CHAPTER 3…COMPASS SURVEY

1. Definition: A branch of surveying in which directions of survey lines are determined with a compass and
lengths of lines are measured with a tape or chain. Generally used to run a traverse.
2. Types of Meridians: Meridian Fixed line of reference about which directions or angles are
measured.
(a) True Meridian: line joining true north and true south. Established by Astronomical observations.
(b) Magnetic meridian: Direction shown by a freely floating and balanced magnetic needle free from all
other attractive forces (Line passing through magnetic north and south). Established by magnetic compass.
(c) Grid meridian: For survey of a state, the true meridian of central place is taken as a reference meridian
for whole state and is called Grid

meridian.
(d) Arbitrary meridian: Meridian taken in any convenient direction towards a permanent and prominent
mark or signal.

Used to determine relative directions of various lines in a small traverse or small area.
3. Types of Bearings:
Bearing of a line is the angle between a meridian and a survey line
(a) True Bearing of a line is horizontal angle between true meridian and the line. Also known as Azimuth.
Does not change with time, it is a constant.
(b) Magnetic bearing of a line is the horizontal angle which the line makes with magnetic north. Changes
with time. Used for small areas. Measured with a magnetic compass.

(c) Grid bearing of a line is the horizontal angle with Grid meridian.
(d) Arbitrary bearing of line is the horizontal angle with "Arbitrary meridian".
4. Systems of Bearings:-
(a) Whole circle Bearing system (WCB):

• Bearing of line OA = Ø1 ;OB = Ø 2; OC= Ø3; OD = Ø4

• Bearing of a line is measured always in clockwise from North end of reference.
• Bearing varies from 0° to 360°
• Prismatic compass is graduated in this system.
• Also called "Azimuthal system"
(b) Quadral Bearing (QB) system:.

• Bearing OA = ΝΘΕ, ΟΒ = S α E, OC = SyW, OD = NvW

• Bearing of a line is measured eastward or westward from North or South, which ever is nearer.
• Varies from 0° to 90°.
• Observed by surveyors compass
• Also called "Reduced bearings"

Note: When a line points towards North, East, South or West, it is written as "Due North", "Due east", "Due
South" or "Due West" respectively.

Thus, N 0°=Due North; N90°E = S90° E-Due east S 0° Due South; N90°W=S90°W =Due West
6. Fore bearing and backing bearing:
The bearing of a line in the direction of progress of survey indicated by an arrow is called fore bearing (F.B).
The bearing in an opposite direction to F.B or in the direction opposite to the survey is Back bearing (B.B)
7. Determination of B.B for F.B:
• F.B and B.B differ by 90°
(i) If F.B is given as W.C.B:
B.B=F.B + 180° if F.B<180° and
B.B=F.B180° if F.B > 180°

(ii) If F.B of a line is given as quadrantal bearing:

B.B is numerically equal to F.B change 'N' for 'S' and vice versa. Change 'E' for 'W' and vice versa.
Important Note: Always better to draw rough sketch either for conversion of one system to another or for
working out B.B from F.B or vice versa.

8. Included angle between two lines from bearings:

(i) (ii)
Can be calculated very easily using a diagram
(a) Whole circle bearings are given :
(i) Bearings of two lines measured from a common point. Included angle Ø = Ø2-Ø1
(ii) Bearing of two lines not measured from a common point.
= B.B of previous line - F.B of next line
=(180+ Ø1)- Ø2
(b) Quadrantal bearings of two lines are given:
(i) Measured from a common point:
9. Calculation of bearings from Angles:-
• Bearing of any one line (generally, the first line) is also required along with included angles.
• In a closed traverse, clock wise angles will be the interior angles if the traverse is run in the anti-
clockwise direction.
• Bearing of any line = Bearing of preceding line+ Included angle.
If the sum is more than 180° deduct 180°. If the sum is less than 180°, add 180°
10. Magnetic compass:- It gives directly the magnetic bearings,
(a) Dip is the inclination of the magnetic needle with the horizontal
• . Northern end is deflected down in the "Northern hemisphere" while the southern end is deflected
down in the "Southern hemisphere"
• The dip is zero at equator and needle will remain horizontal.
• At a place near 70° North latitude and 96° West longitude, dip will be 90° This area is called north
magnetic pole.
• similarly near south magnetic pole, dip is 90°.
(b) Magnetic declination- (True bearing - magnetic bearing)
• Isogonic line is the line drawn through points of same declination.
• Agonic line is the line made up of points having a zero declination.
• If the magnetic meridian is to the right side (or eastern side) of the true meridian, declination is
Eastern or positive.
• If it is to the left side (or western side), it is said to be western or negative.

• Mariners call declination by the name variation.

