Week Eleven

WEEK ELEVEN
COMPASS SURVEYING
Compass surveys are mainly used for the rapid filling of the detail in larger surveys and
for explanatory works. It does not provide a very accurate determination of the bearing
of a line as the compass needle aligns itself to the earth’s magnetic field which does not
provide a constant reference point.
THE PRISMATIC COMPASS

This is an instrument used for the measurement of magnetic bearings. It is small and
portable usually carried on the hand. This Prismatic Compass is one of the two main
kinds of magnetic compasses included in the collection for the purpose of measuring
magnetic bearings, with the other being the Surveyor's Compass. The main difference
between the two instruments is that the surveyor's compass is usually the larger and
more accurate instrument, and is generally used on a stand or tripod.
 The prismatic compass on the other hand is often a small instrument which is
held in the hand for observing, and is therefore employed on the rougher
classes of work. The graduations on this prismatic compass are situated on a
light aluminium ring fastened to the needle, and the zero of the graduations
coincides with the south point of the needle. The graduations therefore remain
stationary with the needle, and the index turns with the sighting vanes. Since
the circle is read at the observer's (rather than the target's) end, the
graduations run clockwise from the south end of the needle (0º to 360º),
whereas in the surveyor's compass, the graduations run anti-clockwise from
north.
 The prismatic attachment consists of a 45º reflecting prism with the eye and
reading faces made slightly convex so as to magnify the image of the
graduations. The prism is carried on a mounting which can be moved up and
down between slides fixed on the outside of the case.
 The purpose of this up-and-down movement is to provide an adjustment for

focusing. The image of the graduations is seen through a small circular
aperture in the prism mounting, and immediately above this aperture is a small
V cut on top of the mounting, over which the vertical wire in the front vane may
be viewed. When the V cut, the vertical wire and the station whose bearing is
required are viewed in one line, the bearing is directly read off the graduated
arc at the point immediately underneath the vertical wire.
 The oblong mirror located in front of the forward vane slides up and down the
vane, and is hinged to fold flat over it or to rest inclined at any angle with it. This
mirror is used for solar observations, or for viewing any very high object, and is
not a normal fitting to a compass. The two circular discs in front of the back vane
are dark glasses which can be swung in front of the vane when solar
observations are being taken.
COMPONENTS OF A PRISMATIC COMPASS

Prismatic compass consists of a non-magnetic metal case with a glass top and contain
the following:
a. The Pivot: This is made of hardened steel ground to a fine tip.

b. The jewel: It is usually supported by a pivot.
c. The needles: Made of magnetized steel which is attached to the jewel.
d. The compass ring or card: graduated like a protractor from 0 o to 360o in a
clockwise direction which is attached to the needle.
e. A spring brake: It is operated by the brake pin for damping the oscillations of
the needle and card.
f. A lifting level: For raising the card and needle off the pivot when not in use.
OPERATION PROCEDURE
 Remove the corner and open out the prism and window, holding the
compass as level as possible.
 Then focus the prism by raising or lowering its case until the divisions
appear sharp and clear. If necessary with the needle on to its pivot.
 Holding the compass box with the thumb under the prism (T) and the
forefinger near the stud (c), sight through the objector station lowering the
eye to read the required bearing as soon as the needle comes to rest
naturally (or by simultaneously damping its swings by pressing the stud
(c)].
 The bearing read will be a forward bearing and normally a “whole circle”
bearing clockwise angle between 0o to 360o.
VARIATION IN DECLINATION
The position of the magnetic poles is not fixed and the North magnetic pole tends
to wander more than the south causing alterations in the positions of the isogonic
lines from time to time. The angle of declination at any point is therefore not
constant subject to the following variations;
1. Secular Variation:
This causes the largest variation in magnetic declination. It is a slow
continuous swing with a cycle of about 400 to 500 years. Because of this
large movement, the date, the declination and the approximate rate of
annual change should be given for any magnetic orientation of survey.
2. Diurnal Variation:
This is a swing of the compass needle about its mean daily position.
3. Periodic Variation:
This is a minor variation of the magnetic meridian during the week, a lunar
month, year, eleven years, etc.
4. Irregular Variation: These are caused by magnetic storms
which can produce sudden variations of the magnetic meridian.
Magnetic Bearing
The magnetic bearing of a survey line is the angle between the direction of the
line and the direction of the magnetic meridian at the beginning of the line.
Magnetic Meridian
 The magnetic meridian at any place is the direction obtained by observing the
position of a freely supported magnetized needle when it comes to rest
uninfluenced by local attracting forces.
 Magnetic meridians run roughly north –south and follow the varying trend of the
earth’s magnetic field. The direction of a magnetic meridian does not coincide
with the true or geographical meridian which gives the direction of the true North
pole except in certain places.
Angle of Declination:
It is defined as the angle between the direction of the magnetic meridian and the
true meridian at any point.
Isogonals:
Are lineSon a map joining places of equal declination. The isogonic line of zero
declination along which the direction of a compass indicates True North is known
as an agonic line.
PRACTICAL:
COMPASS SURVEYING
AIM: Carry out compass Surveying of a closed figure, produce the plan and
make graphical adjustment.
APPARATUS:
Prismatic compass, steel tape, linen tape, ranging pole, arrows, chain survey
field book, pegs, nails and bottle cork, protractor, set squares, pencil, ink,
eraser, scale rule, drawing paper etc.
Personnel
At least six persons in a group
PROCEDURE
 Selection of instrument
 Test of instrument
 Remove the corner and open out the prism and window, holding the
compass as level as possible.
 Then focus the prism by raising or lowering its case until the divisions
appear sharp and clear. If necessary with the needle on to its pivot.
 Holding the compass box with the thumb under the prism (T) and the
forefinger near the stud (c), sight through the objector station lowering the
eye to read the required bearing as soon as the needle comes to rest
naturally (or by simultaneously damping its swings by pressing the stud
(c)].
 The bearing read will be a forward bearing and normally a “whole circle”
bearing clockwise angle between 0o to 360o.
 Running the compass survey round the figure

 Read and book bearings
 Measure the distances and book
 Reduction and computation
 Plotting (using scale 1:500).

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WEEK ELEVEN

THE PRISMATIC COMPASS

 The purpose of this up-and-down movement is to provide an adjustment for

COMPONENTS OF A PRISMATIC COMPASS

a. The Pivot: This is made of hardened steel ground to a fine tip.

make graphical adjustment.

eraser, scale rule, drawing paper etc.

At least six persons in a group

 Running the compass survey round the figure

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