CHAPTER 5

PLANIMETER

5.1 PURPOSE

To determine an area of a region with analytical and graphical method by using

planimeter.

5.2 BASIC THEORY

From time to time, engineers have encountered lots of errors that has led the
engineering world to discover new perspectives at looking into a problem and to generate
a better solution for it. One way to look into it is by trying a different approach, by using
a different method. In this scenario, the main focus will revolve around area measurement
methods.
An area of a region has become one of the most crucial aspects in a civil
engineering project. Area can be described as the available space inside a 2-dimensional
shape. In this era, there are several options that can be used to find an area of a plane such
as from doing a basic geometry calculation, to engineer a complex GPS which includes
several satellites that will produce the desired coordinates. However, a basic geometry
calculation would take an ineffective amount of time to calculate an area of irregular
shapes. Before jumping into a complex engineering method to find an area of an irregular
region, engineers can use a simpler graphical method by using graph paper and/or
planimeter.
Planimeter is a mechanical tool that was invented in the 18th century. The tool is
able to measure an area of a region that is inside irregular shapes. There are 2 forms of
planimeter, mechanical planimeter and digital planimeter. The parts of a mechanical
planimeter consists of a measuring wheel, support wheel, tracer arm with a tracer at the
end of the arm, anchor arm with a weight at the end of the arm, hinge, index, and dial. A
digital planimeter also have several parts including the roller wheel, magnifying glass, and

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a digital display. The digital planimeter has a low level of complexity to use, where the
planimeter requires the user to pivot it at any point and place the magnifying glass above
the line of the area boundaries. (Drechsler, 2010). The practicum will use the digital
planimeter.

The list below are the formulas that will be used in the practicum:

Scale 2
Actual Area within 1 Square = ( ) ………………….....(eq. 5.1)
2

Note:
Actual Area within 1 Square = Actual area represented in 1 square;
Scale = Atlas map scale.

Number of Squares = (Full Squares x 4) + Small Squares………..(eq. 5.2)

Note:
Number of Squares = Number of whole squares inside the shape on the
millimeter block;
Full Squares = Number of 2x2 squares inside the shape;
Small Squares = Number of small squares on a full square at the
line of the shape.

Partial Squares
Number of Partial Squares = …….………….....(eq. 5.3)
2

Note:
Number of Partial Squares = Number of partial squares;
Partial Squares = Number of full squares along the lines of the
shape.

Total Squares = Number of Squares + Number of Partial Squares.………(eq. 5.4)

Note:
Total Squares = Number of squares inside the shape on the
millimeter block;

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Number of Squares = Number of whole squares inside the shape;

Number of Partial Squares = Number of partial squares.

Total Area = Total Squares x Actual Area within 1 Square……….(eq. 5.5)

Note:
Total Area = Actual area of shape;
Total Squares = Number of squares inside the shape on the
millimeter block;
Actual Area within 1 Square = Actual area represented in 1 square.

Initial Area - Calculated Area

Error Factor = x 100%…...…….......(eq. 5.6)
Initial Area

Note:
Error Factor = Difference percentage between real measurement
and calculated measurement;
Initial Area = Real area measurement;
Calculated Area = Calculated area measurement.

Average Area = Total / Number of Observations….............(eq. 5.7)

Note:
Average Area = Mean data from several observations;
Total = Added result of all area measurement from each
observation;
Number of Observations = Total number of observations observed.

5.3 PRACTICUM RESULT

5.3.1 PRACTICUM DATA

The main purpose of the practicum is to analyze different types of measurement

methods, therefore a region of an area must be selected, where that region needs to have
an irregular shape to prove the accuracy of these measurement methods. To obtain such

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shape, a 2-dimensional model of an island was selected from an atlas book. The island
that was selected was Jambi, where according to google, the Jambi province has a total
area of roughly 50,058 km2. While google uses GPS and satellite coordination to obtain
the area, the practicum will use a simpler method by using the graphical method and
planimeter.

