Caraga State University
College of Engineering and Information
Technology
Theory of Errors and
Adjustments
Lecture 2
Broddett B. Abatayo, GE
Lecturer
Rules for Applying Tape Corrections
Tape too long:
1. Add correction when measuring distances
2. Subtract correction when laying out distances
Tape too short:
1. Subtract correction when measuring distances
2. Add correction when laying out distances
Measure Laying out
Too long + -
Too short - +
MEASURE
Distance AB = 8cm
A B
8cm
Standard
Too long
Too short
LAYING OUT
Standard
Too long
Too short
Taping Corrections
A. Correction due to Example:
Temperature:
(to be added or When the temperature was 48°C,
the measured distance from B to
subtracted)
C (To Ts ) L C was 318 m. The steel tape
t
used has a standard length at
20°Cm with a coefficient of
thermal expansion of
0.0000116/°C. Find the correct
distance BC in meters.
Where;
α = coefficient of thermal Ans. 318.103 m
expansion (0.0000116/°C)
To = observed temperature
during measurement
Ts = standard temperature
L = Nominal length of tape or
total measured distance
Taping Corrections
B. Correction due to Pull: Example:
(To be added or
subtracted) A 50 m tape having a cross-
( Po Ps ) L sectional area of 0.05cm2 has
Cp been standardized at a
AE tension of 5.5kg. If the
modulus of elasticity E =
2.10x106 kg/cm2, determine
Where; the elongation of the tape if a
Po = applied pull during pull of 12 kg. is applied.
measurement
Ps = standard pull Ans. 0.003m
L = Nominal length of tape or
total measured distance
A = cross-sectional area of tape
E = modulus of elasticity of tape standarditi
5.5 on 5.5
50m
kg kg
During
12 kg measurement 12 kg
Taping Corrections
C. Correction Due to Sag: Example
(to be subtracted only)
A 30m tape is supported only at
2 L3 W 2L its ends and under a steady
C sag 2
pull of 8kg. If the tape weighs
24 Po 24 Po 2 0.91kg. Determine the
Where: following:
ω = weight of tape per unit length
W = total mass or weight of tape 1. Sag correction
L = unsupported length of tape 2. Correct distance between the
ends of the tape
Po = applied pull during
measurement
Ans. 0.0162m, 29.984m
Taping Corrections
D. Combined correction:
Taping Corrections
E. Correction due to slope: Example
(to be subtracted only)
Slope distances AB and BC
measure 330.49m and
660.97m, respectively. The
h2 difference in elevation is
Cs H S Cs 12.22m for A and B, 10.85m
2S for B and C. Using the slope
correction formula, determine
Where; the horizontal length of line
ABC. Assume the line AB has
S = inclined/slope distance a rising slope and BC a falling
H = correct horizontal distance slope.
h = vertical distance at ends of
tape during measurement Ans. 991.145m
B
A C
Taping Corrections
F. Normal Pull or Tension –
The required pull/tension to
eliminate the effect of sag.
Cp Csag
( Pn Ps) L W 2 L
AE 24 Pn 2
AE
Pn 0.204W
( Pn Ps)
Taping Corrections
G. Reduction to Sea-Level
A B
h
D ' D 1
R
Where;
D = measured distance bet. Two R
points
D’ = corresponding sea-level
dist. Of these points
R = average radius of curvature
(1-h/r) = sea-level reduction
factor
h = observed height
Prob 1 Prob 3
• When the temperature was • A 50 m tape was standardized
48°C, the measured distance and was found to be 0.0042m
from B to C was 318 m. The too long than the standard
steel tape used has a standard length at an observed
length at 20°Cm with a temperature of 58 °C and a
coefficient of thermal expansion pull of 15kg. If the same tape
of 0.0000116/°C. Find the
correct distance BC in meters. was used to measure a
certain distance and was
recorded to be 673.92m long
Ans. 318.103 m at an observed temperature
of 68 °C and a pull of 15kg,
Prob 2 and the coefficient of thermal
• When the temperature was 3°, expansion is 0.0000116/ °C,
the distance from E to F was determine the following:
measured using a steel tape 1. Standard Temperature
that has a standard length at 20 2. Total correction
°C with a coefficient of thermal
expansion of 0.0000116/ °C. If 3. True length of the line
the correct distance from E to F
is 836.5m, what was the
measured distance in meters?
Ans. 50.76 °C, 0.1348m,
674.05 m
Ans. 836.665 m
Prob 4 Prob 6
• A 50 m tape having a cross- • A 30m tape is supported only
sectional area of 0.05cm2 has at its ends and under a steady
been standardized at a tension of pull of 8kg. If the tape weighs
5.5kg. If the modulus of elasticity 0.91kg. Determine the
E = 2.10x106 kg/cm2, determine following:
the elongation of the tape if a
pull of 12 kg. is applied. 1. Sag correction
2. Correct distance between the
Ans. 0.003m ends of the tape
Ans. 0.0162m, 29.984m
Prob 5
• It takes 20 kg of normal tension Prob 7
to make the elongation of a steel • A 100m tape weighs 0.0508
tape offset the effect of sag when kg/m. During field
supported at the end points. The measurements, the tape was
tape has a cross-sectional area of subjected to a tension of 45 N,
0.05cm2 and E = 2x106 kg/cm2. If and was supported at the end
the tape is 50m long and has a points, midpoint, and quarter
standard pull of 8kg. What is its
unit weight in kg/m? points, find the correction per
tape length due to sag.
Ans. 0.0215 kg/m
Ans. 0.319 m
Prob 8 Prob 10
• Slope distances AB and BC • A line was determined to be
measure 330.49m and 660.97m, 2395.25m when measured
respectively. The difference in with a 30m steel tape
elevation is 12.22m for A and B, supported throughout its
10.85m for B and C. Using the length under a pull of 4kg at a
slope correction formula,
determine the horizontal length mean temperature of 35°C.
of line ABC. Assume the line AB The tape used is of standard
has a rising slope and BC a length at 20°C under a pull of
falling slope. 5kg. If the cross-sectional
area of the tape is 0.03cm2,
coefficient of thermal
Ans. 991.145m expansion is 0.0000116/°C,
and E = 2x106 kg/cm2,
Prob 9 determine the following:
• A line 100 m long was measured
with a 50m tape. It was
discovered that the first pin was 1. Temperature correction
stuck 30cm to the left of the line 2. Pull correction
and the second pin 30cm to the 3. Correct length of the line
right. Find the error in the
measurement in cm.
Ans. +0.4168m, -0.0399m,
Ans. 0.45cm 2395.6269m
