Conventional Survey(Traversing)

© 2017 Dr. Sarhat M Adam

BSc in civil Engineering
Msc in Geodetic Surveying
PhD in Engineering Surveying & Space Geodesy
Note – The techniques shown in these slides are considered common
knowledge to surveyors. Figures in the slides may be the authors own work or
extracted from Instrument’s Users Manuals, Surveying by Duhok universities
staff and their materials, author's own Surveying, or various internet image
sources.
 Traversing (Conventional
Survey)
 Series of consecutive lines.
 Ends marked on the field.
 Lengths and directions been measured.
 Two types of Travers.
 Close Travers
 Open Traverse
 Traverse stations are sometimes interchangeably called angle
points because an angle is observed at each one.
 Close Traverse (C TR)
 Close Traverse are (a. Polygon and b. Link)
 Polygon geometrically and mathematically closed.
 Link geometrically open and mathematically closed. Finish upon
another station that should have a positional accuracy equal to or
greater than that of the starting point.
 C TR provide checks on the observed angles and distances.
 Extensively used in control, construction and Top, Survey.

Network
 Open Traverse
 An open traverse (geometrically and mathematically open).
 A series of lines that are connected.
 Do not return to the starting point.
 Or not closing upon a point of equal or greater order accuracy.
 Offer no means of checking for observational errors and mistakes.
 Open traverses should be avoided.
 If they must be used, observations should be repeated carefully.
Types of Traverse

Open Traverse
 Marking Traverse’s Stations
• Hubs (wooden stakes with tacks to mark the points), steel stakes, or
pipes.
• Are typically set at each traverse station A,B,C, where a change in
direction occurs.
• Spikes are used in blacktop of pavement.
• Chiseled or painted marks are made on concrete

Pipe Stakes Spikes

Hubs Steel Stakes Chiseled
 Observing of Traverse Angles
 The methods used in observing angles or directions of traverse lines
vary and include:
1. Interior angles
 For many types but convenient for property survey.
 Either clockwise or counterclockwise but better clockwise from backsight
station to foresight station. ex. EAB, backsigt E foresight B
2. Angles to the right
 Clockwise from a backsight on the “rearward” traverse station to a foresight on
the “forward” traverse station.
 Depending on the direction of travers, angle may be interior or exterior angles
 Forward traverse direction must be established to avoid ambiguity.
3. Deflection angles
 observed to the right or left from the lines extended. > 180
4. Azimuths
 Observing of Traverse Lengths
 The length of each traverse line (also called a course) must be
observed.
 By the simplest and most economical method capable of satisfying
the project’s precision.
 EDM is a good tool to satisfy that which is a part of Total Stat.
 The advantage of TS is that both angles and distances can be
observed with single setup at each station.
 Averages of distances observed both forward and back will provide
increased accuracy.
 Possible exam questions
 Compare between open and closed traverse.
 Check whether the statement is TRUE or FLASE
 Link type is an open traverse
 Link traverse is geometrically open and mathematically closed
 Polygon traverse is an open traverse.
 Polygon traverse is geometrically and mathematically closed.
 Closed traverses provide checks on the observed angles and
distances, which is an extremely important consideration.
 Link traverses finish upon another station that should have a
positional accuracy equal to or greater than that of the starting
point.