CONTROL SURVEY

Control the principle of tying measurements

together in such a way as to produce a survey
which is accurate in proportion and scale.
The form of control to be provided depend on
the type of survey and the accuracy demanded.
Control consists of traverse survey, triangulation
or trilateration, GPS
Control survey provides a framework of survey
points whose relative positions are known.
Control Survey - Traversing

Traverse survey
Most economical method
Provide a higher standard of accuracy of
control in terms of time and money
Widely used
Flexible method of providing control for
site surveys

Control Survey - Traversing

Traverse survey
Definitions
Traverse
A series of consecutive lines whose
lengths and directions have been
determined from field measurements.
Lines are known as legs and end points pf
the lines as stations.
Traversing
The act of establishing traverse stations
and making the necessary measurements
Control Survey - Traversing

Types of Traverse and

classification

Closed Traverse
1. Loop. The lines starts and
finish on the same point.
2. Link. The lines close on a
point of known position.

Open Traverse
These commence at a
known point and finish at an
unknown point.
Generally be avoided.
Traverse may be classified by the accuracy attained typically
precise, semi precise or low accuracy.
Precise - An accuracy of greater than 1:10000 is expected.
Semi precise - An accuracy of up to 1:10000 or better.
Low accuracy an accuracy less than 1 : 5000

Control Survey - Traversing

Closed Traverse
Closed traverses provide checks on the
measured angles and distances
Because of this ability to check the
measurements and the results
mathematically adjusted, closed
traverses are more desirable.

Control Survey - Traversing

Appropriate uses of traversing

Traverse survey will be a suitable method if:

Control is to be provided for a site survey

Tape and offset linear survey techniques are

inadequate to meet the task

The accuracy demanded is grater than can be

achieved by tape and offsets survey

The introduction of traversing into tape and

offset will reduce the cost and the duration of
the job
Control Survey - Traversing

Traversing Fieldwork
1. Choose suitable equipment and the accuracy
required
2. Carry out a reconnaissance. Choose stations
positions carefully
3. Build, protect and witness stations. Prepare
the witnessing stations
4. Measure each traverse legs at least twice
once in each directions.
5. Measure each traverse angle. Take at least 2
rounds at every station
Control Survey - Traversing

N (mag)

Grass

C
Control Survey - Traversing

Traverse Computations
1. Prepare a traverse abstract. Sketch showing
all measurements LHAs and distances,
starting data and direction of working
2. Ensure angles are close
3. Calculate WCBs
4. Calculate the coordinate differences
5. Calculate the traverse accuracy
6. If acceptable distribute misclosure
7. Calculate the final coordinates
Control Survey - Traversing

1. Traverse Abstract

All lengths corrected and reduced to horizontal

All angles are mean observed LHAs
Given Data: WCB AF = 70 00 00
Coordinates of A = 500.00 mE, 1000.00 mN
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2. Ensure that the angles close

In polygon traverse, angular misclosure
are found by comparing the observed
angles with one of the following theoretical
value
Sum of internal angles = (2n - 4) x 90
Sum of external angles = (2n + 4) x 90

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Allowable Angular Misclosure

The allowable misclosure is given by

E" KSn

1
2

where K is a multiplication factor of 1 to 3

S is the smallest reading interval on the
theodolite in seconds
n is the number of angles measured
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Adjustment
When the actual misclosure is known and is
compared to its allowable value, two cases arises:
1. If misclosure is acceptable (less than its
allowable) it is divided equally between observed
angles
2. If its greater than allowable then angles should
be re-measured if no gross error can be
calculated in the angle booking.

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3. Calculate WCBs
The forward WCBs of
all traverse legs are
required.

Forward Brg. YZ = Back Brg. YX + LHA at

Y and in general :
Forward Brg. = Back Bearing + LHA
The forward Brg. of a line differs from its
back by 180
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4. Calculate Coordinate Differences

EAB

N
NAB

AB

DAB

E = D. Sin
N = D. Cos
represent the
WCB of the line.

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5. Calculate the traverse accuracy

D
=0
E =0

e
C

eE

eN

For a Polygon traverse (theoretically)

E = 0 and N= 0
Misclosure in Easting =eE = E
Misclosure in Northing =eN = N

Linear misclosure = e = (eE2 + eN2)

Fractional Linear Misclosure
= FLM = 1 in (D/e)
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6. Distributing Linear misclosure

If the misclosure is
acceptable then distribute
length of leg
a) Bowditch Method eE
total length of traverse
proportional to leg
distances
b) Transit Method
E for the traverse leg

proportional to E and
absolute E for traverse
Northing Values
c) Equal Adjustment
E

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7. Calculate the final coordinates

1. The adjustments are applied to the original
partial eastings and partial northings values to
give the Adjusted partial eastings and partial
northings values.
2. Starting from the initial known coordinates the
Adjusted partial eastings and partila northings
are applied in turn from station to station to give
the final coordinates.
3. As a check final coordinates of the known finish
station are calculated and they must agree
exactly with the known values.
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Traverse plotting
Draw an accurate coordinate
grid at the required scale
Plot the traverse stations.
Scale equal distances along
the grid lines
Join the stations to form
traverse lines
Measure these as a check

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Traverse specification
General - general
engineering work include
site surveying and setting
out
1 in 5000 to 1 in 50000
(angular measurement)
Electronic theodolite or
total station
(distance measurement)
Total station or steel
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