3.

Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

CIV2202. 3: LINEAR MEASUREMENT

(TAPING OR CHAINING)

Table of Contents
PREVIEW .........................................................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................................3
Objectives ..............................................................................................................3
Readings ................................................................................................................3
DISTANCE MEASUREMENT ........................................................................................4
2 Types Of Distance Measurement........................................................................4
USE OF STEEL TAPES ...................................................................................................4
FIELD WORK CONSIDERATION .................................................................................4
MEASURING LESS THAN ONE TAPE LENGTH........................................................5
MEASURING MORE THAN ONE TAPE LENGTH .....................................................5
Procedure ...............................................................................................................5
Notes
7
STEP CHAINING ON SLOPING GROUND ..................................................................7
Procedure ...............................................................................................................7
STANDARD TAPE CORRECTIONS..............................................................................8
How do we measure the slope angle Q ...............................................................8
Procedure ...............................................................................................................8
Slope ......................................................................................................................9
Measuring Q: Levels at A and B are known : ......................................................9
Use/Age ...............................................................................................................10
Tension ................................................................................................................10
Temperature.........................................................................................................11
Sag of the tape .....................................................................................................11
BOOKING.......................................................................................................................12
Booking a Baseline ..............................................................................................12
ERRORS AND ACCURACY.........................................................................................13
Sources of Errors .................................................................................................13
TYPICAL ACCURACY FIGURES ...............................................................................13
EXERCISE ......................................................................................................................14
CHAINING AND DETAIL SURVEY ...........................................................................14
Basic Approach....................................................................................................14
Principles .............................................................................................................15
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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

Method.................................................................................................................15
Booking................................................................................................................16
Plotting.................................................................................................................16
EXERCISE ......................................................................................................................17
SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................17
REVIEW QUESTIONS ..................................................................................................17
ANSWERS TO REVIEW QUESTIONS ........................................................................18

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

PREVIEW
Introduction
This chapter is about the skill of producing a site plan using just 2 tapes with the
addition of a clinometer for measuring slope angles. (Distance shown on plans must
always be horizontal distances).
The chapter is divided into two sections. The first (Distance Measurement) describes
basic use of tapes, and adjustments for the effects of slope, temperature, tension etc. The
second (Chaining) describes the application of these skills in producing a site plan. You
will use these skills as part of your practical assignment.
These are useful skills for producing small site plans. However, most larger plans are
now produced using a theodolite and EDM. More about that later.
You should notice that future chapters include a Skill section at the start. Hopefully,
these will help you to identify what is most important in that chapter. These will be the
skills you will be practising in your practical and camp assignments.

Objectives
After completing this topic you should be able to:

obtain horizontal distances in sloping terrain

correct linear measurements for site and environmental factors
understand procedures for producing a site plan using only linear measurement

Readings

Read: Muskett, Sections 4.1, 4.2

(? Minutes)
REQUIRED

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

DISTANCE MEASUREMENT
2 Types Of Distance Measurement
1.

direct - tapes, bands, chains

2.

indirect - optical (theodolite), EDM

USE OF STEEL TAPES

*

typically 20, 30, 50, 100 m

many tapes are fibre reinforced plastic, but for accurate work, they must be
steel (which are often be plastic coated). Plastic tapes stretch with age.

always check the exact position of the zero mark. It is usually at the end of the
link on the end of the tape, not at the end of the steel ribbon.

manufactured to give precise length when

(i)
new
(ii)
standard temp (20C)
(iii) standard tension (eg. 5kgf or 49N)
*

corrections can be made for these (more about this later).

FIELD WORK CONSIDERATION

The aim is to measure the straight-line, plan distance between 2 points
*

so, you must be careful to measure in a straight line

correct for slope angle to give plan length

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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

For example ...

MEASURING LESS THAN ONE TAPE LENGTH

*

tape on the ground,

pull to standard tension,
on a straight line, tape must be straight in the vertical plane too.
read the length (and remember to check the zero mark).

MEASURING MORE THAN ONE TAPE LENGTH

Need (i)
(ii)

3 (or more) ranging poles,

some marking arrows:

Procedure
(i)

need 2 people : leader and follower

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

(ii)

erect ranging poles at end points (A and B) - as near vertical as possible

(iii)

set zero end of tape at A by follower.

(iv)

leader moves forward and places a ranging pole a short distance from the end
of the tape

(v)

follower sights the pole onto the line AB by stepping back from A (see next
diagram).

(vi)

straighten tape against new pole, and place arrow at exact end of tape
(exactly one whole tape length)

(vii)

leader and follower move forward and repeat from the last arrow position.
The number of arrows eventually equals number of whole tape lengths.
Miscounting the number of tape lengths or 10 m steps is a common source of
error.

(viii) repeat measurement from B to A as a check, if time and budget allow it. There
are other ways of checking your work, which will be discussed in future topics.

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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

Notes
Ranging with a theodolite (set at A) increases accuracy. For non-horizontal ground, this
step may be essential, because it may not be possible (or at least difficult) to sight by
eye, for example ...

