Introduction to Survey and Geomatics

Lecture - V
BY : Rupesh Bhandari
Teaching Assistant
Department of Geomatics Engineering
Kathmandu University
Chain Surveying
• Chain surveying (linear surveying) is method of land surveying in
which only liner measurements are carried out
• Used for areas of small extent on open ground with few details
• Simplest type of surveying consist of measuring length of lines
marked on field
• Requires only chain, tape ,few ranging rods and can easily used by
beginner in field of surveying
• Simple and general application. Not suitable for area with large area
and having many details.
• Details are natural or man made features at or near ground surface

Hard details: Buildings, walls, roads

Soft details: rivers, vegetation
Overhead details: power and telephone lines
Underground details: water mains, sewers etc.

The term details don’t include reliefs or undulations on ground

Principle of Chain Surveying
• A triangle is the simple figure which can be plotted from lengths of
three sides even if angle is not known.
• Chain survey is the easiest type of survey in which, area to be
surveyed is divided into a number of triangles.
• Simplest possible chain surveying consist of only one triangle

Sides AB, BC, and CA measured in field.

Offsets are taken to locate the details(building)
Principle of Chain Surveying
• Plan of area and details are plotted from the liner measurements
taken in field

• For larger areas, the system consist of a framework of triangles. The

exact measurement of triangle will depend on the extent and type of
area to be surveyed.
• Generally a long Baseline is run through the middle of area.
• It is most important line as it is used for building a framework of triangles.

• All the five sides AB,BC,CD,DA, DB are measured in the field and details are
located by offset.
• While plotting baseline is drawn first on sheet. Point A is fixed drawing an arc
AD and another arc AB from B and finding the point of intersection.
• Likewise point C is plotted / located by arc DC and BC
• Hence the plan is completed only by linear measurements

• Triangulation is the principle of chain surveying. If the area to be

surveyed is triangle in shape and if the lengths and sequence of its
three sides are recorded, the plan of the area can be easily drawn.
 Chain Surveying

• Suitability of Chain Survey

When the ground is fairly level and open with simple details
When the large scale plans are required
When the area is comparatively small in extent

• Unsuitability of Chain Survey

 For large areas

 Detailed areas
 Undulating areas
Terms related to Chain Surveying
• Survey stations are the points at the beginning and at the end of a
chain line
• They may also occur at any convenient position on the chain line

Such station may be

• Main Stations
• Subsidiary Stations
• Tie Stations
 Basic Definitions
Main Survey Station
• Prominent points which are connected by survey lines to form the triangles.
• Points at beginning and end of survey line
• The lines joining the main station are called Main Survey Lines.
• A, B,C,D are the main station and are denoted by Δ

Subsidiary station
• Station located on survey line between which the tie line of subsidiary line run.
• T1 T2 are the subsidiary station in for line T1T2
Check Lines
• Lines that are run to check the accuracy of framework
• Check line not required for plotting the triangle.
• Check line is measured in field during survey of area.
• After plotting the plan the length of check line is scaled from the drawing and
compared with measured length.
• Also called proof lines.

Offsets
Offsets are lateral distance taken from survey lines
Taken form survey lines to determine location of detail
• Perpendicular Offsets
• Lateral Offsets
Range Tie
• Oblique offsets taken along line of wall of building.

Plus Measurements
• These are the measurement of building taken along walls.
• Plus measurements are useful for plotting complete plan.

Tie Lines
If distance of point of detail from chain line is very long , long offsets have to be
taken
The tie lines are the line run to locate details to avoid long offsets.
In figure T1 T2 is the tie line to locate building
Can also be used as check line
Subsidiary station
• Station located on survey line between which the tie line of subsidiary line
run.
• T1 T2 are the subsidiary station in for line T1T2

Base line
• Long survey line which runs through the middle of the area to be surveyed
• Framework of triangles is build up on baseline
• Also called the Backbone
• Has to be measured accurately so reading has to be taken multiple times
Well Conditioned Triangle
• Attempt should be made to select the main survey station so that
they form well conditioned triangle
• A triangle is said well conditioned if it is plotted accurately by
intersection of arcs from ends of baseline.
• Intersection good if location on map has small error.

• Accuracy of plotting Point C will be maximum when two arc intersect

at an angle 90 degree (ABC=90)
• Let there be +ve error e in measurement of one side AC
• Because of that error e, actual point C will plot as C’

• Displacement of C to C’ depends on Angle ACB.

