Koya University

Faculty of Engineering
Architectural Department

Engineering Surveying

Principles of Survey (chain survey)

Principles of Surveying
1. Locating a point from two other known points
The relative positions of points in survey works
can easily be located from two known fixed points
by only one of the methods described in the
following figures.

In figure (a), a perpendicular CD at

point D on AB from C can be drawn
by a tape taking minimum distance
of CD to AB by swinging the tape.

 In figure (b), the location of points A and B on

the ground are known. The locations of point
C can be located easily by swinging arc
method by measuring AC

2. Working from the whole to the part:

In this procedure, surveyor should first establish a
sufficient number of points with high degree of
precision in and around the area to be surveyed.
These are called primary control points. The gaps
are then filled with secondary control points at
closer intervals. The aim of working in this way to
prevent accumulation of error, in summary;
Establish a system of control points
Establish minor control points
Locate details with reference to the minor
control points.

Chain Surveying
Chain surveying: is the simplest method of
surveying in which only the linear
measurements needed, and no angular
measurement is necessary. The plot of area
to be surveyed are divided into number of
triangles.
Chain survey is suitable mainly for level small
areas and it is not suitable for very crowded
area or large area.

 Survey station: Its the beginning or end of the

survey lines; they locate by pegs or marked by
points. A, B, C, D, E and F are survey station.
Survey lines: The lines joining the main survey
station are called main survey line. AB, BC, CD,
and DE and EA are survey lines.

Base line: The biggest or longest of the main

survey lines is called base line. Various survey
stations are plotted with reference to this line.

 Check line: Is a line which is run in the field to check

the accuracy of the work. The length of the check line
is measured in the field must agree with it is length on
the plan.

Conditions to be full filled by survey lines or survey

station

The survey stations should be so selected that a

good system of lines is obtained full filling the
following conditions:

1. Survey stations must be mutually visible.

2. Survey line must be as few as possible so

that the frame work can be plotted
conveniently.

3. The frame work must have one or two base

lines. If one base line is used, it must run
along the length of all points.
4. The line must run through as level ground as
possible.
5. The main lines should form well conditional
triangle.
6. Each triangle or position of skeleton must be
provided with sufficient check line.

7. All the lines from which offsets are taken

should be placed closed to the corresponding
surface features so as to get short offsets.
8. As far as possible, the main survey line
should not pass through the obstacle.
9. The main survey lines should fall within the
boundaries of the property to be surveyed.

Scales

The area that is surveyed is vast and, therefore,

plans are made to some scale.
Scale is the fixed ratio that every distance on the
plan bears with corresponding distance on the
ground.
There are two types of scale;
1. Numerical scale;
for example, 1 cm on the plan represents some
whole number of meters on the ground, such as
1 cm =10 m and this type of scale is called
engineers scale.

2. Graphical scale; a graphical scale is a line subdivided into plan distance corresponding to
convenient units of length on the ground.

If the plan or map is to be used after a few

years, the numerical scales may not give
accurate results if the sheet or paper shrinks.
However, if a graphical scale is also drawn, it will
shrink proportionately and the distances can be
found accurately.

Precision and accuracy

Precision: the degree of perfection used in the
survey. The level of refinement and care when
performing the survey. In a series of independent
measurements of the same quantity, the closer
each measurement is to the average value, the
better is the precision.
Accuracy: the degree of perfection obtained in the
survey. In a series of independent measurements
the closer the average measurement is to the true
value is the accuracy.

 Example:
Three survey crews are asked to measure a
known distance of 300m, five times.
Crew one

Crew two

Crew three

295.902

299.980

299.997

295.908

300.06

299.999

295.905

299.955

300.002

295.907

300.020

299.998

295.903

299.990

300.003

Mean 295.905

300.001

300.00

Error

0.001

0.00

4.905

Crew one: precise but not accurate

Crew two: accurate but not precise
Crew three: precise and accurate

How to draw a perpendicular line

1. Where the point on the line
a) By 3-4-5 method
In this figure, AB is a chain line.
It is required to draw a perpendicular
at C of the chain line. Establish
a point D at 3m distance from C.
Put the (0 m and 12 m of the tape)
at D and a 3m tape at point C. then the tape should be
stretched from point E, such that 7 m of the tape should
be located at point E. finally this situation in the figure is
obtained. In this case CE is perpendicular to AB.

3-4-5 method

b) By arc method

2. Where the point is outside the line

(method of arc bisect)
It is required to drop a
perpendicular form C to AB.
let the chain be AB and
outside point be C.
select any point E on the chain line. With C
as center and CE as radius, an arc is drawn
which cut the chain line at F. Now, bisecting
EF at D, draw DC which is perpendicular from
C to chain line at D.

Exercise No.2
Right angle constructing by chain and tape
1. Introduction:
Talk about making and constructing perpendicular on
straight lines.
2. Aim of exercise :
1. Draw a perpendicular to a chain line from a point
on it.
2. Draw a perpendicular to a chain line from a point
out side it.

3. Tools and equipments

1-tape 2-range rod
3-peg

4- rope

4. Procedure
1- Construction a right angle for point on straight
line by 3,4,5 and arc method.
2- Project a perpendicular from point outside of
straight line.

5. Data sheet

6. Discussion
Explain the engineering importance of
construction right angles.