Southern Leyte State University - Main Campus

College of Engineering
Civil Engineering Department

Module Three
CLOSED TRAVERSE DATA & STADIA THEORY
Course Overview

Course No.
Course Code CE 211/ CE 211L
Descriptive Title FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING 1
Credit Units 3 units lec, 1 unit lab
School 1st Semester, AY. 2021-2022
Year/Term
Mode of Delivery Online and Modular Learning
Name of Engr. Rec Alfonso P. Cinco
Instructor
Course This course deals with measurement of distance and distance corrections, the
Description use of surveying instruments, area computations, balancing the traverse,
elevation determination, and leveling; Stadia surveying, topographic
surveying, triangulation and trilateration, missing data, irregular boundaries,
and global positioning system.
Course Outcomes Skills (Do)
1. Apply the basic surveying concepts, principles and theories on
determining horizontal and vertical distances.
2. Solve for distances, elevations, and areas from a provided set of
survey data and compute for the missing data from an incomplete
traverse data.
3. Use the appropriate methodology in topographic, hydrographic, and
control surveys in various civil engineering constructions.
SLSU Vision A high quality corporate science and technology university.
SLSU Mission Produces S and T leaders and competitive professionals; generate
breakthrough research in S and T based disciplines; transform and improve
the quality of life in the communities in the service area; and be self –
sufficient and financially viable.

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Module Guide

In this module, you are going to apply the computations used for a closed compass survey.
This will help you determine areas of a lot and how to divide using a given line. For more examples
and discussion, you can refer to the self-paced learning material entitled “SPLM #3 Closed
Traverse Data & Stadia Theory” together with this module and uploaded on Moodle.

Module Content:

Introduction
Keywords to Remember
Discussion
o Lesson 1 Measurement of Angles & Direction
o Lesson 2 Traverse Computations
o Lesson 3 The Stadia Theory
Summary
Assessment
o Task 1
o Task 2
References
How to Submit Outputs

Learning Plan

Enabling Learning Outcomes:

1. Solve for area of lots bounded by a closed traverse.

2. Determine the elevation and distances of points using the stadia theory.

Introduction

There is always a starting or reference point to define directions. Map users are
primarily concerned with the north point for the determination of directions. The
direction of a line is the horizontal angle the line makes with an established line
of a reference. There are various kinds of angles which can be used to describe
the direction of lines. In surveying practice, directions may be defined by means
of: interior angles, deflection angles, angles to the right, bearings, and azimuths.

Keywords to Remember

Bearing
– the acute horizontal angle between the reference meridian and the line.

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 Discussion

Lesson 1 – Measurement of Angles & Direction

Angles are measured or laid off directly in the field by using devices such as compass, transit,
theodolite, sextant, or by plane table and alidade. The steel tape may also be used to lay off or
measure angles. Angles are computed by means of their relationship to known quantities in a
triangle or other geometric figures.

Interior Angles

These are angles between adjacent lines in a closed polygon. These

angles may be measured clockwise or counterclockwise. It should be
remembered that for any closed polygon the sum of the interior
angles is equal to (n-2)180 degrees, where n is the number of sides.

Bearings

The direction of a line may be described

by giving its bearing. A quadrantal
system in the figure is used to specify
bearings such that a line may fall under
one of the following quadrants: NE, SE,
NW, and SW. Each quadrant is numbered
from 0 to 90 degrees from either the
north or south end of the meridian to the
east or west end of the reference parallel.
The fact that bearing angles never
exceed 90 degrees is an advantage when
extracting values of their trigonometric
functions for use in computations.
Forward & Back Bearings

Azimuths

Another common method used in designating the direction of a line is using azimuths. The
azimuth if a line is its direction as given the angle between the meridian and the line measured in
a clockwise direction from either the north or south branch of the meridian. The azimuth of a line
may range from 0 to 360 degrees and letters are not required to identify quadrants.

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Lesson 2 – Traverse Computations
There are various other computations and adjustments required for a closed traverse. Some of
these include: determining the latitudes and departures and their respective algebraic sums,
calculating the total error of closure, balancing the survey, determining the adjusted position of
Each traverse station, computing the area, and in some instances dividing a surveyed tract into
smaller parts.

Latitude = 𝒅 𝐜𝐨𝐬(𝜶)
Departure = 𝒅 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝜶)

where:

d = length of line
α = bearing of line

Latitudes and Departures

The latitude of a line is its projection onto the reference meridian

or a north-south line. Latit udes are sometimes referred to as
northings or southings. Latitudes of lines with northerly bearings
are designated as being north or positive; those in a southerly
direction are designated as south or negative.

