Mapua Institute of Technology

School of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Sanitary Engineering

Elementary Surveying
ADVANCE FIELD MANUAL

FIELDWORK NO. 2
LAYING A SIMPLE CURVE BY USING TAPE ALONE
(THE INCREMENTAL CHORDS AND TANGENT OFFSET METHOD)

CE121F / B2

Submitted by
Cayanan, Jonas I.

2013102552

Group 3

Cayanan, Jonas I.

October 13, 2015

October 20, 2015

Submitted to
Engr. Valerie Ira Balmoris

GRADE

Table of Contents
Introduction
Objectives and Instruments
Procedures
Computations
Questions and Problems
Preliminary Data Sheet
Final Data Sheet
Research and Discussion
Conclusion

Introduction
Straight (tangent) sections of most types of transportation routes, such
as highways, railroads, and pipelines, are connected by curves in both the
horizontal and vertical planes. An exception is a transmission line, in which a
series of straight lines is used with abrupt angular changes at tower locations if
needed.
This fieldwork also tackles about simple curves but this time it is not the
same as the previous fieldwork. Here it is expected to use a tape alone in a
simple curve. It will be discuss here the two methods that we used namely the
incremental method and the tangent offset method.
In this fieldwork, students are expected to practice on to verify the
known formula in getting a chord by getting the actual length of the chord
using the deflection angle of the given data.

Objectives
1. To be able to lay a simple curve by using the tape alone.

Instruments
Range Poles
Surveying instrument
straight rod painted in
alternate red and white
wide. Used for sighting by

consisting of a
bands of
each one foot
surveyors

Chalk
is a soft, white, porous sedimentary carbonate
rock, a form of limestone composed of the
mineral calcite.

50 meter tape
used
in surveying for
measuring
Horizontal, vertical or slope distances.
are issued in various lengths and widths
graduated in variety of ways.

Tapes
and

PROCEDURES
1. The professor gives the following data:
I = _______
R = _______
Station PC (preferably not on full station):_________
Adopt Full chord length of ______ m
2. The professor assigns the location of PC in the field, together with the direction of the
backward tangent. (Note: Be very careful in assigning the location of station PC and
direction of the backward tangent so that the curve will not be obstructed by any large
permanent structure.)
3. The students:
a. Compute the central incremental angle of the simple curve assigned, Lc and Sta PT.
b. Compute the incremental tangent offset distances x and y of each intermediate
stations before going to the field.
c. Compute the first offset distances x and y using the formula:
The tangent offset distance x1 must be solved using: x1=c1 * cos(d1/2)
The tangent offset distance y1 must be solved using: y1=c2 * sin(d1/2)
d. Compute the second offset distances x and y using the formula:
The tangent offset distance x2 must be solved using: x2 = c*cos(d1+D/2)
The tangent offset distance y2 must be solved using: y2 = c*sin(d1+D/2)
e. Compute the succeeding offset distances x and y using the formula:
The tangent offset distance x3 must be solved using: x3= c*cos(D)
The tangent offset distance y3 must be solved using: y3 = c*sin(D)
f. Compute the last offset distances x and y using the formula:
The tangent offset distance xn must be solved using: xn = c*cos(d2+D/2)
The tangent offset distance yn must be solved using yn = c*sin(d2+D/2)
g. Lay the curve in the field starting in the position of the PC. The process explained
below assumed that the total length of the tape will not be exhausted.
4. Station 1 is now laid on the ground using the procedures below.
a. The front tape man should hold the 0 mark of the tape at station PC.
b. The tangent offset tape man (man at station A) should hold and locate the length
x1
mark, loop the tape and hold also the next full meter length.
c. The point A tape man should locate and hold the

y1

length of the tape from the

tangent offset tape man and also loop the tape and hold the next full meter length
of the tape. The front tape man while holding the zero mark of the tape must also
hold the c1 tape length distance from point A tape man.
d. The front tape man and tangent offset tape man should align themselves in the
direction of the back tangent of the simple curve.
e. The three tape men should stretch the tape and the point A tape man should mark
its exact position on the ground with a marking pin or a chalk if on pavement.

