Institute of Engineering

Pulchowk Campus
Department of Civil Engineering
Surveying Tutorial

Tutorial: 1, Distance Measurements

1. The area of field is 45000 m2. The length and breadth of the field on the map are 9 cm x 8 cm
respectively. Construct a diagonal scale which can be read up to one meter. Also find RF of the
scale.

2. A plan drawn to a scale of 1:4000 was measured by a scale of I :5000. Find the % error in the
length and area measured.

3. A 30-m chain was tested before starting the day's work and found to be 20 cm too shorts. After
measuring a length of 1200 m, the chain was tested again and was found to be 10 cm too long. At
the end of the day's work the chain was tested again and was found to be 30 cm too long. Find the
true length of the line if the total length measured was 2648 m.

4. The length of the survey line was measured with a 30 m tape and was found to be 1000m. as check,
the length was again measured with another 20m tape and was found to be 1010m on comparing
the 30m tape with a test gauge, it was found to be 0.10m too long. Find the actual length of the
tame 20m.

5. An old map was plotted to a scale of 40 m to 1 cm. Over the years, this map has been shrinking,
and a line originally 20 cm long is only 19.5 cm long at present. Again the 20 m chain was 5 cm
too long. If the present area of the map measured by planimeter is 125.50 cm2, find the true area
of the land surveyed.

6. A plan was plotted to a scale of 1:2500. The paper has shrunk over a period of time so that a line
15 cm long originally now measures only 14.76 cm. It is also mentioned that the data used in
plotting was measured with a 30-m chain 15 cm too long. If the area of the plotted plan now
measures 98.68 sq. cm, find the true area of the land represented by the plot.

7. A steel tape was exactly 30 m long at 200C when supported throughout its length under a pull of
10 kg. A line was measured with this tape under a pull of 15 kg and at a mean temperature of 320C
and found to be 780 m long. The cross-sectional area of the tape = 0.03 cm2, and its total weight
= 0.693 kg. α for steel = 11×10-6 per oC and E for steel = 2.1×106 kg/cm2. Compute the true length
of the line if the tape was supported during measurement (i) at every 30 m (ii) at every 15 m.

8. A steel tape 30m long was standardized at 200C with a pull of 10 kg. A line was measured with
this tape under the pull of 5 kg at a mean temperature of 32oC and found to be 2100m. The cross
sectional area of tape is 0.03 cm2. Young's modulus of elasticity of tape material is 2.1×10 6 kg/cm
2
, α for steel is 12×10-5/0 C, the weight. of tape is 0.693 kg. Determine the true distance, measured
and also find the normal tension if the measured length is equal to the true distance.

9. A 30 m steel tape was standardized at a temperature of 200C and under a pull of 10 kg. The tape
was used in catenary to fix a distance of 28 m between two points at 400C and under a pull of 5
 kg. Given that the cross-sectional area of the tape = 0.02 cm2, total weight 470 g, Young's modulus
of steel = 2×10-6 kg/cm2, and coefficient of linear expansion, α =11×10-6 per 0C. (a) find the correct
distance between the points, and (b) find the value of pull for which the measured distance would
be equal to the correct distance.

10. A 30 m steel tape was standardized at a temperature of 200C and under a pull 5 kg. The tape was
used in catenary at a temperature of 250C and under a pull of P kg. The cross-sectional area of the
tape is 0.02 cm2, its weight per unit length is 22 g/m, Young's modulus, E = 2×10-6 kg/cm2, α =
11×10-6 per 0C. Find the correct horizontal distance, if P is equal to (i) 5 kg, and (ii) 11 kg.

11. A base line was measured in catenary at 100C with a pull 5kg. in four segments 30.356, 29.635,
29.827, and 22.066m. the difference of two level was 0.300m, 0.600m 0.200m and 0.450m
respectively. Calculate the length of base line if the tape was standardized as 30m on the flat at
200C with pull 15kg. Density of material = 7690 kg/m3, α = 0.000011 per 0C, mass of tape per
meter unit length = 20gm, E = 210×103 N/mm2.