• If ACB=90 CC’ is very nearly equal to e.
• If ACB= 30 then corresponding displacement CC’ would be 2e.

• Intersection of angle less than 30 is quiet inaccurate.

• To get ideal intersection , angle ACB should be 90 degree
• Sum of 3 angles of tringle 180, so all angles cant be 90 degree

• Therefore when there is equal liability of error in all three sides , the well
conditioned triangle is an equilateral triangle.
• The displacement CC’ is about 1.15e if the angle is 60 degree

• If an equilateral triangle not possible due to site condition , attempt

should be made to form a triangle less then 30 degree of more than 120.
• Well conditioned and ill conditioned Triangle
Chain surveying instruments

Chain
Tape
Arrows
Ranging Rods
Offset Staff
Optical Square
Procedure of Chain surveying
Field work in Chain surveying:

• Reconnaissance
• Selection of the station
• Running survey lines
• Taking Offsets
 Reconnaissance
• This is the preliminary survey in which to the survey party will examine
the plot to be surveyed in order to know as to how the works can be
executed in the best possible ways

• The party will note all details like roads, buildings, canals, ditches, culverts
and the difficulties and obstacles that may arise during the carrying out of
the work

• The party should locate the suitable points for stations by driving pegs.
Sometimes a small triangle or a circle is made around the stations and the
pegs are inserted into the centers.
Reconnaissance
• The party should then make a rough sketch of the plot showing the
possible stations and from there the arrangement of different lines.

• It is important to give a north line on the rough sketch and though the
sketch is not prepared according to the scale,

• It should represent the approximate positions of the different things

in the plot and hence to be a good guide for further work
Selection of survey Station
• These are points on the ground fixed by driving pegs.

• Every station should be located with respect to three permanent

objects i.e. the distances from these objects to the stations should be
measured very accurately and recorded in the field book.

• The advantage of taking this measurement is that if in future the peg

at the station is lost, then it can be located again by knowing
descriptions and distances of these objects.
• The triangle should be a well-defined one, i.e. nearly equilateral triangle.
• Every main station should be visible from the other two
• There should be a minimum number of obstacles in Ranging and chaining
• The chain line should run near the boundary of the plot
• The chain line should be as few as possible
• The chain line should be over an approximately leveled ground
• In the case of chaining along the road, it is always better to run chains on
one side of the road to avoid interruptions by vehicles.
• It is better not to cross the road frequently
• Offsets should not exceed one chain
• Check and tie lines should be provided in sufficient number so that all the
main lines, of sets and other details, can be checked thoroughly
• The framework should have at least one long baseline that runs through
middle of area
• If there are two baselines, they should intersect preferably in the form of
letter X.

• While selecting the main station and survey lines, the basic principle
surveying of working from whole to part should be followed. The larger
framework consisting of control triangles should be accurately surveyed
first to fix the control points
• Smaller triangles can be fitted in large triangles if necessary.
Selection of base line
• It should be laid on a level ground
• It should be run through the center of the length of the area
• It should be correctly measured horizontally
• It should be measured twice or thrice and the mean value accepted
as its correct length
• Great care should be taken to ensure straightness of the base line
while measuring
Measurement of lines and taking offsets of
different objects in the field
• The main station A is located with respect to three permanent objects
and a ranging rod is fixed to the station. One ranging rod is fixed at
main station B and another at an intermediate point in between A &
B.

• The three rods will be in a straight line when only the intermediate
rod is visible if a man looks from A to B. Now measurement of line AB
is taken by the chain. The chain should be properly stretched so that
there is no sag in it.
• As the measurement proceeds, offsets are taken on both side's of the
line AB and recorded in the field book.

• In this way, all the lines including tie and check lines are measured
and offset taken and recorded in the field book
• Offsets- lateral distance of an object from survey line.
• Offsets should be as small as possible
P Q

• Types
• Perpendicular – less measuring on ground
• When the lateral measurement for fixing detail points are made perpendicular to a chain line, the
offset are known as perpendicular or right angled offsets
• Oblique
• When the lateral measurement for fixing detail points are made at any angle to the chain line, the
offsets are known as oblique offsets
P

900
≠ 900 B
A B A
C C
Operation in Chain Surveying
• The following operations are involved in chain surveying
• Chaining
• Ranging
• Offsetting
• These three operations are done simultaneously during chain
Surveying
Chaining
• The method of taking measurement with the help of chain or tape is
termed as chaining.
• Chaining involves following operations
• Fixing the stations
• Unfolding the chain
• Ranging
• Measuring the distance (Survey Line)
• Folding the Chain
Fixing of Station
• Stations are first of all marked with pegs and ranging rods to make them visible

