FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. DARYL JAY B. RABOY
MODULE TOPIC: CORRECTION TO TAPE MEASUREMENT
Measuring tapes are calibrated at controlled conditions. Surveyors need to consider environmental
factors when measuring distances using these instruments. The errors are relatively small for short distances
but they accumulate and become significant when measuring distances.
Consider two fixed points 15 cm apart (True distance). If the conditions during the observation
matches the standard conditions, we should be able to read an exact 15 cm on the tape measure.
From the figure, it is apparent that when the tape is too short, the error is negative thus it is to be
subtracted from the measured length, consequently when the tape is too long, the error is positive thus it is
to be added.
From this we can establish the following relation,
𝑇𝐷 = 𝑀𝐷 + 𝐸
Where, TD- true distance
MD- measured distance
E-total error
TEMPERATURE CORRECTION
To be added or subtracted.
𝐶𝑡 = 𝛼(𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )𝐿1
Where, Ct = Correction due to temperature
𝛼 = coefficient of thermal expansion = 11.6 x 10 6 m/m.°C (for steel)
T2 = temperature during the time of observation
T1 = standard temperature / Temperature during calibration.
L1 = standard length
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. DARYL JAY B. RABOY
MODULE TOPIC: CORRECTION TO TAPE MEASUREMENT
PULL CORRECTION
To be added or subtracted.
(𝑃2 − 𝑃1 )(𝐿1 )
𝐶𝑝 =
𝐴𝐸
Where, Cp = Correction due to pull
P2 = applied pull
P1 = standard pull / pull applied during calibration.
A = cross-sectional area of the tape
L1 = standard length
E = Modulus of elasticity
SAG CORRECTION
To be subtracted only
𝑤 2 𝐿31
𝐶𝑠𝑎𝑔 =
24𝑃22
Where, 𝐶𝑠𝑎𝑔 = Correction due to sag
W = linear density
NORMAL TENSION
The necessary pull to compensate the correction due to sag
𝑤 2 𝐿31 (𝑃2 − 𝑃1 )(𝐿1 )
=
24𝑃22 𝐴𝐸
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. DARYL JAY B. RABOY
MODULE TOPIC : CORRECTION TO TAPE MEASUREMENT
SLOPE CORRECTION
To be subtracted only.
FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING
INSTRUCTOR: ENGR. DARYL JAY B. RABOY
MODULE TOPIC : CORRECTION TO TAPE MEASUREMENT
SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
1. To measure a baseline , a steel tape 20 m long, standardized at 15 deg.celcius with a pull of 80 N
was used. Find the correction per tape length, if the temperature at the time of measurement is 25
deg.celcius and the pull exerted is 150 N. Take young’s modulus E=200 000 Mpa and the coefficient
of thermal expansion α= 11.6 x 10-6 /°C. Cross-sectional area of tape is 8 mm2. Ans. + 0.0047925
(tape too long)
2. A 100 m weighing 5.08 kg was used to measure a line. It was supported at the end points, midpoints,
and quarter points and the tension applied is 60 Newtons. If the total measured distance is 2345.76,
what is the correct distance of the line? Ans. 2341.55
3. It is required to lay out a distance of 687.78m with a 50m tape that is 0.030 m too long. Compute the
distance measured with the tape to make the points the proper distance apart. Ans. 687.35
4. Determine the correct length of a line 256.32 m long, measured using a 50 m steel tape at 38 °C. the
steel tape was calibrated at 20 °C. Ans. 256.374
5. A 50 m steel tape was standardized and supported throughout its whole length and found to be
0.00205m longer at an observed temperature of 31.8°C. this tape was used to measure a line which
was found to be 662.702m at an average temperature of 24.6°C using the same pull. Use coefficient
of expansion of α=11.6 x 10−6 /°C. Compute the correct length. Ans. 662.674
6. A steel tape is 100m long at standard pull of 65 N. Compute the pull correction in mm if during
measurement the applied pull is 40 N. The tape has a cross sectional area of 3.18 mm 2 and a modulus
of elasticity E= 200 000 Mpa. Ans. -3.93
