JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF

AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

UNIT: SURVEYING (INTERNAL ATTACHMENT)

COLLEGE: COETEC
SCHOOL: SCEGE
COURSE: B.SC. CIVIL ENGINEERING
REPORT ON TRAVERSING

COMPILED BY: BRIAN GITHUA – ENC211-0278/2022

A. TRAVERSING
INTRODUCTION
The known starting points were EXAM and HSC. We established 4 unknown stations by method
of traverse which can be further used for the densification of the control points. Closing points
were HOS and TM7 which are known.

TRAVERSING – This is a form of control survey that require establishment of a series of

stations that are linked together by angles and distances. It can be open traverse or closed
traverse. The use of theodolite in traversing survey is one of the most common methods in
engineering works to get provision of control surveys, angle measuring and detail mapping.

OBJECTIVES
1.To learn how to compute a traverse and properly adjust the measured values of a closed
traverse to achieve mathematical closure.
2. To learn the principles of running a closed field traverse.
3.To get hands on experience in setting up and working with the theodolites, ranging rods, tripod
stands, plumb bob and as well collect data of relevant fieldwork.
4.To have the opportunity to apply the theories taught in class to a hands – on situation.
5.To enable identification errors and make adjustments to the data by using the correct formula.
9.To determine the bearing and coordinates of the four station points

EQUIPMENTS USED
1. TRIPOD STAND
This is a three-legged support platform for the level. The main function of the tripod stand is to
ensure a stable instrument setup for reliable measurements. The legs of the tripod can be adjusted
to get the vertical height required. Once the instrument is moved, then it must be set up again
which is to loosen the screw and adjust again and lock it back tight. It usually has a flat tip and a
mounting screw for instrument attachment. It also makes sure that the levelling tripod placed
horizontally.
2. THEODOLITE
This is a precision instrument for measuring angles in both horizontal and vertical planes. It is
used to identify the ground level. It consists of a small sized movable telescope mounted within
two perpendicular axis which are horizontal and vertical axis. It is able to rotate 360 degrees on a
tripod stand that’s where we get angles from. When the telescope is pointed at a target object the
angle of each axis can be measured. Its commonly used to measure horizontal and vertical
angles, ranging and leveling as well as controlling vertically.
3. PLUMB BOB
This is a device used to center the instrument over a ground station to find the vertical reference
line called plumb.
1. RANGING RODS
They are used to mark areas and set out straight lines on the field. It is also used to mark points
that must be seen from a distance. The length of ranging rod is either 2 meters or 3 meters. It is
made of metal or wood. They are painted with red-white or black-white bands.
2. MEASURING TAPE
This is used to measure the distances from one station to the other.
3. NAILS
They are used to mark specific locations. A nail permanently affixes the marker directly to the
ground or surface.

PROCEDURE OF TRAVERSING
1. Setting up the Theodolite
• Setting the tripod
The tripod legs are spread out and rested lightly on the ground around the survey point. The legs
are moved to bring the tripod head over the survey point keeping the tripod head as level as
possible.
• Mounting the instrument
The theodolite was carefully removed from the box and screwed to the tripod.
• Centering
A sight was taken through the optical plummet to view the survey peg. The foot screws are
turned to bring the instrument exactly over the peg. The theodolite is now centered not levelled.
• Levelling
Levelling was accomplished by raising or lowering the legs of the tripod, using the sliding leg
arrangement until the circular spirit level is centered. Some adjustments were then made;
 The plate spirit was set level over two screws and the bubble centralized
 The instrument was turned through 90 degrees and the bubble recentralized
  The above operations were repeated until the bubble remained central for both

