HORIZONTAL

DISTANCES
ENGR. ARNOLD T. TANONDONG
Instructor
School of Engineering Technology
 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

1. Pacing – consists of counting the number of steps or paces in a

required distance.

Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong

 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

2. Taping – consists of stretching a calibrated tape between two points
and reading the distance indicated on the tape.

Image Credit:
Dona Sauerburger

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

3. Tachymetry – based on the
optical geometry of the instruments
employed and is an indirect method
of measurement.
a. Stadia Method – consists of a
telescope with two horizontal hairs
called stadia and a graduated rod
called stadia rod.
b. Subtense Bar Method – consists
of setting up the subtense bar at the
distant station, and measuring the Stadia Method
horizontal angle subtended by the Image Credit: Jerry Mahun
distance between the two targets.
Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong
 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

3. Tachymetry – based on the
optical geometry of the instruments
employed and is an indirect method
of measurement.
a. Stadia Method – consists of a
telescope with two horizontal hairs
called stadia and a graduated rod
called stadia rod.
b. Subtense Bar Method – consists
of setting up the subtense bar at the
distant station, and measuring the
horizontal angle subtended by the Subtense Bar Method
distance between the two targets. Image Credit: Jerry Mahun

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

4. Graphical and Mathematical Methods – a method in which
unknown distances may be determined through their relationship with
known distances geometrically.

Image Credit: Wyzant.com

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

5. Mechanical Devises
a. Odometer – a device attached to
a wheel which is rolled over a
distance and registers the number of
revolutions.
b. Measuring Wheel – consists of
a small wheel which is attached to a
rod and handle, and is then pushed.
c. Optical Rangefinder – used to
determine distances approximately Odometer
Image Credit: Britannica
simply by focusing.

Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong

 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

5. Mechanical Devises
a. Odometer – a device attached to
a wheel which is rolled over a
distance and registers the number of
revolutions.
b. Measuring Wheel – consists of
a small wheel which is attached to a
rod and handle, and is then pushed.
c. Optical Rangefinder – used to
determine distances approximately
simply by focusing. Measuring Wheel
Image Credit: EngineerSupply.com

Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong

 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

5. Mechanical Devises
a. Odometer – a device attached to
a wheel which is rolled over a
distance and registers the number of
revolutions.
b. Measuring Wheel – consists of
a small wheel which is attached to a
rod and handle, and is then pushed.
c. Optical Rangefinder – used to
determine distances approximately Optical Rangefinder
simply by focusing. Image Credit: Nikon

Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong

 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

6. Photogrammetry – refers to the measurement of images on a
photograph.

Image Credit: Haseeb Jamal

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

7. Electronic Distance Meters – uses electromagnetic waves (light) to

measure distances

Classification:
a. Electro-Optical Instruments – transmit wavelengths within or
slightly beyond the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
b. Microwave Instruments – transmits microwaves corresponding to
wavelengths of about 1.0 to 8.6 mm.

Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong

 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

Image Credit:
Wikipedia
Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong
 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

7. Electronic Distance Meters

Types:
i. Geodimeter – an electro-optical
device developed in 1948 by Erik
Bergstrand, a Swedish physicist.
ii. Tellurometer – a microwave
device invented in 1957 by Dr. T.L.
Wadley, a South African national.
A 1986-model geodimeter.
Image Credit: Nikon
Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong
 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

7. Electronic Distance Meters

Types:
i. Geodimeter – an electro-optical
device developed in 1948 by Erik
Bergstrand, a Swedish physicist.
ii. Tellurometer – a microwave
device invented in 1957 by Dr. T.L.
Wadley, a South African national.
Tellurometer
Image Credit: XnatMap.org
Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong
 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Methods of Determining Horizontal Distances

8. GNSS Receivers

• acronym for Global Navigation

Satellite System
• appeared in 1990s
• an electronic device that receives
and digitally processes the signals
from a navigation satellite
constellation in order to provide
position, velocity and time (of the
receiver). Image Credit: TheConstructor.org

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Distance by Pacing

Example 1. A 50-m course, AB, on level ground was paced by Jared to

determine her pace factor. She traversed the course six times and obtained
the following paces: 60.0, 63.5, 61.0, 63.5, 62.0, and 62.0.
a. Determine her pace factor.
b. If she then took 717, 716, 714, 716, and 718 paces in walking an
unknown distance CD, what is the length of the line?
c. Assuming that the tape length of line CD is 578.24 m, determine the
relative precision of the measurement performed.
d. Determine the percentage error in the measurement.

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Distance by Stadia, Subtense Bar

Example 2. A stadia rod held at a distant point B is sighted by Kimberly
at point A. The upper and lower stadia hair readings were observed as
1.400 m and 0.800 m, respectively. If the stadia interval factor (K) is 100,
and the instrument constant (C) is zero, determine the length of line AB.
Formula: 𝐷 = 𝐾𝑠 + 𝐶

Example 3. A subtense bar 2.00 meters long is set up near the middle of a
traverse line PQ. Using a theodolite set up at P, the angle subtended reads
0°21’16”. When the theodolite was transferred and set up at Q, the
corresponding subtended angle was observed as 0°24’50”. Determine the
horizontal length of line PQ.
Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong
 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Assignment No. 3

Ryan wants to determine the dimensions of his triangular lot ABC using a
theodolite and a 2.0-m subtense bar. He set up the theodolite at corner A
and the subtense bar at corners B and C, consecutively. He obtained
0°30’12” as subtended angle at B and 0°28’20” at C. He also obtained
80°10’20” as horizontal angle between lines AB and AC.
a. Determine the dimensions of the triangular lot.
b. What is the area of the lot in square meters?
c. What is the area of the lot in hectares?