STEP CHAINING ON SLOPING GROUND

Procedure
(i)

Use previously ranged in poles

(ii)

Use horizontal tape (checked by third person some distance away).

(iii)

Compare the angle of the tape with the lines of buildings which are parallel
to the line you are measuring, or

Compare the angle of the tape, near the mid point of the span, with a
plumbline - you should have four equal angles.
Transfer horizontal distance to ground using plumb bob, preferably at whole
metre mark.

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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

(iv)

Keep maximum length of tape to 10 m

(reduces problem of catenary or sag).
(may need to be less on steep ground to reduce the vertical step to a maximum of
1.5m).

Applications:- short survey lines (eg. offsets, setting out of building etc.

STANDARD TAPE CORRECTIONS

How do we measure the slope angle ?
The simplest method is the Abney level or clinometer

Procedure
1.

Mark the eye height of the observer on a ranging pole

2.

Sight from A to B. First adjust the coarse screw, then the fine adjustment
screw, to bring the level bubble to the central position, so that target 'B',
cross hair and bubble are coincident.

3.

Read the angle to the nearest 10' by the vernier scale.

4.

Check and eliminate Abney error by sighting from B to A and repeating process.
Use the mean of the two angles.

Better accuracy by using a theodolite, but not justified in many cases. In this case, mark
the height of the trunnion axis on the ranging pole and sight of this mark.

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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

Slope

We define C, the correction, such that:

D=L+C
where
D = actual (corrected) length
L = measured length
C = correction (hence, C is always added)
or,

C=D-L
= L.(cos ) - L
= L.(cos - 1)

since cos 1, C is always negative (or zero) - as expected!

Measuring : Levels at A and B are known :

if h = difference in level
h 2
then, correction, C =
(for small h)
2L
Note that the correction is negative as before.
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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

Use/Age
Tapes tend to stretch with age. We need a reference tape or standard length for
comparison. We can check the tape on a flat surface (if reference tape is the same
material, temp differences from standard (eg. 20C) won't matter).
Say tape measures 30.011 m instead of 30 m, measurements must be corrected as
follows.
Lc = L . (la / ln)
Lc
L
la
ln

= real or corrected length

= measured length
= actual length (30.011 m)
= nominal length (30 m)

Expressed as a correction, C:
C
C

= Lc - L
= L. (la/ln - 1)
= 0.00037 L for the above example

Note: Correction is positive in this case, because the tape has stretched, ie. the actual
distances are larger than measured ones.
Take care to make sure that the sign of the correction is correct.

Tension
Tapes and bands are designed for standard tension (in our case 5 kgf or 49 N).
Use a spring balance and roller grip to achieve this.
Use the spring balance at the leader's end of the tape, not the follower's or zero end.
For other than standard tension, correction, C is:

L(TF TS )
A.E
L
= Length measured
= Tension in the Field
TF
TS
= Tension, Standard
A
= cross-sectional Area
E
= Young's modulus
C=

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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

Note: if TF > TS, actual length is more than what was measured and hence C is
positive.

Temperature
Tapes are correct usually at 20C.
For non-standard temperature:
C
a

tS
tF

= a.L.(tF - tS)
= coefficient of thermal expansion
= 0.0000112 /C for steel
= standard temp
= field temp

Note: if tF > tS, tape is longer, so actual lengths are more than measurements, and
hence C must be positive.

Sag of the tape

A tape suspended by its ends forms a catenary under gravity
It is possible to derive the actual shape from structural theory:

C-

TF

w2.L3.cos
24.TF2

= unit weight of tape (N/m)

= angle from A to B (as shown above)
= field tension (N)

Note that this corrections is always negative (ie. actual distances are always shorter than
the measurements).
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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

BOOKING
In surveying it is very important to follow a systematic and standard method of
recording information, because :
(i)

things are usually plotted some time after the survey,

(ii)

the plotter is often not the surveyor (often a drafter).

Booking a Baseline
Date: 5 Mar 91
Team: RGH & DBC
Booked: DBC
Notes:
(i) mean temp 30C
(ii) tape on ground
at standard tension

Corrections:
1. Standardisation
nominal L = 30.000 m
actual L = 30.012m

C = 101.234[(30.012/30) - 1]
= +0.040 m
2. Temperature

C = 0.0000112 x 101.234
x (30 - 20)
= + 0.011 m
3. Slope:
C = 30(cos 120' - 1)
+ 45.5 (cos 150' - 1)
+ 25.73 (cos 230' - 1)
= - 0.055 m

XY = 101.234 + 0.040
+ 0.011 - 0.055
= 101.230 m

Y
101.234

----------------

90

230' slope

75.5

-----------------

60
150' slope
30
0
X

---------------120' slope
-----------------

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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

ERRORS AND ACCURACY

Sources of Errors
(i)

incorrect tape length (eg. the tape has stretched) - standardize

(ii)

incorrect slope (a clinometer gives 1:5000 accuracy for angles up to 4).

