Measurements Of

Angles
&
Directions
 Introduction
Angle measurement is one of the fundamental
measurements in surveying work, which is used to
describe the relative orientation of points and
properties with respect to each other.
In addition to measurement of horizontal and
vertical distance, angles and direction can also
used to locate the position of a point.
The definition of surveying is to determining the locations of
points on near or above surface of the earth.
 Then to determine location of points depends frequently on
angles , orientation of line (direction) and distance
measurements.
In surveying, directions are given by bearings and azimuths.
 Basic Components of an Angle

A
[Link] or starting line (A)
B

[Link] of turn (B) C

A
B
[Link] value (C) usually

in DMS C
 Example Basic Components of an Angle

B
C
90 0
1130
00

00
27
18
00
 Types of Angles

 There are generally two types of angles i,e vertical

&horizontal angle

 When angle is measured in horizontal plane it is horizontal

angle

 when measured in a vertical plane it is vertical angle.

 Alpha( ) =zenith angle
Example Beta( )= vertical angle
Teetta( ) =horizontal angle

8
 Types of horizontal angle
1-Interior horizontal are
measured clockwise or
counter-clockwise between
two adjacent lines on the
inside of a closed polygon.
2 Deflection horizontal angles
deflection to the right and left

R
L L
Direction of progress
Types of horizontal Measured Angles
3) Exterior angles are measured clockwise or counter-
clockwise between two adjacent lines on the outside of a
closed polygon.

4)Angles to the right are turned from the back line in a

clockwise or right hand direction to the ahead line.
5)Angles to the left are turned from the back line in a
counter-clockwise or left hand direction to the ahead line.
 Direction of line
 Direction of a line is reference line that horizontal angle
measured from.
 Defined by a line on the mean surface of the earth joining
the north and south poles an arbitrarily chosen reference
line called a meridian/north pole
 There are four basic types of reference North/meridians
which are used for specifying a direction
Astronomic north
Magnetic north
Grid North-
 Astronomic north
 It also called True meridian determined by
astronomical observations (as determined by the
stars).
 This meridian is very close to geodetic, and
sometimes two have been used interchangeably.
 The directions of line referred to the true meridian
remain unchanged regardless of time.
 The lines of most extensive surveys and usually the
lines marking the boundaries of landed property are
referred to the true meridian.
 It is the direction of line passing through the
geographic north and south poles into the
observer’s position.
Magnetic north. It is the direction of a horizontal plane shown
by a freely suspended magnetic needle.
 It will be measured by compass.
 angle measured from magnetic north.
 Since magnetic fields fluctuate over time, this meridian is
time-dependent.
Arbitrary North - angle measured from a meridian assumed
by the user
Grid North- A line through a point parallel to Y–axis of
rectangular coordinate system on the map.
 angle measured from grid (map) north.
 This angle is dependent on the map-projection.
 Directions of angle
Directions angle means horizontal angles which measure
from reference direction of line to any other point.
In surveying, directions of angle are given by two system
which are azimuth system and bearing system.

Bearing
Azimuth
 Azimuths
Azimuths horizontal angles measured only
clockwise from a reference meridian.
Azimuths are usually measured from the north end
of the meridian
Its range is [0°,360°]
In Azimuth the direction will not mentioned
 Azimuth sometime called Whole Circle Bearing
(WCH)
Every line has two azimuths (forward and back)
and their values differ by 180°.
Range of Azimuth in different quadrants
In I Quadrant
Azimuth between 00 - 900
In II Quadrant
Azimuth is between 900 - 1800
In III- Quadrant
Azimuth is between 1800 -2700
In IV quadrant
Azimuth is between
2700 - 3600
Example

Azimuth AB = 66°40‘
Azimuth AC = 124°28'
Azimuth AD = 224°21'
Azimuth AE = 322°26'
 Back azimuth
The back azimuth is the reverse of forward azimuth.
Back azimuth of AB = Azimuth of BA
The angular difference b/n forward and backward azimuth
is equal to 1800

If a forward azimuth is less than 180 0, Backward azimuth =

forward Az + 1800
If a forward azimuth is greater than 180 0 ,Backward

azimuth = foreword azimuth -1800

Example Azimuth BC 182029’15 find Back Azimuth of BC

Since 1800 < Az BC< 2700

Back azimuth of line BC=

182029’15-1800

= 2029’15’’
Exercise
The forward azimuth of line AB is 50o30,20,, what is back
azimuth of AB or azimuth of BA ?
 Bearing
Bearing is horizontal angles measured with

reference to north or south direction.

