Taping correction

The principal systematic errors in linear

measurements made with a tape are:

These corrections are discussed below
1.Correction for Absolute Length
If you have given a tape for measuring a length at field. Before
using the tape its actual length should be ascertained by
comparing it with a standard tape of known
length. The designated nominal length of the tape is its
designated length e.g. 30m or 100m. The
absolute length of the tape is its actual length under specified
condition.
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Where

l = length of reference tape

l = nominal length of field

tape
L = total measured length
C = Correction per tape
length
Example1: A distance is measured with a 50m
steel tape and is found to be 1357.40m. Later the
tape is standardized and is found to have an
actual length of 49.96m. What is the correct
distance measured?
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2.Correction
for Temperature
If the tape is used at a field temperature different from the
standardization temperature then
correction to the measured length is
Ct= (T-Ts)*L

the

temperature

Where: Ct =temperature correction (m)

= the coefficient of thermal expansion of the tape
material/C0
T= the mean field temperature(0C)
Ts= the standardization temperature(0C)

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 Example2: A traverse line is 152.4 m long. If

the tape used in the field is 50.0m when

standardized at 170c, what correction must be
applied if the temperature at the time of
measurement is 230c? ( =11.2*10-6/0c)
Solution: Ct=L (T-Ts)
= 50*11.2x10-6(23-17)
.4
-3 m/length
* 3.36 x10 3
= 3.36 x10152
50
0.010m
Total correction
=

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3.Correction
fortapePull
If the pull applied to the
in theor
fieldTension
is different from
the standardization pull, the pull correction is to be
applied to the measured length. This correction is

P Ps L
Cp
Where

(cm2)
tape kg/cm2
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AE

Cp is the correction per tape length (m)

P is the tension applied (kg)
Ps standard tension (kg)
L the length (m)
A is the cross-sectional area of tape
E is the modulus of elasticity of the steel
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Example3: A 30m tape weighing 0.90kg has

cross-sectional area of 0.0485 cm2. The tape

measures 29.94m when it is pulled under a
tension of 45kg. The tape was standardized
under a tension of 10kg and modulus of
elasticity of the tape is 2.1x106 kg/cm2.
Determine the correct distance measured.
Solution: Using the above equation
( p Ps ) L
Cp
(correction for pull)
A.E
( 45 10)30
0.0485 * 2.1x10 6
0.010

The correct distance =29.94+0.010= 29.95m

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4.
Correction
forof Sag
Due
to the formation
sag on tape, the
horizontal distance between points will be less
than the true reading on the tape, which is
supported for its entire length.
The correction to be applied is the difference in
length between the arc and the subtending chord.
For the purpose of determining the correction, the
arc may be assumed
parabola, and the
2 3 to be a 2
correction is then given by;

w L
W L
Cs

2
2
24 P
24 P

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where w=weight per unit length (N/m)

T=tension applied (N)
L=recorded length (m)
Cs =correction of sag (m)
As w=W/L, where
W is the total weight of the tape,

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The sign of this correction is always negative.

If both the ends of the tape are not at the same level, a
further correction due to slope is required. It is given by
cs= cscos Where = the angle of slope between the end

supports.

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5. Correction for slope: - The distance

measured along the slope between two stations
is always
greater than the horizontal distance measured
b/n them, their difference is known as slope
correction. This is always negative. The formula
for the slope correction is devised as follows.

Cs1 = L - D
=L - L cos

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6.Correction for Altitude

If the surveying to connected to the functional
mapping of the country, the distance will need to
be reduced to the common datum at that system
normally.

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7. Correction for alignment: - Generally a

surveying lines is set out obstruction to follow
line may be composed of two or more straight
lines subtending on angle other than 180
.

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