
in the other point
• Measure Zenith or
Vertical Angle

•
FIGURE 4-29. Instrument person pointing the line of sight at
a prism pole held plumb on a point.

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Electronic Distance Measurements Error corrections in EDM

Miscentering error in the instrument
Miscentering error in the reflector
Constant error for the EDM

d  (elev A  he )  (elev b  hr ) H  L sin(z )

Tuesday’s Lab
• Electronic distance measurements
– Setting up total station
– Vertical, horizontal, and slope distance
measurements
• Watch youtube video
• Read total station distance measurement manual
• Check your group assignment and data collection
time.