12. A base line was measured by tape suspended in catenary under a pull of 145 N, the mean
temperature being 14°C. The lengths of various segments of the tape and the difference in level of
the two ends of a segment are given in Table.
Bay/Span Length Difference in
Answer = Correct length = 119.624 m
(m) Level (m)
1 29.988 + 0.346 Cross-sectional area of the tape = 3.35 mm2
Mass of the tape = 0.025 kg/m
2 29.895 - 0.214 Coefficient of linear expansion = 0.9 × 10–6 per °C
3 29.838 + 0.309 Young’s modulus = 14.8 × 104 MN/m2
Mean height of the line above M.S.L. = 51.76 m
4 29.910 - 0.106 Radius of earth = 6370 km
If the tape was standardized on the flat under a pull of 95 N at 18°C determine the correct length
of the line.

13. A steel tape was exactly 20m at 200C when supported throughout its length under a pull of 5kg.
A line measured with the tape under a pull if 16 kg ad at mean temperature of 32 0C was found to
be 680m long. Assuming the tape is supported at every 20m, find the true length of the line. Given
that, cross sectional area = 0.03cm2, E = 2.1×10-6 kg/cm2, α = 11×10-6 per 0C weight of tape = 10
gm/cc.

14. A 20 m steel tape standardized in catenary at a temperature of 12.5oC and a pull of 100 N was
found to be 19.978 m. This tape was used to measure a base line. Throughout the measurement
the tape was used in catenary for each tape length. Find the correct length of the baseline if the
temperature during measurement was 250C and applied was 150 N weight of steel is 0.077 N/cm3.
The weight of suspended tape was 7.85 N. Take E = 2.10⨯10-5 N/mm2, and α = 12×10-6/0 C. The
measured base line distance was 1120 m.

15. A chain line ABC crosses a river, B and C being on the near and distant banks respectively. A
perpendicular BE, 50 m long, is set out at B on left of the chain line. AB is 25 m long. The bearings
of C and A taken from E are 670 30' and 1570 30' respectively. Find the chainage of C, if the
chainage of B is 275.5 m.
Tutorial: 2, Compass Surveying

1. The bearings observed at the stations of a closed traverse are given below. Check whether the
bearings are correct. If not, correct the bearings by the method of included angles.
AB: 1220 15' BA: 3020 15'
BC: 660 00' CB: 2430 45'
0
CD: 308 15' DC: 1330 00'
A: 1980 00' AD: 150 30'

2. The following are the observed bearings of the lines of a traverse ABCDEA with a compass
in a place where local attraction was suspected.
Line FB BB
0
AB 191 45' 130 00'
BC 390 30' 2220 30'
0
CD 22 15' 2000 30'
DE 2420 45' 620 45'
EA 3300 15' 1470 45'
Find the correct bearings of the lines.

3. The following bearings were observed where local attraction was suspected. Calculate the
actual bearings.
Line FB BB
AB S400 30' w N 41 0 15' E
BC S 80045' w N 79 0 30' E
CD N 19 0 30' E S 20000' W
DA S 800 00' E N 800 00' W

4. Followings are the bearings observed while traversing with a compass, an area where local
attraction was suspected. Find the correct bearings of the lines and also the true bearings, if
the magnetic declination is 10 0W.
Line FB BB
0
AB 59 00' 2390 00'
BC 1390 30' 3170 00'
CD 2150 15' 360 30'
0
DE 208 00' 290 00'
EA 3180 30' 1380 45'

5. Three boats A, B, and C started sailing from Barahi temple of Fewa Lake at the same time.
The speed of all three boats were same as 2 km/hr. After some time, their bearings were
measured and found to be N 700 30' E, S 100 45' E, and N 250 15' W. After 15 minutes, the
captain of boat B, determined the bearings of others two boats with respect to his own boat
and calculate the distances. Calculate the bearings and distance which might have been
determined by the captain of boat B.