On the other hand, the departure of a line is its projection onto the
reference parallel or an east-west line. Departures are east or
positive for lines having easterly bearings and west or negative for lines having westerly bearings.

Error of Closure

The linear error of closure is usually a short line of unknown length and direction connecting the
initial and final stations of the traverse. This quantity reflects the algebraic sum of all the
accumulated errors of measurement both in angles and distances when running the traverse.

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Traverse Adjustment

1. Compass Rule
The compass or Bowditch rule which was named after the distinguished American
navigator Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838), is the most used out of the several methods
for balancing latitudes and departures.

2. Transit Rule
It is not commonly used as the compass rule, however, it is best suited for surveys where
the sides of the traverse are measured by the stadia or subtense bar method.
𝑳𝒂𝒕(𝑪𝑳 ) 𝐃𝐞𝐩(𝑪𝑫 )
𝒄𝒍 = 𝒄𝒅 =
|𝑳𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒔| |𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬|

where:
𝑐𝑙 = correction to be applied to the latitude of any course
𝑐𝑑= correction to be applied to the departure of any course
𝐶𝐿= total closure in latitude
𝐶𝐷= total closure in departure
∑|𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑠|= summation of absolute values of latitude
∑|Departures| = summation of absolute values of departure

After the latitudes and departures of the courses of a closed traverse have been so adjusted, the
bearings of the courses and their lengths should also be adjusted to correspond to the adjusted
latitudes and departures.

Methods of Determining Area

An important objective of most land surveys is the determination of the area of tracts of land. The
hectare (ha) is the most commonly used SI unit of area. One hectare is equal to 10,000 square
meters. When large tracts of land are measured the hectare is used. There are different methods
used in determining area. For this module, the DMD/DPD method will be introduced.

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Double Meridian Distance (DMD) Method

The following three rules should provide a means of computing the DMD for each course of a
traverse:

Rule 1: The DMD of the first course is equal to the departure of the course.
Rule 2: The DMD of any course is equal to the DMD of the preceding course, plus the
departure of the preceding course, plus the departure of the course itself.
Rule 3: The DMD of the last course is numerically equal to the departure of that course,
but with the opposite sign.

Double Area = DMD (Adjusted Latitude)

Area = ½ (Double Area)

Double Parallel Distance (DPD) Method

By using the latitudes of the successive courses instead of the departures, parallel distances can
also be computed in a manner similar to meridian distances. Correspondingly, the following rules
also provide a means of computing the DPD for each course of a traverse.

Rule 1: The DPD of the first course is equal to the latitude of the course.
Rule 2: The DPD of any other course is equal to the DPD of the preceding course, plus the
latitude of the preceding course, plus the latitude of the course itself.
Rule 3: The DPD of the last course is numerically equal to the latitude of that course but
with the opposite sign.

Double Area = DPD (Adjusted Departure)

Area = ½ (Double Area)

Omitted Measurements

Sometimes it is not possible or practical to determine by field observation the length or direction
of a line within a closed traverse. These missing quantities may be determined analytically to
obtain a complete set of notes for the traverse as long as they do not exceed two in number.

The following are some of the more common types of omitted measurements:
1. Omitted Measurements are in ONE SIDE
1st Case: Length and bearing of one side unknown
2. Omitted Measurements involving TWO ADJOINING SIDES
1st Case: Length of one side and bearing of another side unknown
2nd Case: Lengths of two sides unknown
3rd Case: Bearings of two sides unknown
3. Omitted Measurements involving TWO NON-ADJOINING SIDES
1st Case: Length of one side and bearing of another side unknown
2nd Case: Lengths of two sides unknown
3rd Case: Bearings of two sides unknown

1. One Side Missing

In solving this problem, it is necessary to first compute the
latitudes and departures of lines having known directions and
lengths. Since only one latitude and one departure are unknown,
the algebraic sum of the north and south latitudes will yield the
latitude of the unknown side; also, the algebraic sum of the east
and west departures will be the departure of the unknown side.

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 −𝐂𝐃𝐞𝐩
L = √𝐂𝐃𝐞𝐩
𝟐 𝟐
+ 𝐂𝐋𝐚𝐭 Tanβ = −𝐂𝐋𝐚𝐭
where:
L = length of the unknown side
Cdep = algebraic sum of the departures of the known sides
CLat = algebraic sum of the latitudes of the known sides
Β = bearing of the unknown side

2. Two Adjacent Sides Missing

The conventional approach to this problem is to first connect the first and last points of
the known sides by a straight line thus by using the method described in the first case
above and having its length and bearing. A triangle will then be formed from the two
unknown adjoining sides and the line you solved for. The solution usually requires only
basic principles of geometry and trigonometry.

