Methodes of establishing control points on construction sites
Traversing
One of the principles of engineering surveying discussed previously is that horizontal and
vertical control must be established for surveying detail and for setting out engineering projects
. A traverse is one means of providing a network of horizontal control in which position is
determined by a combination of angle and distance measurement between successive lines
joining control stations . Definition of a traverse : A traverse is a series of consective lines
whose distance and bearings ( horizontal angles of directions ) can be determined ( measured )
in the field ( on the ground ) .
Types of traverse
There are basically two types of traverses ( I ) open and ( ii ) closed traverses .
Open traverses
These start at a known point and finish at an unknown point . No checks can be carried out on
this type of traverse and hence they are used only in exceptional circumstances . Open
traverses are therefore discouraged .
Fig. 1
E A C
D
Fig. 1 shows a traverse starting at point A ( a known point i.e. a point whose coordinates and
elevation are known ) via points B , C , D and ending at E an unknown point . This is a typical
open traverse . This traverse is also known as an open route or open link traverse as it links
point A to E. Horizontal distances e.g. AB and marked horizontal angles are measured in the
field . The field work is carried out in the direction of the arrow i.e. from left to right .
Closed traverses
Fig. 2
X Y
2
1 3
Fig. 2 shows a traverse that was run from station X ( a known point ) to stations 1 , 2 , 3 and to
another known point Y . This traverse is , therefore , closed at Y . This type of traverse is called a
closed link or closed route traverse .
Fig.3
X
2
Fig. 3 shows a traverse that started at point X a known point via points 1 , 2 , 3 and closing back
at X . This type of traverse is called a polygon , loop or closed ring traverse since it closes back
on to the starting point . In both types of closed traverse there is an external check on the
observations since the traverse starts and finishes on a known point .