2. The instrument was set to the required datum

3. Face left horizontal reading to backsight station (bearing and distance) was recorded
4. The instrument and sight foresight was turned to the next point.
5. Face left horizontal reading to foresight (bearing &distance) was recorded
6. The instrument was transit from face left to face right
7. The required datum (bearing) was set to backsight station
8. Face left horizontal reading to backsight station (bearing & distance) was recorded
9. The instrument was turned to face fore sight station
10. Face left horizontal reading to foresight station (bearing & distance) was recorded
11. The mean bearing foresight station was calculated
12. The instrument was moved to the next station (foresight station)
13. The above procedure was repeated for all other stations

DATA COLLECTED

After the field work was done the points that were observed were recorded at a field note book.
The note book contains readings taken from each point and the distance measured from each
station point.
The next page is the is the attached field note book pages where observed distances and angles
between station points were recorded.
The angular measurements observed were recorded in two rounds. Both readings for face left
and face right were taken. This means that in face left the vertical circle is at the left side of the
observer whereas, the face right is when the vertical circle is at the right side of the observer.
After round one observation were taken, the horizontal circle of the theodolite was disturbed at
an angle not less than 30 degrees. The angular measurements for face left and face right were
again taken.

ST4 TM7 HSC

 F.L: 281°55ʹ00ʹʹ

F.L: 38°22ʹ15ʹʹ -F.R: 343°42ʹ30ʹʹ

135.783m
-F.R: 100°30ʹ45ʹʹ -61°47ʹ30ʹʹ

-62°8ʹ30ʹʹ
@HOS

ST3 HOS HOS

F.L: 318°40ʹ15ʹʹ
7.358m F.L: 218°22ʹ15ʹʹ
-F.R: 259°25ʹ00ʹʹ -F.R: 159°2ʹ45ʹʹ
ST2 @ST4
ST4 ST4
F.L: 26°33ʹ30ʹʹ
6.400m F.L: 138°40ʹ15ʹʹ
-F.R: 82°42ʹ45ʹʹ -F.R: 194°47ʹ15ʹʹ
-56°9ʹ15ʹʹ
@ST3 -56°7ʹ00ʹʹ

ST1 ST3 ST3

F.L: 57°45ʹ30ʹʹ
8.077m F.L: 206°33ʹ30ʹʹ
-F.R: 105°5ʹ30ʹʹ -F.R: 253°44ʹ30ʹʹ
-47°20ʹ00ʹʹ
@ST2 -47°11ʹ0ʹʹ

EXAM ST2 ST2

F.L: 128°28ʹ15ʹʹ
4.360m F.L: 237°45ʹ30ʹʹ
-F.R: 91°34ʹ45ʹʹ -F.R: 201°4ʹ30ʹʹ
36°53ʹ30ʹʹ
@ST1 36°41ʹ30ʹʹ

HSC St1 ST1

F.L: 8°10ʹ30ʹʹ
5.655m F.L: 308°28ʹ15ʹʹ
-F.R: 50°30ʹ0ʹʹ -F.R: 350°49ʹ15ʹʹ
-42°19ʹ30ʹʹ
@Exam -42°21ʹ00ʹʹ

NB: For every round, the difference of FL and FR is constant every time the horizontal circle
was disturbed within the round.
 DATA ANALYSIS
From the observed bearings obtained from the field book above, analysis was done. What
took place was calculations were done to find the final bearings and the coordinates of the
four station points.
STATION OBSERVED ORIENTATION PRELIMINARY ADJUSTMENT FINAL
DIRECTION BEARING BEARING

@Exam
 HSC 8° 10ʹ 30ʹʹ -7°21ʹ07ʹʹ 8° 10ʹ 30ʹʹ 0° 49ʹ 23ʹʹ
 ST1 308° 28ʹ 15ʹʹ -7°21ʹ07ʹʹ 301° 07ʹ 08ʹʹ -00° 03ʹ 59ʹʹ 301° 03ʹ 09ʹʹ

@ ST1
 EXAM 128° 28ʹ 15ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 121° 07ʹ 08ʹʹ
 ST2 237° 45ʹ 30ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 230° 24ʹ 23ʹʹ -00° 07ʹ 57ʹʹ 230° 16ʹ 26ʹʹ