2.1 Length/Bearing Missing

Here length of side EA and the bearing of adjacent
side AB is unknown. Join BE. BCDE is now a closed
traverse and therefore, length and bearing of BE can
be determined. With known bearings of BE and EA,
the inward angle α can be determined. Applying sine
principle to triangle ABE, we can write:

Hence γ can be determined.

Bearing of AB = Bearing of AE + γ
With γ known, β = 180° - (α + γ) and
2.2 Lengths Missing
Here lengths of AE and AB are unknown. From
the conditions of closed figure ΣL = 0 and ΣD =0,
two algebraic equations involving l1 and l2 can
be obtained and solving them simultaneously l1
and l2 can be found out. However, as before,
length and bearing of BE can be found out.
Since the bearings of BA, AE and BE are known,
internal angles α, β, and γ can be computed.
Applying sine rule,

2.3 Bearings Missing

Suppose the beatings of AE and AB have not been
determined. As before length and bearing of BE are known.
In the triangle ABE lengths of the sides are known. Area of
the triangle in terms of sides.

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 3. Two Non-Adjacent Sides Missing
In Figure (a), the omitted measurements are line AB and CD. Omissions may be in lengths,
bearings or in both. Since the latitudes and departures of equal parallel lines art equal,
this problem can be solved by shifting the line CD until it is adjacent to AB, so as to form
the closed figure shown in Figure (b). From the known sides AF, FE, ED and DD', the length
and bearing of AD' can be determined. Then this becomes a problem of omitted
measurements of adjacent sides and can be solved as explained before.

Example
In a traverse the following lengths and bearings were measured:

Side Length (m) Bearing Side Length Bearing

AB ------------ N 30°30' E DE ----------- S 20°15' E
BC 140 m S 80°15' E EF 155 m N 85°30' W
CD 185 m S 15°15' W FA 115 m N 18°12' W

Compute the missing sides.

Solution:
This is a problem where length of two non-adjacent sides of the closed traverse are missing. A
rough sketch of the closed traverse is shown in Figure 11.25 (a). By moving parallely, the two
non-adjacentsides AB and DE are made adjacent, (Fig. 11.25b).

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Subdivision of Land
It is often necessary to partition land into two or more pieces for sale or distribution to family
members, heirs and so on. Initially a boundary survey is to be made, latitudes, departures
computed and after proper balancing of the traverse total area of the traverse is calculated. For
regular shapes and in some cases, analytical solution is possible for division of an area into
required parts.

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1. Area cut off by a line BE between two points. It is necessary to calculate the areas BCDE
and ABEF. Knowing the coordinates of B and E, length and bearing of BE can be obtained.
Hence latitude and departure of BE are known.
Now by applying DMD/DPD methods areas of
the pans BCDE and BEFA can be obtained.

2. If instead of line BE, the area is divided by the

line BE', either θ or EE' must be known. If EE'
and hence FE' are known, considering BE'FA as
a closed traverse, length and bearing of BE' can
be obtained. If θ is known, length EE' can be
obtained by applying the sine rule. to the
triangle BEE' and then area BCDEE' or ABE'F
can be obtained.

3. To cut off a required area by a line from a closed

traverse through a fixed point. Let ABCDEFA be a
closed traverse (Fig. 14.11). Let G be the given
point on DE. Find out a station point which will
approximately divide the traverse into required
areas. Let it be A. Compute the area ABCDG. This
will not be equal to the required area A1 Let the
area to be added be A2 and is equal to AGH.
Applying sine rule the area of the triangle is:

4. To cut off a required area by a line running in a

given direction: As before the line should initially
pass through a station point say E, to give an area
close to the required area A1. If the discrepancy
is A2 which is to be added to the initial area
BCDEF the line EF is to be shifted parallelly to GH
such that the area EFIJ is equal to the required
area A2 (Fig. 14.12).

In the above equation the only unknown is h as

other values viz. area EFIJ, tanθ and tanΦ are all
known. Further,

The line IJ can be located from the distances IF, FE. and EJ.

