4

2.
6 measure distances by chaining

1. As you have learned, measuring lines can be ropes, bands, tapes or surveyor's
chains. When you measure long distances, the way you use the measuring line will
depend on the slope of the terrain. When the terrain is flat or nearly flat (that is, with a
slope of 5 percent or less , you can measure the horizontal distances by following the
ground surface. This method is usually used in measuring fish culture sites, where
steeper slopes must be avoided. When the slope of the terrain is steeper than 5 percent,
you should be especially careful when you measure the horizontal distances because in
this case the surface measurement is always greater than the horizontal measurement.
On flat ground, measure directly

... the surface measurement is longer
The horizontal distance is the true

measurement...
Chaining over horizontal ground

2. Mark each straight line you need to
measure with a ranging pole at each end.
On lines longer than 50 m, place
intermediate markers at regular intervals,
3. To measure long distances accurately,
you will need marking pins. You can use
thin wooden stakes about 25 cm long,
which you can easily carry in a small
basket. These marking pins will be driven
vertically into the ground as you proceed

with the chaining.
4. Chaining is carried out by two persons,

a rear
chainman and
a head
chainman. The
rear chainmanis
responsible for the measurements. He
notes the results. He also guides the head
chainman to
make
sure
that
the
consecutive measurements are made
exactly along straight lines between the
marked ground points.
5. Start the measurements at one end of
the straight line. Remove the ranging pole
and drive the first marking pin into the
ground at exactly the same point.
6. The rear chainman places his end of
the measuring line against this marking
pin. The head chainman, taking with him a
number of marking pins, walks away along
the straight line with the other end of the
measuring line.
7. The head chainman stops when the
measuring line is stretched out tightly to its
full length on the ground. He then looks
towards the rear chainman. If the
measuring line is not placed exactly along
the straight line, the rear chainman then
tells the head chainman how to correct the
position of the measuring line.
The rear chainman stays at the first point...
... and helps the head chainman find the second

point
8. When the measuring line is correctly

placed, the rear chainman signals to the
head chainman toplace a second marking
pin at the end of the measuring line.
9. The rear chainman immediately notes
down this measurement.
When the second pin is placed...
10. The rear chainman then removes the

first marking pin, putting it in his basket,
and replaces the ranging pole at the
starting point.
... the rear chainman notes the

measurement
... and puts the first pin in his basket...
11. Still holding their ends of the

measuring line, both chainmen move
forward along the straight line,always
keeping
the
measuring
line
well
stretched. This is particularly important
when using a surveyor's chain.

12. The rear chainman stops at the second
marking pin and places his end of the
measuring line against it.
13. The head chainman tightens the
measuring line along the ground, corrects
its position following any directions from
the rear chainman, and places a third
marking pin at the end of the measuring
line when signalled to do so.
Both chainman move forward...
... to measure the distance between

the second and third pins
14. The rear chainman notes down this

measurement. Then he puts the second
marking pin in his basket before moving
on.
15. The process in steps 10 to 14 should
be repeated along each section of the
straight line until the end is reached.
The head chainman notes each distance
Note 1: when the end of the line is
reached, the number of marking pins in the

basket of the rear chainman shows the
number of complete measuring-line lengths
measured. You can use this to check on
the measurements noted down.
a set of 11 marking
pins makes it easier to keep track of the
number of measurements completed.
When the rear chainman has ten pins in
his basket, ten complete measuring-line
lengths have been measured. He notes
this down and gives the ten pins back to
the head chainman, leaving the eleventh
pin in the ground; this is the starting point
of a new series of measurements.
Note
2: using
The number of pins in the basket helps

you keep count
10 chain lengths have been measured
Example
Using a chain 10 m long, the rear chainman
has marked 4 x 10 pins in his notebook. He
has 6 marking pins in his basket. At the
marking pin still in the ground, he has
measured a distance of (4 x 10) + 6 = 46 chain
lengths or 46 x 10 m = 460 m.
Chaining over sloping ground

16. When you are measuring on
ground with a slope greater than 5
percent (see Section 4.0), you will need to
use the measuring line differently to find
the horizontal distances.
17. Proceed as described in the previous
section. Mark the straight lines with
ranging poles at each end and
intermediate pegs. Remember to work
downhill for greater accuracy.
18. The head chainman should hold the
measuring line horizontal, above the
ground, in this case.
19. When the measuring line is in the right

place and is fully stretched, the head
chainman finds the exact point on which to
place the marking pin, using a plumbline (see Section 4.8).
20. Keep proceeding in this way along the
slope.
steep slopes, use a shorter
measuring line (such as 5 m, rather than
10 m).
Note: on
21. As you measure on sloping ground, remember these important requirements:
horizontal measuring line;
Horizontal measuring line
well-stretched measuring line;
Well-stretched measuring line
exact placement of the marking pins.