For example, the maximum error with a clinometer is 5' (with 10' graduations)
Slope

1
3
5

max. error (mm/100 m)

3
8
12

(iii)

tapes must be correctly tensioned for better than 1:5000 accuracy.

(iv)

similarly for temperature

(v)

take care to measure in a straight line.

(vi)

make sag correction for accurate work.

(vii)

check for gross errors by measuring each line (at least) twice.

TYPICAL ACCURACY FIGURES

Accuracy
1:500

Required for

Corrections
slope

soil heaps
soft detail
1:5000
1:10000

1:20000
better than
1: 20000

slope
+ standardize
sewer pipes
hard detail
traverse legs,
road centrelines,
grids, baselines,
setting out,
secondary control
primary control

+ tension
+ temp

horiz. surfaces
sag corrections
use EDM

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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

EXERCISE
Do Problem 4/1 from Muskett. This exercise lets
you practise some of these corrections.

CHAINING AND DETAIL SURVEY

Read Muskett, sections 6.1, 6.2

REQUIRED

Read: Fryer & Elfick

SUGGESTED
To produce a plan or map of an area showing the important features using just linear
measurement (often called a detail survey).

Basic Approach
a.

establish control lines and control points (located by triangulation).

b.

pick up detail using offsets (be careful to measure true horizontal distances).

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Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

Principles
1.

there should be at least one good line through the area, on which the survey
is based.

2.

if the survey is extensive, develop a few long lines rather than many short
ones (eg. a large triangle)

3.

try for well-conditioned triangles (close to equilateral) - no angles less than

30.

4.

where possible measure some check lines (redundancy).

5.

put control lines as close as possible to detail, so offsets are short.

Method
1.

Reconnoitre the area and decide where lines will go. Draw a rough sketch.

2.

Establish stations (points of triangles) as wooden pegs, and give each a

letter on the sketch.

3.

Measure all the control lines, and check lines, once in each direction. Don't
forget corrections.

4.

Finer detail can be measured by offsets (swing the tape over the offset line the shortest distance will occur for the perpendicular).

NB:

Offsets should be kept short to avoid making corrections (less than 20 m).
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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

5.

Develop additional triangles as needed to keep offsets short.

6.

Measure widths of features (eg. roads, drains, trees, etc), lengths of sides of
buildings, radius of circular features.

7.

A level (or similar) must be used if elevations are required.

Booking
Booking must be neat and consistent.
It must be capable of being plotted by someone else.
Use explanatory notes and sketches liberally.
Continue long lines over as many pages as necessary.
Use a column up the centre of the page for the chained line distance, and show
offsets or ties to detail on either side. See Muskett 2ed. P157.
Add dimensions around buildings in parentheses.
Include slopes on overall sketch so corrections can be made.
Don't forget miscellaneous data - name, date, location, and initials.
Add a compass bearing of at least one line for plotting purposes.

Plotting
Do not, under any circumstances, use a plan scale of 1:300,
1:150, etc, no matter how attractive it may seem! Suitable scales
are 1:100, 1:200, 1:250, 1:500, 1:1000.

1.

Start with longest line and build framework of major lines.

2.

Position longest line on sheet in an appropriate position.

3.

Plotting may show errors in original data - remeasure if necessary.

4.

Include offsets to features.

5.

Fill in detail, with notes, legend, etc.

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

EXERCISE

Activity

Do exercise 6.1 from Muskett, p183.

SUMMARY
Horizontal distances are required for map and plan preparation, and for most
engineering purposes. In sloping terrain, horizontal distances may be obtained either by
step measuring with the tape set horizontal, or by measuring along the slope and
applying trigonometry to obtain the horizontal distance.
In practice, corrections may have to be applied to taped measurements to compensate
for:
a tape that is either too long or too short
measurements taken along sloping ground
sag in the tape, when measuring across a gully or similar feature
measurements made when the temperature is either greater of less than the tapes
standard temperature
measurements made with tape tension other than standard.

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.

If you measure with a steel tape between two ground marks approx. 500 m apart
when the field temperature is 30oc, will your recorded measurement be too short
or too long? What is the magnitude of the difference from standard
measurement.

2.

You measure across a gully to pegs placed on the centreline of a proposed dam.
Your recorded distance is 70.25 m, at a tension of 50 kN. Your 100 m long tape
weighs 1.2 kg. What is the correction to your distance? Will you add or
subtract this amount?

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition 6/2002

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Unit CIV2202: Surveying

Topic 3: Linear Measurement (Taping or Chaining)

ANSWERS TO REVIEW QUESTIONS

1.

The steel tape is standard length at a temperature of 20oc.

Correction = 500 x 0.0000112 x (30 20) = 0.056
This must be added to the recorded distance.

2.

Mass of tape

= 1.2 kg

Weight of tape per metre

1.2 x 9.8
100

= 0.1176 kN
Correction

(0.1176) 2 x (70.25) 3
=
24 x50 2
= 0.080 m

Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University

Edition 6/2002