Chapter 6

Angles, Bearings, and

Azimuths

RABIH DAGHER, M.S.

CIE361 : Surveying
LAU
 Introduction
Angles and directions are a fundamental
part of surveying.
Angles can be:
◦ Horizontal angles
◦ Interior angles
◦ Exterior angles
◦ Deflection angles
◦ Azimuths
◦ Bearings
◦ Vertical angles
◦ Zenith angles

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Horizontal Angles
Interior, Exterior, and Deflection Angles
Direction is the angular relationship of one
line to a reference line.
The reference line acts as the zero value.

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Meridians
A fixed line of reference is called a Meridian.
Central/ Astronomic/
Geographic meridian (passes
through the poles)
Magnetic Meridian (parallel to
the magnetic lines of force of
the earth as indicated by the
direction of a magnetized
needle)
Grid Meridian (parallel to a true
/ central meridian)

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Horizontal Angles
A horizontal direction is measured in
two ways: clockwise or
counterclockwise.
It is a common practice to measure
directions or angles clockwise.

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Types of Horizontal Angles
Interior angles
Exterior angles
Deflection angles

Other terms:
Station angles
Explement angles

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

Sample Problem #1
Given: A station angle of 150˚58’20”. Find the explement angle
for this station angle.
Solution:

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Comparison between Interior,
Exterior and Deflection Angles
Interior Angles Exterior Angles Deflection Angles
-Sum of interior angles for a -Sum of exterior angles for a -The angle between a line and the
closed polygon=∑Interior closed polygon=∑Exterior prolongation of the preceding line is
angles = (n-2)x180˚ angles = (n+2)x180˚ called deflection angle. Deflection
Where n=number of legs Where n=number of legs angles are recorded as RIGHT or LEFT
(courses) (courses) depending on whether the line to which
measurement is taken lies to the right
(clockwise) or left (counterclockwise) of
the prolongation of the preceding line.
-Sum of deflection angles (either R or L
or combination of both) for a closed
polygon: ∑Deflection angles =360˚
-Right deflection angles are recorded
with an R or plus sign in front of the
angular value and left deflection angles
are recorded with an L or minus sign in
front of the angular value.
-When turning and reading deflection
angles, special care must be taken to
distinguish left and right values and to
record them properly.

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Important Formulae to Remember
For a closed Polygon:
∑ Deflection angles = 360˚

∑ Exterior angles = (n+2)x180˚

∑ Interior angles = (n-2)x180˚

Where, n = number of legs/courses

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University
 Horizontal Angles –
Defining Direction
Bearings

 Azimuths

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Bearing (True, Grid, & Magnetic)
Bearings are measured clockwise or
counterclockwise, depending on the quadrant, from
either the north or the south line.
A bearing is first identified by first naming the end of
the meridian from which it is reckoned (north or
south), then the angle value, and finally the direction
(east or west) from the meridian.
Bearings never exceed 90˚
Bearings, like azimuths, can be true, grid, or
magnetic, depending on the reference meridian.

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Bearing Calculations

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

Sample Problem #2
Given: The closed traverse with a known bearing of line AB as
shown below. Find the bearing of line BC.
Solution:

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Azimuth (True, Grid & Magnetic)
The azimuth of a line is given by the angle
between the meridian and the line measured
in a clockwise direction usually from the
north.

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Reverse Directions

Reverse Azimuths
Reverse Bearings

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Reverse Bearings

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Reverse Azimuths

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Comparison of bearings and
azimuths
Azimuths are easier to work with than
bearings. Sines and cosines of azimuth
angles automatically provide correct
algebraic signs for latitude and departures
Bearings can easily be computed from
azimuths by noting the quadrant in which
the azimuths falls.

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Comparison between bearings and
azimuths
Bearings Azimuths
Vary from 0 to 90°  Vary from 0 to 360°
Require 2 letters and a  Require only a numerical
numerical value value
May be true, magnetic, grid  May be true, magnetic,
assumed, forward and back grid, assumed, forward, or
Measured clockwise and back
counterclockwise  Measured clockwise only
Measured from north and  Measured from north only
south in any one survey or from
south only
Example directions for lines in the four quadrants
N 45° E 45°
S 56° 43’ E 123°17’ (180°- 56°43’)
S 37° 43’ W 217°43’ (180°+37°43’)
N 47° 25’ W 312°35’ (360°- 47°25’)

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

Sample problem: Bearing computations
 Given: Line BC bearing S81°36’E. Angle turned left at C (counterclockwise) =
92°35’
 Find: Find the bearing of line CD

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Magnetic Declination
The angle between the true
meridian and the magnetic meridian
is called the magnetic declination
variation
Corrections should be made when
tracing older surveys
Isogonic Chart provides change in
declination.
Azimuths are used in the
corrections.
R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University
 Magnetic Directions
Isogonic map – showing magnetic
declination
◦Isogonic lines
◦Lines showing annual changes in
magnetic declination

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Magnetic declination for North
America - 2000

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

Sample problem#4: Correction for Magnetic
Declination
Given: A magnetic Azimuth of 54°30’ was observed along the line AD in June 1994.
The declination for the area surveyed is found by interpolation from an isogonic chart
dated 1990 to be 17°30’E with an annual change of 3’ westward
Find: Compute the true azimuth of line AD

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 True, grid, and magnetic meridian
True meridian Grid meridian Magnetic meridian
•Determined by It is convenient to perform The direction of the
astronomical observations. the work in a rectangular X magnetic meridian is that
For any given point on the Y coordinate system. taken by a freely
earth its direction is always These parallel meridians suspended magnetic
the same, and hence are called grid meridians. needle.
directions referred to the The 2 projections used for The magnetic meridian is
true meridian remain this purpose the united not parallel to the true
unchanged regardless of states are the Lambert meridian. The location of
time Conformal projection and the magnetic poles is
the Transverse Mercator constantly changing;
projection. therefore, the direction of
the magnetic meridian is
not constant.

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University

 Methods of determining angles
and directions
Theodolite Total station Tape Direction Magnetic
systems Theodolite compass

•Enable •Incorporates •By measuring •Extremely •Rough surveys

observing angle and the sides of a precise and retracing
horizontal and distance triangle theodolite that early land
vertical angles measurement has only surveys
•Not accurate
•Measuring •Angles are horizontal
horizontal and measured motion
vertical angles digitally and can •Accuracy of ±
to the nearest be observed 1’’ of arc
minute of arc with least 20’’ in
standard
models, to 1’’ of
arc in the most
precise systems

R. DAGHER CIE361-Surveying Lebanese American University