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Documents/elemsur/systematic Errors in Taping

1. There are several potential sources of systematic error when using a tape to measure distances, including variations in tape length, alignment, temperature, tension, and slope. Formulas are provided to calculate corrections for each type of error. 2. The correction for tape length depends on the difference between the true and nominal tape length. Corrections are also needed to account for the effects of temperature on tape length, tension applied to the tape, sag between supports, and slope of the terrain. 3. Applying the proper corrections is necessary to obtain accurate distance measurements from tapes subject to these systematic errors. The sign of each correction (+ or -) depends on whether it increases or decreases the measured length.

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Elaine Padernilla
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512 views5 pages

Documents/elemsur/systematic Errors in Taping

1. There are several potential sources of systematic error when using a tape to measure distances, including variations in tape length, alignment, temperature, tension, and slope. Formulas are provided to calculate corrections for each type of error. 2. The correction for tape length depends on the difference between the true and nominal tape length. Corrections are also needed to account for the effects of temperature on tape length, tension applied to the tape, sag between supports, and slope of the terrain. 3. Applying the proper corrections is necessary to obtain accurate distance measurements from tapes subject to these systematic errors. The sign of each correction (+ or -) depends on whether it increases or decreases the measured length.

Uploaded by

Elaine Padernilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SYSTEMATIC ERRORS IN TAPING

1. Tape is not of standard length


The absolute value for the correction per tape length (Cd) is determined from the
difference between the true or actual length of tape (TL) and the nominal length of tape
(NL) or
Cd = TL NL
-

when Cd is positive, the tape used is too long


when Cd is negative, the tape used is too short

Corrected distances, which are measured or laid out with a tape that is too long or too
short can be determined from the following equations
CI = Cd (ML/NL)
CL = ML CI
Where:
CI = total correction to be applied to the measured length or length to be laid out
CL = corrected length of the line to be measured or laid out
ML = measured length of length to be laid out
2. Correction due to alignment
-

Error due to alignment is generally the least important


Utmost care in aligning a tape is not extremely important since the error is
practically negligible for measurements of ordinary precision
In high precision measurements, the tape men are kept accurately on line with the
aid of a transit or theodolite

3. Variations in temperature
-

the correction applied to the length of the tape due to change in temperature Ct is
given by
Ct = L(T T0)
Where:
= is the coefficient of linear expansion or the amount of change in
length per unit length per degree change in temperature
= for a steel tape, = 0.0000116 per degree Celsius or
0.00000645/degree Fahrenheit
L = is the length of the tape or length of line measured
T = is the observed temperature of the tape at the time of measurement
T0 = is the temperature at which the tape was standardized

the resulting sign of Ct will be either positive or negative and is added


algebraically to the length measured to obtain the correct length

Note: a. when measuring, the correction is added when tape is too long and subtracted
if too short
b. when laying out, the correction is subtracted when tape is too long and added
when tape is too short
4. Variations in tension
- If the tension or pull is greater or less than that for which the tape is verified, the tape
will be elongated or shortened accordingly. The correction for variation in tension in a
steel tape is given by the formula
Cp = (P P0)L / aE
Where:
Cp = correction per distance L, ft or m
P = applied tension, lb or kg
P0 = tension for which the tape is standardized, lb or kg
L = length, ft or m
A = cross-sectional area, in2 or cm2
E = elastic modulus of the steel, lb/in2 or kg/cm2
-

The modulus of elasticity is taken as 28 to 10 million lb/in2 or 2.1 x 106 kg/cm2.


The cross-sectional area of the tape can be computed from the weight and
dimensions, because steel weighs approximately 490 lb/ft3 or 7.85 x 10-3 kg/cm3.
Light and heavy 30-m tapes have respective cross-sectional areas of about 0.019
and 0.058 cm2
Light (1-lb) and heavy (3-lb) 100-ft tapes have cross-sectional areas of
approximately 0.003 and 0.009 in2, respectively

5. Correction for Sag


-

When the tape sags between the points of support, it takes the form of a catenary.
The correction to be applied is the difference in length between the arc and the
subtending chord. To determine the correction, the arc may be assumed to be a
parabola.
The correction then is given with sufficient precision for most purposes by the
formula.
Cs = w2L3/24P2 = W2L/24P2
Where:
Cs = correction between points of support, ft or m
w = weight of the tape, lb/ft or kg/m
W = total weight of tape between supports, lb or kg

L = distance between supports, ft or m


P = applied tension, lb or kg
NORMAL TENSION
By equating the right-hand members of the elongation due to increase in tension and the
shortening due to sag, the effect of the sag can be eliminated. The pull that will produce
this condition, called normal tension, Pn, is given by the formula,
___
______
Pn = 0.204 W aE / Pn P0
- this equation can be solved by using successive approximations for Pn.
6. Correction due to slope

B
Figure 1

C
Ch

d
s
Where:

s = measured slope distance between points A and B


h = difference in elevation between A and B
d = equivalent horizontal distance AC
Ch = slope correction or the difference between the slope length and the horizontal
distance, Ch = s -d
Considering the figure, by Pythagorean theorem,
s 2 = d2 + h 2
Transposing terms and factoring out
h2 = s2 d2 = (s d)(s + d)
Since Ch = (s d), therefore

h2 = Ch(s + d) or Ch = h2 / ( s + d)
For gentle slopes, it is safe to assume that the slope distance (s) is approximately equal to
the horizontal distance (d) or
Ch = h2 / 2s

Eq. (1)

Equation (1) gives us the approximate slope correction which should be subtracted from
the measured slope distance to obtain the equivalent horizontal distance.
More convenient to apply this approximate correction when gentle slope are involved.
A slope is classified as gentle when it is not greater than 20 %
Slope = (h/d)(100%)

Eq. (2)

A plus or minus sign must be given to indicate if the slope is rising or falling respectively.
The following summarizes the different slope correction formulas used when reducing
slope measurements to equivalent horizontal distances.
a. Gentle slopes (less than 20 %):

Ch = h2/2s

b. Steep slopes (b/n 20 % and 30 %):

Ch = h2/2s + h4/8s3

c. Very steep slopes (greater than 30 %): Ch = s (1 cos )


- Table 1 provides a convenient summary of the signs for these corrections.
Table 1
Taping operation
Measurement
Layout

Sign of correction to be applied


Tape too long
Tape too short
+
+

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