• Magnetic declination at a place is not constant but varies from time to time.
Example: 1.
What is the true bearing of line AB if its magnetic bearing is S 25º W and the declination is 7° 30' West.
(i) Duirnal variation :-
• Variation in a day
• More during day time and less during night time.
• More at magnetic poles and less at equator.
• Considerably more in summer than in winter.
• Changes from year to year.
(ii) Annual variation; variation over a period of an year.
(iit) Secular variation: Variation over a very long period, approximately 250 years.
• Follows a tollercoaster (sine - curve) pattern swings like a pendulum.
• Most important in the works of a surveyor.
• In Paris the records show a variation of declination from 11°E in 1680 to 22°W in 1820.
(iv) Irregular variations: are due to magnetic storms, earth quakes, and solar influences etc.
(c) Determination of True bearing
• True bearing magnetic bearing + declination.
• Sign conventon: sign for eastward declination and sign for westward declination (for whole circle
bearings only)
• If reduced bearing is given, it is advisable to draw diagram and calculate bearing.
Magnetic bearing 40°30' What is true bearing?
(i) Magnetic declination- 6°30' E'.
Sol: True bearing = 40°30' +6°30′ = 47 "0"
(ii) If magnetic declination 4°30'W
Sol: T.B=.S 38°30' W-4°30'S 34°W
(iii) If magnetic declination = 3°30′E
Sol: T.B=S 38°30'W + 3°30'S 42°W
11. Local attraction
• (If B.B-F.B≠180°) The local attraction is due to the influence of magnetic materials like heavy steel
or nickel objects, electric poles, transmission lines etc.
• The local attraction due to key chains, steel buttons, steel pens should be ignored.
13) Adjustments of prismatic compass:计

(a) Temporary adjustments are those made at every set up of the instrument. They are
(i) Centering: Process of keeping the instrument exactly over the station. Done by adjusting legs of tripod
and using plumb bob.
(ii) Leveling: Generally, tripod is provided with ball and socket arrangement with the help of which leveling
is done P

(iii) Focusing the prism: Prism is moved up or down in its slice till the graduations in the ring are seen clear.
(b) Permanent adjustments: Done when, the fundamental relations between parts are disturbed.
2.The magnetic meridian at any point is
a) The direction shown by a freely floating and balanced magnetic needle.
(b) Line passing through geographical north and south poles
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above
03. The horizontal angle between the true meridian and a survey line is
(a) Dip
(b) Declination
(c) Bearing
(d) Azimuth
04. The vertical angle between longitudinal axis of a freely suspended magnetic needle and horizontal is
called

(a) Dip
(b) Declination
(c) Bearing
(d) Azimuth
05. The angle of dip at equator is
(a) 0º
(b) 45°
(c) 90"
(d) None
06. The horizontal angle between the true meridian and magnetic meridian, is called
(a) Dip
(b) Declination
(c) Variation
(d) both (b) and (c)
07. A negative declination shows that the magnetic meridian is to the
(a) North of true meridian
(b) South of true meridian (c) East of true meridian
(d) None of the above
08. "Agonic lines" pass through points of
(a) Zero declination
(b) Equal declination
(c) Equal dip
(d) Equal bearing
COMPASS SURVEY EXERCISE
 Chapter 4 Theodolite survey
Introduction: Theodolite is the most precise instrument used for measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
(a) Transit Theodolite (or) Transit :
The Theodolite in which line of sight can be reversed by revolving the telescope through 180° in the
vertical plane. Transit Theodolite is most commonly used.
(b) Non Transit Theodolite:
Either plain Theodolite or Y-Theodolite. This can not be transited.
1. ​Essential parts of a transit Theodolite:
• Telescope: Mounted on a spindle known as horizontal axis or trunion axis. Internal focusing
telescope is widely used.
• Vertical Circle: A circular graduated arc attached to the trunion axis of the telescope. Controlling by
a vertical circle clamp and its corresponding slow motion or tangent screw.
• Index frame or T-frame or Venrier frame: Two verniers are fitted to this to read the vertical
circle. Clip screw is used for slight adjustment. Altitude bubble is placed on top of index frame.
• Leveling head: It consists of two parallel triangular plates known as tribrach plates.
• Lower plate or scale plate: Size of a Theodolite is represented by the size of scale plate. i.e., 10cm
Theodolite etc.
• A-frame
• Upper plate or vernier plate.
• Plate levels two spindles or axes or centers
• Tripod
• Plumb bob
• Compass
2. Definitions and Terms: (very important)
(a) Centering: The process of setting up the instrument exactly over the station mark. Plumb bob
is made use of.
(b) Vertical axis:- Axis about which the instrument rotates in the horizontal plane. Also known as
Azimuth axis.
(c) Horizontal axis (or) Trunion axis:- Axis about which the telescope and vertical circle rotate in
vertical plane.
(d) Line of sight (or) line of collimation:- The line passing through the intersection of horizontal
and vertical cross hairs and optical centre of object glass and its continution. M