6. Solve any three numerical problems (final exam. question related to compass survey)
 Tutorial: 3, Levelling

1. The following consecutive readings were taken with a levelling instrument at intervals of 20
m. Make entries in common a level book and apply the usual checks.
2.375, 1.730, 0.615, 3.450, 2.835, 2.070, 1.835, 0.985, 0.435, 1.630, 2.255 and 3.630 m.
The instrument was shifted after the fourth and eighth readings. The last reading was taken on
a BM of RL 110.200 m.
Find the RLs of all the points. a) using Rise/Fall method. b) using Collimation method

2. The following consecutive readings were taken with a level and a 4-metre levelling staff on a
continuously sloping ground at intervals of 30 m:
0.855 (on A), 1.545 m, 2,335, 3.115, 3.825, 0.455, 1.380, 2.055, 2.855, 3.455, 0.585, 1.015,
1.850, 2.755, 3.845 (on B).
The RL of A was 380.500. Make entries in common a level book and apply the usual checks.
Determine the gradient of AB.

3. The following is the page of a level book, where some readings were missing. Fill in the
missing readings and calculate the reduced levels of all the points.
Stn. BS IS FS Rise Fall RL Remarks
1 3.250 2345.675 BM
2 1.755 ? 0.750
3 1.950
4 ? 1.920
5 2.340 1.500
6 ? 1.000
7 1.850 2.185
8 1.575
9 ?
10 ? 1.895 1.650
11 -1.350 1.750

4. The following consecutive readings were taken with a level and a 4-metre levelling staff on a
continuously sloping ground at intervals of 30 m:

0.855 (on A), 1.545 m, 2,335, 3.115, 3.825, 0.455, 1.380, 2.055, 2.855, 3.455, 0.585, 1.015,
1.850, 2.755, 3.845 (on B).
The RL of A was 380.500. Make entries in common a level book and apply the usual checks.
Determine the gradient of AB.

5. A dumpy level was set up midway between two pegs 80m apart. The reading on the staff at
two pegs were 3.200m and 3.015m respectively. The instrument was moved by 20 m ahead of
the second peg, in line with two pegs. The readings were 2.825m and 2.690m. calculate the
staff reading on two pegs to provide a horizontal line of sight.
6. During fly levelling operation, the following observations were made.

BS: 0.650, 2.155, 1.405, 2.655, 2.435m

FS: 2.455, 1.305, 0.555, 2.405m
The first BS was taken on BM of RL 90.500m. from the last BS it is required to set four pegs
each at a distance of 30 m on a falling gradient of 1 in 100m. calculate the RLs of these four
pegs. Adjust RLs of all points (ground points and Pegs) if error arise. The RL of peg 4 is
89.517m. Make entries in common a level book and apply the usual checks.

7. The following notes refer to the reciprocal levels taken with one level;

Staff Reading on
Instrument Station Remarks
A B
A 1.030 1.630 Distance AB = 800m
B 0.950 1.540 RL of A 450m

a) Find RL of B.
b) Combined correction for curvature and refraction.
c) The error in collimation adjustment

8. The results of reciprocals levelling between station A and B 250m apart an opposite side of
wide of river were as follow. assuming the mean radius of earth 6365 km.

Staff Reading on
Instrument Station Remarks
A B
A 1.399 2.518 Distance AB = 800m
B 1.332 0.524 RL of A 450m

Find: a) true difference of level between the station.

b) the error due to imperfect adjustment of instrument

9. Solve any three numerical problems (final exam. question related to levelling)
 Tutorial: 4, Theodolite Surveying

1. With the help of neat sketch describe the fundamental axes of theodolite. Calculate the
horizontal angle from the given data as given below
Inst. Horizontal Circle reading Horizontal Circle reading
Station
Statio (Direct) (Reverse)
Sighted
n d m s d m s
A 10 20 50 190 20 10
B 47 30 10 227 30 15
O
C 118 40 20 298 40 30
D 10 20 50 190 20 10

2. The following observations were recorded in a theodolite. Compute the horizontal angles and
adjust them if necessary

Horizontal Circle reading (HCR)