Table 5.1 Area Measurement Using Graphical Method

Name of Data Value of Data Units

Scale 1 : 1,500,000 cm

Actual Area within 1 Square 562,500,000,000 cm2

Number of Square 735 Box

Number of Partial Square 83.5 Box

Total Square 493 Box

Total Area 46,040.625 km2

Table 5.2 Area Measurement Using Planimeter

Number of Observation Area (km2)

Observation 1 45,630

Observation 2 51,165

Observation 3 35,550

Observation 4 37,417.5

Observation 5 47,092.5

Total 216,855

Average 43,371

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5.3.2 PRACTICUM CALCULATION

The first data is the scale on the atlas map, where in this data can be obtained from
the atlas map itself which is 1:1,500,000. The data that needs to be calculated is the actual
area within 1 square, where this data can be obtained through the formula below:

Scale 2
a) Actual Area within 1 Square = ( )
2

1,500,000 2
=( )
2

=562,500,000,000 cm2

The next data that needs to be gathered is the number of squares, where this step
can be done manually counting the number of boxes that are inside the area region on the
millimeter block. To obtain the number of squares, a formula as below needs to be
applicated:

b) Number of Squares = (Full Squares x 4) + Small Square

= (169 x 4) + 59
= 676 + 59
= 735 boxes

After gathering the number of squares inside the area region, the next part is to
count the number of squares that are on the outer layer of the area. This type of squares
also known as partial squares. The total number of partial squares is 167. The
measurement method has a formula for the partial squares, which goes as below:

Partial Squares
c) Number of Partial Squares = 2
167
= 2

= 83.5 boxes

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The next step that needs to be taken is to count the total number of squares, where
this step is done by adding the total number of squares with the number of partial squares
that can be seen with the calculation below:

d) Total Squares = Number of Squares + Number of Partial Squares

= 735 + 83.5
= 818.5 boxes

The last step is to calculate the total area. To measure the total area of the selected
region, a calculation that multiplies the total number of squares with the actual area within
1 square needs to be executed as below:

e) Total Area = Total Squares x Actual Area within 1 Square

= 818.5 x (562,500,000,000 cm2 x 10-10) km2
= 46,040.625 km2

The error factor percentage of this method of calculation can be calculated using
the formula below:

Initial Area - Calculated Area

f) Error Factor = x 100%
Initial Area
50,058 - 46,040.625
= x 100%
50,058

= 8.025%

The second measurement method that was implemented was by using the
planimeter. Due to its high sensitivity, the standard for the maximum error factor for this
tool is below 2%. To achieve that, the observation was carried out 5 times. Where the area
measurement will use the average of all 5 measurements using the planimeter. The average
can be calculated by using the formula below:

g) Average Area = Total / Number of Observations

= 216,855 / 5
= 43,371 km2

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The error factor percentage of this method of calculation can be calculated using
the formula below:

Initial Area - Calculated Area

h) Error Factor = x 100%
Initial Area
50,058 - 43,371
= x 100%
50,058

= 13.358%

5.4 CONCLUSION

From both experiments, it can be concluded that:

a) The area calculated from using the graphical method is 46,040.625 km2;
b) The average area calculated from using the planimeter tool is 43,371 km2;
c) From the practicum above, the error factor of using graphical method as a
measurement method reaches 8.025%;
d) From the practicum above, the error factor of using planimeter to measure an area
reaches 13.358%.

5.5 ERROR FACTORS

The data that were collected in both experiments contain some number difference
than what the data should be, or in other words, some error factors. The list below are the
possible factors for error to occur:

a) Human error, where the experimenter could possibly/accidentally did not count 1
or more boxes in the millimeter block;
b) The experimenter did not point the planimeter towards the line correctly;
c) The unit conversion for the calculations could majorly impact the end result;
d) The variety of a person’s motoric skills could also affect the measurement on the
planimeter observations;
e) The required formula to calculate a data needs to use the precise and correct data.