Unfolding of a Chain
To open a chain, the strap is unfastened and the two brass handles are held in the
left hand and the bunch is thrown forward with the right hand.
Then one chainmen moves forward by holding the other handle until the chain is
completely extended.
Ranging :
• In measuring the length of a survey line, it is necessary that the chain
should be laid on the ground in a straight line between the end stations.
• If the line is short, it is easy to put the chain in true alignment.
• But if the line is long, it is necessary to place intermediate ranging rods
to maintain the direction.
• Fixing of intermediate points in a straight line between the two end
stations is known as ranging.
Procedure of Chain surveying
Chaining a Survey Line
• To chain a survey line the follower holds the chain in contact with the peg at the
beginning of the line and then leader moves forward in line with the ranging rod fixed
at the end of the chain line.
• The follower gives necessary directions in this regard so that leader moves in correct
alignment.
• The leader takes ten arrows in one hand and the handle in the other hand along with a
ranging rod.
• At the end of the chain the leader holds the ranging rod vertically in contact and the
instructions are given by the follower to move left or right using the code of signals.
• The leader then holds the handle in both the hands keeping him self in a straight line
and straightens the chain by jerking it and stretches over the mark.
• He then fixes an arrow at the end of the chain. The leader then moves forward with the
remaining nine arrows in hand.
Procedure of Chain surveying
Chaining a Survey Line
• The follower holding the rear handle of the chain comes up to the
arrow fixed by the leader and calls chain so that the leader stops
moving forward.
• The process is repeated till all the arrows are fixed by the leader.
• The follower who collected all these arrows hands over to leader.
• The number of arrows in the hand of the follower shows number of
chain lengths measured. In this way the whole length of a survey line
is measured
Offsets
• For setting perpendicular offsets any one of the following methods
are used:
(i) Swinging
(ii) Using cross staffs
(iii) Using optical or prism square
 Perpendicular Offset by Swinging
• Chain is stretched along the survey line. An assistant holds the end of tape on
the object. Surveyor swings the tape on chain line and selects the point on
chain where offset distance is the least
• and notes chain reading as well as offset reading in a field book on a neat
sketch of the object
Perpendicular Offsets Using Cross Staffs
• Three different types of cross staffs used for setting perpendicular
offsets.
• All cross staffs are having two perpendicular lines of sights.
• The cross staffs are mounted on stand.
• First line of sight is set along the chain line and without disturbing
setting right angle line of sight is checked to locate the object.
• With open cross staff Fig(a) it is possible to set perpendicular only

• with French cross staff Fig(b), even 45º angle can be set.

• Adjustable cross staff can be used to set any angle also, since there are
graduations and upper drum can be rotated over lower drum.
Perpendicular Offsets Using Optical Square
and Prism square
• These instruments are based on the optical principle that if two
mirrors are at angle θ to each other
• they reflect a ray at angle 2θ. Figure shows a typical optical square
3-4-5 Method
• AB is the chain line it is required to erect a perpendicular at C of the
chain line.
• Establish a pt D at 3 m distance.
• The tape is stretched tight by fastening the end D and C
• The point D is established such that DE = 5 m and CE= 4 m and CD = 3
m and DE² = CD² + CE²
• 5² = 3² + 4²= 25 thus Angle DCE = 90 degree
• CE is perpendicular to chain line at C
Field Book
• All observations and measurements taken during chain surveying are to
be recorded in a standard field book. It is a oblong book, which can be
carried in the pocket.
• There are two forms of the book
(i) single line and
(ii) double line.
The pages of a single book are having a red line along the length of the
paper in the middle of the width. It indicates the chain line.
• All chainage are written across it.
• The space on either side of the line is used for sketching the object
and for noting offset distances.
• In double line book there are two blue lines with a space of 15 to 20
mm
• The space between the two lines is utilized for noting the chainage
 Limiting Length of Offsets
• The length of offsets should not be too long
• Otherwise, the error produced by long offset would be appreciable on
paper

The limiting length of offset depends on many factors

• Accuracy desired
• Scale of plotting
• Maximum error in laying off direction of offset
• Nature of ground
• The minimum distance distinguishable on plan is taken to be 0.25mm
• This is important consideration while deciding shortest distance that can
be plotted.
• It also depends on scale as well

• For eg: (for scale of 1cm=20m)