@ST2
 ST1 57° 45ʹ 30ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 50° 24ʹ 23ʹʹ
 ST3 206° 33ʹ 30ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 199° 12ʹ 23ʹʹ -00° 11ʹ 56ʹʹ 199° 00ʹ 27ʹʹ

@ST3
 ST2 26° 33ʹ 30ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 19° 12ʹ 23ʹ
 ST4 138° 40ʹ 15ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 131° 19ʹ 08ʹʹ -00° 15ʹ 54ʹʹ 131° 03ʹ 14ʹʹ

@ST4
 ST3 318° 40ʹ 15ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 311° 19' 08ʹʹ
 HOS 218° 22ʹ 15ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 211°01ʹ08ʹʹ -00° 19ʹ 53ʹʹ 210° 41ʹ 15ʹʹ

@HOS 38° 22ʹ 15ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 31° 01ʹ 08ʹʹ
 ST4 281°55ʹ 0ʹʹ -7° 21ʹ 07ʹʹ 274° 33ʹ 53ʹʹ -00° 23ʹ 51ʹʹ 274° 10ʹ 02ʹʹ
 TM7

STATION Δ NORTHING Δ EASTING NORTHING EASTING

 DATUM EXAM -121008.931 1321.710

EXAM-ST1 ST 1
301°03ʹ09ʹʹ +2.917 -4.845 -121033.625 1307.282
5.655m
+21.777 -9.583

ST1-ST2 ST 2
230°16ʹ26ʹʹ -2.787 -3.353 -121047.628 1296.54
4.360m +16.790 -7.389

ST2-ST3 ST 3
199°00ʹ27ʹʹ -7.637 -2.631 -121071.095 1280.221
8.077m
+31.104 -13.688

ST3-ST4 ST 4
131°03ʹ14ʹʹ -4.203 +4.826 -121091.538 1274.201
6.400m
+24.646 -10.846

ST4-HOS -6.328 -3.755

210°41ʹ15ʹʹ +28.336 -12.469
7.358m

Σ Distance= DATUM HOS -121113.547 1257.978

31.85m
TRAVERSE HOS -120999.299 1311.952
MISCLOSURES +122.654 -53.974

CONCLUSION
There were several difficulties we encountered while conducting the traverse survey i.e.
because of the human factor which is the readings taken are not consistent because there is
more than one observer. Parallax error also could be occurred.
The classification of the traverse is a fully oriented closed link traverse.

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF

AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
UNIT: SURVEYING (INTERNAL ATTACHMENT)
COLLEGE: COETEC
SCHOOL: SCEGE
COURSE: B.SC. CIVIL ENGINEERING
REPORT ON LEVELING

COMPILED BY: BRIAN GITHUA – ENC211-0278/2022

B. LEVELING
INTRODUCTION
Levelling is a fundamental surveying technique used to determine the height differences or
elevations of various points in a given area. Levelling plays a crucial role in producing
topographical maps, providing valuable information about the terrain's vertical profile and
ground levels. For this exercise Differential levelling was done.
For this exercise the levels of all the station points were determined using the required apparatus
with reference with the Benchmark which was 1550.370m.

OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the reduced levels of the station points 1, 2, 3 and 4.
2. To facilitate in indicating contours in a topographical map.

