Traversing
Introduction
Traverse: Series of consecutive lines whose ends have
been marked in the filed, and whose lengths and
directions have been determined from measurements.
Kind of traverses:
Closed Traverse
Polygon: The lines return
to the starting point.
Link: Must have a closing
reference direction.
Closed traverses provide
checks on the measured
angles and distances.
Examples of closed traverses
a) Polygon type, b) Link type
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Traversing
Introduction
Kind of traverses (con’t):
Open Traverse: Consists of a series of lines that are connected but do
not return to the starting point. Open traverses should be avoided
because they do not offer any checks for observational errors and
mistakes. If they must be used, measurements should be repeated
carefully.
Open Traverse
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Traversing
Introduction
Hubs (wooden stakes), steel stakes, or pipes are set at
each traverse station A, B, C, etc., where a change in
direction occurs.
Nails and scratched crosses are used on pavements.
Painted marks are made on concrete.
Traverse stations are sometimes called angle points.
Closed and Open Traverses 3/17
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Traversing
Methods of Measuring Traverse Angles or
Directions
Traversing by Interior Angles
Interior angles should always be turned clockwise from the backsight
stations to the foresight station.
When angels are designated by three station letters or numbers, the
backsight station will be given first, the occupied station second, and
the foresight station third.
For example; angle EAB was measured
at station A, with the backsight on station
E and the foresight on station B.
Interior angles may be improved by
Averaging equal number of direct and reversed readings
Measuring the exterior angle to close the horizon.
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Traversing
Methods of Measuring Traverse Angles or
Directions
Traversing by Angles to the Right
Angles measured clockwise from a backsight on the rearward traverse
station to a foresight on the forward traverse station are called angels
to the right.
The sense of the forward traverse direction
must be established by using consecutive
numbering or lettering of traverse stations
so that they increase in the forward directions.
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Traversing
Methods of Measuring Traverse Angles or
Directions
Traversing by Deflection Angles
Route surveys are commonly run by deflection angles measured to
the right (R) or left (L) from the lines extended.
To reduce instrumental error, the angels should be measured an equal
number of times in face left and in face right.
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Traversing
Methods of Measuring Traverse Angles or
Directions
Traversing by Azimuths
Azimuths are measured clockwise from the north end of the meridian
through the angle points.
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Traversing
Measurement of Traverse Lengths
In closed traverses, each line is measured and recorded
as a separate distance.
On long, link traverses for highways and railroads,
distances are carried out along continuously from the
starting point using stationing.
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Traversing
Measurement of Traverse Lengths
In the figure, which uses station in feet, for example, beginning
with station 0+00 at point A, 100-ft stations (1+00, 2+00, 3+00)
are marked until hub B at station 4+00 is reached.
Then station 5+00, 6+00, 7+00, 8+00, and 8+19.60 are set
along course BC to C
The length of a line in an
stationed link-traverse is
the difference between
stationing at its end points,
thus the length of line BC is
819.60 – 400.00 = 419.60 ft
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Traversing
Selection of Traverse Stations
Traverse station placement depends on the type of
survey.
On property survey, traverse stations are placed at each
corner.
On route survey, stations are set at each angle points,
and at other locations where necessary to obtain
topographic data.
For topographic mapping, map details such as roads,
buildings, streams, and hills are referenced.
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Traversing
Referencing Traverse Stations
After traverse stations are established, they often must
be found and reoccupied in the future.
Thus, it is important that they be referenced by certain
ties to them.
Hubs for ties
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Traversing
Traverse Field Notes
Elementary Surveying, 11e © 2006 Prentice-Hall, Inc.. Partial set of field notes for an interior angle traverse 12/17
Traversing
Angle Misclosure
The angular misclosure for an interior-angle traverse is the
difference between the sum of the measured angles and
the geometrical correct total for the polygon.
Σ = (n − 2 )180 o
where n: the number of sides or angles in the polygon.
Permissible misclosure:
c=K n
where K: a constant depending on the level of accuracy.
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Traversing
Radial Traversing
Radial Traversing. a) From one occupied station b) From two occupied stations
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Traversing
Radial Traversing
Radial traversing is ideal for quickly establishing a large
number of points in an area.
Radial methods are also very convenient for laying out
planned construction projects with a total station
instrument.
In this application, the required coordinates of points to
be staked are determined from the design, and the
angles and distances that must be measured from a
selected station of known position are computed.
These are laid out with a total station to set the stakes.
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Traversing
Sources of Error in Traversing
1. Poor selection of stations, resulting in bad sighting
conditions caused by
Alternate sun and shadow,
Visibility of only the rod’s top,
Lines that are too short, and
Sighting in the sun.
2. Errors in measurements of angles and distances,
3. Failure to measure angles and equal number of times
direct and reversed.
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Traversing
Mistakes in Traversing
1. Occupying or sighting on the wrong station.
2. Incorrect orientation,
3. Confusing angles to the right and left, and
4. Mistakes in note taking.
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