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Lesson 3 – The Stadia Theory
Principle of the Stadia
The stadia method is based on the principle that in similar triangles, corresponding sides are
proportional. Ratio of perpendicular distance from apex to base and base width is always
constant.
Figure 15.6 shows how the rays from
the stadia hairs in an external focusing
telescope intersects the staff held at a
distance D from the axis of the
instrument. From the principle of optics
AB will be the stiff intercept S
corresponding to the stadia interval 'i',
From similar triangles aob and AoB,

Where:

u = distance of the staff from the objective

v = distance of the stadia hairs from the objective
As u and v are the conjugate focal distances, they are related by the lens formula:
where f is the focal length of the objective or

Rearranging things, we can write

From the Fig. 15.6, the distance of the staff from the axis of the instrument:

Determination of Stadia Constant (C)

 External Focusing Telescope

Under ordinary conditions, C may

be considered as 0.30m.

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  Internal Focusing Telescope

Stadia constant is nearly zero and

can be disregarded under all
conditions.

Determination of Stadia Interval Factor

(K)

1. A straight line about 100 to 120m

long is laid off on the ground. The
selected site should preferably be nearly level as practicable.
2. Set up the instrument on one end of the line. For externally focusing telescope, a point A
is located at a distance C from the center of, and in front of the instrument. For internally
focusing telescope, the position of point A is set directly under the center of the
instrument.
3. Points are next set on the line using stakes at intervals of about 15 to 20 m, then the
distances are measured from point A to the successive points in their order of placement.
4. The stadia rod is then held on each of the stakes, and the stadia interval is read.
5. K is computed for each sight by dividing the distance from the principal focus to the stake
by the corresponding observed stadia intercept.
6. The mean of the successive values of K this determined is taken as the stadia interval
factor of the instrument.

Inclined Stadia Sights

The three points on the staff which are cut by the
three stadia hairs are A, C and B. C being the point
of intersection of the central hair. Here AB is the
staff intercept. Draw A' B' perpendicular to IC, the
axis of the telescope which makes an angle θ with
the horizontal in the figure.
As A'CA=θ, A’B'=ABcosθ with the small
approximation of ∠CA'A and ∠CB'B being
considered right angles. Actually, CA'A is 90° +
δ/2 and CB' B is 90° - δ/2.

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 Example
The upper and lower stadia hair readings on a stadia rod held at station B were observed as
3.50 and 1.00m, respectively, with the use of a transit with an internal focusing telescope &
having a stadia interval factor of 99.5. The height of the instrument above station A is 1.45m
and the rod reading is taken at 2.25m. If the vertical angle observed is -23°34’, determine the
following: a) horizontal, vertical, and inclined stadia distances b) difference in elevation
between the two stations and c) the elevation of station B, if the elevation of station A is
155.54m above mean sea level.

Solution:

a) s = (a-b) = (3.50 – 1.00)

= 2.50m (stadia Interval)
HD = Ks Cos2α + C Cosα
= 99.5(2.50) Cos2(23°34’) + (0) Cos(23°34’)
= 208.99m (horizontal stadia distance between A and B)
VD = Ks Sinα Cosα + C Sinα
= 99.5(2.50) Sin(23°34’) Cos(23°34’) + (0) Sin(23°34’)
= 91.16m (vertical distance bet. the reading on the rod at B and the hor. line of sight)
ID = Ks Cosα + C
= 99.5(2.50) Cos(23°34’) + 0
= 228.0 m (inclined or slope stadia distance)

b) from the figure, it can be seen that DE + HI = VD + RR and

DE = RR + VD – HI
= 2.25 + 91.16 – 1.45
= 91.96m (difference in elevation between stations A and B)

c) Since an angle of depression is observed, B must be lower than A and

Elev of B = Elev of A – DE
= 155.54 – 91.96
= 63.58 m (the elevation of station B above mean sea level)

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 Summary

A traverse is a series of connected lines whose lengths and directions are measured in the
field. The survey performed to evaluate such field measurements is known as traversing. There
are two basic types of traverses: open and closed. Both originate at a point of known location. An
open traverse terminates at a point of unknown position. A dosed traverse terminates at a point of
known location.
For any closed traverse, the first step taken by the survey or should always be to check if
the observed angles fulfill the geometric conditions of the figure. Should there be angular error of
closure it must be corrected to give a series of preliminary adjusted directions. All linear distances
should then be corrected since errors in measured lengths will alter the shape of the traverse.