EQUIPMENTS USED
1.TRIPOD STAND
This is a three-legged support platform for the level. The main function of the tripod stand is to
ensure a stable instrument setup for reliable measurements. The legs of the tripod can be adjusted
to get the vertical height required. Once the instrument is moved, then it must be set up again
which is to loosen the screw and adjust again and lock it back tight. It usually has a flat tip and a
mounting screw for instrument attachment. It also makes sure that the levelling tripod placed
horizontally.
3.PLUMB BOB
This is a device used to center the instrument over a ground station to find the vertical reference
line called plumb.
4. RANGING RODS
They are used to mark areas and set out straight lines on the field. It is also used to mark points
that must be seen from a distance. The length of ranging rod is either 2 meters or 3 meters. It is
made of metal or wood. They are painted with red-white or black-white bands.
5.MEASURING TAPE
This is used to measure the distances from one station to the other.
6.NAILS
They are used to mark specific locations. A nail permanently affixes the marker directly to the
ground or surface.
7.DUMPY LEVEL
A dumpy level is a surveying instrument used to measure height differences or elevations in
surveying and construction projects. It consists of a telescope mounted on a tripod, allowing it to
be leveled and rotated horizontally. The dumpy level is commonly used for survey leveling to
determine height variations across a survey area.
4. LEVELLING STAFF
A leveling staff is a vertical instrument used to take vertical measurements. This instrument is
used with the dumpy level to measure the height differences or elevations in surveying.

PROCEDURE OF LEVELLING
1) Set up the dumpy level on an instrument station. I ensured that the dumpy level was put
in between two stations which were of same distance of each other.
2) The levelling staff was placed on the bench mark (BM) and the back-sight reading was
taken and recorded.
3) The levelling staff was then placed on station 4 and the fore-sight reading was again
taken and recorded.
4) The dumpy level was then shifted to a new instrument station that was between Station 4
and H.O.S ensuring that the instrument is the same distance from both points.
5) The levelling staff was placed on station 4 and the back-sight and fore-sight readings
were taken and recorded.
6) The levelling staff was then placed on H.O.S and the back-sight and fore-sight readings
were again taken and recorded.
7) The procedure was then repeated for TM7, Point 1, Station 3, station 2, Station 1, EXAM
and HSC.

DATA COLLECTED

Backsight Intersight Foresight Height of Reduced Adj. Reduced Remarks

 collimation level Level
1.118 1551.488 1550.370 1550.370 BM1
1.279 1.645 1551.122 1549.843 1549.819 ST4
1:021 1.683 1550.460 1549.439 1549.390 H.O.S
1.549 1.082 1550.967 1549.378 1549.305 TM7
0.652 1.254 1551.569 1550.315 1550.218 TBM 1
1.521 1.092 1551.998 1550.477 1550.356 ST3
1.310 1.085 1552.223 1550.913 1550.672 ST2
1.195 1.394 1552.024 1550.829 1550.659 ST1
1.322 1.343 1552.004 1550.681 1550.487 HSC
1.385 1.371 1552.018 1550.633 1554.414 EXAM
1.471 1.205 1552.284 1550.813 1550.570 TBM2
1.648 1550.637 1550.370 BM1
SUM SUM
=14.666 =14.199

DATA ANALYSIS
COMPUTATIONAL CHECK
Σ foresight – Σ backsight = start point – end point level.
14.199 – 14.466 = -0.267
1550.370 – 1550.637 = -0.267
ERROR ADJUSTMENT
Correction
1550.637 - 1550.370 = 0.267m
Error
-0.267m
Adjustment
-0.267/11 = -0.0243m

STATION REDUCED LEVEL ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTED

REDUCED LEVEL
BM1 1550.370 0 1550.370
ST4 1549.843 - 0.0243 x 1 1549.819
H.O.S 1549.439 - 0.0243 x 2 1549.390
 TM7 1549.378 - 0.0243 x 3 1549.305
TBM 1 1550.315 - 0.0243 x 4 1550.218
ST3 1550.477 - 0.0243 x 5 1550.356
ST2 1550.913 - 0.0243 x 6 1550.672
ST1 1550.829 - 0.0243 x 7 1550.659
HSC 1550.681 - 0.0243 x 8 1550.487
EXAM 1550.633 - 0.0243 x 9 1554.414
TBM2 1550.813 - 0.0243 x 10 1550.570
BM1 1550.637 - 0.0243 x 11 1550.370

CONCLUSION
There were several difficulties we encountered while conducting the levelling survey i.e.
because of the human factor which is the readings taken are not consistent because there is
more than one observer. Parallax error also could be occurred.
From the data collected the ground can be classified as fairly flat.