Shortest length that can be plotted

=20* 100*0.25
= 500mm
 Error in direction of Offset
• Let P be the point from which offset PC has been laid instead of PD
on line AB
• Length of offset PC is l and let α be error when laying the offset on
ground
• This when plotted on paper will be CP1 instead of CP.
• Thus the point is displaced by PP2 along the chain line and P2P1
perpendicular to the chain line.
• If the scale of plotting is 1cm=S m

𝑙𝑠𝑖𝑛α
PP2 = [From triangle P1PC]
𝑆
If the limit of accuracy in plotting is 0.025m
𝑙𝑠𝑖𝑛α
= 0.025
𝑆
l= 0.025*S cosec α (maximum length of offset)

Therefore, the limiting length of offset is 0.025 S cosecα for an error α in

laying the offset and the
Displacement of chain line P1P2 on paper will be
𝑙−𝑙 cosα
P1P2= CP1-CP2 =
𝑆
 Error in length and direction both
• Let P be the detail point to be located. If there is a negative error 𝛿l in
the measurement of offset, the distance PP1 is equal to 𝛿l.
• The measured length of offset is l. Let α be the direction of offset,
• The plotted position of P is P2. Now
PP1 = displacement due to incorrect length
P1P2= displacement due to incorrect direction

PP2= total displacement due to error in both length and direction

• If the length of offset has been measured to an accuracy of 1 in r
𝛿l=1/r

• If the displacement of point P due to error in measurement of length is equal to that

due to incorrect direction
P1P2= PP1
l sin α =𝛿l
r= cosec α
• This gives degree of accuracy with which the length of offset should be measured so
that the error due to both source are equal.

• Taking PP1P2 approx. equal to 90 degree

• Total displacement, PP2= √(P1P2)²+(PP1)²
= √(P1P2)²+(P1P2)²
= P1P2√2
= l sin α √2
• Let the scale of plotting be 1cm= S m . The displacement on sheet will
be limited to 0.025cm if

PP2= 0.025 = 1/40

𝟐𝒍𝒔𝒊𝒏α 1
= 40
𝑺
S cosec α
l= 40√2

Substituting value of cosec α form above eq we get

S𝑟
l=
40√2
This gives the limiting length of offset in meters
• The above treatment is based on assumption that displacement due to
error in linear measurement is equal to due to incorrect direction.
• If these displacement are not equal then the total displacement is

• PP2= √(P1P2)²+(PP1)²
= √ (𝑙𝑠𝑖𝑛α)²+𝛿l²
For maximum displacement of 0.025 cm on paper
Obstacles in Chain Surveying
• Obstacles some times interfere with chaining. In such cases the
obstructed distances are found indirectly using the help of
geometrical constructions.

Obstacles may be classified into three categories.

1) Chaining free but vision obstructed
2) Chaining obstructed but vision free
3) Both chaining and vision are obstructed
Obstacles in Chain Surveying
1. Chaining free but vision obstructed:
In this it is possible to move chain between the two end stations but
they are not visible to each other due to obstructions.
E.g. rising ground, hill or jungle intervening.
There are two cases:
i) It is not possible to see both ends from intermediate stations. Ex: a
hillock in between two stations.
ii) It is possible to see both the ends from any intermediate station.
Case (i): In this case, the problem may be overcome by indirect
ranging.
Obstacles in Chain Surveying
Case (ii): This case occurs when a pond, a tree intervenes, preventing the
fixing of intermediate stations. In this case random line method may be
used. Let
• AB be the line whose length is required.
• From A run a line AB1 called a random line,
in any convenient direction.
• Chain the line to B from A making
BB1 perpendicular to AB1 and measure BB1.
Then AB = √AB2 + BB2
1 1

• Intermediate points such as C can be located on the line AB by measuring

• AC1.
• CC1/ BB1 =AC1/AB1
• CC1 =( AC1/AB1)* BB1
 Obstacles in Chain Surveying
Chaining obstructed but vision free.
This is the case when a pond, river or plantations intervenes. Two convenient points have
to be located on the chain line on either side of the obstacle and the distance between
them found.