Inst. Station
Face Left Face right
Station Sighted
d m s d m s
B 00 10 10 180 10 20
C 62 10 10 242 10 30
A
D 135 20 15 315 20 35
E 250 30 200 70 30 40

3. From the theodolite station A, the observations are taken by sighting on B, C, D, E and closed
at B. The observed face left readings at B, C, D, E and closed at B are 000 00’ 00”, 950 10’
20”, 2050 32’ 30”, 2600 55’ 40”, 3590 59’ 50” respectively. Similarly, face right readings of
B, C, D, E and B are 1800 00’ 10”, 2750 10’ 00”, 250 32’ 20”, 800 55’ 20”, 1800 59’ 40”
respectively. Compute the above reading in a tabular form and compute the horizontal angles.
(2070)
4. The following observations were recorded in a theodolite traverse ABCDA. Compute the
horizontal angles and adjust them if necessary. (2068)

Horizontal Circle reading Horizontal Circle reading

Inst. Station
(Direct) (Reverse)
Station Sighted
d m s d m s
D 90 00 10 269 59 50
A
B 209 25 40 29 25 30
A 89 59 30 270 00 10
B
C 180 16 10 00 16 00
B 90 00 00 269 59 50
C
D 179 08 40 359 08 20
C 89 59 50 270 00 10
D
A 160 12 40 340 12 30
5. The following observations were recorded in a theodolite traverse ABCD. Compute the
horizontal angles and adjust them if necessary

Inst. Station Horizontal Circle reading

Face
Station Sighted d m s
L 00 10 20
B
R 180 10 10
A
L 69 29 10
D
R 249 29 40
L 00 10 20
C
R 180 10 50
B
L 74 22 40
A
R 254 20 50
L 00 10 20
D
R 180 10 0
C
L 119 23 30
B
R 299 23 10
L 00 10 20
A
R 181 10 10
D
L 97 27 10
C
R 277 27 40

6. Calculate the horizontal angles from the given below table and correct them if necessary.

HCR
Inst. Station Sighted to Face
d m s
L 0 10 20
B
R 180 10 10
A
L 69 29 10
D
R 249 29 40
L 90 0 10
C
R 269 59 40
B
L 175 37 40
A
R 354 36 50
L 0 0 10
D
R 179 59 40
C
L 107 24 30
B
R 286 23 10
L 90 10 10
A
R 270 10 10
D
L 187 47 0
C
R 7 47 50
 Tutorial: 5, Computation of Area and Volume

A) Area

1. What is Simpson's rule? Derive an expression for it

2. Derive the expression for calculation of area by trapezoidal rule. A = d/2 × [h1 + hl + 2 × (h2
+ h3 + h4 + ………hl-1)]. Where A = Area, d = common distance between two ordinates, h1
and hl = first and last ordinates’ respectively and h2, h3, h4… …hl-1 = intermediate ordinates
between first and last ordinate.

3. What is double meridian distance? Explain the rule for area calculation by DMD and latitude
method.

4. The following are the perpendicular offset taken from a chain line to an irregular boundary.
Calculate the area by (a) Average ordinate method, (b) Trapezoid method and (c) Simpson's
method.

Chainage (m) 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Offset (m) 10.6 15.4 20.2 18.7 16.4 20.8 22.4 19.3 17.6 0

5 The following are the perpendicular offset taken from a chain line to an irregular boundary.
Calculate the area between the chain line, the boundary line and the end.

Chainage (m) 0 10 25 42 50 75 100

Offset (m) 10.6 15.4 20.2 18.7 16.4 20.8 22.4

6 The following are the perpendicular offset taken from a chain line to an irregular boundary.
Calculate the area by (a) Trapezoid method and (b) Simpson's method

Chainage (m) 0 15 30 45 60 70 80 90 100 120

Offset (m) 7.5 8.5 10 12.5 0 9.5 8 5.5 4 0

7 A plot of land ABCD has four sides. The side DA is irregular and the dimensions of others
side as following: AB = 30m, BC = 70m, CD=60m, and BD=50m. Calculate the area of plot,
the following left offsets to the curved boundary while chaining along DA was taken.