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5.6 REFERENCES

Drechsler, Stefan. “The Planimeter of J. Gierer - Invented by Misunderstanding.”

ResearchGate, Jan. 2010,
www.researchgate.net/publication/263333013_The_Planimeter_of_J_Gie
rer_-_Invented_by_Misunderstanding.

Wang, Zegen, et al. “Error Factor and Mathematical Model of Positioning with
Odometer Wheel.” Advances in Mechanical Engineering, vol. 7, no. 1,
2014, p. 305981., doi:10.1155/2014/305981.

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 CHAPTER 6

STEREOSCOPE

6.1 PURPOSE

To know the height difference or elevation difference at two points in with two
different photo position (aerial photograph) by using mirror stereoscope and parallax bar.

6.2 BASIC THEORY

The name goes by Sir Charles Wheatstone, where in the 18th century he discovered
a concept that would be famous on a worldwide scale on the world today. From the 3-
dimensional (3D) cinema to virtual reality, these inventions were based on Wheatstone’s
stereoscopic concept. The stereoscopic takes place in the binocular vision, for example
when each eye is looking into 2 different pictures of the same object but from different
perspectives at the same time, the brain will process the image to have a depth or in other
words, a 3D effect. This is where the stereoscopy manipulates the brain, however
Wheatstone elaborated that the stereoscopy concept is how the human vision works.
(Robinson, 2017)
Engineers took advantage of this breakthrough to calculate difficult heights such
as mountains. The stereoscopy concept would bring an impact to the study of aerial
photography, where the elevation difference of an object could be calculated. To do so, it
is required to use a stereoscope, a device that is used for viewing stereoscopic images,
where each eye is looking into 2 different pictures from different perspectives. In civil
engineering, stereoscopes are useful to analyze and surveying the ground levels. There are
2 main types of stereoscopes, the lens stereoscope and the mirror stereoscope. The lens
stereoscope or also known as the pocket stereoscope because of its relatively small size
and easy mobility, is the most basic variety of a stereoscope device. However, the mirror
stereoscope is a more complex device that has an advantage where the analyst is able to
view the image clearer as the mirror stereoscope consists of a completely separated stereo

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pair. The way that the mirror stereoscope works is by using a pair of reflection mirrors
and a pair of wing mirrors, where each wing mirrors are placed on a 450 angle, with the
purpose to efficiently reflect the lights.

The list below are the formulas that will be used in the practicum:

ΔPAB = MB - MA..……………….………..(eq. 6.1)

Note:
ΔPAB = The difference between MB and MA ;
MA = The average point A value gained from the three points on the parallax
bar;
MB = The average point B value gained from the three points on the parallax
bar.

f
Hr = Scale…………………………...………(eq. 6.2)

Note:
Hr = Average flying height above datum;
f = Lens focus;
Scale = Aerial photograph scale.

b × Hr
PA = H - h ……………...………….………(eq. 6.3)
A

Note:
PA = Parallax Point A;
b = Photo base;
Hr = Average flying height above datum;
H = Flying height above datum;
hA = Height of point A above datum.

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PB = PA + ΔPAB ……………………...…….(eq. 6.4)

Note:
PB = Parallax Point B;
PA = Parallax Point A;
ΔPAB = The difference between PB and PA .

ΔPAB
ΔhAB = (H - hA ) ……...………..……..(eq. 6.5)
PB

Note:
ΔhAB = Height difference between point A and point B;
H = Flying height above datum;
hA = Height of point A above datum;
PB = Parallax Point B;
ΔPAB = The difference between MB and MA .

hB = hA + ΔhAB ……………...……..……..(eq. 6.6)

Note:
hB = Height of point B above datum;
ΔhAB = Height difference between point A and point B;
hA = Height of point A above datum.

