CE 31.

1 Fundamentals of Surveying, Lab

Laboratory Report No. 1

Pacing a distance
Rich Famel Q. Cabanelez1, Kimuel S. Camanian2, Daron Damasco3, Ma. Venice Khae M. Niog4,
Abdulnaif B. Osmena5, and Princess Angel S. Remirata6
1 Rich Famel Q. Cabanelez, BSCE 2Bx; s.cabanelez.richfamel@cmu.edu.ph
2 Kimuel S. Camanian, BSCE 2Bx; s.camanian.kimuel@cmu.edu.ph
3 Daron Damasco, BSCE 2Bx; s.damasco.daron@cmu.edu.ph
4 Ma. Venice Khae M. Niog, BSCE 2Bx; s.niog.ma.venicekhae@cmu.edu.ph
5 Abdulnaif B. Osmena, BSCE 2Bx; s.osmena.abdulnaif@cmu.edu.ph
6 Princess Angel S. Remirata, BSCE 2Bx; s.remirata.princessangel@cmu.edu.ph

Instructor: Engr. Jemima R. Perodes

Date Submi ed: August 26, 2022

1. Introduction

By definition, the pacing is walking with regular steps in one direction and then back again. In
surveying, pacing is a method of measuring the distance with the help of pace length. It's a quick
method of measuring a length in a field. Furthermore, the pacing is essential for the surveyors in case of
future problems. Such as no availability of instruments to be used in measuring the field. Although
pacing will not get exact data, it will help surveyors get estimated data about the area [1-2].

This activity aims to teach every student to use an alternative way of measuring a distance by
just walking with their regular steps or simply pacing. Also, it helps the students estimate the
measurement of the length/ distance given using the method introduced in the activity.

2. Materials and methods

2.1 Instruments and tools

Surveying tape Chalk

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3. Results and discussions

This laboratory activity was conducted to determine the students’ pace factor and to use that
certain pace factor to directly estimate the distance of an unknown length.

Pacing is done by counting the number of steps in a required distance. In order to determine
the pace factor, it is computed by dividing the laid out distance by the computed average pacing. Table
1 presents the data for pace factor determination by each student followed by the computation.

Table 1. Data for pace factor determination

STUDENT 1

Trial No. Number of Paces

1 103
2 102
3 104
4 101
5 103
SUM 513

STUDENT 2
Trial No. Number of Paces
1 99
2 103
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3 102
4 103
5 106
SUM 513

STUDENT 3
Trial No. Number of Paces
1 112
2 109
3 108
4 109
5 105
SUM 543

STUDENT 4
Trial No. Number of Paces
1 109
2 109
3 103
4 101
5 100
SUM 522
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STUDENT 5
Trial No. Number of Paces

1 116

2 112

3 112

4 112

5 111

SUM 563

STUDENT 6
Trial No. Number of Paces

1 111

2 111

3 111

4 107

5 107

SUM 543
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Based on the results, the pace factor obtained by the students range from 0.62 to 0.69. The data
accumulated would be useful for the next part of the activity which is measuring the distance using
pace factor.
In order to measure a distance by pacing, count the number of paces in an unknown distance
then repeat it thrice. Afterwards, multiply the average pacing by the pace factor. To test the accuracy of
the individuals’ pace measurement, the percent of error should be calculated by dividing the difference
between the distance measured by taping and pacing by the distance by taping and multiply by 100.
Acquiring a percentage of less than 3% indicates that the pace factor computed is accurate. If more than
3%, procedure should be repeated. Table 2 shows the data for distance determination using pace factor
together with its corresponding solution.

Table 2. Data for distance determination using pace factor

STUDENT 1
Trial No. No. of Paces

1 100

2 100

3 97

SUM 297

STUDENT 2
Trial No. No. of Paces

1 99

2 103

3 101

SUM 303
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STUDENT 3
Trial No. No. of Paces

1 106

2 103

3 104

SUM 313

STUDENT 4
Trial No. No. of Paces

1 102

2 102

3 97

SUM 301

STUDENT 5
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Trial No. No. of Paces

1 110

2 111

3 112

SUM 333

STUDENT 6
Trial No. No. of Paces

1 105

2 106

3 106

SUM 317

As observed in the results, all of the students were able to achieve less than 3 percent which
concludes that everyone obtained an accurate result with their pace factor.

4. Conclusions
Pacing activities are mostly used to count the number of "paces" needed to cover a given distance.
Without using any specialist equipment, an individual could measure the distance of the field by using
quick and easy ways in this activity. The students also learnt how to calculate the average pace and
pace factor, which we may use to determine the field's proper distances. When it comes to surveying, it
is crucial to be aware of the pace factor, especially in the fields of engineering and design because an
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individual can utilize it if there is no access to an instrument that can measure a long distance along a
line or course.

5. References

1 Surveying and Levelling: What is Pacing?. (2010, August 17). Civil Engineering Terms.
h ps://www.civilengineeringterms.com/surveying-levelling/what-is-pacing

2 Camp ,C. Civil 1101 Surveying - Measuring distance (University of Memphis, n.d.)