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Breaking Tape
Breaking Tape – a procedure in which a tape is held horizontally above
ground and to plumb at one or both ends when taping on sloping or
uneven terrain surfaces.

Image Credit: Jerry Mahun

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Slope Taping
B Smooth ground surface

s
h

𝜃
C A
d

𝑑 = 𝑠 cos 𝜃

𝑑= 𝑠 2 − ℎ2

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Slope Taping

Example 4. A measurement is made along a line that is inclined by a

vertical angle of 16°26’ as measured using a hand level and a clinometer.
The slope measurement is 765.25 m. What is the corresponding horizontal
distance?

Example 5. A horizontal distance of 352.57 m is to be established along a

line that slopes at a vertical angle of 16°03’. What slope distance should be
laid out?

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Assignment No. 4

A line XYZ is measured on the slope in two segments. The first segment
XY measures 842.54 m and the second segment YZ measures 1422.83 m.
If the difference in elevation between points X and Y is 4.52 m and that
between Y and Z is 6.74 m, determine the horizontal length of the
measured line.

Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong

 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction in Taping

Taping operations could either be:

1. Taping to measure an unknown length
2. Taping to lay out a required distance

Cardinal Rules:
Rule #1 – When measuring, corrections are added if tape is too long.
Rule #2 – When laying out, corrections are subtracted if tape is too long.

Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong

 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Incorrect Tape Length

Corr = TL − NL
ML
𝑐l = Corr ×
NL
CL = ML ± 𝑐l
where
Corr = correction per tape length
TL = true length of the tape
NL = nominal length of the tape (label)
ML = length to be measured or laid out
𝑐l = total correction to be applied to ML
CL = corrected length of to be measured or laid out
Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong
 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Incorrect Tape Length

Example 6. The length of a line AB measured with a 50-m tape is 456.28
m. When the tape is compared with a standardized invar tape, it is found
to be 0.026 m too long in almost the same conditions of support, tension,
and temperature during measurement of the line. Determine the corrected
length of AB.

Example 7. A building 40 m x 50 m is to be laid out with a 50-m long

metallic tape. If during standardization the tape is found to be only 49.720
m, determine the following:
a. dimensions to be laid out, using this tape, to have the desired
dimensions of the building.
b. the reading on the diagonals using the same tape.
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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Assignment No. 5

A rectangular lot was measured using a 50-m steel tape which was found to
be 0.052 m too short. If the recorded length and width of the lot are
190.46 m and 130.26 m, respectively, determine the following:
a. actual dimensions of the lot.
b. error in area due to the incorrect tape length.

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Slope

B
s ground surface
h

C 𝜃
A
𝑐h d
s
ℎ2
Gentle slope (<20%): 𝑐h =
Corrected 𝑑: 2𝑠
ℎ2 ℎ4
Steep slope [20%,30%]: 𝑐h = +
𝑑 = 𝑠 − 𝑐h 2𝑠 8𝑠3
Very steep slope (>30%): 𝑐h = 𝑠 1 − cos 𝜃
Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong
 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Slope

Example 8. Slope distances AB and BC measures 340.38 m and 670.66 m,

respectively. The differences in elevation are 12.12 m for points A and B,
and 10.58 for points B and C. Using the approximate slope correction
formula for gentle slopes, determine the horizontal length of line ABC.
Assume that line AB has a rising slope and BC a falling slope.

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Assignment No. 6

A line AB cannot be measured directly because of an obstruction on line.

Accordingly, the two lines AC and CB were measured as 2,410.58 m and
1,328.24 m, respectively. Point C was set at a perpendicular distance of 155
m from point D on line AB. Using the approximate slope correction
formula for steep slopes, determine the length of AB.

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Temperature

𝑐t = 𝑐𝐿 𝑇o − 𝑇s
where
𝑐t = correction due to temperature (m)
𝑐 = coefficient of linear expansion (0.0000116/°C for steel)
𝐿 = length of the tape or line measured (m)
𝑇o = observed temperature at the time of measurement (°C)
𝑇s = temperature at which the tape was standardized (°C)

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Temperature

Example 9. A steel tape with a coefficient of linear expansion of

0.0000116/°C is known to be 50 m long at 20°C. The tape was used to
measure a line which was found to be 523.82 meters long when the
temperature was 35°C. Determine the following:
a. Temperature correction per tape length.
b. Temperature correction for the measured line.
c. Correct length of the line.

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Assignment No. 7

A steel tape, known to be of standard length at 20°C, is used in laying out

a runway 2,700.00 m long. If its coefficient of linear expansion is
0.0000116/°C, determine the temperature correction and the correct
length to be laid out when the temperature is 40°C.

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Tension

𝑃m − 𝑃s 𝐿
𝑐p =
𝐴𝐸
where
𝑐p = correction due to tension or pull (m)
𝑃m = pull applied to the tape during measurement (kg)
𝑃s = pull at which the tape was standardized (kg)
𝐿 = measured length of the line (m)
𝐴 = cross-sectional area of the tape (cm2)
𝐸 = modulus of elasticity (kg/cm2)

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Tension

𝑊
𝐴=
𝐿t 𝑤
where
𝐴 = cross-sectional area of the tape (cm2)
𝑊 = total weight of the tape (kg)
𝐿t = length of the tape (cm)
𝑤 = unit weight of the tape (0.007866 kg/cm3 for steel)

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 J.H. Cerilles State College – School of Engineering and Technology

Correction due to Tension

Example 10. A

Horizontal Distances Engr. Arnold T. Tanondong