Chainage (m) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Offsets (m) 5 2 4 3 6 0 1 2 0
Calculate the area ABCD of the plot of land using Simpson's rule.
8 Calculate the area using following method enclosed by a closed traverse ABCDA, the
following data was observed.
Latitude Departure
Side
N S E W
AB 218.0 202.5
BC 325.7 180.0
CD 119.6 302.6
DA 227.3 79.9

(a) Coordinate method

(b) DMD and Latitude Method and
(c) Total Latitude and Departure method

9 Calculate the area using following method enclosed by a closed traverse ABCDA, the
following data was observed.

Side Latitude Departure

AB 220.5 -202.0
BC 156.0 -80.0
CD -149.0 97.6
DE -227.5 184.4
(a) Coordinate method
(b) DMD and Latitude Method and
(c) Total Latitude and Departure method

B) Volume
𝑑1 𝑑2 𝑏2
10 Derive the expression for two level sections. 𝐴 = ( )−
𝑠 4𝑠

Where, A = Area, b=Width of formation, h=average height or depth at center of formation

width, s=side slope and d1, d2 are side width of half breadth at ground level when h1 and h2
depth of cutting in n:1 slopes ground
11 Derive the expression for two level sections when center line of the formation is in excavation.
𝑏 2 𝑏 2
1 ( +𝑛ℎ) 1 ( −𝑛ℎ)
2 2
𝑎) 𝐴𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = ( ) 𝑏)𝐴𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑒𝑛𝑡 = ( )
2 𝑛−𝑠 2 𝑛−𝑠

𝑑1 +𝑑2 𝑏 𝑏2
12 Derive the expression for three level sections. 𝐴 = ( ) (ℎ + ) −
𝑠 2𝑠 4𝑠
Where, A = Area, b=Width of formation, h=average height or depth at center of formation
width, s=side slope and d1, d2 are side width of half breadth at ground level when h1 and h2
height or depth of cutting or filling in n1:1and n2:1 slopes ground.
13 Compute the volume of earth work in a road cutting 120 m in length from the following data:
Formation width (b):12m
Side slop of road (s):1.5 to 1
Average Depth at center (h):3.5m
Ground slope (n):5 to 1
14 Compute the volume of earth work in a road embankment 100 m in length from the following
data:
Formation width (b):8m
Side slop of road (s):2 to 1
Average height at center (h):3m
Ground slope (n):7 to 1

15 A straight road is to be formed along a hill side, having a uniform lateral slope of 6:1. The
formation width is 10m, side slope 1:1 in cutting and 3:1 in filling. Calculate the total volume
of earth work in a length of 300 m. The average depth of excavation at center of formation is
3m from the ground surface.

16 The formation width of certain cutting is 10m and side slope is 1:1. The surface of ground has
a uniform slope of 1:7. The depth of cutting at the center of the three sections 50m apart are
2m, 3m and 4m respectively. Find the volume using Simpson’s rule and trapezoidal rule.

17 A straight level road is to be constructed along hill side, having lateral slope of 1 in 8. The
formation width is 25m with side slopes 1:1 in cutting and 2:1 in filling. Calculate the total
volume of the earth work in a length of 257m, if the area of cutting and fill in each cross
section are equal.
18 P and Q are center line of 12m formation width with side slope 2:1of a certain road if these
two points chainage are 0+750m and 0+850m, and RL are 1050m and 1060m respectively.
The center heights at 25m intervals being in meters 2, 6, 4, 5 and 3. Calculate the volume
contained in a length of PQ distance using Simpson’s rule and trapezoid rule. Assuming the
ground to be level in a direction transverse to center line.

19 Following are the records for the multi-level cross section for a road of length 220m. The
width of the road bed is 10m and the side slopes are 1 to 1. Calculate the volume.

2.5 2.9 3.8 5.2 5.8

, , , ,
7.5 5 0 7 10.8