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF

AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
UNIT: SURVEYING (INTERNAL ATTACHMENT)
COLLEGE: COETEC
SCHOOL: SCEGE
COURSE: B.SC. CIVIL ENGINEERING
REPORT ON TACHEOMETRY

COMPILED BY: BRIAN GITHUA – ENC211-0278/2022

INTRODUCTION
Tacheometry is a rapid surveying technique that combines angular and distance measurements to
determine positions and elevations of points. Utilizing a theodolite, tacheometry enables accurate
data collection for topographical mapping, profiling, and assessing ground features, enhancing
the efficiency of surveying projects.
OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the coordinates and the reduced levels of the physical and man-made
features surrounding the station points.
2. To create and develop a topographical map from the obtained data.

EQUIPMENTS USED
1.TRIPOD STAND
This is a three-legged support platform for the level. The main function of the tripod stand is to
ensure a stable instrument setup for reliable measurements. The legs of the tripod can be adjusted
to get the vertical height required. Once the instrument is moved, then it must be set up again
which is to loosen the screw and adjust again and lock it back tight. It usually has a flat tip and a
mounting screw for instrument attachment. It also makes sure that the levelling tripod placed
horizontally.
3.PLUMB BOB
This is a device used to center the instrument over a ground station to find the vertical reference
line called plumb.
5. RANGING RODS
They are used to mark areas and set out straight lines on the field. It is also used to mark points
that must be seen from a distance. The length of ranging rod is either 2 meters or 3 meters. It is
made of metal or wood. They are painted with red-white or black-white bands.
5.MEASURING TAPE
This is used to measure the distances from one station to the other.

6. THEODOLITE
This is a precision instrument for measuring angles in both horizontal and vertical planes. It is
used to identify the ground level. In this case, it was used to determine the vertical and horizontal
angles of the features observed. The height of the feature was then measured using a levelling
staff.
7. LEVELLING STAFF
A leveling staff is a vertical instrument used to take vertical measurements. This instrument is
used with the dumpy level to measure the height differences or elevations in surveying.

PROCEDURE OF TACHEOMETRY
1) Identified features (natural and man-made) along our traverse i.e., paths and ditches (linear
features), trees (point features), and corners of buildings (areal features) etc.

2) Set up the theodolite and staff, and determined the bearings of the features from our control
points H4, p1, p2, p3 and Exam.

3) Observed and booked the upper and lower stadia readings of the staff to help determine the
slope distance of features from the control points.

4) Measured and booked the vertical angle (V.A) to help calculate the horizontal distances
from the slope distances.

5) Measured and booked the height of instrument (H.I) at every station, read and booked the
middle stadia reading of the staff to help determine reduced levels (R.L) of other features
from the stations.

DATA COLLECTED
The data that was collected during the exercise was: the stadia readings, horizontal and vertical
angles of the object from the instrument and the height of instrument.

DATA ANALYSIS
Data analysis was taken out where all data was fed into an excel spreadsheet. The
information intended to be obtained is the Horizontal distance, Vertical distance, Reduced
level and finally the northing and easting, thus the coordinates of each object.
The calculation sheets are attached below and the coordinates of all features taken form the
various station points. The coordinates of the features were taken in relation with the
coordinates of the station points determined during traversing exercise.
The data calculated was then used to draw the map of the surveyed area using Civil 3D. The
features observed are shown on the map together with contour lines showing the altitude
levels of different areas.
Find the attached map produced.

CONCLUSION
There were several difficulties we encountered while conducting the tacheometry exercise
i.e. because of the human factor which is the readings taken are not consistent because there
is more than one observer. Parallax error also could be occurred.

REFERENCES
 Mr. Ngigi lecture notes.
 Practical field surveying and computation. By Allan A.L