There are two cases

i) In which it is possible to chain round the obstacle e.g. a pond, a bend in

the river etc.
ii) In which it is not possible to chain round the obstacle, e.g. a river.
Obstacles in Chain Surveying
Case i): Let AB be chain line and a pond intervenes.
1) Two convenient points C and D are selected on the chain line on either
side of the obstacle. Erect equal perpendiculars CE and DF and measure the
length EF

Then CD = EF
Obstacles in Chain Surveying
2) Select a point C on the chain the AB on one side of the
obstacle and setout CD to clear the obstacle. At D erect a perpendicular DE to
clear the obstacle, cutting the chain line at E. Measure CD and DE

Then CE =  CD2 +DE2

Obstacles in Chain Surveying
3) Select two points C and D on either side of the obstacle. Set out perpendicular
CE of length such that DE clears the obstacle. Measure CE and DE then.

CD =  DE2 - CE2
Obstacles in Chain Surveying
Case ii): The typical example of this class of
obstacle is a river. In which it is not possible to chain round the obstacle, e.g. a
river
Select two points A and B on the chain line PR
on opposite banks of the river. Setout a perpendicular
AD and bisect it at C. At D erect a perpendicular
DE and mark the point E in line with C and B.
Measure DE.
Since the triangles ABC and CED are similar.
AB = DE
Obstacles in Chain Surveying

As before select two points A and B. Set out a

perpendicular AD at A. with cross staff erect a
perpendicular to DB at D, cutting the chain line
at C. Measure AD and AC.
Since the triangles ABD and ACD are similar

AB /AD = AD/ AC

AB = AD2/ AC
Obstacles in Chain Surveying

A survey line BAC crosses a river A and C being on the near

and distant banks respectively. Standing at D, a point 50 m
measured perpendicularly to AB from A, the angle BDC = 90o
and AB being 25 metres. Find the width of the river.
Obstacles in Chain Surveying
3. Chaining and vision both obstructed:
In this case the problem consists in prolonging the line beyond the obstacle and
determining the distance across it. A building is a typical example of this type of
obstacle.
Point C is chosen on the chain line AB as near as possible to the building and
rectangles EFGC, DHJK are setup on either side of the obstruction, JH is ranged in
line with FG.
Then EF= CG=DH=KJ, FGHJ is a straight line and GH = CD, the missing
portion of the chain line AB.
 Obstacles in Chain Surveying

To continue a survey line A B to over

come the obstacle a line BC 200 meters
long was set out perpendicular to AB and
from C angles BCD and BCE were set out
at 60o and 45o respectively. Determine
the lengths which must be chained off
along CD. Determine the obstructed
length BE.
Obstacles in Chain Surveying
• There is an obstacle in the form of a pond on
the main chain line AB. Two points C and D
were taken on the opposite sides of the pond.
On the left of CD, a line CE was laid out 100m in
length and a second line CF, 80 m long was laid
out on the right of CD, such that E,D and F are
in the same straight line. ED and DF were
measured and found to be 60 m and 56 m
respectively. Find out the obstructed length CD.
CD is the obstructed length of the pond on the chain line AB. CE and CF
are known to be 100 and 80 m respectively and EF = 60 + 56= 116 m
• A base line measured with a steel tape gives an approximate length of
1000m. Compute the correct length of the base line at mean sea level
when the pull at the standardization equals 15kg. The applied pull is 23kg.
The cross sectional area of tape is 0.0645 cm² and E= 2.11*10^6 kg/ cm².
Temperature Tm and To are 35 degree C and 15 degree C, respectively. The
coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of the tape per degree C is
11.5*10^-6. The difference in level of the two ends of base line is 2m.
R=6400km. Elevation of base line above mean sea level=100m.
• Determine the correct length of line reduce to the mean sea level when
the recorded length with a tape hanging in catenary at a tension of 85N
and temperature of 22 degree Celsius is 30.071m. The difference
between ends is 0.42m and the site is 2000m above the MSL. The tape
had been previously standardized in Catenary at a tension of 50 N and a
temperature of 27 degree Celsius and distance between zeros was
30.035m.
• Weight of tape = 7N
• Cross Section area= 3.9mm²
• Coefficient of Expansion = 2*10^-5 per degree Celsius
• Young’s Modulus = 2*10 ^5 N/mm²
• Radius of earth = 6370 km
• Determine the limiting length of offset if it is laid out at an angle 3
degree to its true direction. The scale of plotting is 1cm=10m. What
would be the displacement perpendicular to the chain line on the
drawing?

• The angular error in laying off the perpendicular direction of an offset

was found to be 5 degree . What would be the accuracy with which
the offset should be measured so that the maximum displacement of
pint on paper from both sources of error be same?
• l sin α =1/r
• l sin 5 =1/r
• R= cosec 5
=11.47
• Accuracy 1 in 11.47m