Bearing can be measured clockwise or anticlockwise.

The range of bearing is (00 - 900) .

bearings are measured in relation to the north or

south end of the meridian -NE, NW, SE, or SW

Letter at start and end defines the quadrant Angular value

measured from N-S line

 A bearing has three parts:
Prefix - N or S indicating which end of the meridian is turned
from.
 Angle
 Suffix - E or W indicating turning direction from the
meridian to the line.
 Example N 66°40' E - from the North end of the

meridian, turn 66°40' to the East.

 Format of bearing

Bearing in the I - quadrant is

N <angular Value> E

Bearing in the II – quadrant is

S < angular Value > E

Bearing in the III- quadrant is

S <angular Value>W

Bearing in the IV- quadrant is

N <angular Value> W
Examples Bearing in different quadrant
Example

Bearing AB = N 66°40' E
Bearing AC = S 55°32' E
Bearing AD = S 44°21'
W
Bearing AE = N 37o34, W
 Back bearing
Back bearing is a reverse forward bearing bearing.
The angle value remain same but the direction reverse
For example
Forward bearing of line AB is N 600E
Backward bearing of AB is = bearing BA = S 600 W
 Back bearing
Back bearing is a reverse forward bearing bearing.
The angle value remain same but the direction reverse
For example Forward bearing of line AB is N 60 E 0

Backward bearing of AB is = bearing BA = S 60 W0

Computing bearing and Azimuth of a line given
coordinates
For example if coordinates of D (200 ,600) and E (450 .2,
155.3) calculate the bearing and Azimuth of line ED ?
solution
1 Draw Parallel lines through E and D Parallel to the X-and Y-
axis.
2. Calculate ΔX and ΔY
ΔX DE = XE –XD = 450 .2 -200 = 250.2
Δy DE = YE-YD = 155.3-600 = -444.7
Since ΔY = - ve and ΔX = +ve the line lies in the II quadrant
3. tan Θ = ΔX /ΔY Θ = tan -1 [250.2/444.7] = Θ = 29021’48’’
Since it lines in II quadrant, bearing will be measured from
south direction
 Therefore Bearing DE = S 29021’48’’E
Relationship between Azimuth and Bearing in II quadrant
Azimuth = 1800 -Bearing
 Azimuth of DE = 1800 -Bearing of DE
= 1800 -290 21’48’’ = 150038’12’’
 Quiz 5 %
Find the back bearing of points
T
K ( 200,100)T(300,200)
N

W
 Magnetic Declination
The angle between magnetic north and true north at a particular location.
Also called magnetic variation.

 Declination may be towards east or west.

 When the magnetic north is towards the west of true north, the
declination is west or negative,
True bearing = Magnetic bearing – magnetic declination
 when towards east; it is east declination or positive
True bearing = magnetic bearing + declination
Illustrative example
1. The magnetic bearing of a line is measured and found to be
N 23043’12”E. and the declination at the time of
measurement was 2’west, calculate the true bearing of this
line. True bearing = Magnetic bearing – magnetic
declination
= 23043’1 2” – 2’
= 23041’12”
2. Find true bearing of a line AB if magnetic bearing is S
45032’34”W. and declination at a time was 3’east.

