JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

OF
AGRICULTURE AND
TECHNOLOGY
Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE CIVIL ENGINEERING
SURVEY PRACTICAL REPORT ON CHAIN SURVEYING
2ND YEAR 1ST SEMISTER
ECE 2202
SURVEYING I
SUBMITION DATE: NOVEMBER2019
PREPARED BY: JOHN MAITHYA
GROUP MEMBERS:
1. JOHN MAITHYA ENC211-0237/2019
2. OSCAR MWANGOME ENC211-0304/2019
3.DENNIS HIGENS ENC211-0334/2019
4.MARTHA MORAA ENC211-0339/2019
5.ANTHONY MBURU ENC211-0241/2019
6.ANN KIMIRI ENC211-0301/2019
7.DAVID NDUNGU ENC211-0328/2019
8.NYAMAI PATIENCE S. ENC211-0019/2018
OBJECTIVES
1.To familiarize and be able use ranging rods.
2. To familiarize and be able to use chain as a linear measuring instrument.
3. To understand, appreciate and be able to apply chain survey techniques on ground.
4. To prepare map of the site
INTRODUCTION
By the various methods of determining distance the most accurate and common
method is the method of measuring distance with a chain or tape is called chaining.
For work of ordinary precision a chain is used. But where great accuracy is required
a steel tape is invariably used. The term chaining was originally applied to measure
of distance with a chain.
The term chaining is used to denote measuring distance with either chain or tape. In
the process of chaining, the survey party consists of a leader (the surveyor at the
forward end of the chain) a follower (the surveyor at the rare end of the chain) and an
assistant to establish intermediate points.
The accuracy to which measurement can be made with chain and tape varies with the
methods used and precautions exercised. The precision of chaining for ordinary
work, ranges from 1/1,000 to 1/30,000 and precise measurement such as baseline
may be of the order of 1/1,000.
In this practical we used the knowledge acquired in class and that from the
introductions made by the GEGIS practical technicians to practice and execute
chain surveying on our site. The surveyors chain, drag tape and ranging rods were the
main instruments used during this practical.

INSTRUMENTS
During our practical we employed the following instruments listed below;
a. Surveyor’s chain
b. Chaining arrows
c. Surveyor’s tape (linen)
d. Raging rods
 e. Wooden pegs
f. Optical square

Photo of groups’ practical site

METHODOLOGY
1.0. Reconnaissance.
The survey practical site was issued on 18th October 2019 and the group visited
the site on the same day where we:
i. Identified main features on our site which were trees, walk way
hedges and building.
ii. Identified different kind of obstacles on site we were to encounter
during survey process which in turn we found a building which
obstructed both chaining and ranging.
iii. Identified the nature of our ground i.e. gentle slopped land.
iv. We then made a sketch of the plan containing the identified
features and obstacles
v. On the sketch we established a framework of triangles tied to a
baseline and labeled our apexes with capital letters.
N: B we were not able to establish our baseline diagonally due to
obstacles on site hence we adopted the alternative longest line as
our baseline as displayed on the attached sketch.
2.0 Chain survey procedure (Measurements and bookings)
1. The four lengths of the site were accurately measured using a drag tape and
recorded. while carrying out measurements it was ensured that the tape was
straight, taut and lying on the ground.
2. The longest diagonal across the site was identified and a surveyors chain laid
across this diagonal. Ranging was done to ensure the chain running along the
diagonal was straight .Once the chain was confirmed to be straight a chaining
arrow was used at its end in place of the ranging rod.
3. Features near this diagonal were booked alternatively by ties and offsets. The
optical square was used to erect offsets from the baseline while ties were
constructed from 2 different points on the chain using the surveyors tape.
many features were marked up to the end one chain length .Distances of the
features along the baseline and from the baseline was also measured and booked
appropriately.
4.The chain was then dragged until the opposite corner at the end of the diagonal.
Ranging was again done with one member at the end of the chain to ensure the it
was straight. Once straight a chaining arrow was then pinned in place of the ranging
rod.
5.Mapping of points was resumed up to the end of the second chain length
( also end of the longest diagonal) and booked appropriately.
6.Some features were also mapped from the boundaries of our areas by erecting of
offsets, the horizontal distances between trees in organized rows was also
measured and recorded.
7. A building obstacle was encountered when measuring one of the lengths however
the method of repeated alignment was used to mitigate this error
3.0 plotting
a. An appropriate scale 1:250 was chosen and used to plot all lengths with the
appropriate dimensions as per the revised sketch.
b. All features in the sketch were appropriately represented on the map ,in the case
where abbreviations and symbols were used explanation were given in the legend.

4.0 Conclusion
Every member list on the cover page participated in every activity from reconnaissance
to final booking and plotting.
When measuring chainages, the length of the chain was measured using drag tape and
the length was found to be 30m.
We assumed the chain had no lose in length however, sag, tension, temperature,
standardization, slope error would not be established because the relevant equipment’s
were not available.
we were able to practice on the use each equipment allocated and appreciate the
importance of chain survey.
5.0 Challenges
a) we took more time on site because it was rainy season and we could do our practical
on one day because of it.
b) The were vehicles and human movement on our site so we had to allow them to
pass which made us take extra time.
c) some of the instruments are old and worn out i.e. the tape we used had 2m cut oof
due to its age and the period it has been in use.

6.0 Recommendations
a. First we appreciate the opportunity of practicing chain survey and experience we
got from it.
b. Practical should be carried out more often so that every individual may gain enough
experience
b. Site survey area should be on a ranged area so as to encounter as many as possible
challenges so as to adopt working in ranged areas.
REFERENCES:
1. Surveying 1notes
2. Surveying by Bannister A
3. Engineering survey by Schofield
4. Surveying Fundamentals and Practices by Jerry A. Nathanson
Members at site