6.3 PRACTICUM RESULT

6.3.1 PRACTICUM DATA

To begin the measurement, the data that needs to be gathered are as below. The
three points from the parallax bar which can be represented as the following symbols; ○,
●, and + are the data that needs to be gathered to begin this measurement. The data that
will be used in this measurement is the mountains at Bali, where the aerial photograph
uses the scale of 1:50,000.

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Table 6.1 Measurement of Point Parallax

Point ○ ● + Parallax Point (mm)

A 26.12 26.16 26.18 26.15

B 27.92 27.91 27.84 27.89

Height of point A above datum (ℎ𝐴 ) = 2000 m

Aerial photograph scale = 1 : 50,000 cm
Lens focus (f) = FS 200 mm
Photo base (b) = 68 mm
Flying height above datum (H) = 8248 m

6.3.2 PRACTICUM CALCULATION

Parallax point is the average value gained from the three points at parallax bar (○,
●, and +). The measurement begins with calculating the ΔPAB , where this can be described
as the difference between MB and MA . The result of this calculation will be used to find
the value of Parallax Point B. The difference of the parallax points can be seen as below:

a) ΔPAB = MB - MA
= 27.89 – 26.15
= 1.74 mm

The next data that needs to be calculated is the average flying height above datum
(Hr). This data is the result of distribution of the lens focus with aerial photograph scale.
Hr is the average height of an image taken which the result will be used to get parallax
point A value. The calculation goes as below:

f
b) Hr = Scale

= 0.2 m ×500 m
= 100 m

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After obtaining the number for the average height of the aerial photograph image,
the number will be used in finding parallax at point A. The calculation of parallax point
A will be used to find the value of parallax point B.

b × Hr
c) PA = H-h
A

68 mm × 100,000 mm
= 8,248,000 mm × 2,000,000 mm

= 1.08 mm

From finding the value of parallax at point A, the calculation continues by

calculating the parallax at point B. The number of parallax at point B will be used to find
the value of the height difference between point A and point B.

d) PB = PA + ΔPAB
= 1.08 mm + 1.74 mm
= 2.82 mm

There is one more calculation that is needed before calculating the elevation of
point B, which is the height difference between point A and point B. The height difference
can be calculated by using the formula below:

ΔPAB
e) ΔhAB = (H - hA ) PB

1.74 ×10−3 𝑚
= (8248 m - 2000 m) 2.82 × 10−3 𝑚

= 3.855 m

By using the same concept of calculating the parallax point B, the elevation of
point B could also be calculated by adding the height of point A above datum with the
height difference between point A and point B. The calculation goes as below:

f) hB = hA + ΔhAB
= 2000 m + 3.855 m
= 2003.855 m

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6.4 CONCLUSION

From the experiment above, it can be concluded that:

a) The difference between the average value of the three points on the parallax bar
from point A and point B is 1.74 mm (ΔPAB = 1,74 mm);
b) The height of point A is 2000 m;
c) The height of point A is 2003.855 m
d) The height difference between point A and point B can be calculated, which is
3.855 m (ΔhAB = 3.855 m).

6.5 ERROR FACTORS

The collected data in the experiment is not 100% accurate as there are some error
factors that may occur on the practicum. The list below are the possible factors of error:

a) The position of both topography maps that are easily moved, making the
placement of the map is unstable and decreases the accuracy of the experimenter.
b) The stereoscope method relies on the experimenter’s accuracy skills, where one
person could produce a different set of data from the same pictures.
c) The condition of the stereoscope’s quality will majorly impact on the data, where
the quality includes the legs of the device, the mirror and its angle, the lenses, etc.

6.6 REFERENCES

Robinson, Lisa. “History of Photography: Stereoscopic Photography.”

Photofocus, 23 July 2017, photofocus.com/photography/history-of-
photography-stereoscopic-photography/.

Thompson, Clive. “Stereographs Were the Original Virtual Reality.”

Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Oct. 2017,
www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/sterographs-original-virtual-
reality-180964771/.

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