FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING

Self-Pace Module

Module 4 Measurement of Angles and Directions

Topics a. Types of Meridians and North Points
b. Units of Angular Measurement
c. Interior and Deflection Angles
d. Bearings and Azimuths
Overview: The lesson will cover the determination of a point or points based from the
angles and directions. Determine the horizontal angles by bearing and
azimuths. Calculation and converting units of angular measurements and
measuring angles using surveying instruments (total station)
Duration: Week 13-14 (2 weeks)

Targeting Learning Outcomes

Course Intended Learning -Understand different types of meridians

Outcomes -Calculate the angles using different units of angular measurements
-Differentiate interior angles and deflection angles
-Differentiate bearing and azimuths
Essential Questions How can I locate a point using angles and directions?
Learning Targets At the end of this module, you should determine the different angular
measurement and locate a point using angles and directions
Reference and Credits: Elementary Surveying, by Ghilani and Wolf
Elementary Surveying by La Putt

Introduction

Determining the locations of points and orientations of lines frequently depends on the
observation of angles and directions. In surveying, directions are given by azimuths and bearings.

Angles measured in surveying are classified as either horizontal or vertical, depending on the plane in
which they are observed. Horizontal angles are the basic observations needed for determining bearings
and azimuths. Vertical angles are used in trigonometric leveling, stadia and for reducing slope distances to
horizontal.

Angles are most often directly observed in the field with total station instruments, although in the
past transits, theodolites, and compasses have been used. Three basic requirements determine an angle:
(1) reference or starting line,
(2) direction of turning, and
(3) angular distance (value of the angle).

Methods of computing bearings and azimuths described in this module are based on these three
elements.
 (credits: https://structural-analyser.com/domains/Surveying/chapter06/)

Bearings and Azimuths

Bearings

The direction of a line may be described by giving the bearing. The bearing of a line is the acute
horizontal angle between the reference meridian and the line. A quadrantal system 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 (or the E-W Line). The fact that bearing
angles never exceed 90 degrees is an advantage when extracting values of their trigonometric
functions for use in computations.

Azimuths

Another common method used in designating the direction of a line is by the use of
azimuths. The azimuth of a line is its direction as given by the angle between the meridian and the
line measured in a clockwise direction from either the north or south branch of the meridian.
Azimuths are usually preferred over bearings by most surveyors because they are more convenient
to work with such as in computing traverse data by electronic digital computers.

The azimuth of a line may range from 0 to 360 degrees and letters are not required to
identify quadrants. For any particular survey the direction of zero azimuth is either always north
or always south. Some surveyors reckon azimuths from the south and some from the north branch
of whatever meridian is selected as a reference. Usually, a particular agency or organization will
consistently use one or the other.

26
40

21

Lecture Videos
Please watch the YouTube Videos, (links provided)

Angle Units Conversion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIKm7ntkA4Q&t=168s

Azimuths https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM6kWrgsGYw
Bearings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB8bhi5vbg4
Bearings to Azimuth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiKifA5DlYc
Sample Calculation:
1. Convert the angle 238o25’50” into its equivalent in decimal degrees

Solution:

238o25’50” = deg + min/60 + sec/3600

= 238o + 25’/60 +
50/3600 = 238 + 0.4167 +
0.0139 = 238.4306o
Ans.

2. Convert to degrees, minutes and seconds the decimal angle 325.7541667 degrees

Solution:
325.7541667

Degree
= 325

Minutes = (325.7541667 – 325)/60

= 45.250002

Seconds = (45.250002 – 45)/60

= 15.00012

Therefore : 325.7541667 = 325o25’15” Ans.

3. Convert 270o into its equivalent value is grads, mils and

radians Solution
Degrees to grads
270o x = 300 grads ans.

Degree to Mils
270o x = 4800 mils ans.

Degree to Radians
270o x = 4.7124 radians ans.

4. Convert the following to bearings equivalent azimuth ( reckoned from north and south )
a. N 25o25’W b. S 50o10 E c. Due

East Solution:
b.

Azimuth reckoned from North (AzN)

= 180o – (50o10’) =
129o50’ Ans.

Azimuth reckoned from South (AzS)

= 360o + 50o10’

= 309o50’ Ans.
 Azimuth reckoned from North (AzN)

= 90o Ans.

Azimuth reckoned from South (AzS)

= 180o + 90o = 270o Ans

or

= 360o – 90o = 270o Ans.

he picture can't be displayed.

5. Convert the following to Azimuths to Bearings pp283

a. AzS = 135o b. AzN = 228o15’ c. AzN = 180o

a.

Bearing = 180 – 135

135
b.

180
15

228 15

c.

180

Class (Synchronous) Discussion: as posted in MS Teams

 Enumerate and Discuss the Types of Meridians
Enumerate and Discuss Units of Angular Measurements

Learning Tasks No. 6: Problems Sets in Measurement Angles and

Directions Submission: as posted in MS Teams

Solve the following problems. Write your solutions on the space provided and encircle your
final answer. After finalizing your answer and solution, took an image using your smartphones,
cameras or scanners and upload it thru MS Teams under the designated Learning Tasks.

Name: Student No. Yr. and Sec

Problem 1 : The angular measurement of 151 .0000 grads is equivalent degrees

1 grad= 9/10 degrees = 0.9 degree

151.0000 x 0.9 = 135.9
135.9 degrees
 Problem 2. The equivalent of 270o00’ in the centesimal system is

1 degree = 10/9 grads = 1.1111 grads

270 degree x 10/9 = 300 grads

270 degree is equivalent to 300.0000 grads in the centesimal system

he picture can't be displayed.

Problem 3 : The forward bearing of a line is N 45o00’E. Its back azimuth measured from
north is equal to

45 + 180 = 225

225 degrees

the

Problem 4: The azimuth of a boundary line is 128°13’46”. Convert this to a bearing.

1800000 – 1281346 = 514614

S 51 degrees 46’ 14” E