5. Station B is now laid on the ground using the procedure below.

a. The front tape man holds the 0 mark of the tape at station A.
b. The tangent offset tape man (man at station B) holds and locates the length x2
mark, loop the tape and hold also the next full meter length.
c. The point B tape man locates and holds the length of the tape from the tangent
offset tape man; he also loops the tape and holds the next full meter length of the
tape. The front tape man while holding the zero mark of the tape also holds the c
tape length distance from point B tape man.
d. The front tape man and tangent offset tapeman align themselves in the direction
along the prolongation of line PC to A.
6. Station C and other full stations are now laid on the ground using the same procedures a
to d.
Station PT is laid in the same manner as above but this time with a chord length of
only c2.
Determine the percentage of error by using the formula:
Chord LengthMeasured Long Chord Length
|Computed LongComputed
|100
Long Chord Length

ERROR=

COMPUTATIONS
The tangent offset distance
x1=c1 * cos(d1/2)
The tangent offset distance
y1=c2 * sin(d1/2)
The tangent offset distance
x2 = c*cos(d1+D/2)
The tangent offset distance
y2 = c*sin(d1+D/2)
The tangent offset distance
x3= c*cos(D)
The tangent offset distance
y3 = c*sin(D)

x1
y1
x2
y2
x3
y3

The tangent offset distance xn

xn = c*cos(d2+D/2)
The tangent offset distance yn
yn = c*sin(d2+D/2)

Preliminary data sheet

Date: October 13, 2015
Group No. : 1
Time: 12:00
Location: Luneta Park
Weather: Sunny
Professor: Engr. Ira Balmoris

Data Supplied
I = 65o
R=80m
Station of PC: 29+928 (Preferably not on a full station mark)
Adopt Full Chord length of 20m (Preferably in between 2m-5m)
Station
Occupied Obeserve
d
PC
A

Central
Angle

Chord
12

20

20

20

PT

18.757

8o3539.72

o
14 1926.2
0
o
14 1926.2
0
o
14 1926.2
0
o
13 261.67

Offset Distances
X
Y
11.97

0.90

19.60

3.98

19.38

4.96

19.38

4.96

18.21

4.51

Computed Length of the Chord: 85.90

Actual Length of the Chord: 85.26
Sample Computation
Central Incremental Angle (CIA)
CIAPC-A =(12/80)(180/ ) = 8o3539.72
CIAPC-B =(20/80)(180/ ) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-C =(20/80)(180/ ) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-D =(20/80)(180/ ) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-PT =(18.76/80)(180/ ) = 13o261.67
Lc = IR

= (65 /180)(80) = 90.76

C1 = 940 - 928 = 12 m
C2 = 18.76 m

d1 =2 sin-1 (12/(2*80)) =8o368.8

Do = 2 sin-1 (20/(2*80)) = 14o2144.4
d2 =2 sin-1 (18.76/(2*80)) =13o2753.14

Offset Distances:
x
x
x
x
x
y
y
y
y
y

= 12*cos( ) = 11.97 m
A-B = 12*cos( ) = 19.60 m
o
B-C = 12*cos(14 2144.4) = 19.38 m
o
C-D = 12*cos(14 2144.4) = 19.38 m
D-PT = 12*cos( ) = 18.21 m
PC-A

= 12*sin( ) = 0.90 m
A-B = 12*sin( ) = 3.98 m
o
B-C = 12*sin (14 2144.4) = 4.96 m
o
C-D = 12*sin(14 2144.4) = 4.96 m
D-PT = 12*sin( ) = 4.51 m
PC-A

Computed Long Chord:

C=2(80)*sin(65/2) = 85.97 m
Actual Long Chord= 85.26 m
% error = x100% = 0.83 %

Final data sheet

Date: October 13 , 2015
Group No. : 1
Time: 12:00
Location: Luneta Park
Weather: Sunny
Professor: Engr. Ira Balmoris

Data Supplied
I = 65o
R=80m
Station of PC: 29+928 (Preferably not on a full station mark)
Adopt Full Chord length of 20m (Preferably in between 2m-5m)
Station
Occupied Obeserve
d
PC
A

Central
Angle

Chord
12

20

20

20

PT

18.757

8o3539.72

o
14 1926.2
0
o
14 1926.2
0
o
14 1926.2
0
o
13 261.67

Offset Distances
X
Y
11.97

0.90

19.60

3.98

19.38

4.96

19.38

4.96

18.21

4.51

Computed Length of the Chord: 85.90

Actual Length of the Chord: 85.26

Sample Computation
Central Incremental Angle (CIA)
CIAPC-A =(12/80)(180/ ) = 8o3539.72
CIAPC-B =(20/80)(180/ ) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-C =(20/80)(180/ ) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-D =(20/80)(180/ ) = 14o1926.2
CIAPC-PT =(18.76/80)(180/ ) = 13o261.67
Lc = IR
= (65 /180)(80) = 90.76