Note: you
may also measure along the

ground on a slope. But to obtain horizontal
distances, you will need to correct these
ground
measurements
afterwards
by
using mathematical formulas .
Exact placement of the marking pins
Chaining over irregular ground

22. You may need to measure distances
over irregular ground that has ridges,
mounds, rocks, trenches or streams in the
way. In such cases, you need to lift the
measuring line above the obstacle. Make
sure that you do the following:
keep the measuring line well

stretched. The head chainman may
shorten it by looping it in his hand if
necessary;
keep the line horizontal, using a

mason's level for the best accuracy
(see Section 6.1);
lift the back end of the measuring

line exactly above the marking
pin, using
a plumb-fine if
necessary (see Section 4.8).
23. Instead of using a plumb-line, you

can use longer marking pins, such as
ranging poles, set vertically in the
ground.
Ranging poles are taller than marking pegs
24. In very hard or rocky soils, you will

not be able to use marking pins. In such
cases, mark t he points with objects you
can see easily, such as painted rocks or
blocks of wood. Make sure that your
markers will not blow or roll away. Or,
you can make a mark on the ground with
a stick, or make a mark on a rock with
chalk.
Painted rock or block
Improving the accuracy of your chaining

25. To make your chaining more accurate,
you should repeat the measurements at
least once; start measuring at the point
where you finished, and continue back
along the line. This second measurement
should not differ too much from the first
one (see Chart below).
Measure twice for accuracy
26. If the two measurements agree, you

can calculate their average value. The
average value is taken as the true
measured distance.
Maximum permissible difference between two

consecutive
distance measurements, per 100 m
Steel band or tape 0.1 m

AB + BA = Average
2
Other tape
0.2 m
Surveyor's chain
0.2 m
Home-made rope
1.0 m
Example
Using a surveyor's chain, you take the
following measurements:
first measurement: 312.6 m;
second measurement: 313.2 m;
real difference: 313.2 m - 312.6 m =
First measurement
0.6 m;
acceptable difference: 0.2 m x (312.6

m
100)
= 0.2 m x 3.12 m = 0.62 m
which is larger than the real difference
and therefore agrees;
average distance: (312.6 m + 313.2

m) 2 = 312.9 m
Second measurement
27. If the two measurements differ by too

much, you should take a third
measurement. Compare this with the first
two measurements. Then calculate the
average value from the two most similar
values, as shown above.
First measurement
Example
Chaining with a steel tape, you take the
following measurements:
first measurement: 754.4 m;
second measurement: 753.2 m;
real difference: 754.4 m - 753.2 m =

1.2 m;
acceptable difference: 0.1 m x 7.54 m

= 0.75 m, which is smaller than the
Second measurement
Third measurement
real difference and therefore does not

agree;
third measurement: 753.9 m;
difference 754.4 - 753.9 m = 0.5 m
28. If you find you have very different

measurements of the same line, you may not
have been measuring along the true straight
line. To reduce such errors, put more ranging
poles on the line between the endpoints. If you
tie white or brightly coloured pieces of cloth to
the poles, you will be able to see them better.
Also, be sure to guide the head chainman
carefully as you measure.
A crooked line gives the wrong measurement
More ranging poles increase your accuracy
Flags make sighting easier
29. Further improve the accuracy of your

measurements by:
inspecting the full length of the measuring

line before using it to measure a series of
straight lines;
keeping
a uniform tension
on
the
measuring line during each measurement;
accurately marking each
point
of
Check your line before use
measurement;
keeping an accurate count of these points;
using the right device, such as a ruler, to

measure distances
less
than
the
measuring-line length, and knowing how
to read the graduations on it (see Section
2.1).
Note: it is better if the head chainman holds
the zero end of the measuring line. The rear

chainman can then directly make and note
down any intermediate readings.
Always stretch it tight
Mark and count points accurately

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2.

6 measure distances by chaining

On flat ground, measure directly

The horizontal distance is the true

Chaining over horizontal ground

vertically into the ground as you proceed

4. Chaining is carried out by two persons,

The rear chainman stays at the first point...

... and helps the head chainman find the second

8. When the measuring line is correctly

When the second pin is placed...

10. The rear chainman then removes the

... the rear chainman notes the

... and puts the first pin in his basket...

11. Still holding their ends of the

when using a surveyor's chain.

Both chainman move forward...

... to measure the distance between

14. The rear chainman notes down this

The head chainman notes each distance

Note 1: when the end of the line is

reached, the number of marking pins in the

the measurements noted down.

The number of pins in the basket helps

10 chain lengths have been measured

Chaining over sloping ground

19. When the measuring line is in the right

21. As you measure on sloping ground, remember these important requirements:

horizontal measuring line;

Horizontal measuring line

well-stretched measuring line;

Well-stretched measuring line

exact placement of the marking pins.

may also measure along the

Exact placement of the marking pins

Chaining over irregular ground

keep the measuring line well

keep the line horizontal, using a

lift the back end of the measuring

23. Instead of using a plumb-line, you

Ranging poles are taller than marking pegs

24. In very hard or rocky soils, you will

Painted rock or block

Improving the accuracy of your chaining

Measure twice for accuracy

26. If the two measurements agree, you

Maximum permissible difference between two

Steel band or tape 0.1 m

first measurement: 312.6 m;

second measurement: 313.2 m;

real difference: 313.2 m - 312.6 m =

acceptable difference: 0.2 m x (312.6

average distance: (312.6 m + 313.2

27. If the two measurements differ by too

first measurement: 754.4 m;

second measurement: 753.2 m;

real difference: 754.4 m - 753.2 m =

acceptable difference: 0.1 m x 7.54 m

real difference and therefore does not