Assessment

Task #1 Area Computations

Direction: Solve for the data asked in the following problems. Show your
solutions. (30 pts each)

1. A parcel of land has been surveyed in the field and the lengths and bearings of the
various sides are shown.
LINES BEARING DISTANCE
AB N 53⁰27’ E 59.82m
BC S 66⁰54’ E 70.38m
CD S 29⁰08’ W 76.62m
DA N 52⁰00’ W 95.75m
a.) Compute the error of closure for the traverse.
b.) What is the precision of linear measurement of this traverse?
c.) Using Compass Rule in balancing the traverse, compute for the total area included
within the traverse using DMD method.

2. In the traverse table below shows the Latitudes and Departures of the closed traverse.
LINES LATITUDE DEPARTURE
AB -36.13m -25.77m
BC +74.56m -115.93m
CD +12.82m +0.39m
DE +19.90m +61.74m
EA -68.40m +69.57m
a.) Compute the corrected bearing of line BC using Transit Rule.
b.) Compute the corrected distance of line EA using Transit Rule.
c.) Compute the area of the traverse by balancing the traverse by Transit Rule and using
DPD Method.

3. From the given technical description of a lot:

a) Compute the bearing of line DE
b) Compute the bearing of line BC
c) Compute the area of the lot

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 LINES BEARINGS DISTANCES
AB N 48°20’ E 529.60m
BC --- 592.00m
CD S 7°59’ E 563.60m
DE --- 753.40m
4. A lot is bounded by 3 straight sides A, B, C. AB is
EA N 48°12’ W 428.20m
N 45⁰ E, 95m long and AC is due East, 88m long.
From point D, 43m from A on side AB, a dividing line runs to E which is on side CA. The
area ADE is to be 1/7 of the total area of the lot.
a. Determine the distance DE.
b. Determine the bearing of side BC.
c. Determine the distance AE.
d. Determine the total area of the lot.

Task #2 The Stadia Theory

Direction: Solve for the data asked in the following problems. Show your
solutions. (15 pts each)

1. A transit with stadia interval factor of 99.5 was set at C on the line between
points A and B, and the following stadia readings were observed:
Position of Rod Vertical angle Hair readings (m)
upper middle lower
Rod at A +15⁰35’ 1.330 1.175 1.020
Rod at B -8⁰08’ 1.972 1.854 1.736
If the stadia constant is 0.381m, determine the following:
a. Length of line AB.
b. Difference in elevation between points A and B.
c. Find the horizontal distance from the transit to the rod held at B.

2. Given the following set of stadia level notes:

BACKSIGHT FORESIGHT
STA Stadia Vertical Rod Stadia Vertical Rod ELEV
Interval Angle Reading Interval Angle Reading
A 1.75 -15⁰45’ 2.10 425.15
TP1 2.15 -18⁰10’ 1.92 1.55 +12⁰48’ 1.58
B 3.20 -09⁰18’ 1.65
The instrument used was a transit with an internal focusing telescope and a stadia
interval factor of 98, and all linear measurements are in meters.
a. Determine the difference in elevation between station A and TP1.
b. Determine the elevation of TP1 and B.
c. Determine the difference in elevation between A and B.

References
 La Putt, J.P., Elementary Surveying.,3rd ed., 2013
 Roy, S.K., Fundamentals of Surveying, 1999
 La Putt, J.P., Higher Surveying, 2nd ed., 2011
******************************************************************************************

How do I write my answers?

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 1. Write your solutions and answers on a long bond paper.
2. On the upper left of the paper, write your full name.
3. On the upper center, write the module number and title.
4. For multiple pages, write the page number on the bottom together with
your signature.

SAMPLE ANSWER SHEETS:

Ivana Alawi (continuation)

Module 1
Introduction to Surveying &
Tachymetry

Task 1
(Answers and Solutions)
(Answers and Solutions)

Task 2

(Answers and Solutions)

2
1

How do I send my outputs? (Online)

1. Take a clear picture of your output per page. (For clearer results, use any
scanner app (e.g. CamScanner, Notebloc, etc.) available on Google Play/App
Store)
2. Consolidate your answers in one file only (pdf format for multiple
pages).
3. Submit your outputs in a private message via

How do I send my outputs? (Offline)

1. Compile all your outputs accordingly and place it in a brown envelop.
2. Write your full name, course and section, and instructor’s name on the
envelope.
Ex. Ivana Alawi
BSCE 2-A
Engr. Rec Alfonso P. Cinco
3. Send your envelope thru any courier service address to SLSU-Main, Brgy. San Roque, Sogod,
Southern Leyte or directly hand over the envelope to the guard’s station.

Deadline: December 4, 2020

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