C1 = 940 - 928 = 12 m
C2 = 18.76 m

d1 =2 sin-1 (12/(2*80)) =8o368.8

Do = 2 sin-1 (20/(2*80)) = 14o2144.4
d2 =2 sin-1 (18.76/(2*80)) =13o2753.14

Offset Distances:
x
x
x
x
x
y
y
y
y
y

= 12*cos( ) = 11.97 m
A-B = 12*cos( ) = 19.60 m
o
B-C = 12*cos(14 2144.4) = 19.38 m
o
C-D = 12*cos(14 2144.4) = 19.38 m
D-PT = 12*cos( ) = 18.21 m
PC-A

= 12*sin( ) = 0.90 m
A-B = 12*sin( ) = 3.98 m
o
B-C = 12*sin (14 2144.4) = 4.96 m
o
C-D = 12*sin(14 2144.4) = 4.96 m
D-PT = 12*sin( ) = 4.51 m
PC-A

Computed Long Chord:

C=2(80)*sin(65/2) = 85.97 m
Actual Long Chord= 85.26 m
% error = x100% = 0.83 %

Sketch
Laying out the offset
x and y.

distance for

To make sure that the angle between side x and

side y is an right angle

This what it looks like to

a single loop. From PC to A
A back to PC.

complete
prime to

Measuring the actual length of the chord

using the breaking the tape method.

Research and discussion

Curves are regular bends provided in the lines of communication like roads, railways and
canals etc. to bring about gradual change of direction. They enable the vehicle to pass from one path
on to another when the two paths meet at an angle. They are also used in the vertical plane at all
changes of grade to avoid the abrupt change of grade at the apex.
There are two types of curves, vertical and horizontal curves. Curves provided in the horizontal
plane to have the gradual change in direction are known as horizontal curves. Curves provided in the
vertical plane to obtain the gradual change in grade are called as vertical curves. Vertical curves may
be circular or parabolic and are generally arcs of parabolas. They are laid out on the ground along the
center line of the work.
Horizontal Curves used in horizontal planes to
two straight tangent sections.

connect

Simple Curve: A circular arc connecting two

tangents.

Compound Curve: Two or more circular arcs of

radii tangent to each other.

different

Broken-back Curve: Combination of a short

tangent connecting two circular arcs that have
the same side. Reverse Curve: Two circular arcs
each other, with their centers

length of
centers on
tangent to

TANGENT OFFSET:
Occasions arise on location where the use of
the semi-tangents to intermediate points on a
are mandatory. The accuracy of points set by
pendent upon the method used in setting
the practice of placing curve points by lining in
and turning of right-angles by hand methods is
unsatisfactory. Even though tangent offsets are
field notes for the curve should be completed
defiections in the normal manner shown.

offsets from
circular curve
offsets is de
them, and
stakes by eye
used, the
showing the

The method of tangent offsets requires that

distances (tx)
be established along the semi-tangent, measured from the P.C. (or P.T.) and offsets (ty) perpendicular
to that tangent be measured out to the points required on the curve.

Conclusion
This fieldwork taught me on how to get the tangent offset that we used
to create the large chord. Also in this fieldwork, it helped us to improve our
skills in using the tape measure and gain techniques to reduce the errors of
the measurements. Also it is also a great way to improve our knowledge on
how to use the range poles to make sure that we are on the right path.
This fieldwork is very challenging for us especially we encounter many
problems. At first we didnt fully understand the fieldwork so we came up with
the wrong measurement. Second since it is hard to use the breaking the tape
method in this fieldwork, we had errors especially the sagging of the tape
measure. Lastly, since we dont have a theodolite, we had a hard time on
finding the location for our next station since to make data accurate, the
points must be located on the proper place and aligned to the previous point.
Also the offset for the y must be perpendicular to the side x,which is hard to
assume a perpendicular angle.
Some recommendation for this fieldwork is by laying out the given
measurement, make sure that reduce the sagging of the tape. It is also
important that the front tape man should properly hold the tape to avoid the
dislocation for the point. It is still advised to have a theodolite for checking if
the two points lie on the same line.
Application of these simple curves is In the geometric design of
motorways, railways, pipelines, etc., the design and setting out of curves is an
important aspect of the engineers work. The initial design is usually based on
a series of straight sections whose positions are defined largely by the
topography of the area. The intersections of pairs of straights are then
connected by horizontal curves.