Angles, Azimuths

and Bearings
Chapter 7

1
Subdivision Drawing

Drawing shows
bearings of the
Centerline of each
roadway and the
tangent distance
between points.
Each lot is defined
using bearings and
line lengths. This is
an example of a
“metes and bounds”
survey.

Reference Meridians
Geodetic North-south reference line that passes through a mean
position of the earth’s geographic poles. “True Meridian”
Astronomic North-south reference line at any time that passes
through the instantaneous position of the earth’s geographic poles.
Determined by Field Procedure. Nearly the same as Geodetic value.
Magnetic Defined by a freely suspended magnetic needle that is only
influenced by the earth’s magnetic field.
Grid Defined by a state or other plan coordinate system.
Record Directional references referred to in a boundary survey.
Deed meridians are used in the description of a parcel of land.
Assumed Meridians established by assigning any arbitrary direction.
For example: The centerline of East Parkway South is assumed to run
north-south.

2
Reference Meridians

Horizontal Angles
Interior Angles
Exterior Angles (Interior Angle = 360 – Exterior Angle)
Deflection Angles (Always less than 180 degrees)
Angles can be measured from the right or from the left. Novice
surveyors should always turn angles to their right.

Closed Traverse Open Traverse

3
Azimuths

OA = 70° from the North Clockwise

OB = 145° from the North Clockwise
OC = 235° from the North Clockwise
OD = 330° from the North Clockwise
OC = 55° from the South Clockwise
OD = 150° from the South Clockwise

Bearings

OA = N 70° 00’ 00” E

OB = S 35° 00’ 00” E
OC = S 55° 00’ 00” W
OD = N 30° 00’ 00” W

4
Forward and Back Bearings

Forward and Back Bearings