solution
True bearing = magnetic bearing +
declination
= 45032’34” + 3’
= 45035’34”
A line on a map or chart connecting points that
have the same declination is called isogonic line
and agonic line consists of pointing having zero
declination.
The declination at a place does not remain
constant but changes with time. These changes
are
i. Secular change
ii. Annual change
iii. Diurnal change
iv. Irregular change
i. Secular change: - this is occurs over a long period of time
approximately for 250 years. The magnitude also is very high.
However, this variation does not follow any general law. It can be
obtained only from detailed charts and tables derived from
observations.
ii. Annual change: - It is a variation over a year. It is roughly 1’-2’ in
amplitude. It varies from place to place.
iii. Diurnal change: - means variation over a day. It depends on the
following four factors :
1. Locality: It is greater near the pole and less near equator
2. Season : It is greater in summer than in winter
3. Time: It is more during day and less during night. The rate of
variation over 24hrs is quite irregular.
4. Year: The daily variation changes from year to year
iv. Irregular variation: is caused by unpredictable magnetic
disturbances and storms. The magnitude of variation is more than a
degree.
 Local attraction
The direction of a compass needle will take
change by Such materials iron ore, steel
fences, power transmission lines, under ground
pipes, etc will attract (deviate) the needle
because of their magnetic property. So, the
deviation arising from such local sources is
called local attraction.
The occurrence of local attraction can be
detected by measuring the azimuth (bearing)
and back azimuth (back bearing) of the line of
the compass. If their difference is different
from 180o, a local attraction exists at both or
either end of the line.
 Angle measuring instrument
Angles are measured by surveying instrument such as Total
station, Theodolite,Transit,Compass and By tape indirect
measurement
A theodolite is a
precision instrument for
measuring angles in the
horizontal and vertical
planes
may be classified as
[Link] theodolite
[Link] theodolite
Horizontal and Vertical Angles
measuring Instrument
Optical theodolite and Digital theodolite
 COMPONENTS OF A TYPICAL ‘OPTO-MECHANICAL’ THEODOLITE

Vertical Circle
Micrometer for
Circle Readings Objective of
E
PLUNG Telescope
Fine Vertical
HORIZONTAL AXIS Adjustment for
LINE OF Telescope
SIGHT Alignment
Optical Switch for TURN (Tangent Screw)
Horizontal/ Vertical
Circle Readings Standard
Fine Horizontal Precise Hor. Bubble
Adjustment for Telescope (Plate Bubble)
Alignment (Tangent Horizontal Circle
Screw) Adjustment
For Orientation
Horizontal circle (Orientation Driver)
housing
Vertical Axis

Eye piece of
of Rotation

Tribrach (detachable)
optical plummet
Foot Screw
Circular Bubble
Digital theodolite component of surveying
instrument
 Field work of angle measurement
The adjustments of theodolites are two kinds.
1. Temporary adjustments
2. 2. Permanent adjustments
Temporary adjustment: - are adjustments which are
required to be made of every instrument stations before
making observation. Temporary adjustment of
theodolite includes the following steps
i. Setting up the theodolite over the station – the tripod
legs are spread and their points are so placed that the
top of the tripod is approximately horizontal and the
telescope is at a convenient height of sighting.
 ii. Centering- to place the vertical axis exactly over the
station mark. Approximate centering is done by means of
tripod legs. The exact centering is done by means of the
plumb bob or optical plummet.
iii Leveling – After having centered and approximately
leveled the instrument, accurate levelling is done with the help
of foot screws and with reference to the plate levels. The
purpose of the levelling is to make the vertical axis truly
vertical.
Leveling using foot screw
Iv Focusing the eye piece – to avoid parallax and get exact
vision of the cross hairs.
V focusing the objective – to get the exact target image clear
and sharp.

47
 Permanent adjustments:
Permanent adjustments: - This adjustment is to maintain the
primary axes of theodolites in their correct geometrical
relationship. The theodolite should be regularly tested and
adjusted. Some of the permanent adjustments of theodolite
are:
1. Adjustments of the horizontal plate level
2. Adjustment
s of the horizontal axis ( Trunnion axis )
3. Adjustments of telescope
4. Adjustments of telescope level
5. Adjustment of vertical circle index
 THEODOLITE OBSERVATIONS
An angle can be observed in two ways using theodolite and by
combining both observation the observer can detect the presence of
some gross and systematic errors.
a. Face left observation If the vertical circle is on the left hand side of
the observer, the observation is known as face left observation and
since vertical circle is on the left hand side the observation is also
known as normal observation.
b. Face right observation If the vertical circle is on the right hand side
of the observer, the observation is known as face right observation. In
such case a case the telescope is in inverted form and hence the
observation is also known as inverted observation.  For horizontal
angle measurment, F.R reading - F.L reading = 180°, If the
measurement is free from any error. 
For vertical angle measurement the readings are Zenith angles, F.R
reading + F.R reading = 360°, if the measurement is free from any
errors.
Thank you
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